Multi-Actuator Controller for Independent Effect Bandwidth Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-actuator systems lack the ability to independently control the response bandwidth of each effect, such as roll, pitch, and yaw, which is necessary for applications where response requirements change significantly during operation.

Innovation Solution

A cooperative multi-actuator variable bandwidth controller system that uses a single controller to receive system commands, compute actuator motor controller commands, and incorporate knowledge of an allocation matrix and desired bandwidths to control the response bandwidth of each effect independently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single controller controls multiple actuators in a cooperative scheme, then the system achieves coordinated control of multiple effects, but the system cannot independently control the response bandwidth of each effect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse bandwidth controlVSAvoidcontroller architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller is segmented into multiple independent control loops, with each loop responsible for controlling the bandwidth of a specific effect (roll, pitch, or yaw). This segmentation allows each control loop to independently adjust its bandwidth without affecting other effects, resolving the contradiction between coordinated control and independent bandwidth control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The controller implements dynamic bandwidth adjustment by varying the proportional and derivative gain parameters in real-time based on operating conditions. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to optimize response bandwidth for each effect independently while maintaining coordinated control through the unified controller architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If conventional independent actuator control is used, then each actuator is easily controlled individually, but the system cannot achieve power savings through bandwidth modification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidbandwidth response control
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The controller modifies the bandwidth parameter of each control loop by adjusting proportional and derivative gain parameters based on operating conditions. This parameter change enables power savings by reducing bandwidth (and thus energy consumption) when full response speed is not required, while maintaining the ability to achieve high bandwidth when needed for maneuvering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4369138B1Cooperative multi-actuator variable bandwidth controller
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 SIMMONDS PRECISION PRODUCTS INC
  • EP4369138B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4369138B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4369138B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system (100) including a system controller (104) configured to transmit a first amount of commands in order to produce a desired effect by a group of actuators (105) acting in combination. A system controller (104) configured to control a group of at least two actuators (105) in order to produce at least one combined effect, wherein the number of actuators (105) is greater than or equal to the number of effects. A system controller (104) configured to achieve independent and variable bandwidths or responses of the desired effects produced by the actuators (105) acting in combination.