Aircraft Deceleration Control via Pilot Augmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rotorcraft systems lack the ability for pilots to augment an automated deceleration profile once initiated, often resulting in helicopters overshooting the intended location during controlled approaches.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a processor to receive deceleration commands, determine commanded velocities and accelerations, and adjust the deceleration profile in response to sensed velocities and heading rates, allowing pilots to manually control the aircraft's deceleration to a hover by modifying the pre-programmed profile through cyclic and collective stick inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If an automated deceleration profile is engaged, then the deceleration process is automated and pilot workload is reduced, but the pilot cannot augment the profile once initiated, resulting in overshooting the intended location
Solution Approach 1:
The control system transitions from a static automated deceleration profile to a dynamic system that adapts in real-time. The processor continuously monitors pilot inputs on the cyclic and collective sticks and dynamically adjusts deceleration commands based on the combination of automated profile and manual pilot augmentation, allowing the system to be both automated and flexible simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring pilot control inputs and using this information to adjust the deceleration profile in real-time. The processor receives signals from the cyclic and collective sticks and modifies the commanded velocity and acceleration accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that responds to both automated commands and manual pilot adjustments.
2Measurement precision
If a preprogrammed deceleration profile is used, then control precision is improved, but the pilot lacks manual override capability, causing the aircraft to fly a controlled approach to a wrong location
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the preprogrammed automated deceleration profile with real-time pilot manual inputs. The processor combines signals from both the automated flight management system and the pilot's cyclic and collective stick commands to generate the final deceleration commands, creating a unified control system that maintains precision while adding adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system becomes multi-functional by serving both as an automated deceleration system and a manual control system simultaneously. The same processor and control channels handle both the preprogrammed profile execution and real-time pilot inputs, allowing the system to adapt to different operational needs without requiring separate systems.
3Reliability
If the deceleration profile is fully automated, then safety is enhanced by reducing pilot workload, but the system lacks flexibility to respond to changing pilot intentions or conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The processor acts as an intermediary between the automated flight management system and the pilot's manual controls. It receives and processes inputs from both sources, reconciles potentially conflicting commands, and generates appropriate deceleration commands that balance automated safety features with manual pilot intent, preventing direct conflict between automated and manual control systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for controlling a deceleration profile of an aircraft (10), includes a processor (44) and memory (46) that receives a signal indicative of a deceleration command (40); receives signals indicative of a sensed velocity (140, 142) and a commanded heading rate (127); determines a commanded velocity (68) in response to the receiving of the deceleration command (40) and the commanded heading rate (127); determines an estimated deceleration command as a function of the commanded velocity (68); and determines an actual deceleration command in response to the determining of the estimated deceleration command.