Aircraft Wheel Drive Torque Control for Stable Low-Speed Ground Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft wheel rotation drive devices struggle to maintain a low and stable speed on the ground without oscillation, even for experienced pilots, making it difficult to control the aircraft's movement, especially when approaching airport terminal doors.
Innovation Solution
A method that regulates the torque of the drive device by generating a replacement torque setpoint when the pilot's setpoint is insufficient to ensure stable movement speed, allowing the aircraft to move at a stable low speed, and transitioning back to the pilot's setpoint when higher speeds are needed, such as when leaving the terminal for the runway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the pilot generates a low torque setpoint to enable low-speed movement, then the aircraft can move at low speed, but the speed becomes unstable and oscillates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the actual aircraft speed and compares it with the desired speed. When oscillation is detected or when the torque setpoint is low, the system automatically generates a replacement torque setpoint to stabilize speed. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures speed stability without requiring manual pilot adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically detects when the pilot-generated torque setpoint is insufficient for stable movement and self-corrects by generating an appropriate replacement torque setpoint. This self-service capability allows the system to maintain stable low-speed operation without external intervention or complex pilot maneuvers.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the control system automatically generates a replacement torque setpoint to ensure stable speed, then speed stability is improved, but the pilot may be surprised by unexpected control changes
Solution Approach 1:
The control system applies replacement torque setpoint generation only partially - specifically when the pilot-generated torque setpoint is below a certain threshold or when speed oscillation is detected. When the pilot generates sufficient torque for stable movement, the system returns control to the pilot. This selective application maintains stability while preserving pilot authority and predictability during normal operations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the pilot generates a high torque setpoint to ensure stable movement, then speed stability is improved, but the aircraft moves faster than necessary for low-speed operations
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts the torque setpoint parameter based on operational conditions. When low-speed stable movement is required, the system generates a replacement torque setpoint that maintains stability at the desired low speed. When the pilot needs higher speeds, the system transitions back to using the pilot-generated setpoint. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between stability and speed control.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling the torque of a drive device (1) for rotating wheels (2) of an aircraft comprising actuators for selectively driving rotating wheels of the aircraft to ensure its movement on the ground, comprising the step of regulating a torque generated by the drive device according to a torque setpoint (4) issued by the pilot. According to the invention, the method involves the step of generating, as long as the torque setpoint is not sufficient to guarantee a stable movement speed of the aircraft, a replacement torque setpoint (5) to allow the aircraft to move at a stable speed, and substituting the replacement torque setpoint for the torque setpoint generated by the pilot.