Unified Power Margin Indicator for Hybrid Rotorcraft Piloting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current piloting assistance systems for helicopters are not suitable for hybrid rotorcrafts, which have both lift and propulsion rotors, making it difficult to optimize performance and safety.
Innovation Solution
A method and device using a single indicator to display power margins for both lift and propulsion rotors, with onboard calculation determining available power margins and illustrating them on a single scale, allowing pilots to monitor and manage power usage effectively across various ratings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate indicators are used for lift rotor and propulsion rotor power margins, then each rotor's power status can be monitored independently, but the device complexity and pilot workload increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate indicators for lift rotor and propulsion rotor power margins into a single unified indicator. This single indicator displays both power margins simultaneously, reducing the number of separate monitoring devices while maintaining the ability to independently monitor each rotor's power status. The consolidation simplifies the indicator system without sacrificing monitoring precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified indicator serves multiple functions by displaying power margin information for both the lift rotor and propulsion rotor within a single device. This multi-functional approach allows the single indicator to replace what would traditionally require separate specialized indicators, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities.
2Reliability
If multiple separate indicators are provided for different rotors, then comprehensive power monitoring is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to increased pilot workload
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the display of lift rotor and propulsion rotor power margins into a single unified indicator, the system reduces the number of separate monitoring tasks the pilot must perform. The pilot can now assess both power margins simultaneously on one display, reducing cognitive load and improving ease of operation while maintaining comprehensive safety monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified indicator presents power margin information for both rotors in a homogeneous, consistent format, making it easier for the pilot to process and compare the information. This standardized presentation reduces the mental effort required to interpret multiple different displays, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining reliability.
3Ease of operation
If a unified indicator displays both power margins, then ease of operation improves, but measurement precision may be compromised due to information density
Solution Approach 1:
The unified indicator is segmented into distinct display zones or sections, with one area dedicated to showing the lift rotor power margin and another area for the propulsion rotor power margin. This segmentation allows both pieces of information to be clearly displayed simultaneously without overlapping or compromising readability, maintaining measurement precision while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator utilizes spatial arrangement and positioning to display both power margins in different locations or dimensions on the same display device. By strategically positioning the different power margin indicators in separate areas of the unified display, the system maintains clear distinction between the two measurements while providing a consolidated view that reduces pilot workload.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of facilitating the piloting of a hybrid rotorcraft that comprises a lift rotor and at least one propulsion rotor together with at least one engine operating in compliance with at least one rating. For at least one rating, onboard calculator determines a first power margin of the power plant that is available for the lift rotor and at least one second power margin that is available for said at least one propulsion rotor. A single indicator displays a line together with a first index pointing to said line to illustrate a current operating point of the lift rotor, and a second index pointing to said line to illustrate a current operating point of said at least one propulsion rotor. For each monitored rating, a first symbol is spaced apart from the first index by a first distance illustrating the first power margin. A second symbol is spaced apart from the second index by a second distance illustrating the second power margin.