Electronic Actuator Stops for Flight Control Surface Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for limiting the range of movement of aircraft flight control surfaces using mechanical stops or electronic limiting functions are either heavy, complex, or lack reliability and accuracy, which can lead to structural inconsistencies and performance optimization issues.
Innovation Solution
An actuator controller with a position controller and a stop controller is used to generate position and stop control signals, allowing for precise electronic stops that limit the movement of aircraft flight control surfaces without the weight and complexity of mechanical stops, using simple logic and reducing computational demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical stops are used to limit the range of movement of flight control surfaces, then the range of movement is limited, but the system becomes heavy and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical stops with an electronic control system that uses sensors to detect the position of flight control surfaces and a controller to generate stop control signals when predetermined stop conditions are met. This substitution eliminates the need for physical mechanical stops, thereby reducing system weight and complexity while maintaining reliable range movement limitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic system automatically detects when flight control surfaces approach stop positions using sensors and autonomously generates stop control signals without requiring external mechanical intervention. The system serves itself by monitoring its own state and taking corrective action, eliminating the need for separate mechanical stop components.
2Reliability
If mechanical stops are used to limit the range of movement, then the range of movement is limited, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy mechanical stop components with lightweight electronic sensors and controllers. The electronic system uses electrical signals rather than physical mechanical blocks to achieve the same range movement limitation function, significantly reducing the weight of the stop system while maintaining operational reliability.
3Device complexity
If electronic limiting functions are used to limit the range of movement, then the range of movement is limited, but reliability and accuracy are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that continuously monitor the position of flight control surfaces and provide feedback signals to the controller. When the sensor detects that a stop condition is approaching, it feeds this information back to the controller, which then generates appropriate stop control signals. This closed-loop feedback mechanism significantly improves the reliability and accuracy of the electronic limiting function compared to open-loop electronic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary action by detecting stop conditions before the flight control surfaces actually reach their mechanical limits. The sensors monitor position continuously and trigger stop control signals in advance, preventing excessive movement before it occurs. This proactive approach enhances reliability by avoiding the need for last-minute corrective actions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method of controlling a position of a structure. A position command indicating a desired position for the structure and a position feedback signal indicating the position of the structure are received. A position control signal is generated based on a difference between the desired position and the position indicated by the position feedback signal. A stop feedback signal relative to the position of the structure is received. A stop control signal is generated based on the stop feedback signal and a stop condition for the structure. One of the position control signal and the stop control signal is selected. The selected one of the position control signal and the stop control signal is provided to an actuator for controlling the position of the structure.