Aircraft Flight Control Surface Testing With Sensor Position Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for testing aircraft flight control surfaces require manual input and measurement, leading to inefficiencies, inaccuracies, and the need for multiple personnel, as communication and data recording are often cumbersome and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
An automated system utilizing a network of sensors on both pilot input devices and aircraft control surfaces, which wirelessly communicate data to a controller for real-time processing and comparison of expected and actual positions, reducing the need for manual input and increasing accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual input and measurement methods are used for testing flight control surfaces, then the testing process can be performed with simple equipment, but the testing time is extended and accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement methods with electronic sensors and automated data processing systems. Sensors mounted on control surfaces and pilot input devices automatically capture position data, eliminating the need for manual measurement tools and operations, thereby improving both accuracy and reducing testing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The testing system performs self-measurement and self-recording through automated sensors and controllers. The system automatically compares expected positions with actual sensor readings, generates test results, and identifies discrepancies without requiring manual intervention for data collection and analysis, thus reducing testing time while maintaining high precision.
2Reliability
If manual data recording and communication methods are used, then the system complexity is reduced, but the reliability is decreased due to errors and the need for multiple personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual data recording and communication processes with electronic sensors, wireless transmitters, and automated data processing systems. This substitution eliminates human error in data collection and transmission, significantly improving reliability while the structured electronic system manages the increased complexity through standardized protocols and automated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sensors as intermediary devices between the control surfaces and the measurement system. These sensors automatically capture position data and transmit it to controllers for processing, serving as reliable intermediaries that eliminate the need for manual measurement and reduce human error, thereby improving data accuracy despite the added device complexity.
3Productivity
If multiple personnel are used for manual testing operations, then the ease of operation is maintained through human judgment, but the productivity is reduced and the need for coordination increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The testing system performs self-testing through automated sensors that continuously monitor control surface positions and compare them against expected values. The system automatically identifies discrepancies and generates test results without requiring multiple personnel for manual operations, thereby significantly improving productivity while maintaining operational simplicity through automated decision-making algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual human operations with automated electronic systems that perform measurements, comparisons, and analysis. This substitution eliminates the need for multiple personnel to coordinate manual tasks, improving productivity by enabling continuous automated testing while simplifying operation through centralized electronic control and automated result generation.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated flight control functional testing system includes a first sensor on a pilot input device for sensing position of the pilot input device, and a distributed network of sensors on a plurality of control surfaces of an aircraft for sensing positions of the control surfaces. A controller determines an expected position of each control surface based on data signals received from the first sensor, and the controller determines an actual position of each control surface based on data signals received from the distributed network of sensors. An automated flight control functional testing method includes transmitting angle information to a controller from a first angle sensor on a pilot input device and a second angle sensor on a control surface of an aircraft, and comparing an expected angle of a control surface based on the first sensor with an actual angle of the control surface based on the second sensor.