METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REDUCING AERODYNAMIC LOADS EXERCISED ON AN AIRCRAFT BY ATMOSPHERIC TURBULENCE.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2024003553
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-04-05
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-10
- Estimated Expiration
- 2044-04-05
AI Technical Summary
Existing aircraft designs face challenges in effectively reducing aerodynamic loads and passenger discomfort caused by atmospheric turbulence, particularly wind gusts, while balancing structural strength and weight for fuel efficiency.
An aerodynamic load reduction system using electronic circuitry detects atmospheric turbulence through sensors, calculates control commands based on vertical wind speed derivatives, and deflects control surfaces to counteract gusts, optimizing load factor reduction and passenger comfort.
The system achieves a significant reduction in aerodynamic loads, improving structural mass efficiency and passenger comfort by up to 70% for discrete gusts, while maintaining effective control surface deflection.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REDUCING AERODYNAMIC LOADS EXERCISED ON AN AIRCRAFT BY ATMOSPHERIC TURBULENCE. Technical field
[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a system for reducing loads exerted on an aircraft by atmospheric turbulence, and in particular gusts of wind. STATE OF PRIOR ART
[0002] During flight, aircraft are often confronted with atmospheric turbulence (eg, wind shear, wind gradients, free air turbulence, wake turbulence, air pockets, etc.). Atmospheric turbulence may include vertical and horizontal wind shears or wind gusts.
[0003] Wind gusts generate aerodynamic loads on the structure of aircraft, and in particular the wing (i.e., wings of the aircraft). In particular, wind gusts cause mechanical stresses on the structure of the aircraft, as well as discomfort for passengers (e.g., jolts felt when the aircraft passes through a zone of wind gusts) and a reduction in its aerodynamic performance in flight.
[0004] For economic and ecological reasons, reducing fuel consumption is a factor that must be taken into account when designing aircraft. To achieve this, the aircraft structure must be able to withstand the aerodynamic loads exerted by gusts of wind while being light enough to limit fuel consumption.
[0005] One solution for achieving a compromise between reducing the load factor (i.e., increasing the resistance of the aircraft structure to wind gusts) and reducing the weight of the aircraft is the application of strategies for alleviating aerodynamic loads due to wind gusts ("Gust Loads Alleviation" in English or GLA). One strategy for alleviating loads due to wind gusts consists of using aircraft sensors to provide control commands allowing the deflection of aircraft control surfaces (e.g., internal or external ailerons, elevators) taking into account the wind conditions. More particularly, sensors (e.g., air data sensors, accelerometers, etc.) placed on the body of the aircraft or on its wings, detect the wind conditions and provide information on the aerodynamic loads exerted on the aircraft.This information is then transmitted to an aircraft avionics system to trigger the . deflection of the control surfaces at a particular angle depending in particular on the wind conditions. It is thus possible to create aerodynamic forces and moments necessary to attenuate the additional aerodynamic load induced by wind gusts. The control surfaces are then used as control surfaces for attenuating the aerodynamic loads induced by wind gusts.
[0006] Control surface orders for alleviating wind gust loads can be established according to various well-known control surface control laws. For example, a control surface control law is known based on an estimation of the wind incidence using an incidence probe placed at the nose of the aircraft. An elevator and aileron control surface order is then developed as a function of the wind incidence to reduce wind gust loads on the aircraft, primarily at the root of the aircraft wing.
[0007] However, it is desirable to provide a solution that improves the effectiveness of existing wind gust load alleviation strategies. In particular, it is desirable to provide a wind gust load alleviation strategy that optimizes load factor reduction and improves passenger comfort. Statement of the invention
[0008] There is proposed herein a method for reducing aerodynamic loads exerted on an aircraft in flight by atmospheric turbulence, said method being implemented by an aerodynamic load reduction system in the form of electronic circuitry, said method comprising: (i) a detection of atmospheric turbulence, and (ii) a reduction in aerodynamic loads, said detection comprising the following steps: - receiving from a measuring system information representative of a current vertical wind speed, - compare the said current vertical wind speed to a predetermined threshold, - determine the presence of atmospheric turbulence if said current vertical wind speed is greater than a predetermined threshold, said reduction of aerodynamic loads comprising: - estimate a first derivative of said current vertical wind speed, - calculate a steering order at least from the first derivative of said current vertical wind speed, - provide said control command for a deflection of at least one control surface of the aircraft according to said control command, said reduction of aerodynamic loads being carried out when said current vertical wind speed is greater than the predetermined threshold, otherwise said detection is repeated.
[0009] Advantageously, it is possible to reduce the aerodynamic load factor exerted on the aircraft. By thus reducing the load factor, it is possible to obtain a gain on the structural mass of the aircraft, but also to improve the comfort of the passengers when the aircraft passes through a zone of atmospheric turbulence.
[0010] According to a particular embodiment, said steering order is expressed according to the following equation: „ / \ v l' / / \ / L,ef \ \ / ù(t) \ / / \ / Lrer \^\ / ü(t) A j + I---.............11 — J / 1” ; ] With : - Kw,w representing a gain for an optimization of the reduction of the wind gust load factor; - Cm^ corresponding to a moment gradient in effect of variation of pitch speed of the complete aircraft expressed at an aerodynamic focus in effect of incidence; - Cmq corresponding to a moment gradient in effect of pitch speed of the complete aircraft expressed at the aerodynamic focus in effect of incidence; - Cm* corresponding to a gradient of moment in effect of variation of incidence of the complete aircraft expressed at the aerodynamic focus in effect of incidence; - corresponding to a gradient of moment in effect of steering of said at least one control surface of the complete aircraft expressed at the aerodynamic focus in effect of incidence; - V representing a real speed of the aircraft; - Lref corresponding to a reference length; - Ta representing a travel time of the wind from the nose of the aircraft to the aerodynamic focus in effect of incidence; - u(t) corresponding to the current vertical wind speed at time t; - m( t ) corresponding to the first derivative of the current vertical wind speed u(t); ■ lit) corresponding to a second derivative of the current vertical wind speed u(t).
[0011] According to a particular embodiment, the gain Kw, / nrfest expressed according to the following equation: _ o / Cm9 \ and the optimized steering order is then expressed according to Cm^Cm^ / the following equation:
[0012] According to a particular embodiment, said detection of the presence of atmospheric turbulence and said reduction of aerodynamic loads are repeated according to a predetermined frequency (At).
[0013] According to a particular embodiment, the measurement system comprises a light detection and telemetry system configured to obtain said information representative of the current vertical wind speed.
[0014] According to a particular embodiment, the measurement system comprises a set of incidence probes configured to measure an angle of incidence of the wind from which said information representative of the current speed of the vertical wind is obtained.
[0015] Also proposed here is a system for reducing aerodynamic loads exerted on an aircraft in flight by atmospheric turbulence, said system comprising electronic circuitry configured to: (i) perform atmospheric turbulence detection, and (ii) performing a reduction of aerodynamic loads, said detection comprising the following steps: - receive information from a measuring system representing a current vertical wind speed, - compare the said current vertical wind speed to a predetermined threshold, - determine the presence of atmospheric turbulence if said current vertical wind speed is greater than a predetermined threshold, said reduction of aerodynamic loads comprising: - estimate a first derivative of said current vertical wind speed, - calculate a steering order at least from the first derivative of said current vertical wind speed, - provide said control command for a deflection of at least one control surface of the aircraft according to said control command, said reduction of aerodynamic loads being carried out when said current vertical wind speed is greater than the predetermined threshold, otherwise said detection is repeated.
[0016] Also provided here is an aircraft comprising an aerodynamic load reduction system as described above according to one embodiment.
[0017] There is also provided a computer program product, comprising instructions causing the execution, by a processor, of the method mentioned above according to any one of its embodiments, when said instructions are executed by the processor. A storage medium is also provided, storing such instructions. Brief description of the drawings
[0018] The characteristics of the invention mentioned above, as well as others, will appear more clearly on reading the following description of at least one exemplary embodiment, said description being made in relation to the attached drawings, among which:
[0019] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates, in side view, an aircraft equipped with a system of reduction of aerodynamic loads, according to one embodiment;
[0020] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates the aerodynamic load reduction system, according to one embodiment;
[0021] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates an example of a hardware platform allowing to implement, in the form of electronic circuitry, the aerodynamic load reduction system according to one embodiment; and
[0022] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates the steps of a process for reducing aerodynamic loads aerodynamic loads exerted on an aircraft, executed by the aerodynamic load reduction system, according to one embodiment.
[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0024] The general principle of the following disclosure relates to a method and a system for reducing aerodynamic loads exerted on an aircraft by atmospheric turbulence, and in particular wind gusts. For this, information representative of the vertical wind speed is obtained in real time from a measuring system comprising sensors positioned on the aircraft. This information is then transmitted to the aerodynamic load reduction system for calculating a control command from a first derivative and, optionally, a second derivative of the vertical wind speed. This control command thus calculated allows real-time deflection of the control surfaces (e.g., elevators and / or ailerons) to reduce the aerodynamic loads by a "dive" or "pitch-up" action of the aircraft to counter the effects of the gust.
[0025] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates, in side view, an aircraft 100 equipped with an aerodynamic load reduction system 101, according to one embodiment.
[0026] According to the embodiment of [Fig.l], the aerodynamic load reduction system 101 (also subsequently called load reduction system 101) is electronic equipment on board the aircraft 100. For example, the load reduction system 101 is part of an electronic circuit of the avionics of the aircraft 100. For example, the load reduction system 101 is integrated into a flight control computer, denoted CCV.
[0027] The load reduction system 101 is schematically and generally illustrated in [Fig.2], according to one embodiment.
[0028] The load reduction system 101 is configured to receive information representative of the vertical wind speed. This information is transmitted by a measurement system SYS_MES of the aircraft 100 comprising sensors configured to measure wind conditions (e.g., vertical wind speed, angle of incidence, etc.). In one example, the sensors are a set of incidence probes positioned at the nose of the aircraft 100 and / or a light detection and ranging system, also called LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging).
[0029] The load reduction system 101 is further configured to estimate a first derivative and, optionally, a second derivative of the vertical wind speed obtained from said information to calculate a control command. The load reduction system 101 is further configured to provide this control command to the flight control controller CCV. The flight control controller CCV is configured to control the movement, via actuators (not shown in [Fig. 2]), of the control surfaces of the aircraft 100, such as the two external ailerons (denoted SCI and SC2), the two internal ailerons (denoted SC3 and SC4) and / or the two elevators (denoted SC5 and SC6).In particular, the flight control controller CCV is configured to transmit the control command calculated by the load reduction system 101 to the actuators which then deflect one or the other, or a combination of the control surfaces SCI to SC6 according to a particular angle.
[0030] The load reduction system 101 is also configured to receive various other information from other avionics systems of the aircraft 100 (not shown in [Fig. 2]). This information is, for example, information concerning the altitude of the aircraft 100, the actual speed of the aircraft 100 (i.e., speed of the aircraft relative to the ground), etc.
[0031] [Fig. 3] schematically illustrates an example of a hardware platform making it possible to implement, in the form of electronic circuitry, the load reduction system 101, according to one embodiment.
[0032] The hardware platform comprises, connected by a communication bus 310, a processor or CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301; a RAM (Random-Access Memory) 302; a read-only memory 303, for example of the ROM (Read Only Memory) or EEPROM (Electrically-Erasable Programmable ROM) type, such as a Flash memory; a storage unit, such as a hard disk HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 304, or a storage media reader, such as an SD card reader ( Secure Digital" in English); and a COM 305 interface manager.
[0033] The COM interface manager 305 allows the load reduction system 101 to interact with other avionics systems of the aircraft 100 such as for example the SYS_MES measurement system.
[0034] The processor 301 is capable of executing instructions loaded into the RAM 302 from the ROM 303, an external memory, a storage medium (such as an SD card), or a communications network. When the hardware platform is powered up, the processor 301 is capable of reading instructions from the RAM 302 and executing them. These instructions form a computer program causing the implementation, by the processor 301, of all or part of the steps or methods or more broadly of the operating sequences of the aircraft described in the present description.
[0035] All or part of the steps, methods and operations described herein may thus be implemented in software form by executing a set of instructions by a programmable machine, for example a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) type processor or a microcontroller, or be implemented in hardware form by a machine or a dedicated electronic component (chip) or a set of dedicated electronic components (chipset), for example an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or ASIC (Application Specified Integrated Circuit) component. In general, the load reduction system 101 comprises electronic circuitry adapted and configured to implement all or part of the operations, methods and steps described herein.
[0036] In connection with [Fig. 4], the steps of a method for reducing aerodynamic loads exerted on the aircraft 100 by atmospheric turbulence, such as gusts of wind, according to one embodiment are presented in diagrammatic form. All or part of this method for reducing aerodynamic loads is implemented by the load reduction system 101 described above.
[0037] The method of reducing aerodynamic loads comprises: - a detection of atmospheric turbulence, such as gusts of wind. This detection of atmospheric turbulence comprises steps 401 and 402; - a reduction of aerodynamic loads comprising steps 403 to 405.
[0038] From the start of the flight of the aircraft 100, during step 401, the load reduction system 101 receives, in real time, from a measurement system SYS_MES information representative of the current vertical wind speed, noted u(t), at time t in a particular geographical area. This particular geographical area corresponds to a measurement range area of the sensors of the measurement system SYS_MES.
[0039] According to one embodiment, the measurement system SYS_MES transmits to the load reduction system 101 the information representative of the current vertical wind speed u(t) according to a predetermined frequency. In one example, this frequency is less than 500 ms.
[0040] In one embodiment, the measurement system SYS_MES comprises a plurality of sensors corresponding to a set of incidence probes positioned at the nose of the aircraft 100. Atmospheric turbulence, and in particular a gust of wind, has the effect of varying the angle of incidence measurement of these incidence probes. The current vertical wind speed u(t) is then determined by a wind estimator device, also included in the measurement system SYS_MES, from the angle of incidence measured at time t by the incidence probes and the actual speed of the aircraft 100.
[0041] According to this embodiment, the geographical zone corresponds to the measurement range zone of the incidence probes, i.e. the zone corresponding to the current position of the aircraft 100 during flight.
[0042] Alternatively or additionally, the measurement system SYS_MES comprises a sensor corresponding to a LIDAR which directly measures the current vertical wind speed u(t) as described in the Applicant's patent application FR2 883 983. In particular, the LIDAR directly measures the current vertical wind speed u(t) in a geographical area corresponding to a measurement range area located on the trajectory of the aircraft 100 in flight, upstream of the current position of the aircraft 100, in the direction of movement thereof. It is thus possible to anticipate the aerodynamic load which will be exerted on the aircraft 100 by the gusts of wind present in this geographical area when the aircraft 100 has reached said area.
[0043] The load reduction system 101 further obtains from other avionics systems of the aircraft 100, information representative of the actual speed of the aircraft 100, denoted V.
[0044] During a step 402, the load reduction system 101 compares the value of the current vertical wind speed u(t) with a predetermined threshold, denoted S. If the value of the current vertical wind speed u(t) is greater than the predetermined threshold S, then the load reduction system 101 repeats step 401 (step 402, with result “no”), otherwise, a step 403 is carried out (step 402, with result “yes”). The application of this threshold makes it possible to avoid any triggering of an aerodynamic load reduction for weak wind gusts.
[0045] When reducing the aerodynamic loads, in a step 403, the load reduction system 101 estimates a first derivative noted and, optionally, a second derivative noted of the current vertical wind speed u(t).
[0046] Indeed, according to one embodiment, it is possible to consider the second derivative of the current vertical wind speed u(t) as negligible (i.e., approximation according to which the second derivative y( / ) is substantially zero) in order to simplify the calculation of equation EQ1 below.
[0047] The load reduction system 101 calculates during a step 404, a control command, providing a steering angle of a control surface. This control command is calculated from the first derivative and advantageously from the second derivative ^) of the current wind speed u(t) in order to deflect one or the other or a combination of the control surfaces SCI to SC6 according to a steering angle appropriate for reducing the aerodynamic loads. Furthermore, the steering angle is adapted to the nature of the control surface. Indeed, the control command depends on the nature of the control surface, that is to say that it is different if the control surface corresponds to an internal aileron, or an external aileron or a depth control surface.
[0048] This steering order, noted ëû (t) is expressed according to the equation EQ1 below:
[0049] / / / c^Cm* W Lref \ \ / ù(f) \ / / ) 1 / L„f \2\ / ù(t) \ \
[0050] with:
[0051] representing a gain allowing an optimization of the reduction of the factor of wind gust load factor;
[0052] Cm^ corresponding to the gradient of “moment in effect of variation of pitch speed” of the complete aircraft 100 expressed at the “aerodynamic focus in effect of incidence”. The aerodynamic focus in effect of incidence (or “neutral point” in English) being the point of reduction of the forces in effects of incidence. Cmq corresponding to the gradient of “moment in effect of pitch speed” of the complete aircraft 100 expressed at the “aerodynamic focus in effect of incidence”, dimensionless. Cma corresponding to the gradient of “moment in effect of variation of incidence” of the complete aircraft 100 expressed at the “aerodynamic focus in effect of incidence”, without dimension. Cm^ corresponding to the gradient of “moment in effect of deflection of a given control surface” of the complete aircraft 100 expressed at the “aerodynamic focus in effect of incidence”, without dimension. V representing the actual speed of aircraft 100, that is, the speed of aircraft 100 relative to the ground and expressed in meters per second. Lref corresponding to the reference length. This parameter is classically used in flight mechanics equations and is expressed in meters. Ta representing the travel time of the wind from the nose of the aircraft 100 to the “aerodynamic focus of incidence” and is expressed in seconds. The term u(t) is the vertical wind speed at time t, expressed in meters per second. The term ^7) is the first derivative of the vertical wind speed u(t). This is the vertical wind expressed in meters per second squared, at time t. The term is the second derivative of the vertical wind speed u(t). This is the vertical wind expressed in meters per second cubed, at time t.
[0053] This equation EQ1 of the control order ëa (t) as a function of the first derivative and, optionally, the second derivative of the vertical wind speed at time t results from a coupling between a lift equation and aerodynamic moments of a quasi-static linear model of flight mechanics. By carrying out this coupling, this makes it possible to arrive at a single equation expressed as a function of the vertical wind speed at time t as input data and the control surfaces (i.e., elevator and / or internal ailerons and / or external ailerons). It turns out that by carrying out this coupling, the direct component of the vertical wind disappears, leaving only the components corresponding to the first derivative and, where appropriate, to the second derivative of the vertical wind speed at time t.Indeed, as described above, in a particular embodiment, it is possible to approximate the second derivative and consider it as negligible.
[0054] In order to optimize the reduction of the wind gust load factor and therefore improve passenger comfort, the gain is applied to equation EQ1 above. Indeed, by writing the expression of the load factor with respect to the vertical wind speed, it is possible to demonstrate that there is a particular gain or an optimal gain, which makes it possible to cancel the static gain of the transfer function with respect to the vertical wind speed at time t, which has the effect of reducing the load factor at the center of gravity of the aircraft 100.
[0055] In a particular embodiment, the reduction of the wind gust load factor is optimized in order to improve passenger comfort. For this, the gain K„,,w must be greater than or equal to one. Thus, in order to minimize the maximum value of the wind gust load factor in the low frequency domain of the wind gusts, the gain is expressed according to the following equation EQ2:
[0056] iz _n / \ ^vind — /
[0057] Thus, the optimized steering order, noted can be expressed according to the equation EQ3 below:
[0053] / / Cm^ \ \ / def \2\ / «(t) \ ^wind-opt ' y J \ V / J \ V / I “ y Cm^ y II \ V / HV )
[0059] Initial simulations show a notable effect on the reduction of the wind gust load factor at the center of gravity of the aircraft 100, of the order of 30% for discrete gusts. Using the expression for the optimal gain mentioned above, this reduction goes up to 70%, still for discrete gusts, but with however an increase in the control order (i.e., an increase in the absolute value of the steering angle of the control surfaces SCI to SC6).
[0060] During a step 405, the load reduction system 101 provides in real time to the flight control computer CCV the control command calculated according to the equation EQ1 or the optimized control command calculated according to the equation EQ3. The flight control computer CCV then controls actuators of the control surfaces SCI to SC6 to deflect one or the other or a combination of these control surfaces SCI to SC6 according to a deflection angle depending on the current vertical wind speed u(t) and the nature of the control surface to be deflected.
[0061] In a particular embodiment, when the measurement system SYS_MES comprises a LIDAR, it is possible for the load reduction system 101 to transmit the control command before the aircraft 100 encounters wind gusts detected in the geographical area located on the trajectory of the aircraft 100, upstream of the aircraft 100 in the direction of its movement. This control command is sent at a predetermined activation time taking into account the current position, the mass and the inertia of the aircraft 100. In addition, this predetermined activation time also takes into account the transmission delays within the various avionics systems of the aircraft 100, so that the control command does not produce the opposite effect to that sought, namely the reduction of the load factor.This makes it possible to perform steering of either or a combination of the SCI to SC6 control surfaces in an anticipated and smoother manner, which improves passenger comfort.
[0062] According to one embodiment, at the end of step 405, the load reduction system 101 repeats the detection of atmospheric turbulence, then, if necessary, the reduction of atmospheric loads, as described previously. In other words, the calculation of the control order is carried out iteratively by a control loop of predetermined frequency, noted At (for example At < 500 ms). Thus, at each of the instants t0, t0 + At, t0 + 2At, to + 3At... the load reduction system 101 calculates the control orders. When the vertical wind speed u(t) is lower than the predetermined threshold S, then the control order making it possible to counter the gust is zero (i.e., no deflection of the control surfaces SCI to SC6).
Claims
Claims
1. A method for reducing aerodynamic loads exerted on an aircraft (100) in flight by atmospheric turbulence, said method being implemented by an aerodynamic load reduction system (101) in the form of electronic circuitry, said method comprising: (i) detecting atmospheric turbulence, and (ii) reducing aerodynamic loads, said detection comprising the following steps: - receiving from a measurement system (SYS_MES) information representative of a current vertical wind speed (u(t)), - comparing said current vertical wind speed (u(t)) with a predetermined threshold (S), - determining the presence of atmospheric turbulence if said current vertical wind speed (u(t)) is greater than a predetermined threshold (S), said reduction of aerodynamic loads comprising: - estimating a first derivative of said current vertical wind speed (u(t)),- calculating a steering command at least from the first derivative of said current vertical wind speed (u(t)), - providing said steering command for a deflection of at least one control surface of the aircraft (100) as a function of said steering command, said reduction of the aerodynamic loads being executed when said current vertical wind speed (u(t)) is greater than the predetermined threshold (S), otherwise said detection is repeated.,
2. Method according to claim 1, wherein said control order is expressed according to the following equation (EQ1): ÂZ, (t \ - A / ( ( Cn^Cm^ \ \ u. ( l b'Eü 1^ / 2LL 1 \ ^wind^' ( ! / ( V' J H. v / V ) )( V / ) With: - representing a gain for an optimization of the reduction of the wind gust load factor; - Cm^ corresponding to a gradient of moment in effect of variation of pitch speed of the aircraft (100) complete expressed at an aerodynamic focus in effect of incidence; - Cm^ corresponding to a pitching speed moment gradient of the complete aircraft (100) expressed at the aerodynamic focus in incidence effect; - Cm* corresponding to a variation moment gradient in incidence effect of the complete aircraft (100) expressed at the aerodynamic focus in incidence effect; - corresponding to a deflection moment gradient of said at least one control surface of the complete aircraft (100) expressed at the aerodynamic focus in incidence effect; - Vrepresenting a real speed of the aircraft (100); - Lrcf corresponding to a reference length; - Ta representing a travel time of the wind from a nose of the aircraft (100) to the aerodynamic focus in incidence effect; - u(t) corresponding to the current vertical wind speed at time t; - u(t) corresponding to the first derivative of the current vertical wind speed u(t); ■ u(t) corresponding to a second derivative of the current vertical wind speed u(t).
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the gain KTOndest is expressed according to the following equation (EQ2): „ _ O»? \ and the optimized steering order is then expressed wrnd ( / according to the following equation (EQ3): 5a M = 'wind-opl' ' [ ( Cm^ / ( V / / ( V / ( ( ) ( Cm^Cmr V ) V /
4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said detection of the presence of atmospheric turbulence and said reduction of aerodynamic loads are reiterated according to a predetermined frequency (Al).
5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said measurement system (SYS_MES) comprises a light detection and ranging system (LIDAR) configured to obtain said information representative of the current vertical wind speed (u(t)).
6. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which said measurement system (SYS_MES) comprises a set of incidence probes configured to measure an angle of incidence of the wind from which said information representative of the current speed of the vertical wind (u(t)) is obtained.
7. System for reducing aerodynamic loads exerted on an aircraft (100) in flight by atmospheric turbulence, said system comprising electronic circuitry configured to: (i) perform a detection of atmospheric turbulence, and (ii) perform a reduction of the aerodynamic loads, said detection comprising the following steps: - receiving from a measurement system (SYS_MES) information representative of a current vertical wind speed (u(t)), - comparing said current vertical wind speed (u(t)) with a predetermined threshold (S), - determining the presence of atmospheric turbulence if said current vertical wind speed (u(t)) is greater than a predetermined threshold (S), said reduction of the aerodynamic loads comprising: - estimating a first derivative of said current vertical wind speed (u(t)),- calculating a steering command at least from the first derivative of said current vertical wind speed (u(t)), - providing said steering command for a deflection of a control surface of the aircraft (100) as a function of said steering command, said reduction of aerodynamic loads being executed when said current vertical wind speed (u(t)) is greater than the predetermined threshold (S), otherwise said detection is repeated.,
8. An aircraft (100) comprising an aerodynamic load reduction system (101) according to claim 7.
9. Computer program product, comprising instructions causing the execution, by a processor, of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, when said instructions are executed by the processor.
10. Storage medium, storing a computer program comprising instructions causing a processor to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, when said instructions are read and executed by the processor.
Citation Information
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