Integrated Active Stick Actuator for Power Boost and Manual Reversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft with purely mechanical flight control systems lack power boost and tactile feedback, leading to high pilot workload and fatigue, and do not provide autopilot or unmanned flight capabilities, as they require separate actuators for active stick control and power boost.
Innovation Solution
A combined active stick and control boost actuator system that integrates a mechanical interconnect with an integrated actuator, utilizing stick force sensors and position sensors to provide tactile feedback and power boost, while allowing manual reversion in case of actuator failure, by using a mechanical linkage connected to a control surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate actuators are used for active stick control and power boost, then each function can be independently optimized, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the active stick actuator and power boost actuator into a single integrated actuator unit. This single actuator performs both functions: providing tactile feedback to the pilot's control stick and amplifying control forces for power boost. The integration reduces the number of separate actuators while maintaining both control functions, thereby reducing device complexity and cost without sacrificing functional independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated actuator is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously. It serves as both the active stick actuator that provides tactile feedback and the power boost actuator that amplifies control forces. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated actuators for each function, resolving the contradiction between functional optimization and system complexity.
2Device complexity
If purely mechanical flight control systems are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but pilot workload and fatigue increase due to lack of power boost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces purely mechanical flight control with an electro-mechanical system. The integrated actuator uses electrical motors and control systems to provide power boost and tactile feedback, substituting electrical-mechanical components for traditional mechanical linkages. This substitution reduces pilot workload by providing power assistance while maintaining sufficient system simplicity through the integrated design.
3Ease of operation
If Fly-by-Wire control systems are used, then pilot fatigue is reduced through power boost, but manual reversion capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control system that can adapt its operating mode based on system conditions. The integrated actuator can operate in powered mode to reduce pilot fatigue, but also provides a mechanical reversion path that allows transition to direct mechanical control if needed. This dynamic capability maintains both power boost benefits and manual reversion versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated actuator serves as an intermediary between the pilot's mechanical input and the control surfaces. It provides powered assistance through motors while maintaining a mechanical connection path that allows direct force transmission. This intermediary design enables both powered operation for fatigue reduction and mechanical reversion for versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A combined active stick and control boost actuator system for a control surface has a control stick engaged to a mechanical flight control structure with a linkage configured to move a control surface. A mechanical interconnect engages the linkage and has a control stick connection. An integrated actuator is separably connected to the mechanical interconnect intermediate the control stick connection and the linkage. A stick force sensor is configured to provide a stick force signal. A flight control system receives the stick force signal and provides an actuator position control signal to the integrated actuator. The integrated actuator moves to a prescribed position in accordance with a force feel profile providing pilot variable tactile cueing and power boost to reduce both fatigue and workload.