Sequential Aircraft Flap Control Unit Reducing Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft flap control systems require a separate power and/or signal electronics unit or control valve block for each flap or drive station, leading to a large number of units needed, which increases weight, cost, and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A control unit designed to control aircraft components sequentially, where only one component can be controlled at a time, or where not all components can be controlled simultaneously, reducing the number of required electronics units or control valve blocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate power and/or signal electronics unit or control valve block is provided for each flap or drive station, then each component can be controlled independently and reliably, but the number of electronics units or control valve blocks increases significantly, leading to increased weight, cost, and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
A single control unit is designed to control multiple flaps or drive stations sequentially. The control unit includes a control part that generates control signals and a switching part that directs these signals to different components at different times, allowing one control unit to perform the function of multiple separate control units.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system transitions from a static one-to-one mapping (each flap has its own dedicated control unit) to a dynamic many-to-one mapping (multiple flaps share one control unit through time-multiplexed sequential control). The switching part dynamically routes control signals to different components based on the current operational phase.
2Ease of operation
If a separate power and/or signal electronics unit or control valve block is provided for each flap or drive station, then each component can be controlled independently, but the weight, cost, and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate control units are merged into a single integrated control unit. The control unit combines the control part that generates control signals and the switching part that distributes these signals to multiple flaps or drive stations, consolidating what would have been multiple separate hardware units into one.
Solution Approach 2:
The single control unit is designed with universal control capability to manage multiple different flaps or drive stations through sequential control, replacing the need for multiple dedicated control units and thereby reducing overall system weight.
3Productivity
If all Kruger flaps are extended simultaneously from fully retracted to fully extended position, then the flap system can be operated efficiently, but unfavorable flow conditions and even stall occur
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of simultaneous extension, the control unit extends Kruger flaps in a periodic sequence. The switching part activates control signals for different flaps at different time intervals, creating a staged extension pattern that maintains favorable airflow conditions while still achieving the desired flap configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit implements preliminary sequential positioning of flaps before achieving the final extended configuration. By controlling flaps in a predetermined sequence rather than simultaneously, the system prepares the airflow conditions progressively, preventing stall while maintaining operational efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a control unit for controlling at least two components of an aircraft, comprising a control part and a switching part, wherein the control part and the switching part are designed such that the components can be controlled sequentially, wherein only one of the components can be controlled at a time or that at least two components cannot be controlled simultaneously.