Modular Flight Control System Inceptor Interchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft are typically designed with a predefined flight control system architecture that limits flexibility in using different types of flight control inceptors, restricting operators' choices and requiring separate maintenance for retrofitting, which is inefficient and inflexible.
Innovation Solution
A modular flight control system utilizing common interfaces and adaptable software, firmware, and hardware to enable conversion between various inceptor architectures, such as wheel-and-column, side-stick, and center-stick, allowing for reconfiguration of control laws and cockpit ergonomics to accommodate different inceptor types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a predefined flight control system architecture is used, then the system is simple to manufacture and certify, but it limits flexibility in using different types of flight control inceptors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal flight control system architecture that can accommodate multiple types of inceptors (side-stick, column, yoke, center-stick) through a common interface standard. The control system is designed to recognize and adapt to different inceptor types automatically, allowing one system to perform multiple functions with different control devices without requiring separate dedicated systems for each inceptor type.
Solution Approach 2:
The flight control system is divided into modular components: the inceptor interface layer, the control law adaptation layer, and the actuation layer. This segmentation allows independent development and certification of each module, reducing overall system complexity while enabling flexibility in inceptor selection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate maintenance is required for retrofitting different inceptor types, then each configuration can be optimized, but maintenance efforts and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The maintenance system is designed with universal diagnostic and calibration procedures that work across all inceptor types. A single maintenance protocol can service any inceptor configuration, eliminating the need for separate maintenance programs for each inceptor type and reducing maintenance time and complexity.
3Ease of operation
If control laws are adapted for specific inceptor types, then handling qualities are optimized, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adapts control laws based on the detected inceptor type. Rather than maintaining separate static control law sets, the system automatically adjusts control parameters and algorithms in real-time based on which inceptor is being used, optimizing handling qualities while managing complexity through adaptive rather than multiplicative approaches.
4Ease of operation
If cockpit ergonomics are reconfigured for different inceptors, then pilot comfort and performance improve, but manufacturing and setup complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cockpit is pre-configured with standardized mounting locations and support structures for all inceptor types during initial manufacturing. This preliminary preparation allows for easy reconfiguration between inceptor types without requiring complex modifications, as the physical infrastructure is already in place to support multiple configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible flight control system enables conversion from one architecture using one type of inceptor to another architecture using another type of inceptor, through the usage of modular software and hardware pieces with common interfaces among the different types of inceptors. Longitudinal and lateral directional control laws are adapted to be compatible with the specific aspects of the operation of each configuration/architecture, giving the option to the aircraft operator to choose any one of a number of inceptor architectures at time of manufacture.