eVTOL Flight Control Mixing for Multi-Actuator Maneuver Commands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft face inefficiencies due to the complexity of determining multiple aircraft parameters, such as position and speed, which is exacerbated by the increased degrees of freedom in electric systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a flight controller to generate an optimal command mix for a plurality of actuators based on a requested aircraft force, incorporating an ideal actuator model and model datum to produce a control signal that efficiently manages flight components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional control methods are used for eVTOL aircraft, then the aircraft can perform basic maneuvers, but the system efficiency is poor due to the large number of degrees of freedom that need to be accounted for
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the control problem by changing parameters from individual actuator control to matrix-based control. The control system uses a mixing matrix that maps desired aircraft forces directly to actuator commands, changing the control parameters from multiple independent variables to a coordinated matrix operation that simplifies the control process while maintaining full maneuver capability
Solution Approach 2:
The control system implements a universal mixing matrix that handles all aircraft maneuvers and all actuators through a single integrated mathematical framework. This multi-functional approach allows the same control structure to manage various flight conditions and actuator configurations without requiring separate control logic for each scenario
2Adaptability or versatility
If more actuators and flight components are added to eVTOL aircraft, then the aircraft gains more degrees of freedom and maneuverability, but the computational complexity of determining aircraft parameters increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical control logic with a mathematical matrix system. Instead of using intricate mechanical linkages and switches to handle different actuator configurations, the system uses a mixing matrix that computationally maps forces to actuator commands, simplifying the control architecture while accommodating any number of actuators or flight components
Solution Approach 2:
The control system segments the complex control problem into two distinct matrix operations: the mixing matrix that handles actuator command distribution and the effectiveness matrix that handles force calculations. This segmentation allows each matrix to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall computational burden by breaking down the complex parameter determination into manageable mathematical steps
Data Source
AI summary
A system for producing a control signal of an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft includes a flight controller configured to obtain a requested aircraft force, generate an optimal command mix, wherein the optimal command mix includes a plurality of commands to a plurality of actuators as a function of the requested aircraft force, wherein generating further comprises receiving an ideal actuator model includes at least a performance parameter, producing a model datum as a function of the ideal actuator model, and generating the optimal command mix as a function of the request aircraft force and the model datum, and produce a control signal as a function of the optimal command mix.