Ganged Servo Flight Control for UAV Torque and Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fly-by-wire flight control systems for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face challenges in providing sufficient speed, torque output, and positioning resolution while being simple, lightweight, and inexpensive, with larger servo-actuators being costly and having less desirable speed characteristics, and often manufactured in low quantities with long lead times.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a ganged servo flight control system that uses multiple servo-actuators in a cooperative relationship to function as a single actuator, increasing torque output and redundancy, and operating from a single drive signal to achieve high speed, high torque, and high precision control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If larger servo-actuators are used to increase torque output, then torque capability is improved, but speed characteristics deteriorate and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single large servo-actuator into multiple smaller servo-actuators that work together in a ganged configuration. Each smaller servo-actuator maintains good speed characteristics while the combined group provides the necessary torque output, thus resolving the contradiction between torque and speed.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple smaller servo-actuators are merged into a ganged configuration where they operate simultaneously to collectively provide the required torque. This combining approach allows the system to achieve high torque output while maintaining the speed advantages of smaller individual actuators.
2Force
If larger servo-actuators are used to increase torque output, then torque capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using one large complex servo-actuator, the system segments the torque provision function across multiple simpler, smaller servo-actuators. This segmentation reduces the complexity of individual components while achieving the same overall torque capability through their coordinated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple copies of identical or similar smaller servo-actuators in a ganged configuration. This copying approach simplifies the system by using standardized, off-the-shelf components rather than custom-designed large actuators, reducing both complexity and manufacturing lead time.
3Force
If larger servo-actuators are used to increase torque output, then torque capability is improved, but manufacturing availability worsens due to long lead times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple smaller, commercially available servo-actuators that can be quickly sourced from standard manufacturers rather than custom-building large actuators. These smaller units have shorter manufacturing lead times and are more readily available in the marketplace, reducing the overall system assembly time.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the torque function across multiple smaller actuators, the system can use commercially off-the-shelf components with established supply chains and short lead times, avoiding the long customization and manufacturing cycles associated with large specialized actuators.
4Reliability
If multiple servo-actuators are ganged to function as a single actuator, then torque output and redundancy are improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple servo-actuators are merged into a ganged configuration where they are controlled as a unified group by a single drive signal. This merging approach provides redundancy and increased torque capability while keeping the control system relatively simple by treating the group as a single functional unit.
Data Source
AI summary
A ganged servo flight control system for an unmanned aerial vehicle is provided. The flight control system may include a swashplate having first, second, and third connection portions; a first control assembly connected to the first connection portion of the swashplate; a second control assembly connected to the second connection portion of the swashplate; and a third control assembly connected to the third connection portion of the swashplate. The first control assembly may include two or more servo-actuators connected to operate in cooperation with each other.