VTOL Fly-By-Wire Reversionary Control via Distributed Actuators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft lack the capability for fly-by-wire reversionary flight control, which is essential for pilot intervention in case of flight controller malfunctions, unlike conventional fixed-wing aircraft, posing a safety risk in emergency situations.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for fly-by-wire reversionary flight control that includes a plurality of sensors to sense and transmit control data, a first actuator to receive and process this data using a distributed control algorithm, and actuate control elements, allowing direct pilot control even when the flight controller fails.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If VTOL aircraft use fly-by-wire flight control systems, then automation and control precision are improved, but reliability deteriorates because pilot intervention capability is lost during controller malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveautomationVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flight control system is segmented into independent components: sensors, actuators, and multiple control algorithms (normal flight control algorithm and reversionary flight control algorithm). This segmentation allows the system to switch between different control modes when the primary controller fails, maintaining reliability while preserving automation benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reversionary flight control algorithm is pre-configured and ready in the actuators before any malfunction occurs. When a flight controller failure is detected, the system immediately switches to the pre-prepared reversionary control mode, enabling seamless transition and maintaining pilot control capability without interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If VTOL aircraft implement reversionary control mechanisms, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The actuators are equipped with embedded reversionary flight control algorithms and can autonomously execute control functions when the primary flight controller fails. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex backup control systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The actuators serve multiple functions: they execute commands from the normal flight controller during regular operation and independently execute reversionary control algorithms when the flight controller fails. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate backup systems, simplifying the overall control architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11208200B1Systems and methods for fly-by-wire reversionary flight control

Publication Date: 2021.12.28 BETA AIR LLC

AI summary

Some aspects relate to systems and methods for fly-by-wire reversionary flight control including a pilot control, a plurality of sensors configured to: sense control data associated with the pilot control, and transmit the control data, a first actuator communicative with the plurality of sensors configured to receive the control data, determine a first command datum as a function of the control data and a distributed control algorithm, and actuate a first control element according to the first command datum.