Actuator Electronic Stop Control for Flight Surface Travel Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for limiting the range of movement of aircraft flight control surfaces using mechanical stops are cumbersome and add weight, while electronic limiting functions are complex and not adequately robust or reliable.
Innovation Solution
An actuator controller with a position controller and a stop controller generates control signals to precisely limit the movement of aircraft flight control surfaces electronically, using feedback signals to select between position and stop control signals for accurate positioning without mechanical stops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical stops are used to limit the range of movement of flight control surfaces, then the range of movement is limited, but the system becomes cumbersome and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical stops with an electronic limiting function implemented in the actuator controller. The controller monitors the position of the flight control surface via feedback signals and generates control signals to prevent movement beyond predetermined limits, thereby eliminating the need for physical mechanical stops and reducing system weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control signal as an intermediary between the desired position command and the actuator output. This control signal incorporates electronic limiting logic that mediates the movement command, preventing the actuator from commanding positions beyond the allowed range without requiring physical mechanical constraints.
2Weight of moving object
If electronic limiting functions are used to limit the range of movement, then weight is reduced, but the system becomes complex and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback signals from position sensors to continuously monitor the actual position of the flight control surface. The actuator controller compares the desired position with the actual position and adjusts the control signal accordingly, ensuring that electronic limiting functions reliably prevent movement beyond predetermined limits while maintaining system simplicity.
3Reliability
If mechanical stops are used, then the range of movement is limited, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical stop mechanisms with a software-based electronic limiting function integrated into the actuator controller. This substitution simplifies the overall device by eliminating mechanical components such as physical stops, linkages, and adjustment mechanisms, while achieving the same functional outcome through control logic.
4Device complexity
If electronic limiting functions are used, then device complexity is reduced compared to mechanical stops, but manufacturing precision and reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback signals from high-precision position sensors to continuously monitor the flight control surface position. The actuator controller processes this feedback information and generates precise control signals that accurately limit movement to predetermined positions, achieving manufacturing-level precision through closed-loop control without requiring complex mechanical precision components.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of controlling a position of a structure. A position command indicating a desired position for the structure and a position feedback signal indicating the position of the structure are received. A position control signal is generated based on a difference between the desired position and the position indicated by the position feedback signal. A stop feedback signal relative to the position of the structure is received. A stop control signal is generated based on the stop feedback signal and a stop condition for the structure. One of the position control signal and the stop control signal is selected. The selected one of the position control signal and the stop control signal is provided to an actuator for controlling the position of the structure.