Skew Detection for Aircraft Flight Control Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing skew detection arrangements for aircraft flight control surfaces are complex and lack simplicity and convenience in sensing skew conditions, particularly in determining the transition states of movable flight control surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A skew detection arrangement using first and second series of targets movable past respective sensors, with monitoring means to determine the transition direction and compare actual and expected sensor outputs to detect skew conditions, ensuring redundancy and rapid detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional skew detection arrangements using toothed racks with targets and fixed sensors are used, then skew conditions can be detected, but the arrangement becomes complex and lacks simplicity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical skew detection arrangements with a simplified sensor-based system. Instead of using toothed racks with multiple targets and fixed sensors, the invention uses a single sensor to detect the position of a movable flight control surface by monitoring the transition states of a target as it moves past the sensor. This substitution of mechanical complexity with a more straightforward sensing approach resolves the contradiction between reliable skew detection and device simplicity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and targets are used to monitor flight control surface position, then skew conditions can be detected, but the arrangement becomes less convenient and harder to install
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of skew detection from a complex multi-sensor system and implements it using a single sensor. By taking out only the critical measurement function (detecting transition states of a target) and eliminating unnecessary components (multiple sensors, complex mechanical linkages), the invention achieves both precise position sensing and easy installation. The single sensor monitors the target's movement past it, determining skew conditions through transition state analysis, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and installation convenience.
Data Source
AI summary
A skew detection arrangement comprises first and second series of targets movable past respective sensors, and monitoring means operable to monitor the outputs of the sensors, wherein the monitoring means is operable upon sensing that an output of a first one of the sensors is in a transition state to determine, from a transition direction of the transition state and an output of the other of the sensors, whether a skew condition has arisen. A skew detection method is also disclosed.