Shared Electric Actuation Control for Aircraft Controller Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern aircraft rely on electric actuation systems that require multiple electronic controllers for motor-driven subsystems, leading to increased standby power consumption, weight, cost, and reliability concerns due to high current draw and poor power factor issues with simple AC induction motors.
Innovation Solution
A control system that selectively connects multiple vehicle subsystems to a reduced number of electronic controllers using bus transfer switches and solid-state power controllers, allowing for redundancy and efficient power management, thereby reducing the number of controllers, wiring, and weight while maintaining system reliability and availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple dedicated electronic controllers are used for each subsystem, then system reliability and availability are improved, but device complexity, weight, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a shared controller architecture where a single electronic controller can service multiple subsystems through selective connection via bus transfer switches. This multi-functional approach allows one controller to perform the roles of multiple dedicated controllers, reducing overall device complexity and component count while maintaining system reliability through shared control resources.
2Reliability
If multiple dedicated electronic controllers are used for each subsystem, then system availability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple controller functions into a single shared controller that can be selectively connected to different subsystems. By combining the control capabilities that would otherwise require separate dedicated controllers, the system reduces total weight while maintaining availability through the shared controller's ability to service multiple subsystems as needed.
3Device complexity
If simple AC induction motors are directly connected to power supply, then device complexity is reduced, but harmful factors increase due to high current draw and poor power factor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electronic controller as an intermediary device between the power supply and the AC induction motor. This intermediary provides power factor correction and current control, eliminating the harmful effects of direct connection while maintaining the simplicity of using standard AC induction motors. The controller acts as a mediator that manages the interaction between power supply and motor load.
4Device complexity
If a reduced number of shared electronic controllers are used, then device complexity and weight are reduced, but reliability concerns increase due to potential single point of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic controller allocation system where bus transfer switches enable flexible reconfiguration of controller-subsystem connections. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to controller failures by reallocating control functions to available controllers, thereby maintaining reliability despite using fewer shared controllers. The system transitions from static dedicated assignments to dynamic shared usage with failure accommodation.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system includes a plurality of subsystems each operative to perform a unique vehicle function, a plurality of electronic controllers each operative to individually control at least one of the plurality of subsystems, wherein a number of subsystems is greater than a number of controllers, and a plurality of switching devices each operative to selectively connect any one of the plurality of subsystems to any one of the plurality of electronic controllers.