Multi-Rotor Thrust Adjustment for Directional Control Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft stability control is limited when the thrust demand of its rotors exceeds their capability limit, particularly during disturbances or when maintaining altitude and lateral position simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A method to adjust the desired thrust demand for each rotor by the amount of the thrust capability limit exceedance of the highest demand, allowing the aircraft to maintain directional movement abilities such as pitching, rolling, and turning. This method can also be adjusted based on absolute altitude to prioritize altitude when near the ground.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the thrust demand of the rotors is increased to maintain stability or lateral position during disturbances, then the aircraft stability is improved, but the thrust capability limit of the rotors is exceeded which limits stability control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of thrust demands based on real-time aircraft state and disturbance conditions. The control system continuously monitors aircraft stability and lateral position, then dynamically redistributes thrust demands among rotors to maintain stability without exceeding individual rotor thrust capability limits. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to respond to disturbances while respecting physical constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter distribution of thrust demands across multiple rotors rather than increasing total thrust. By adjusting the individual thrust demand parameters of each rotor based on aircraft state and disturbance characteristics, the system maintains overall stability control while keeping each rotor within its thrust capability limit.
2Ease of operation
If the thrust demand is adjusted to maintain directional movement ability, then the aircraft's ability to pitch, roll, and turn is improved, but the thrust demand may exceed the rotor's capability limit
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts thrust demands to maintain directional movement ability while respecting rotor capability limits. By continuously adapting thrust distribution based on aircraft state and desired maneuvers, the system ensures pitch, roll, and turn capabilities are maintained without exceeding individual rotor thrust capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control where the system monitors aircraft state and thrust demands, then adjusts thrust distribution to maintain directional movement ability within rotor capability limits. The feedback mechanism ensures that thrust demands are continuously optimized to preserve maneuverability while preventing exceedance of rotor thrust capabilities.
3Reliability
If the thrust demand is collectively adjusted to maintain directional movement ability, then the aircraft stability control is improved, but the complexity of thrust management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the thrust management problem into individual rotor control components. By treating each rotor's thrust demand as a separate controllable element that can be independently adjusted based on aircraft state, the system maintains stability control through coordinated but manageable individual adjustments rather than complex holistic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic thrust management where adjustment amounts are continuously adapted based on aircraft state and disturbance conditions. This dynamic approach allows the complexity of thrust management to be optimized in real-time, maintaining stability control while adapting the level of complexity to current operational requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of adjusting a directional movement ability in an aircraft having two or more rotors includes receiving a desired thrust demand for each rotor of the two or more rotors, comparing the desired thrust demands to determine a maximum thrust demand, determining whether the maximum thrust demand exceeds a maximum thrust limit of the two or more rotors, and adjusting each desired thrust demand based on whether the maximum thrust demand exceeds the maximum thrust limit to provide an adjusted thrust demand for each rotor of the two or more rotors. Each rotor can be operated based on a respective adjusted thrust demand.