Vehicle heading error compensation

Active Publication Date: 2016-05-26
SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a method and system for controlling an aircraft by measuring its movement and calculating a target movement based on a desired trajectory. The system uses data from ground-referenced movement sensors to measure the aircraft's movement in the longitudinal and lateral directions. A computer then calculates an error between the measured movement and the target movement, which is then used to generate a control signal for the aircraft. This system allows for more accurate and efficient control of the aircraft's movement during flight.

Problems solved by technology

A difference between the target heading, or the heading indicated by a pilot's control, and the actual yaw results in a heading error of the aircraft.
Likewise, a difference between a lateral ground speed target and an actual ground speed results in a lateral ground speed error, and a difference between a longitudinal ground speed target and an actual ground speed results in a longitudinal ground speed error.
However, these systems may not take into account a relationship between the heading error and the actual lateral and longitudinal ground speeds.
Over-compensation or under-compensation of lateral and longitudinal ground speeds may result.

Method used

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  • Vehicle heading error compensation
  • Vehicle heading error compensation
  • Vehicle heading error compensation

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0012]Conventional aircraft control systems fail to take into account the coupling of a heading of the aircraft with lateral and longitudinal groundspeed, which may adversely affect aircraft control. Embodiments of the invention relate to controlling a vehicle's longitudinal and lateral ground speed by taking into account a heading of the vehicle.

[0013]FIG. 1 illustrates an aircraft 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. While FIG. 1 illustrates a helicopter, embodiments of the invention encompass any other rotary-wing aircraft, VTOL aircraft, thrust-based aircraft (i.e. non-rotor-based), and any other vehicle capable of controlling a heading, lateral movement, longitudinal movement, and position of the aircraft. The aircraft 100 includes a fuselage 110, a first rotor assembly 120 and a second rotor assembly 125. The first rotor assembly 120 rotates to lift and maintain the aircraft 100 airborne. The first and second rotor assemblies 120 and 125 together control the pitch,...

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Abstract

Systems and methods for controlling aircraft obtain at least one of ground-referenced longitudinal movement data of the aircraft and ground-referenced lateral movement data of the aircraft. A round-referenced heading of the aircraft is obtained and a heading error is calculated based on a difference between the ground-referenced heading and a target heading. A lateral movement error value is generated based on at least one of the ground-referenced longitudinal movement data and ground-referenced lateral movement data, and based on the heading error.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The subject matter disclosed herein relates to controlling vehicles and in particular to compensating for a heading error of the vehicle when calculating lateral and longitudinal ground speeds.[0002]Aircraft are typically controlled by controls that adjust a pitch, yaw and roll of the aircraft. A difference between the target heading, or the heading indicated by a pilot's control, and the actual yaw results in a heading error of the aircraft. Likewise, a difference between a lateral ground speed target and an actual ground speed results in a lateral ground speed error, and a difference between a longitudinal ground speed target and an actual ground speed results in a longitudinal ground speed error. Conventional systems correct the lateral ground speed error by adjusting the roll of the aircraft and correct the longitudinal ground speed error by adjusting the pitch of the aircraft. However, these systems may not take into account a relationship betwe...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): G05D1/02G05D1/08
CPCG05D1/085G05D1/0858G05D1/0202
InventorWITTMER, KENNETH S.KUBIK, STEPHEN
OwnerSIKORSKY AIRCRAFT