Rotor Speed Tracking via Dynamic Fuel Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current flight control systems for rotary wing aircraft are inadequate in accommodating rapid changes in rotor speed during aggressive maneuvering, as they are designed primarily for tracking slow changes in rotor speed.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that involve calculating a torque command and generating a fuel adjustment signal based on dynamic rotor measurements to quickly track desired rotor speeds, using a reference model for determining dynamic parameters and a feedback model to adjust fuel supply, enhancing the responsiveness of the aircraft to pilot inputs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If conventional flight control systems are used, then slow changes in rotor speed can be tracked, but rapid changes in rotor speed during aggressive maneuvering cannot be accommodated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotor speed tracking capabilityVSAvoidresponse to aggressive maneuvering

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically adjusts the fuel supply rate based on real-time rotor speed measurements and desired rotor speed inputs. The fuel adjustment signal is continuously modified to match the dynamic requirements of aggressive maneuvering, allowing the system to adapt its response characteristics in real-time rather than relying on fixed control parameters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback control by comparing the actual rotor speed (obtained from dynamic rotor measurements) with the desired rotor speed and using the difference to generate fuel adjustment signals. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables rapid correction of rotor speed deviations during aggressive maneuvering, significantly improving tracking performance compared to open-loop or poorly damped conventional systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If fuel supply is adjusted dynamically to track rapid rotor speed changes, then responsiveness to pilot inputs improves, but control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponsiveness to pilot inputsVSAvoidcontrol system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the fuel supply parameter dynamically based on the difference between desired and actual rotor speed. By modifying the fuel flow rate as a controllable parameter in response to rotor speed deviations, the system achieves rapid responsiveness without requiring complex mechanical adjustments or multiple separate control systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces complex mechanical control systems with an electronic control architecture that processes rotor speed measurements and generates fuel adjustment signals computationally. This substitution of mechanical complexity with electronic control logic maintains responsiveness while simplifying the overall system structure and enabling more precise control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10759528B2Model following control for torque and rotor speed

Publication Date: 2020.09.01 SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORP

AI summary

A system and method for controlling a rotor of an aircraft is disclosed. A desired rotor speed for the rotor is received and a torque command that generates the received rotor speed is calculated. A fuel adjustment signal is calculated based on the torque command and a dynamic rotor measurement of the aircraft. The fuel adjustment signal is provided to the aircraft to track the rotor speed to the desired rotor speed.