Single Power Drive for Multiple Flight Control Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current flight control surface actuation systems in aircraft are cumbersome due to separate drive systems and control systems, leading to increased weight and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A secondary flight control system utilizing a single power drive unit (PDU) to actuate multiple flight control surface systems through a T-gearbox that splits torque into drive lines for each system, accompanied by a common control system and redundant components for reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate drive systems and control systems are used for each flight control surface, then each control surface can be actuated independently, but the system weight and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent control surface actuationVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple flight control surface actuation systems into a single integrated system. A first flight control surface and a second flight control surface are both operably connected to the same power drive unit, which provides a single actuation source. This merging eliminates the need for separate drive systems while maintaining independent control capability through the control system's ability to selectively actuate different surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The power drive unit is designed as a universal actuator that can serve multiple flight control surfaces. The single power drive unit is capable of providing actuation force to both the first flight control surface and the second flight control surface, making it a multi-functional component that replaces what would traditionally require multiple dedicated actuators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate drive systems are used for each flight control surface, then each surface has dedicated actuation, but the system weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvededicated actuationVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple actuation functions into a single power drive unit. By having one power drive unit that can actuate multiple flight control surfaces, the total weight of power electronics, motors, and associated components is significantly reduced compared to having separate dedicated actuators for each surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a single power drive unit is used to actuate multiple flight control surfaces, then system weight and complexity are reduced, but redundancy may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplificationVSAvoidsystem redundancy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a monitor in communication with the power drive unit that detects operational parameters and provides feedback. This monitoring system ensures that the single power drive unit is functioning properly and can alert to or prevent failures, thereby maintaining reliability despite the reduced hardware redundancy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3489135B1Control of multiple flight control surface systems using single power drive unit

Publication Date: 2022.12.28 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP

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AI summary

A secondary flight control system is provided. The secondary flight control system comprising: a first flight control surface system (47); a second flight control surface system (57); and a power distribution unit (150a) operably connected to the first flight control surface system and the second flight control surface system, wherein the power distribution unit is configured to generate torque to actuate the first flight control surface system and the second flight control surface system.