Patent classifications
B64D31/06
CONTROL SYSTEM
An aircraft control system (100) including an input interface (102), an output interface (114) and a processing engine (108) having a classifier (110) that applies input data (104) generated by the input interface (102) to generate output control data (112). The classifier (110) has a plurality of parameters which represent a control policy for operating the aircraft (800). The output interface (114) generates control outputs to control the aircraft (800) based on the output control data (112). A machine learning system (900) for training the classifier (110) including an environment (902), a pathway evaluation engine (904), storage (906), and a training engine (908). The machine learning system (900) generates training data (912) by selecting a pathway representing an operating procedure using the pathway evaluation engine (904). The training engine (908) trains the classifier (110) using the training data (912).
A METHOD
A method for controlling an aircraft when taxiing comprising the steps of: measuring an angle of rotation of an active side stick about a first axis and a second axis; receiving an aircraft signal representative of an actual state of the aircraft; generating a control signal based on at least one of: the aircraft signal and the angle of rotation of the active side stick about a first axis and a second axis; transmitting the control signal to the aircraft, whereby the control signal causes an action affecting the actual state of the aircraft; determining a required state of the aircraft; generating a user feedback signal based on at least one difference between the actual state and the required state; and carrying out a user feedback action based on the user feedback signal.
System and method for controlling a takeoff thrust
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for controlling thrust produced at takeoff by at least one engine (114, 116) of an aircraft (100). At least one input signal comprising input data indicative of a speed of the aircraft is received (202). The speed of the aircraft is compared to a first pre-determined threshold. Responsive to determining that the speed is below the first threshold, a thrust limit for the at least one engine is determined (204) from the input data and output to the at least one engine a thrust limitation signal for causing the thrust to be limited according to the thrust limit (210).
System and method for controlling a takeoff thrust
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for controlling thrust produced at takeoff by at least one engine (114, 116) of an aircraft (100). At least one input signal comprising input data indicative of a speed of the aircraft is received (202). The speed of the aircraft is compared to a first pre-determined threshold. Responsive to determining that the speed is below the first threshold, a thrust limit for the at least one engine is determined (204) from the input data and output to the at least one engine a thrust limitation signal for causing the thrust to be limited according to the thrust limit (210).
ELECTRIC MACHINES FOR AIRCRAFT ENGINE FAULT DETECTION
Methods and systems for monitoring operation of hybrid electric engines of aircraft. The methods include monitoring a motor condition of an electrical power system associated with an engine condition using a motor sensor, wherein the electrical power system comprises an electric machine operably coupled to at least one shaft of an engine core, wherein the electric machine is configured to at least one of add power to the at least one shaft and extract power from the at least one shaft, receiving motor data from the motor sensor at a motor controller, wherein the motor controller is configured to control operation of, at least, the electric machine, analyzing the motor data to determine the presence of a fault in the engine core, and, when a fault is detected, performing a fault response action.
ELECTRIC MACHINES FOR AIRCRAFT ENGINE FAULT DETECTION
Methods and systems for monitoring operation of hybrid electric engines of aircraft. The methods include monitoring a motor condition of an electrical power system associated with an engine condition using a motor sensor, wherein the electrical power system comprises an electric machine operably coupled to at least one shaft of an engine core, wherein the electric machine is configured to at least one of add power to the at least one shaft and extract power from the at least one shaft, receiving motor data from the motor sensor at a motor controller, wherein the motor controller is configured to control operation of, at least, the electric machine, analyzing the motor data to determine the presence of a fault in the engine core, and, when a fault is detected, performing a fault response action.
Providing a load from a motor to inhibit further rotation of a propeller of an aerial vehicle while in flight
A technique for operating an aerial vehicle involves enabling a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) propeller of the aerial vehicle to rotate freely. The VTOL propeller is coupled with a VTOL motor (e.g., a 3-phase brushless DC motor). The technique further involves detecting when the VTOL propeller rotates to a predefined position relative to a direction of flight for the aerial vehicle (e.g., when blades of the VTOL propeller extend along an axis that is parallel to the direction of flight). The technique further involves, in response to detecting that the VTOL propeller has rotated to the predefined position, providing a load from the VTOL motor that inhibits further rotation of the VTOL propeller. Accordingly, while the aerial vehicle is in fixed wing horizontal flight, the controller is able to align the VTOL propeller in the direction of horizontal flight to minimize drag from the VTOL propeller.
Providing a load from a motor to inhibit further rotation of a propeller of an aerial vehicle while in flight
A technique for operating an aerial vehicle involves enabling a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) propeller of the aerial vehicle to rotate freely. The VTOL propeller is coupled with a VTOL motor (e.g., a 3-phase brushless DC motor). The technique further involves detecting when the VTOL propeller rotates to a predefined position relative to a direction of flight for the aerial vehicle (e.g., when blades of the VTOL propeller extend along an axis that is parallel to the direction of flight). The technique further involves, in response to detecting that the VTOL propeller has rotated to the predefined position, providing a load from the VTOL motor that inhibits further rotation of the VTOL propeller. Accordingly, while the aerial vehicle is in fixed wing horizontal flight, the controller is able to align the VTOL propeller in the direction of horizontal flight to minimize drag from the VTOL propeller.
ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING AN UNMANNED AIRCRAFT, AND ASSOCIATED METHODS AND COMPUTER PROGRAMS
Said control system comprises: a remote device comprising: a remote module for acquiring flight plan data, and a remote module for calculating a remote trajectory or a remote setpoint according to the flight plan data; an on-board device comprising: an on-board module for acquiring flight plan data, an on-board module for calculating an on-board trajectory or an on-board setpoint according to the data acquired by the on-board acquisition module.
The remote device comprises a module for validating the trajectory which is configured to: acquire the on-board and remote trajectory or setpoint; validate or reject the on-board trajectory or setpoint according to the remote trajectory or setpoint; transmit the result of the validation to the on-board device.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR STARTING A SENSORLESS MOTOR
Systems, devices, and methods for: an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); at least one sensorless motor of the UAV, the at least one sensorless motor comprising a set of windings and a rotor; at least one propeller connected to the at least one sensorless motor; a microcontroller in communication with the at least one sensorless motor, wherein the microcontroller is configured to: determine a rotation rate of the at least one propeller; determine a rotation direction of the at least one propeller; provide an output to stop the at least one propeller if at least one of: the determined rotation rate is not a desired rotation rate and the determined rotation direction is not a desired rotation direction; and provide an output to start the at least one propeller if the at least one propeller is stopped at the desired rotation rate and the desired rotation direction.