Aircraft Inceptor Force Sensing for Jam-Tolerant Flight Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional cockpit inceptor systems can jam, leading to loss of control during critical flight conditions, especially in single-pilot operations, as they rely on mechanical linkages and position sensors, which may fail to provide accurate position signals when force feedback is applied.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft inceptor system that uses a force sensor to generate control signals based on an algorithm converting force signals to position signals, accounting for inertia, damping, friction, and spring characteristics, ensuring continued control even in case of jamming by using a control device or external electronics to process these signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If mechanical linkages or cables are used to connect the inceptor to the flight surface, then the system structure is simple and easy to understand, but the system may jam or stick leading to loss of control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical linkages and cables with an electrical signal transmission system. A position sensor detects inceptor position and sends signals to a flight control computer, which then sends electrical signals to actuators. This eliminates mechanical connections that can jam, substituting them with electronic communication while maintaining the control function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a flight control computer as an intermediary between the inceptor and the flight control surfaces. The computer processes position signals from the sensor and generates appropriate control signals for actuators, adding an intelligent mediation layer that can handle failures and provide backup control algorithms when mechanical or sensor systems fail.
2Measurement precision
If position sensors are used to detect inceptor position, then the control precision is improved, but the system may fail to provide accurate position signals when force feedback is applied due to jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates force sensors that detect the force applied by the pilot on the inceptor. This force signal is fed back to the flight control computer, which uses it to compensate for jamming effects. When the inceptor is stuck, the force sensor detects the abnormal force level, and the computer adjusts the control signal accordingly to maintain accurate flight control surface positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from only position to a combination of position and force. By monitoring both parameters and using the force signal to detect and compensate for jamming conditions, the system maintains accurate control even when the inceptor experiences sticking or binding forces.
3Ease of operation
If springs and dampers are added to provide force feedback, then the user feels intuitive control, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical springs and dampers with an electronic force feedback system. Force sensors detect pilot input forces, and the flight control computer processes these signals to generate appropriate control commands. This electronic substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical feel-spring assemblies while maintaining or improving control responsiveness and intuitiveness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides accurate and reliable control of aircraft surfaces by converting force feedback into position signals, maintaining control during jam conditions and reducing the risk of catastrophic failures in single-pilot operations.
Implementation Method 1
a force sensor which detects the force applied by the user on the inceptor member and generates a corresponding force signal
Implementation Method 2
an algorithm which converts the force signal to a signal representing position of the inceptor member
Implementation Method 3
a control device which generates a control signal to move a flight control surface of the aircraft in flight depending on a position signal of the inceptor member provided by the algorithm
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
An aircraft inceptor system comprising an inceptor member (11) arranged to be operated by a user to cause a corresponding movement of a moveable aircraft surface, means for detecting the operation of the inceptor member by the user and for providing a movement signal, associated with the detected operation, to a flight control computer, the flight control computer providing a control signal to an actuator to move the aircraft surface according to the movement signal, wherein the means for detecting the operation of the inceptor member by the user comprises a force sensor (19) configured to sense the force applied by the user to the inceptor member, the movement signal being derived based on the sensed force.