Patent classifications
B64C13/506
Pitch and thrust control for tilt-rotor aircraft
A control circuitry includes a propulsor trim prediction circuitry and an output circuitry. The propulsor trim prediction circuitry is configured to generate a predicted proprotor nacelle trim value based on an aircraft velocity and a pitch attitude deviation from a reference. The output circuitry is configured to output a proprotor nacelle command based on the predicted proprotor nacelle trim value. The proprotor nacelle command is configured to cause an adjustment in a nacelle angle of a proprotor of an aircraft.
FLIGHT CONTROL METHOD FOR ROTORCRAFT, AND A ROTORCRAFT
A method of controlling a path of a rotorcraft. The method comprises a step of generating a first path setpoint and a step of automatically generating a first autopilot command from the first path setpoint. The method comprises a step of generating a first pilot setpoint during which a movement of a control member is transformed into a first pilot setpoint, the first pilot setpoint and the first flight parameter being homogenous in that they are expressed in the same measurement unit. The method includes a step of generating a first human pilot command from the first pilot setpoint followed by a step of generating a path command by combining the first autopilot command and the human pilot command.
Device for managing the mechanical energy of an aircraft, with a force application system on a control lever, related aircraft and process
A device for managing the mechanical energy of an aircraft, with a force application system on a control lever, includes a support defining a guide; a moving control lever for controlling varying a mechanical energy variation of the aircraft, mounted moving through the guide; and at least one position sensor detecting the position of the moving lever in the guide, configured to create position information for the position of the moving lever in the guide intended to be sent to a flight control unit of the aircraft. The device also includes an active force applicator for applying a force on the moving lever, configured to generate a force applied on the moving lever. The force depends on the position of the moving lever in the guide.
Pitch and thrust control for compound aircraft
A control circuitry includes a propulsor trim prediction circuitry configured to generate a predicted propulsor collective blade pitch trim value for a target state of an aircraft based on an aircraft velocity and a pitch attitude deviation from a reference. The control circuitry further includes an output circuitry configured to output a propulsor collective blade pitch angle command based on the predicted propulsor collective blade pitch trim value. The propulsor collective blade pitch angle command is configured to cause an adjustment in a blade pitch angle of a propulsor of the aircraft. Additionally or alternatively, the control circuitry includes a pitch attitude trim prediction circuitry configured to generate a predicted pitch attitude trim value. The output circuitry is configured to output an aircraft pitch attitude trim command, configured to cause an adjustment in a pitch angle of the aircraft, based on the predicted pitch attitude trim value.
Aircraft wing comprising a movable flap and a housing for accommodating flexible piping
An aircraft wing comprising a movable flap which is able to move in rotation relative to a fixed central body, flexible piping and a rail for guiding the movable flap and the flexible piping. The flexible piping-runs along the rail and is secured to the rail close to a distal end of the rail. The wing comprises a structure for holding the flexible piping against or close to the guiding rail, which is borne by the fixed central body. The wing also comprises a housing for accommodating the flexible piping. The housing comprises a wall which is shaped such that the flexible piping coils up inside the housing, being pressed against the wall.
Pitch trim prediction for aircraft
A control circuitry includes a first filter configured to generate a filtered velocity based on a component of a vertical velocity of an aircraft. The pitch trim prediction circuitry also includes a second filter configured to generate a filtered pitch attitude based on a measured pitch attitude of the aircraft. The pitch trim prediction circuitry further includes output circuitry configured to generate a predicted pitch attitude trim value for a target vertical state based on a horizontal velocity of the aircraft, the filtered velocity, and the filtered pitch attitude. The predicted pitch attitude trim value is configured to cause a flight control effector to be adjusted.
Rotorcraft control mode transition smoothing
In accordance with an embodiment, a method of operating a rotorcraft includes transitioning from a first mode to a second mode when a velocity of the rotorcraft exceeds a first velocity threshold. Transitioning between the first and second modes includes fading out a gain of a dynamic controller over a first period of time, and decreasing a value of an integrator of the dynamic controller over a second period of time.
Method and device for coupling piloting members
A method and a device for coupling piloting members (20, 50), wherein saturation values (SCpsat, SCpsat+, SCcopsat, SCcopsat+) of at least one force saturator (28, 58) are adapted such that a force-feedback is exerted for each of these saturation values at a force-feedback value, taken at the force application centre of the manoeuvring handle (21, 51), of between 4 daN and 40 daN, with the result that a function of disconnecting is at least in part performed by the at least one force saturator.
Pilot activated trim for fly-by-wire aircraft
A fly-by-wire aircraft and method of flying a fly-by-wire aircraft is disclosed. The aircraft includes a control system for flying the aircraft in one of a proportional ground control mode and a model following controls mode. A control device at a control interface of the aircraft selectively activates a trim follow up function in the control system. When flying the aircraft in a proportional ground control mode, trim follow up function can be activated. The control system can then transition into the model following controls mode with the trim follow up function activated to reduce transient behavior.
ADAPTIVE CONTROL OF AIRCRAFT USING STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING
A method for providing adaptive control to a fly-by-wire aircraft includes measuring via at least one first sensor a characteristic of at least one component of the aircraft and measuring via at least one second sensor a state of the aircraft. Using the characteristic of at least one component and the state of the aircraft, a determination of at least one of an actual damage and remaining life of the at least one component is made. The operational envelope of the aircraft is adapted based on the at least one of actual damage and remaining life of the at least one component. Adapting the operational envelope includes adjusting an outer boundary thereof to prohibit operation exceeding a safe operation threshold and generating an intermediate boundary of the operational envelope. Operation of the aircraft within the intermediate boundaries minimizes further damage accrual of the at least one component.