Aircraft Actuator Position Control Using Motor Sensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuator control systems in aircraft require redundant sensors, leading to increased costs and delayed data transfer, which complicates fast position control.
Innovation Solution
Control the actuator position using the motor position sensor directly, eliminating the need for redundant sensors and simplifying the actuator electronics architecture by deriving the actuator position from the motor position, with optional load and position correction functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundant sensors are used for actuator position control, then safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the position sensing function from a separate dedicated sensor and integrates it into the motor position sensor. The actuator position is derived from the motor position through a known transmission ratio, eliminating the need for redundant sensors while maintaining control safety through the relationship: actuator_position = motor_position × transmission_ratio
Solution Approach 2:
The motor position sensor is made multi-functional by using it for both motor control and actuator position determination. This universal approach allows a single sensor to serve dual purposes, reducing component count while providing sufficient information for safe actuator control through mathematical derivation
2Ease of operation
If data transfer between higher-level control system and actuator control unit is used, then actuator position control is achieved, but data transfer time delays fast control
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the actuator position determination function into the actuator control unit itself, where the control unit directly calculates actuator position from motor position sensor data using the transmission ratio. This integration eliminates the need for separate data transfer to a higher-level control system, enabling fast local control while maintaining accurate position determination
3Measurement precision
If more sensors are used for actuator control, then measurement redundancy is improved, but manufacturing costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a virtual copy of the actuator position measurement by mathematically deriving it from the motor position sensor data through the transmission ratio relationship. This virtual measurement provides sufficient reliability for control purposes without requiring physical redundant sensors, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining measurement precision
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling and/or determining a position of an actuator, in particular of an aircraft, wherein the actuator has a control unit, a motor and a motor position sensor for determining a position of the motor, wherein the control unit controls and/or determines the position of the actuator using the position of the motor and/or a sensor signal from the motor position sensor.