Propulsor Parking Control Using Synchronized Electronic Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Decelerating propulsors in electric multi-propulsion systems, such as electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, can cause drumming when not synchronized, necessitating synchronous or asynchronous deceleration to zero velocity.
Innovation Solution
A controller in the aircraft receives signals from propulsor sensors to measure motion parameters, synchronously decelerating multiple propulsors based on these parameters and determining a trajectory for propulsor parking, including decelerating the rate of rotation to zero velocity and orienting the propulsor to a parked position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If propulsors are decelerated independently without synchronization, then each propulsor can be controlled separately, but drumming occurs and operational safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the deceleration control of multiple propulsors by implementing a centralized controller that coordinates all propulsors. The controller receives motion parameters from sensors on each propulsor and actively synchronizes their deceleration, preventing drumming while maintaining independent control capabilities through coordinated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring motion parameters (such as rotational speed) from sensors on each propulsor. The controller uses this real-time feedback to adjust deceleration commands dynamically, ensuring synchronized operation and preventing drumming while maintaining operational safety.
2Reliability
If propulsors are synchronously decelerated to zero velocity, then drumming is prevented and safety is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized controller performs multiple functions: it receives motion parameters from all propulsor sensors, processes synchronization data, calculates coordinated deceleration commands, and transmits control signals to all propulsors. This multi-functional approach manages complexity by consolidating control logic in a single system rather than requiring separate control mechanisms for each propulsor.
3Device complexity
If propulsors are decelerated without trajectory planning, then the control process is simpler, but precision of reaching parked position deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements preliminary action by pre-calculating and determining the optimal deceleration trajectory before executing the parking maneuver. The system plans the complete deceleration path in advance, ensuring precise arrival at the parked position while maintaining manageable control complexity through structured trajectory generation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for propulsor synchronization using electronic brakes is disclosed. The system includes a controller located in an aircraft configured to receive a first signal from a first propulsor sensor of a plurality of propulsor sensors, the first propulsor sensor configured to measure a first motion parameter of a first propulsor of a plurality of propulsors. The controller may receive a second signal from a second propulsor sensor of the plurality of propulsor sensors, the second propulsor sensor configured to measure a second motion parameter of a second propulsor of the plurality of propulsors. The controller may synchronously decelerate the first propulsor and the second propulsor based on the first motion parameter and the second motion parameter.