Fly-By-Wire Control Architecture With Direct Backup Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fly-by-wire (FBW) systems for aircraft are complex and costly, necessitating improved control systems that address these issues and provide fault-tolerant operation.
Innovation Solution
The proposed FBW control system includes a direct mode of operation where inceptors are directly connected to actuators, a normal mode with indirect connection via actuators and CAN buses, and a fault-tolerant actuation controller using PWM command summing, along with a dual lane architecture and bi-directional power distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If conventional FBW systems always connect inceptor sensors to FBW computers through multiple processing elements, then control precision and automation are improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between normal mode (indirect connection through FBW computers) and direct mode (direct connection from inceptors to actuators) based on operational conditions and fault states, optimizing the balance between automation and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is segmented into multiple operational modes (normal mode and direct mode) that can be independently activated, allowing the system to simplify its architecture when complexity becomes problematic while maintaining automated control when needed
2Reliability
If conventional FBW systems use multiple FBW computers and processing elements for redundancy, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity and implementation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions between normal mode with redundant FBW computers and direct mode with simplified direct connection, maintaining reliability through mode switching rather than permanent complex architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential control function from the complex FBW computer architecture and implements it directly through mechanical linkages in direct mode, removing unnecessary intermediary components while preserving core functionality
3Device complexity
If direct mode connection is implemented between inceptors and actuators, then system complexity is reduced, but control precision and operational refinement may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects between direct mode (lower precision, simpler) and normal mode (higher precision, more complex) based on operational requirements, ensuring adequate control precision is maintained when direct mode is used
Data Source
AI summary
Fly-by-wire (FBW) control systems and methods for an aircraft are disclosed herein. In one example embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a FBW control system for an aircraft including a plurality of inceptors, a plurality of actuators, a plurality of linkages, at least one controller area network (CAN) bus, and at least one flight control computer (FCC) coupled to the plurality of actuators by the at least one bus. Each of the linkages respectively electrically couples a respective pair of the inceptors and actuators. Further, the at least one FCC is coupled to the inceptors only indirectly by the plurality of linkages and the at least one bus, with the plurality of actuators being coupled between the at least one bus and the plurality of linkages. Additionally, in at least one additional example embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an electric power distribution system for an aircraft.