Auxiliary Flight Controller Isolation Against Rotorcraft EMI
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of uncertified electrical systems in certified aircraft systems, such as auxiliary flight controllers, increases vulnerability to electromagnetic interference, necessitating costly and time-consuming retesting to maintain certification compliance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing relays, specifically mechanical or solid state relays, to electrically isolate uncertified systems from certified flight control computers, preventing electromagnetic interference propagation and avoiding the need for retesting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If auxiliary flight controllers are integrated into certified aircraft systems, then flight control functionality is enhanced, but vulnerability to electromagnetic interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
A relay device is introduced as an intermediary component between the auxiliary flight controller and the certified flight control system. The relay electrically isolates the two systems while allowing signal transmission, thereby preventing electromagnetic interference from propagating to the certified system while maintaining enhanced flight control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The flight control system is segmented into separate electrically isolated zones: the certified flight control computer and the auxiliary flight controller. The relay creates distinct electrical boundaries between these segments, allowing each to operate independently with different certification statuses while maintaining functional integration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If uncertified systems are connected to certified flight control computers, then system functionality is expanded, but certification compliance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The relay serves as a mediator that enables connection between uncertified auxiliary systems and certified flight control computers without compromising certification. It allows signal passage while maintaining electrical isolation, thus expanding system functionality while preserving certification compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful electrical connection path is extracted from the system by inserting the relay, which removes the direct electrical pathway that would compromise certification. The relay takes out the problematic direct connection while maintaining the necessary functional connection.
3Reliability
If electromagnetic interference protection is implemented by adding isolation devices, then system safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The relay provides electromagnetic interference protection through a single intermediary device rather than requiring complex multi-layer protection systems. This simple mediator achieves safety goals without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay is implemented as a simple, relatively low-cost component that provides necessary protection functionality. While relays have limited lifetimes due to mechanical wear, their simplicity and low cost make them suitable for this protection role without significantly impacting system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The use of relays ensures compliance with electromagnetic interference standards without altering the certified system's wiring, thus avoiding costly retesting and maintaining certification status.
Implementation Method 1
The relay prevents electromagnetic interference affecting the auxiliary flight controller from affecting or propagating to the flight control computer
Data Source
AI summary
A rotorcraft includes a fuselage, a flight control computer, an auxiliary flight controller having one or more flight control inputs in the noncockpit section of the fuselage and a relay interposed between the flight control computer and the auxiliary flight controller such that the auxiliary flight controller is in data communication with the flight control computer via the relay. The relay prevents electromagnetic interference affecting the auxiliary flight controller from affecting the flight control computer.