eVTOL Fly-By-Wire Reversionary Control for Flight Controller Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft lack the capability for fly-by-wire reversionary flight control, which is essential for pilot intervention in case of flight controller malfunctions, unlike conventional fixed-wing aircraft, posing a safety risk in emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for fly-by-wire reversionary flight control in electric VTOL aircraft, involving a first actuator that receives control data, determines a command datum using a distributed control algorithm, and actuates a control element, allowing direct pilot control without reliance on a functioning flight controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If fly-by-wire control system is used in VTOL aircraft, then automation and control precision are improved, but reliability deteriorates because pilot intervention is impossible when the flight controller fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the control system into two independent segments: the primary fly-by-wire flight controller and a secondary manual control system with direct mechanical linkages to control surfaces. This segmentation allows the aircraft to operate in either automated mode or manual reversionary mode, resolving the contradiction by providing pilot intervention capability when the automated system fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a fail-operational reversionary mode where the control system transitions from fully automated fly-by-wire operation to direct mechanical control. This parameter change in the control mode allows the pilot to directly manipulate control surfaces through mechanical linkages when the flight controller fails, maintaining reliability while preserving the benefits of automated control during normal operation.
2Reliability
If conventional manual control system is provided for reversion, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential reversionary control functionality by providing direct mechanical linkages from control columns to control surfaces, bypassing the failed flight controller. This extraction approach maintains reliability by ensuring pilot control capability while minimizing added complexity by using straightforward mechanical connections rather than complex backup systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control columns serve dual functions: they operate as primary control inputs during normal fly-by-wire operation and as direct mechanical control levers during reversionary mode. This multi-functionality improves reliability by ensuring control capability in both modes while avoiding the need for separate backup control systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Some aspects relate to systems and methods for fly-by-wire reversionary flight control including a pilot control, a plurality of sensors configured to: sense control data associated with the pilot control, and transmit the control data, a first actuator communicative with the plurality of sensors configured to receive the control data, determine a first command datum as a function of the control data and a distributed control algorithm, and actuate a first control element according to the first command datum.