Aircraft Lift Control Interface for Automatic Flap Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pilot workload is increased due to the need to manually operate flap control levers during critical phases of flight, such as takeoff and landing, which distracts from other important tasks.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft system that includes actuators coupled to lift devices, a lift device control interface, and a flight control system that automatically sets the lift devices to target positions based on predefined criteria or pilot input, reducing the need for manual adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pilots manually operate flap control levers to adjust lift devices, then precise control of high lift surfaces is achieved, but pilot workload increases during takeoff and landing
Solution Approach 1:
The flight control system automatically determines and adjusts lift device positions based on flight conditions without requiring pilot intervention. The system serves itself by monitoring parameters like airspeed, altitude, and configuration to autonomously control flaps and slats, eliminating the manual workload while maintaining precise control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical operation of flap control levers with an automated electronic flight control system. The mechanical linkage between pilot input and lift device adjustment is substituted with sensors, processors, and actuators that automatically adjust lift devices based on flight conditions, reducing pilot workload while maintaining control precision.
2Reliability
If pilots manually adjust flaps during critical flight phases, then real-time control is maintained, but potential for human error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flight control system continuously monitors flight parameters such as airspeed, altitude, and configuration status, and uses this feedback to automatically adjust lift device positions. This closed-loop control ensures accurate and reliable flap positioning while eliminating human error associated with manual adjustment during high-workload phases like takeoff and landing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system autonomously monitors its own state and makes necessary adjustments to lift devices without pilot intervention. By self-managing the control of flaps and slats based on real-time flight conditions, the system maintains high reliability while reducing the burden on pilots during critical operations.
3Ease of operation
If automatic flight control is implemented for lift devices, then pilot workload is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flight control system is designed to perform multiple functions including automatic lift device control, flight parameter monitoring, and coordination with other aircraft systems. By integrating these functions into a single multi-functional system, the patent reduces overall complexity compared to having separate dedicated systems for each function, while still providing automatic control to reduce pilot workload.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft includes actuators coupled to a lift device. The aircraft also includes a lift device control interface disposed on a flight deck of the aircraft. The lift device control interface is configured to receive a pilot input. The aircraft further includes a flight control system configured to generate a command corresponding to a target lift device position. The flight control system is also configured to send the command to the lift device control interface to cause the lift device control interface to indicate the target lift device position. The flight control system is further configured to send a control signal to the actuators to set the lift device to the target lift device position.