Aircraft Flap Skew Detection via Asymmetry Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for monitoring the position and operating state of movable aircraft components, such as flaps, suffer from synchronization issues between actuators, leading to flap skew and potential mechanical deadlock, which requires frequent maintenance and reduces system robustness.
Innovation Solution
The system initializes the monitoring device and sensors after booting or when the component reaches a fully retracted or extended position, using an asymmetry sensor to calculate correction values and limit curves for recognizing skew and disconnect faults, thereby enabling more robust and efficient monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing sensor systems are used for monitoring flap position, then flap skew and disconnect can be detected, but the system requires frequent initialization after replacement of parts and has lower resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary initialization of the asymmetry sensor during system booting or after power restoration, storing reference values in memory before normal operation begins. This preliminary action eliminates the need for manual rigging after part replacement, as the sensor automatically recalibrates using the stored reference values.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring device automatically initializes and recalibrates the asymmetry sensor without requiring external intervention or manual rigging. The system uses its own internal resources (memory storage, processing unit) to perform self-initialization, reducing maintenance effort and improving ease of operation.
2Measurement precision
If existing monitoring systems are used with lower resolution sensors, then system costs are reduced, but the robustness of skew and disconnect detection is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an asymmetry sensor that measures the difference in position between two actuators driving the same flap. By detecting asymmetries in the normally symmetric actuator-flap system, the monitoring device can identify skew and disconnect conditions with high precision, even when individual actuator positions have limited resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The asymmetry sensor acts as an intermediary measurement device that compares the positions of multiple actuators relative to each other rather than measuring absolute positions. This differential measurement approach amplifies small discrepancies caused by skew or disconnect, enabling high-resolution detection without requiring high-resolution absolute position sensors.
3Reliability
If actuators are adapted to higher load for breakage resistance, then system robustness is improved, but actuator weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical reinforcement of actuators with an electronic monitoring solution. Instead of making actuators physically stronger and heavier to withstand breakage loads, the system uses sensors and a monitoring device to detect and respond to actuator failures, allowing the use of lighter, less robust actuators while maintaining overall system safety.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a system for detecting the position and/or the operating state of a movable component of an aircraft, wherein the system has one movable component, two actuators, two motion sensors, one asymmetry sensor, one drive train, and one monitoring device; wherein the component can be actuated by the at least two mutually offset actuators; wherein at least one motion sensor is provided for one respective actuator; wherein the motion sensor can monitor a mechanical movement of the drive train; wherein the monitoring device is connected to the motion sensors and to the asymmetry sensor, and wherein the system is configured such that an initialization of the monitoring device and/or of the motion sensors and/or of the asymmetry sensor can take place after a booting of the system and/or when the component has adopted a fully retracted and/or a fully extended position.