Dual Actuator Control System for Manned Unmanned Aircraft Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The development and deployment of unmanned vehicles are costly due to the need for separate design and infrastructure from manned vehicles, lacking a cost-effective approach that preserves manned operational capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Converting manned vehicles into multi-mode systems capable of both manned and unmanned operation using dual actuators and a vehicle controller that can selectively enable or disable unmanned operation, allowing for shared development costs and logistics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If unmanned vehicles are developed from scratch, then unmanned operational capability is achieved, but development cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a vehicle control system that can operate in both manned and unmanned modes using the same physical platform. The dual-mode control system allows the vehicle to function as either a traditionally piloted aircraft or an autonomous drone, eliminating the need for separate development programs and reducing overall development costs while maintaining both operational capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by creating a convertible control system that can dynamically switch between manned and unmanned operational modes. The system includes a vehicle controller that can be selectively enabled or disabled, allowing the control architecture to adapt its behavior based on the operational mode, thereby providing flexibility without requiring separate fixed systems for each mode
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate manned and unmanned vehicle programs are maintained, then operational capabilities are preserved, but logistics and maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges previously separate manned and unmanned vehicle operations into a single unified platform. By combining both operational modes into one vehicle system with shared hardware, software, and support infrastructure, the patent reduces logistics and maintenance complexity while preserving both manned and unmanned operational capabilities through intelligent control system design
3Adaptability or versatility
If unmanned operation is added to manned vehicle, then mission flexibility improves, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by designing a control system that can dynamically adapt its behavior based on operational mode. The vehicle controller is selectively enabled or disabled to provide either manned or unmanned operation, allowing the system to flexibly change its control architecture without requiring permanently complex dual-system design, thereby improving mission flexibility while managing control system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for converting a manned aircraft for unmanned flight, the aircraft including at least one pilot control capable of manipulation to affect operation of the aircraft, the apparatus comprising a first actuator and a second actuator each configured to selectively provide movement or resistance to movement in a first manner including linear or rotational motion, a first clutch and a second clutch each configured to selectively couple movement of the associated actuator to the pilot control, and a vehicle controller capable of being selectively enabled to operate the pilot control actuators and clutches providing unmanned operation of the aircraft or disabled providing manned operation of the aircraft. The first actuator has a first scope describing a first amount of allowable movement, while the second actuator has a second scope larger than the first scope.