Aircraft Control Surface Force Estimation Using Existing Flight Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for estimating forces on aircraft control surfaces are inaccurate and costly, lacking real-time capability and requiring additional sensors, which compromises aircraft control and safety.
Innovation Solution
A method that calculates forces on control surfaces using existing aircraft data, determining the lever arm and hinge moments based on dynamic pressure, load factor, and geometrical characteristics, without the need for additional sensors, allowing for real-time estimation and improved control and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional sensors and gauges are installed to measure forces on control surfaces, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing aircraft sensors and available flight data to self-calculate control surface forces through mathematical models, eliminating the need for additional dedicated force measurement sensors. The aircraft's existing sensor network serves the dual purpose of flight parameter monitoring and force estimation.
Solution Approach 2:
Physical mechanical force sensors are replaced with a computational approach using aerodynamic models and mathematical calculations based on readily available flight data, substituting direct mechanical measurement with indirect computational estimation.
2Reliability
If real-time force estimation is implemented using complex sensor systems, then reliability is improved, but mass and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft's existing flight control system and sensor network are utilized to perform force estimation calculations, eliminating the need for additional dedicated hardware and reducing overall system mass while maintaining real-time capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of directly measuring forces with physical sensors, the system creates a computational model that replicates force calculation using available flight data, achieving the same information goal without additional physical components.
3Ease of operation
If accurate force measurement systems are installed, then control capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing aircraft sensor system and flight data infrastructure are used for multiple purposes including both standard flight monitoring and the additional function of control surface force estimation, eliminating the need for separate dedicated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the aircraft's own existing data infrastructure and computational resources to perform force estimation, making the aircraft self-sufficient without requiring external or additional specialized systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method and device for estimating forces exerted on at least one aircraft control surface. The method includes steps of, and the device includes components that carry out steps that include: generating current aircraft flight data; determining, from the generated aircraft flight data, a value Bl based on current deflection data and geometrical characteristics of a lever arm actuator of the at least one aircraft control surface; calculating, from the determined value Bl, at least one hinge moment; summing each calculated hinge moment; and dividing the sum by the value Bl to obtain an estimate of the forces exerted on the least one aircraft control surface.