Rotorcraft Autopilot Recoupling for Single-Input Flight Augmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of modern automatic flight control systems in rotorcraft requires a high degree of pilot understanding to transition from manual flight to a fully augmented mode during emergency situations, making it difficult to safely and efficiently stabilize the rotorcraft.
Innovation Solution
An autopilot recoupling system that generates a signal to activate and sequence the trim, attitude retention, and autopilot systems layers automatically, allowing the rotorcraft to transition to a fully augmented state with a single input, such as the go-around input on the collective pitch control lever, thereby reducing pilot workload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple layers of flight augmentation are provided in the automatic flight control system, then the rotorcraft can be stabilized in emergency situations, but the system complexity increases and requires high degree of pilot understanding
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic flight control system is divided into multiple distinct layers of flight augmentation (stability augmentation, trim, attitude retention, and autopilot systems). Each layer provides specific stabilization functions, allowing the system to maintain reliability through modular functionality while managing complexity through clear separation of duties.
Solution Approach 2:
The recoupling process automatically sequences the activation of flight augmentation layers in a predetermined order (trim systems first, then attitude retention, then autopilot). This preliminary sequencing eliminates the need for pilots to understand the complex activation sequence, reducing the operational burden while maintaining system reliability.
2Reliability
If pilot manually transitions from manual flight to fully augmented mode during emergency, then flight augmentation can be increased, but the transition process is difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures the sequence of activating flight augmentation layers. When a recoupling input is received, the system automatically executes the predetermined sequence (trim activation, attitude retention engagement, autopilot recoupling) without requiring pilot intervention at each step, dramatically reducing transition time while ensuring proper sequencing.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic flight control system performs the transition from manual to fully augmented mode autonomously. The signal processor automatically determines the current state, activates required layers in sequence, and recouples the autopilot without pilot input, allowing the system to service itself during the critical transition phase.
3Ease of operation
If pilot manually activates each layer of flight augmentation, then the system state can be controlled, but the pilot workload increases during emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The signal processor automatically determines which flight augmentation layers need to be activated based on the current system state. The system monitors itself and autonomously executes the necessary activations and sequencing, eliminating the burden of manual system state management from the pilot while maintaining precise control.
Solution Approach 2:
The signal processor continuously monitors the state of the automatic flight control system and uses this feedback to determine the appropriate recoupling sequence. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the system activates layers in the correct order based on actual system conditions, maintaining ease of operation while managing complexity automatically.
Data Source
AI summary
An autopilot recoupling system for a rotorcraft having an automatic flight control system with multiple layers of flight augmentation. The autopilot recoupling system includes an autopilot recoupling input operable to generate an autopilot recoupling signal. An autopilot recoupling signal processor is communicably coupled to the autopilot recoupling input. The autopilot recoupling signal processor is configured to receive the autopilot recoupling signal from the autopilot recoupling input and responsive thereto, determine a state of the automatic flight control system, activate a trim systems layer of the automatic flight control system if the trim systems layer is not active, engage an attitude retention systems layer of the automatic flight control system if the attitude retention systems layer is disengage and recouple an autopilot systems layer of the automatic flight control system.