Effector Reboot Control for Electric Aircraft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for electric aircrafts lack effective solutions for effector reboot during flight, particularly in handling sudden failures and ensuring minimal downtime.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an effector controller that performs a power on built-in test (PBIT) and selectively performs an additional built-in test (ABIT) upon boot, with a flight controller communicating whether to run the ABIT, and a backup flight controller providing redundancy to manage effector operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an effector is rebooted during flight to handle sudden failures, then system reliability is improved, but aircraft downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a Power-On Built-In Test (PBIT) automatically when the effector controller boots up during flight. This preliminary diagnostic action quickly assesses the effector's status without requiring extensive manual intervention, thereby minimizing aircraft downtime while ensuring reliable failure detection and handling
2Measurement precision
If an additional built-in test (ABIT) is performed on boot, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the diagnostic testing strategy by selectively performing the Additional Built-In Test (ABIT) based on flight conditions and effector status. The flight controller determines whether ABIT should be executed, allowing the system to optimize between diagnostic precision and energy consumption in real-time during flight operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the diagnostic parameter by offering two test modes: PBIT for quick assessment and ABIT for more precise diagnostics. The flight controller communicates whether the effector controller should perform ABIT, allowing the system to adapt the level of diagnostic thoroughness based on operational needs, thus balancing measurement precision against energy usage
3Reliability
If redundancy is implemented with backup controllers, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements redundancy by having a backup flight controller that can take over if the primary controller fails. The backup controller maintains the same effector controller interface and diagnostic capabilities, providing a simple copy-based redundancy solution that improves reliability without significantly increasing system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a system and method for effector reboot on an electric aircraft during flight. An effector controller may perform a power on built-in test on boot. An effector controller may selective perform an additional built-in test (ABIT) on boot based on instructions from a flight controller. The flight controller may use flags to indicate the necessity of an ABIT on boot. The effector controller may not perform an ABIT during flight. A backup controller may be used to send standard commands to an effector controller but may not sent an ABIT command.