Auto Yoke Project

Описание: The Auto Yoke is 1-axis portable auto pilot that is currently under development in Louisville, Kentucky. It consists of a control box, a patented yoke actuator and a 12V power cable. The box contains the motherboard, a AHRS unit, the stepper motor control unit, a touch screen display, GPS receiver and a bluetooth module. It is wired to the yoke actuator, which has a frame, a linear stepper motor and a counterweight.

These parts are attached to the instrument panel and to the yoke, respectively, using velcro, a rubber band or a spring loaded clamp. No tools are necessary, and the machine can be installed and removed during the flight.

Moving the counterweight left and right creates a torque that causes aileron input. Since the bank angle necessary to follow a typical cross country flight plan rarely exceeded 3 degrees (and that only momentarily), retrimming the plane is not necessary, despite not having controls over the elevator and altitude.

When fully developed, this equipment will be capable to track headings and make turns as assigned via the control box buttons or smartphone. As of today (July 2021) the system is not yet capable of autonomous operation because further refinement of the AHRS unit is needed. Therefore, in this video a potentiometer is used to manually control the position of the counteweight.

Find us at boot Hangar G, booth 7011, during the EAA Air Venture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, starting Monday, July 26th.