Electronically Geared Elevator Control for Smaller Aircraft Stabilizers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional aircraft pitch control systems require large horizontal stabilizers to achieve desired aerodynamic effects, leading to increased drag and weight, and lack flexibility in adjusting gearing relationships during flight conditions.

Innovation Solution

An aircraft pitch control system utilizing electronically geared elevators, where data processors determine corresponding elevator actuation amounts based on commanded stabilizer actuation and a variable gearing relationship, allowing for reduced stabilizer size and weight, and flexible adjustments to gearing depending on operating parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a large horizontal stabilizer is used to achieve desired aerodynamic effects, then the aerodynamic effectiveness is improved, but the drag and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic effectivenessVSAvoidstabilizer weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional direct mechanical connection between stabilizer and elevator with an electronically controlled system. Two independent actuators (first actuator for stabilizer, second actuator for elevator) are controlled by data processors that implement virtual gearing relationships, eliminating the need for complex mechanical gearing mechanisms and reducing overall system weight while maintaining aerodynamic effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamically adjustable gearing relationships between stabilizer and elevator actuation through software control. The data processors can modify the gearing ratio in real-time based on flight conditions, allowing the system to optimize performance across different operating regimes without being constrained by fixed mechanical gear ratios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Force

If a large horizontal stabilizer is used to achieve desired aerodynamic effects, then the aerodynamic effectiveness is improved, but the drag increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic effectivenessVSAvoiddrag

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By replacing the mechanical system with electronic control, the patent enables more precise control of the stabilizer and elevator positions, allowing for optimized aerodynamic configurations that reduce drag while maintaining the necessary aerodynamic effectiveness for pitch control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If conventional mechanical gearing is used between stabilizer and elevator, then the gearing relationship is fixed, but the adaptability to different flight conditions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegearing mechanism simplicityVSAvoidgearing adjustability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces fixed mechanical gearing with electronic control systems where data processors calculate and implement variable gearing relationships. This substitution allows the gearing ratio to be dynamically adjusted through software based on flight conditions, eliminating the need for complex mechanical mechanisms while achieving full adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic reconfiguration of the gearing relationship between stabilizer and elevator actuation. The data processors can modify the control algorithm in real-time to change the effective gearing ratio, enabling the system to adapt to different flight conditions without physical reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11230368B2Aircraft pitch control system with electronically geared elevator

Publication Date: 2022.01.25 BOMBARDIER INC

AI summary

Aircraft pitch control systems and methods are disclosed. An aircraft pitch control system (28) comprises a movable horizontal stabilizer (24) and an elevator (26) movably coupled to the horizontal stabilizer. The elevator is electronically geared to the horizontal stabilizer.