Hybrid Autonomous Flight Control for Electric Aircraft Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric aircraft systems lack effective autonomous control mechanisms, particularly in situations where pilot intervention is not possible, posing challenges for safe and stable flight operations.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid autonomous control system for electric aircraft, comprising sensors that detect aircraft position and rate data, and a flight controller that generates a recommended autopilot output based on these data, along with threshold parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pilot controls the aircraft manually, then the pilot can respond to unexpected situations, but the pilot may be unable to control the aircraft at all times leading to unsafe operations
Solution Approach 1:
An autonomous control system acts as an intermediary between the pilot and the aircraft control mechanisms. The system includes sensors that detect aircraft state, a processor that determines autonomous control outputs based on machine learning models, and actuators that execute control commands. This intermediary autonomous system ensures safe operations by taking over control when the pilot is unable to manage the aircraft, while still allowing pilot intervention when capable.
2Reliability
If autonomous control is implemented, then continuous aircraft control is ensured, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous control system is segmented into distinct functional modules: sensor modules for detecting aircraft position and state, a processing module with machine learning models for determining control outputs, and actuator modules for executing commands. This segmentation allows the complex autonomous control function to be implemented through coordinated simpler subsystems, managing overall system complexity while ensuring continuous control capability.
3Ease of operation
If hybrid autonomous control is implemented, then pilot workload management is enhanced, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts the level of autonomy based on flight conditions and pilot input. The processor determines whether to operate in autonomous mode or manual pilot mode, creating a dynamic hybrid control architecture. This dynamic switching capability enhances pilot workload management by automating routine tasks while preserving pilot authority, without requiring the entire system to be permanently complex.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for hybrid autonomous control of an electric aircraft is provided. The system generally includes a sensor and a flight controller. The sensor is configured to detect an aircraft position datum, detect an aircraft rate datum, and transmit the aircraft position datum and the aircraft rate datum to a flight controller. The flight controller is configured to receive an aircraft position datum, to receive an aircraft rate datum, and to generate a recommended autopilot output as a function of at least a threshold datum, the aircraft position datum, and the aircraft rate datum.