Aircraft Ground Spoiler Control Architecture Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft ground spoiler control systems face challenges in ensuring reliable and safe deployment, particularly in preventing single component failures that could lead to loss of ground spoiler function or inadvertent actuation, while maintaining high availability and low probability of malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A dual-parallel and dual-series electronically commanded ground-spoiler architecture with redundant hydraulic-pressure sources and redundant signaling paths, along with a primary and secondary control architecture, ensures reliable deployment and prevents inadvertent actuation, incorporating redundant hydraulic accumulators and actuators for backup power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dual-parallel and dual-series control architecture with redundant components is implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control architecture is segmented into distinct primary and secondary control paths, each with dedicated signaling paths and controllers. This segmentation allows independent operation of each path, ensuring that a failure in one path does not affect the other, thereby improving reliability while managing complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements preliminary action by pre-configuring redundant controllers and signaling paths that are ready to take over immediately upon detection of a failure in the primary path. This ensures continuous reliable operation without requiring complex real-time decision-making during critical failure scenarios
2Reliability
If redundant hydraulic-pressure sources and signaling paths are provided, then the probability of inadvertent actuation is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where controllers continuously monitor the state of hydraulic systems and signaling paths. Redundant sensors and controllers verify signals before actuation, creating multiple layers of feedback that prevent inadvertent actuation while maintaining manageable complexity through systematic monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary controllers that act as mediators between the signaling paths and the hydraulic actuators. These intermediaries verify and coordinate signals from multiple sources before activating the hydraulic system, adding a layer of verification that reduces inadvertent actuation risk without directly increasing hydraulic system complexity
3Reliability
If redundant hydraulic accumulators and actuators are incorporated, then availability for deployment is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of redundant accumulators and actuators into an integrated hydraulic system where components share common mounting structures, fluid lines, and control logic. This merging approach provides redundant capability while minimizing the weight increase through efficient space utilization and shared infrastructure
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides high availability for ground spoiler deployment with a low probability of inadvertent actuation, meeting criticality requirements without increasing aircraft weight or runway distances, and allows for single spoiler failure within acceptable criteria.
Implementation Method 1
A first hydraulic subsystem provides pressurized hydraulic fluid to a portion of the plurality of actuators, and a second hydraulic subsystem provides pressurized hydraulic fluid to a remaining portion of the plurality of actuators
Data Source
AI summary
A ground spoiler control architecture for aircraft includes a primary control architecture for providing a roll function, a speed-brake function and a ground spoiler function, and a secondary control architecture for providing the ground spoiler function in the event of a failure of the primary control architecture. The primary and secondary control architectures each include multiple actuators for actuating ground spoilers via independent and redundant signaling paths. Redundant hydraulic accumulators provide pressurized hydraulic fluid to the actuators. A ground spoiler control method includes determining whether the aircraft is on the ground based on the throttle-level-angle and whether any two wheels speeds are active or whether the main landing gear is weighted. Deployment of at least a portion of the ground spoiler panels occurs when and when the main landing gear is on the ground and the aircraft is in a landing configuration based on the throttle-level-angle.