Removable Flight Control Processor for Legacy Aircraft Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current aircraft autopilot systems have limited bandwidth and are not designed for take-off and landing, and upgrading legacy aircraft with these systems is costly, necessitating a solution for a versatile autopilot system that can operate across the full flight envelope without pilot intervention.

Innovation Solution

A removable flight control device with a processor that can be installed in various aircraft cockpits, capable of receiving flight measurements, determining flight control parameters, and implementing them to control the aircraft, including during take-off, flight, and landing, using a high-performance computer, GPS, and actuator control units for redundant operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional autopilot system is installed in an aircraft during manufacture, then the aircraft can control flight operations while airborne, but the system cannot control take-off or landing and the cost of upgrading legacy aircraft is prohibitive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflight envelope coverageVSAvoidsystem integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flight control system is divided into separate functional modules: a removable housing containing the processor and flight control parameters, and a flight control device with actuator control units. This segmentation allows the system to be installed in legacy aircraft without complex integration, as each module can be independently configured and installed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flight control device is designed with universal adaptability to work with various aircraft types. The processor can execute different flight control parameters for different flight phases (take-off, cruise, landing), and the system can be configured for different aircraft configurations through software rather than hardware modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional autopilot system is installed in an aircraft, then flight control while airborne is enabled, but the bandwidth of operations is limited and cannot include take-off or landing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational bandwidthVSAvoidcontrol precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flight control system dynamically adjusts control parameters based on the current flight phase. The processor receives flight measurements and determines appropriate flight control parameters for different operational modes (take-off, cruise, landing), allowing the system to adapt its control strategy to match the dynamic requirements of each flight phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes control parameters based on flight conditions. Different flight control parameters are stored and executed for different flight phases, with the processor selecting and implementing the appropriate parameters based on real-time flight measurements and operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Extent of automation

If legacy aircraft are upgraded with traditional autopilot systems, then flight automation is achieved, but the cost is prohibitive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflight automation capabilityVSAvoidupgrade cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a removable housing that can be easily installed and removed, replacing expensive permanent installations. The modular design allows the automation system to be added to legacy aircraft at lower cost, and the housing can be removed or replaced without permanent modifications to the aircraft structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The removable housing acts as an intermediary between the aircraft's existing systems and the flight control processor. It provides the necessary interface and protection without requiring direct integration into the aircraft's permanent structure, reducing installation complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of manufacture

If a removable flight control device is installed in various aircraft cockpits, then cost-effective automation is achieved, but the device must be adaptable to different aircraft designs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation costVSAvoidaircraft compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The flight control device is designed with universal interfaces and configurable software that can adapt to different aircraft types. The processor can be programmed with flight control parameters specific to each aircraft configuration, allowing a single hardware design to serve multiple aircraft models without requiring custom hardware modifications for each platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10577082B2Cockpit control of a fixed wing aircraft

Publication Date: 2020.03.03 SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORP

AI summary

A device and method for flying an aircraft is disclosed. A housing that is removably installable in a cockpit of the aircraft is installed in the cockpit. The housing includes a processor. The processor receives a flight measurement from the aircraft, determines a flight control parameter for flying the aircraft from the flight measurement, and operates a flight control device of the aircraft to implement the flight control parameter to fly the aircraft.