Automated Tail Rotor Mode Switching for Aircraft Directional Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transition between tail rotor and pusher propeller modes in aircraft creates an additional burden on pilots due to the need for timely directional control management, particularly during deceleration to low speeds, leading to potential loss of directional control if not managed properly.
Innovation Solution
A computing device automatically controls the tail rotor mode based on aircraft speed and rudder control power thresholds, switching to pusher propeller mode when the rudder has sufficient control power and back to tail rotor mode when it lacks control power, thereby reducing pilot workload and ensuring continuous directional control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tail rotor is manually controlled to transition between tail rotor mode and pusher propeller mode, then the pilot maintains directional control capability, but the pilot workload increases and response time may be delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The automated tail rotor control system monitors aircraft speed and rudder control power thresholds autonomously, determining when to transition between tail rotor mode and pusher propeller mode without requiring pilot intervention. This self-service mechanism maintains directional control reliability while eliminating the burden of manual monitoring and decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors aircraft speed and rudder control power thresholds, using this feedback to automatically determine the appropriate operational mode. The control system adjusts the tail rotor positioning based on real-time feedback about aircraft conditions, ensuring timely transitions and maintaining directional control without pilot involvement.
2Reliability
If the tail rotor transition timing is delayed during deceleration, then the pilot has more time to monitor conditions, but directional control may be lost at low speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The automated control system performs preliminary assessments of aircraft speed and rudder control power thresholds continuously, preparing to execute mode transitions at the optimal moment. This preliminary action ensures that transitions occur at the correct timing based on real-time conditions, preventing directional control loss without requiring delayed pilot response.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual pilot judgment and mechanical response with an automated electronic control system that processes speed and control power data instantaneously. This substitution eliminates the time delay inherent in human reaction and decision-making, ensuring immediate and appropriate mode transitions to maintain directional control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the pilot manually monitors and decides when to transition modes, then control decisions can be made based on pilot judgment, but the monitoring burden and potential for error increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs self-assessment of transition conditions by monitoring aircraft speed and rudder control power thresholds autonomously. This self-service capability maintains the flexibility of adaptive control decisions while eliminating the complexity of requiring pilot monitoring and manual decision-making processes.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are directed to causing, by a computing device comprising a processor, a rotating tail rotor to operate in a tail rotor mode when an aircraft is operating at a speed less than a rudder control power threshold, receiving, by the computing device, a command that indicates a request to transition the aircraft, determining, by the computing device, that a rudder of the aircraft has control power in an amount greater than a second threshold based on receiving the command, and causing, by the computing device, the rotating tail rotor to operate in a pusher propeller mode based on determining that the rudder has control power in the amount greater than the second threshold.