Aircraft Turn Coordination Using Sensorless Airspeed Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft control systems require multiple pilot inputs and rely on potentially error-prone and expensive sensors to determine airspeed for initiating lateral movements, making them complex and costly.
Innovation Solution
A method and controller that estimate airspeed through physical models and artificial intelligence, eliminating the need for sensors by calculating a rate of turn based on the estimated airspeed and commanded roll angle, allowing for automatic initiation of lateral movements with a single control signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are used to measure airspeed for determining rate of turn, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical sensors (mechanical measurement systems) with a computational model that calculates airspeed based on thrust commands and aircraft parameters. The controller computes the current airspeed by integrating acceleration derived from thrust differential equations, eliminating the need for separate airspeed sensors and reducing system complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The control system uses its own existing data (thrust commands, aircraft mass, drag coefficients) to self-determine airspeed without external sensors. The system serves its own measurement needs by calculating airspeed from operational parameters already being monitored for flight control, eliminating redundant sensing requirements
2Ease of operation
If multiple pilot inputs are required for lateral movement control, then ease of operation is reduced, but control precision may be improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions into a single lateral control input. The controller integrates airspeed determination, rate of turn calculation, and lateral movement execution into one automated process triggered by a single pilot input, eliminating the need for separate inputs while maintaining precise control through computational coordination of all parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The controller accelerates the control process by automatically computing airspeed and rate of turn in real-time based on the lateral control signal, eliminating delays associated with multiple manual inputs and sensor readings, thereby improving both ease of operation and response precision
3Measurement precision
If expensive sensors are used to determine airspeed, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, potentially error-prone physical sensors with a computational algorithm that uses readily available flight data. The 'measurement tool' becomes software-based, utilizing thrust commands and aircraft parameters already present in the flight control system, eliminating the need for costly sensor hardware while maintaining measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes mechanical sensing systems with a mathematical model that computes airspeed from thrust differential equations. This computational approach eliminates expensive sensors while providing accurate airspeed determination through integration of acceleration data derived from thrust commands and aircraft physical parameters
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a aircraft with a plurality of drive units, in particular a plurality of electrical drive units, and a controller for flight control. At least one lateral control signal is entered into the controller for flight control in order to initiate a lateral movement of the aircraft. The significant point is that a speed (V) of the aircraft is ascertained through a speed estimation (6) and, depending on the estimated airspeed (V), a commanded roll angle (ϕC) and a commanded pitch angle (θc), a rate of turn ({dot over (ψ)}) is calculated. The lateral movement is automatically initiated with the calculated rate of turn ({dot over (ψ)}) through input of the lateral control signal.