Fallback Flight Control for eVTOL Actuator Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, component malfunctions can lead to unsafe flight conditions, compromising safety for passengers and cargo, as existing systems lack effective fall back flight control mechanisms to maintain aircraft integrity during such failures.
Innovation Solution
A fall back flight control system that includes a flight controller capable of determining autonomous operation inputs from sensors, generating control data, and transmitting it to actuators to move the aircraft, with a communicative coupling to ensure continued safe operation even in the event of primary system failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If primary flight control systems are used, then normal flight operation is achieved, but safety is compromised when component failure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The flight control system is segmented into multiple independent control channels (primary and fallback) that can operate autonomously. Each channel has its own sensor processing and actuator control capabilities, allowing the system to divide functionality so that failure of one channel does not compromise the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The fallback flight control system is pre-configured and ready for operation before any failure occurs. All necessary control algorithms, sensor interfaces, and actuator mappings are established in advance, enabling immediate transition to fallback mode without requiring complex real-time reconfiguration when a failure is detected.
2Reliability
If fallback flight control system is implemented, then safety is improved during component failure, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fallback flight control system uses a simplified copy of the primary control architecture, replicating only the essential functions needed for safe operation. This includes copying the core control algorithms and sensor processing logic while omitting non-critical features, thereby maintaining safety with reduced complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fallback system is designed as a simpler, more robust control path that can be implemented with less sophisticated components. It uses basic control logic and direct sensor-to-actuator mappings that are easier to implement and maintain, sacrificing some functionality for increased reliability and reduced complexity.
3Measurement precision
If autonomous operation input is determined from sensors, then control accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flight controller is designed with universal sensor processing capabilities that can handle multiple sensor types and failure modes through the same control pathway. The same control algorithm processes inputs from various sensors and can operate in both primary and fallback modes, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A system of fall back flight control configured for use in aircraft includes an input control configured to receive a pilot input and generate a control datum. System includes a flight controller communicatively coupled to the input control and configured to receive the control datum and generate an output datum. The system includes the actuator having a primary mode in which the actuator is configured to move the at least a portion of the aircraft as a function of the output datum and a fall back mode in which the actuator is configured to move the at least a portion of the aircraft as a function of the control datum. The actuator configured to receive the control datum, receive the output datum, detect a loss of communication with the flight controller, and select the fall back mode as a function of the detection.