Aircraft Control Surface Brake for Position Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft control systems require redundant actuators to ensure control surface movement, which increases weight and manufacturing costs, and may not always perform correctly to maintain desired positions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that identify the load on a control surface and its direction of movement, engaging a brake if the movement is away from the desired position to maintain control surface position without additional redundant actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundant actuators are added to ensure control surface movement, then reliability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the redundancy function from traditional actuator duplication and implements it through a separate brake system. Instead of adding redundant actuators, the invention adds a brake mechanism that can independently maintain control surface position, separating the positioning function from the actuation function and reducing overall system weight while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The brake system serves multiple functions: it can maintain control surface position during actuator failure, prevent unauthorized movement, and work in conjunction with the primary actuator during normal operation. This multi-functionality replaces what would traditionally require separate redundant actuator systems, reducing weight while improving reliability
2Reliability
If redundant actuators are added to ensure control surface movement, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the redundancy function from expensive actuator duplication and implements it through a more cost-effective brake system. The brake mechanism is simpler and less expensive to manufacture than redundant actuators, while achieving the same reliability goal of ensuring control surface positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The brake system represents a simpler, more economical component compared to redundant actuators. While actuators are complex electromechanical devices, the brake system uses simpler mechanical components that are cheaper to manufacture and maintain, providing cost-effective redundancy
3Reliability
If traditional redundancy systems are used, then control surface positioning reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the positioning maintenance function from complex actuator redundancy systems and implements it through a dedicated brake mechanism. This separation simplifies the overall system architecture by giving the positioning function its own independent mechanism rather than relying on complex actuator coordination
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using actuators to actively move the control surface to the desired position during failure, the invention inverts the approach by using a brake to passively maintain the control surface at its current position. This passive maintenance approach is simpler than active correction and reduces 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
This approach provides effective control surface positioning with reduced complexity, weight, and expense by selectively engaging a brake to prevent movement away from the desired position, offering a lightweight and cost-effective alternative to traditional redundancy systems.
Implementation Method 1
A brake associated with the control surface is engaged if the identified movement is away from a desired position for the control surface
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, and computer program product are present for controlling a control surface. A load is identified on the control surface to form an identified load. A direction of movement of the control surface is identified from the identified load to form an identified movement. A brake associated with the control surface is engaged if the identified movement is away from a desired position for the control surface.