Rotor Servo Flight Envelope Limiting for Hydraulic Failures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rotary-wing aircraft lack protection against pilots commanding maneuvers beyond the capabilities of impaired hydraulic systems, as there is no mechanism to enforce flight envelopes based on hydraulic system conditions, leading to potential unsafe operations.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a hydraulic system, sensors to measure parameters, and a processor that determines and enforces an effective flight envelope based on the hydraulic system's condition, preventing pilots from exceeding the aircraft's capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the pilot commands maneuvers beyond the impaired aircraft's capabilities, then the pilot's intent is achieved, but the aircraft safety is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepilot maneuver capabilityVSAvoidflight safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors hydraulic system conditions through sensors and provides feedback to the flight control system. When hydraulic pressure drops below thresholds or failures are detected, the system automatically adjusts the flight envelope to reflect the impaired capability, preventing unsafe maneuvers while maintaining full control when the system is healthy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The flight envelope is made dynamic rather than static. The system continuously adapts the maximum allowable maneuvers based on real-time hydraulic system conditions. When impairment is detected, the envelope automatically shrinks to match the reduced capability, and can expand again when the system recovers, ensuring the aircraft never operates beyond its current capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the flight envelope is restricted to match impaired capabilities, then flight safety is improved, but the aircraft's maneuverability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflight safetyVSAvoidmaneuver capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The flight envelope dynamically adapts to the aircraft's current capability state. When hydraulic impairment is detected, the envelope is temporarily restricted to safe operating parameters. When the hydraulic system recovers or is replaced, the envelope automatically expands back to full capability, ensuring the aircraft maintains maximum versatility whenever possible while prioritizing safety when impaired

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Power

If hydraulic pressure is increased to maintain servo capability, then the servo motor performance is maintained, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservo motor capabilityVSAvoidhydraulic power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of maintaining full hydraulic pressure continuously, the system applies pressure only when and where needed. When impairment is detected in specific servos, the flight envelope is adjusted to compensate for the reduced capability rather than attempting to maintain full pressure throughout the entire hydraulic system, thereby reducing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining safe operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11442446B2Automatic envelope limiting based on detected hydraulic failures

Publication Date: 2022.09.13 SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORP

AI summary

A rotary-wing aircraft and system for flying a rotary-wing aircraft. The aircraft includes a servo system for actuating a rotor of the aircraft. A hydraulic system provides hydraulic power to the servo system, and a sensor measures a parameter of the hydraulic system. A processor determines a condition of the hydraulic system from the parameter and enforces an effective flight envelop based on the condition of the hydraulic system in order to fly the aircraft within the effective flight envelope.