Patent classifications
B64C13/503
ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT
In an aspect the current disclosure is directed to an electric aircraft, wherein the electric aircraft is comprised of a plurality of flight components and a flight controller. A plurality of flight components is comprised of a plurality of control surfaces, a plurality of lift propulsors, at least a thrust propulsor, and a plurality of electric motors configured to power the plurality of propulsors. The flight controller is communicatively connected to a pilot input and flight components. The flight controller is configured to receive control datum from a pilot input and generate an output datum as a function of the control datum.
System and method for monitoring aircraft pilot control position and providing a retrim prompt
A rotorcraft including a pilot control having a sensor that generates pilot control position data, a flight control that controls a flight characteristic of the rotorcraft, a trim system connected to the pilot control and configured to move the pilot control, and a flight control computer (FCC) configured to receive the pilot control position data from the sensor. The FCC executes a first flight control process and generates, according to the first flight control commands, a trim signal indicating a target position for the pilot control and to send the trim signal to the trim system to cause the trim system to attempt to move the pilot control to the target position to reflect a position of the flight control, and to monitor a working state of the trim system and execute a retrim process in response to determining that the trim system has failed.
Active horizontal stabilizer for high speed rotorcraft
A rotorcraft has a horizontal stabilizer movable about an axis of rotation and a horizontal stabilizer control system configured to control the horizontal stabilizer to at least one of move the rotorcraft into a minimum drag position, maintain the aircraft in a minimum drag position, efficiently achieve a maneuver, enter efficient autorotation, and maintain efficient autorotation.
Actuator mechanism for control surface mass balance alleviation
Installation of powered actuators in the leading edge of a control surface in order to have a better weight distribution. The systems described herein propose an actuation system with a static ground structure used to move a control surface of an aircraft. The actuation system, and the ground structure are aligned with the center of rotation of the control surface, providing the aircraft with flutter suppression. This proposal is an approach to use the actuator in a place favorable to the mass balancing and reducing or even dismissing the usage of mass balancing, saving weight and cost.
TRANSMISSION OF POWER AND COMMUNICATION OF SIGNALS OVER FUEL AND HYDRAULIC LINES IN A VEHICLE
Systems and methods for communicating a signal over a hydraulic line in a vehicle are provided. In one embodiment, a system can include a hydraulic line. The hydraulic line can include at least one communication medium for propagating a communication signal. The system can also include at least one signal communication device configured to receive the communication signal communicated over the hydraulic line. The system can also include at least one vehicle component in communication with the at least one signal communication device.
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPROVED AIRCRAFT TAKEOFF PERFORMANCE IN THE PRESENCE OF ASYMMETRIC THRUST CONDITIONS
In the event of a failed engine, an automatic takeoff thrust asymmetry compensation system (“ATACS”) for an aircraft improves capabilities to reduce VMCG and deal with the potential side-effects simultaneously. The system commands selected control surfaces (which can be e.g., rudder and/or ailerons and/or spoilers or any combinations thereof) for a short period of time, improving the capability to reduce the VMCG without increasing the penalty on system failures or poor handling qualities.
ELECTRICAL ARCHITECTURE FOR SLAT/FLAP CONTROL USING SMART SENSORS AND EFFECTORS
A centralized control system and/or method for controlling an aircraft are provided. The centralized control system includes a controller configured to receive a device signal and transmit a control signal, a communication bus connected to the controller being configured to transport the device signal and the control signal, a plurality of devices connected to the controller using the communication bus, wherein at least one of the plurality of devices includes at least one of a sensor being configured to collect the device signal and an effector configured to respond to the control signal, and a bus communication circuit configured to communicate over the communication bus to the controller.
Systems and methods for an aircraft motion observer in an electric aircraft
A command model connected to plurality of flight components of an electric aircraft and comprises a circuitry configured to detect a predicted state and a measured state datum, transmit predicted state datum to an actuator model, and transmit measured state datum to a plant model. An actuator model connected to the sensor configured to receive the predicted state datum and generate a performance datum. A plant model connected to the sensor configured to receive measured state datum and performance datum from the actuator model, transmit a feedback path to controller, and generate an inconsistency datum as a function of the measured state datum and the performance datum. A controller communicatively connected to the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to receive the inconsistency datum from the plant model and apply a torque to the aircraft as a function of the inconsistency datum.
System and method for flight control in electric aircraft
A system for flight control in electric aircraft includes a flight controller configured to provide an initial vehicle torque signal including a plurality of attitude commands. The system includes a mixer configured to receive the initial vehicle torque signal and a vehicle torque limit, receive prioritization data including a prioritization datum corresponding to each of the plurality of attitude command, determine a plurality of modified attitude commands as a function of the vehicle torque limit, the attitude commands, and the prioritization data, generate, as a function of modified attitude commands, an output torque command including the initial vehicle torque signal adjusted as a function of the vehicle torque limit, generate, as a function of the output torque command, a remaining vehicle torque. The system includes a display, wherein the display is configured to present, to a user, the remaining vehicle torque and the output torque command.