Decoupled Rotor Actuation for Independent Cyclic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotor actuation systems in rotorcraft couple cyclic and collective control, making it difficult to independently control rotor blades, which can lead to reduced safety and increased flight criticality of actuators.
Innovation Solution
A rotor actuation system with a swashplate assembly that includes a stationary and rotating swashplate, where cyclic and collective actuators are operatively connected to allow independent control, decoupling cyclic and collective actuation, and featuring a controller to apply control laws for independent actuation based on command inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cyclic and collective actuators are coupled in a typical rotor control system, then both cyclic and collective control can be achieved using three or more linear actuators, but the control systems become interdependent and flight criticality increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the coupled cyclic and collective control system into separate independent actuators. Specifically, it uses a first linear actuator dedicated to cyclic control and a second linear actuator dedicated to collective control, eliminating the interdependence present in conventional systems where three or more actuators must work together for both control functions. This segmentation reduces flight criticality by isolating control functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the cyclic and collective control functions from their coupled configuration into separate independent actuation systems. By taking out the coupling mechanism and providing dedicated actuators for each control function, the system reduces interdependence and flight criticality while maintaining full control capability.
2Ease of operation
If cyclic and collective control are coupled through multiple actuators, then comprehensive rotor control is achieved, but control law development and testing become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the control system into independent cyclic and collective actuators, the patent simplifies control law development and testing. Each actuator can be controlled and tested independently rather than requiring complex coordinated control of multiple coupled actuators, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive control capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional coupled actuator systems are used, then rotorcraft control functionality is achieved, but adjustment of control phase angles becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustability of control phase angles through independent actuator mounting configurations. The first and second linear actuators can be independently positioned and angled relative to the rotor axis, allowing flexible adjustment of control phase angles without being constrained by a fixed coupled actuator arrangement, thereby improving ease of manufacture and adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A rotor actuation system includes a swashplate assembly comprised of a stationary swashplate and a rotating swashplate operatively connected together for relative rotation about a rotor axis. A cyclic actuator is operatively connected to the stationary swashplate to tilt the swashplate assembly off axis from the rotor axis for cyclic control. A collective actuator is operatively connected to the swashplate assembly to move the swashplate axially along the rotor axis for collective control. The cyclic actuator and the collective actuator are operatively connected to the swashplate assembly to respectively actuate cyclic and collective control independent of one another.