B64C13/506

Aircraft flight control method and system
10386859 · 2019-08-20 · ·

A system including a set of computation modules configured to be utilized for computation of gains of at least one piloting law relative to at least one piloting axis of the aircraft and a data capture unit for capturing in at least one computation unit associated with a given piloting axis of the aircraft first values illustrating aerodynamic coefficients of the aircraft and second values defining delay and filter characteristics of the control chain relative to the given piloting axis, the computation unit being configured to compute the gains of the piloting law utilizing at least a part of the set of computation modules and the computation unit computing inputs intended for at least one actuator of a control surface adapted to control the aircraft relative to the given piloting axis in accordance with a corresponding current control value.

Position hold override control

A method for position hold override control of an aircraft includes determining, by a processor, that a position hold mode is enabled to hold the aircraft at a substantially fixed position with respect to a target. The processor receives a control input indicative of a commanded change in acceleration of the aircraft as an override of the position hold mode. The processor determines an acceleration command based on the commanded change in acceleration. The acceleration command is adjusted as an adjusted acceleration command responsive to a non-linear scheduled translational rate command based on feedback of a commanded velocity of the aircraft. An update to the commanded velocity of the aircraft is generated based on the adjusted acceleration command.

HORIZONTAL STABILIZER TRIM ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY
20190202545 · 2019-07-04 ·

An assembly for manual control of an HSTA for controlling the position of a moveable surface, the assembly comprising a user-operated manual control element (1) e.g. a trim wheel in the cockpit, a first motor and a first resolver connected to the manual control element and a second motor and a second resolver arranged to communicate with the first motor and the first resolver and to cause corresponding movement of the actuator, in use.

Methods and systems for fall back flight control configured for use in aircraft

A system of fall back flight control configured for use in aircraft includes an input control configured to receive a pilot input and generate a control datum. System includes a flight controller communicatively coupled to the input control and configured to receive the control datum and generate an output datum. The system includes the actuator having a primary mode in which the actuator is configured to move the at least a portion of the aircraft as a function of the output datum and a fall back mode in which the actuator is configured to move the at least a portion of the aircraft as a function of the control datum. The actuator configured to receive the control datum, receive the output datum, detect a loss of communication with the flight controller, and select the fall back mode as a function of the detection.

Actuation system

An actuation system comprises a plurality of actuators, a common power drive unit for driving the actuators and a transmission line transmitting drive from the common drive unit to the plurality of actuators. A clutch is arranged in the transmission line between the power drive unit and the plurality of actuators for selectively disconnecting the power drive unit from the plurality of actuators. At least one sensor is provided for sensing an abnormal load condition in the actuation system. The at least one sensor is operatively coupled to a clutch control which is configured such that when the at least one sensor senses an abnormal load condition, the clutch control is operative to disengage the clutch so as to disconnect the power drive unit from the plurality of actuators. A brake is operative to brake the actuators upon disengagement of the clutch.

Systems, methods, and apparatus to control aircraft roll operations using wing actuators
12030617 · 2024-07-09 · ·

Systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling aircraft roll operations are disclosed. An example system includes an aileron actuator including a mode selector valve to control fluid flow through the aileron actuator, and a valve spring coupled to the mode selector valve, the valve spring to adjust the mode selector valve from the active position to a block position, the block position to prevent fluid flow through the aileron actuator, a wing cable system coupled to the aileron actuator, a wing actuator coupled to the wing cable system, the wing actuator to control displacement of the aileron of the aircraft in response to the mode selector valve being in the block position, and a differential linkage coupled to the wing actuator and the aileron, the differential linkage to translate the displacement of the wing actuator into rotational movement to adjust the aileron from a first position to a second position.

ROTORCRAFT MULTIPLE PROFILE CAT-A GUIDANCE

In an embodiment, a rotorcraft includes a rotor system including a plurality of blades; two or more engines operable to rotate the plurality of blades; a control assembly operable to receive commands from a pilot; a flight control computer (FCC) in signal communication with the two or more engines, the FCC being operable to generate engine data indicating whether the two or more engines are functional; and a flight management system (FMS) in signal communication with the control assembly and the FCC, the FMS being operable to receive a takeoff type and a plurality of takeoff parameters input into the FMS by the pilot; generate a guidance profile for a Category A (Cat-A) takeoff procedure based on the takeoff type and the plurality of takeoff parameters, the Cat-A takeoff procedure including one or more decision points for performing a takeoff procedure based on whether all engines are operable or one engine is inoperable; receive a command to engage in a takeoff procedure from the control assembly; in response to the command to engage in the takeoff procedure, provide guidance cues to a pilot of the rotorcraft; receive the engine data from the FCC during operation of the rotorcraft; and update the guidance profile based on the engine data during operation of the rotorcraft.

AIRCRAFT WING COMPRISING A MOVABLE FLAP AND A HOUSING FOR ACCOMMODATING FLEXIBLE PIPING
20190023375 · 2019-01-24 ·

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.

ENVIRONMENT SPECIFIC INPUT PROTECTION
20190023377 · 2019-01-24 ·

One example aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for assessing input. The method can include determining a state of the aerial vehicle. The method can include obtaining data indicative of an expected operator input based on the determined state. The method can include obtaining data indicative of an actual operator input. The method can include determining a state of operator behavior based on the expected operator input and the actual operator input. The method can include determining a control action for the aerial vehicle based on the determined state of the aerial vehicle and the determined state of the operator behavior. The method can include implementing the control action.

Rotorcraft Control Mode Transition Smoothing
20190004542 · 2019-01-03 ·

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.