Integrated Flight Control and AHR for Low-SWaP UAM Vehicles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Urban air mobility (UAM) vehicles face challenges in implementing flight control and attitude/heading reference systems due to the size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) constraints, as the discrete systems used in larger aircraft are too large and power-hungry for UAM vehicles.
Innovation Solution
An integrated travel control and attitude/heading reference system is developed, utilizing separate processing circuitry for travel control and attitude/heading determination, with a common interface and optional shared power supply, to reduce SWaP-C and improve power efficiency, incorporating inertial and position data from IMUs and GNSS receivers for accurate attitude and heading calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If discrete flight control and attitude/heading reference systems are used in UAM vehicles, then flight control functionality is provided, but the system size and weight become too large for UAM vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines discrete flight control systems and attitude/heading reference systems into a single integrated system. The processor executes both flight control algorithms and attitude determination algorithms, merging previously separate functional blocks into one unified system that reduces overall weight while maintaining all necessary flight control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system performs multiple functions simultaneously - it processes inertial data for attitude determination, generates flight control commands, and manages vehicle propulsion and navigation. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated systems, thereby reducing weight without compromising flight control reliability.
2Reliability
If discrete flight control and attitude/heading reference systems are used in UAM vehicles, then flight control functionality is provided, but the system power consumption exceeds available power supply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges discrete flight control and attitude reference systems into one integrated processor that shares computational resources. By consolidating power-consuming components into a single system, the overall power consumption is reduced while maintaining full flight control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated processor performs multiple functions including attitude determination, flight control, and navigation using shared computational resources. This multi-functionality reduces redundant power consumption that would occur in separate discrete systems.
3Reliability
If discrete flight control and attitude/heading reference systems are used in UAM vehicles, then flight control functionality is provided, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple discrete systems into a single integrated flight control system, reducing the total number of components, interfaces, and integration requirements. This merging simplifies the overall system architecture and reduces development, testing, and certification costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system performs multiple functions through shared processors and sensors, reducing the need for redundant components across separate systems. This consolidation lowers overall system complexity and associated costs while maintaining comprehensive flight control capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for integrating a travel control system and attitude and heading (AHR) system in a vehicle are disclosed. The integrated system includes interface circuitry that enables data communication between constituent travel control system and AHR system of the integrated system, and can further communicate data between the travel control system and/or the AHR system and other system(s) or device(s) in or on the vehicle. In some embodiments, the travel control system includes processing circuitry that is fault tolerant. Alternatively, or additionally, the AHR system may include processing circuitry that has a processing power greater than the travel control system processing circuitry.