Fly-by-wire Inceptor Neutral Force Offset Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fly-by-wire aircraft systems provide a single neutral force position to pilots regardless of flight conditions, lacking adaptability and feedback precision in manual flight modes.

Innovation Solution

A control-by-wire system that automatically offsets the neutral force position of the inceptor based on deviations from a reference condition, using a controller communicatively coupled with the input device to provide dynamic feedback and improve pilot awareness during manual flight operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single neutral force position is provided to the pilot regardless of flight conditions, then the system structure is simple and reliable, but the adaptability and feedback precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to flight conditionsVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The neutral force position of the inceptor is made dynamic rather than fixed. The controller automatically offsets the neutral force position based on detected deviations from reference flight conditions, allowing the system to adapt to different flight scenarios while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through electronic control rather than mechanical complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of neutral force position dynamically based on flight conditions. When deviations from reference conditions are detected, the controller adjusts the neutral force position offset accordingly, enabling adaptability without requiring complex mechanical reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If a single neutral force position is used in manual flight mode, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the pilot feedback precision and awareness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeedback precisionVSAvoidmanual operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements automatic feedback by detecting deviations from reference flight conditions and using this information to adjust the neutral force position. This provides the pilot with precise feedback about aircraft state through force feedback on the inceptor while maintaining ease of operation through automatic adjustment rather than requiring manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the neutral force position remains fixed at a null coordinate, then the device reliability is high, but the speed stability and aircraft condition awareness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidspeed stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by automatically detecting deviations from reference conditions and preemptively adjusting the neutral force position before the pilot needs to make corrections. This maintains speed stability and provides aircraft condition awareness while preserving reliability through automatic control rather than manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9446838B2Systems for inceptor control in fly-by-wire aircraft systems

Publication Date: 2016.09.20 GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE CORP

AI summary

Aircraft, control-by-wire systems, and controllers are provided. The aircraft includes a flight control surface and a control-by-wire system. The control-by-wire system includes an input device and a controller. The input device is configured to control the flight control surface. The controller is communicatively coupled with the input device and configured to automatically offset a neutral force position of the input device based on a deviation of the aircraft from a reference condition while the aircraft is operated in a manual flight mode.