Rotary Wing Flight Control System with Independent Track Parameter Modification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotary wing aircraft pilots face difficulties in independently and easily modifying flight track parameters, such as forward speed, ground course angle, and flight path angle, due to the need to act on multiple flight parameters simultaneously, which complicates maneuvers, especially in challenging conditions like strong winds or low altitudes.
Innovation Solution
A flight control system and method that utilize multiple control members and axes to allow independent modification of flight track parameters, with an autopilot generating control signals to maintain track or heading, enabling direct and independent control of forward speed, ground course angle, flight path angle, and vertical speed through predefined modes of operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the pilot acts on multiple flight parameters simultaneously to modify track parameters, then the flight control capability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control of flight track parameters by providing dedicated control members for each parameter (forward speed, ground course angle, flight path angle, vertical speed). Each control member is associated with a specific movement axis that independently modifies one track parameter, eliminating the need for pilots to coordinate multiple flight parameters simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The autopilot system acts as an intermediary between the pilot's simple control inputs and the complex multi-parameter flight control requirements. The autopilot receives commands from individual control members and automatically coordinates the necessary adjustments to multiple flight parameters to achieve the desired track parameter modification.
2Ease of operation
If the flight control system provides independent control of multiple track parameters, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control members are designed with multi-functionality, each control member being movable relative to multiple movement axes (A, B, C, D). This allows a single control member to control different track parameters depending on which axis it is moved along, reducing the total number of control members needed while maintaining independent control capability for each parameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service through the autopilot, which automatically manages the complex coordination of multiple flight parameters. The autopilot monitors track parameters and makes automatic adjustments to maintain desired flight paths, reducing the operational burden on the pilot despite the underlying system complexity.
3Reliability
If the autopilot generates control signals in predefined modes, then the reliability is improved, but the adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flight control system implements dynamic adaptability by allowing the autopilot to operate in multiple predefined modes that can be selected based on flight conditions. The control members remain functional across different modes, and the system can transition between modes to maintain reliability while adapting to varying operational requirements such as different flight phases or environmental conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A flight control system for a rotary wing aircraft, the aircraft following a track Tsol, relative to the ground with a ground course angle TKsol, a forward speed Va, a flight path angle P, and a heading Ψ, the aircraft having one or more rotary wings provided with blades of collective pitch and of cyclic pitch that are variable about respective pitch axes and that are capable of performing movements in rotation and in translation. The flight control system has two control members each provided respectively with at least one movement axis A, B, C, D, and an autopilot for generating control signals. An action on one of the control members relative to one of the movement axes A, B, C, D gives rise independently to a modification to the forward speed Va, to the ground course angle TKsol, or indeed to the flight path angle P by means of the autopilot.