Wireless Inclinometer Calibration for Aircraft Control Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for calibrating aircraft control surfaces require physical presence of personnel, posing safety risks and inefficiencies due to manual angle measurement using protractors.

Innovation Solution

An automated calibration system utilizing non-permanent inclinometers connected to adapters within a low-power mesh network, allowing for remote measurement and adjustment of control surface angles through wireless data transmission to a computing device or flight deck.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual protractor measurement method is used, then measurement can be obtained, but personnel safety is compromised and calibration efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepersonnel safetyVSAvoidcalibration efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical protractor measurement with an automated digital inclinometer system that uses electronic sensors and wireless communication to measure control surface angles, eliminating the need for personnel to physically access moving control surfaces while improving measurement speed and accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service calibration by allowing the aircraft's own flight control computer to automatically receive inclinometer data, process the measurements, and adjust control surface parameters without requiring manual intervention from maintenance personnel

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If automated inclinometer system is implemented, then calibration speed and safety are improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibration speedVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the aircraft's existing flight control computer to perform multiple functions including receiving inclinometer data, processing measurements, storing calibration parameters, and controlling actuators, thereby avoiding the need for separate dedicated calibration equipment and reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces a wireless communication intermediary that bridges the inclinometer and flight control computer, allowing data transmission without physical connections and simplifying the integration of measurement and control subsystems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If continuous data streaming is used, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangle measurement precisionVSAvoidinclinometer energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic data transmission where the inclinometer streams angle measurements at predetermined time intervals rather than continuously, reducing energy consumption while maintaining sufficient measurement precision for calibration purposes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback control where the flight control computer receives angle measurements, compares them with target values, and automatically adjusts control surface positions, enabling precise calibration with intermittent measurements rather than continuous streaming

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Enables rapid, safe, and efficient calibration of aircraft control surfaces by eliminating the need for personnel to be physically present on the aircraft, improving setup efficiency and safety while enabling continuous data streaming for precise angle adjustments.

Implementation Method 1

providing measurement data by an inclinometer coupled to the aircraft control surface, the measurement data comprising an inclination value corresponding to an angle at which the aircraft control surface is deflected

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInclinometer measurement:

Implementation Method 2

wirelessly transmitting the measurement data by the wireless transmitter module; receiving the measurement data at a wireless receiver device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWireless transmission:

Data Source

PatentUS12012220B2Calibration system and method for aircraft control surface actuation

Publication Date: 2024.06.18 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A calibration system for aircraft control surface actuation includes an inclinometer coupleable to an aircraft control surface. The inclinometer is configured to provide measurement data of an inclination value corresponding to an angle at which the surface is deflected. The system includes an adapter with a wireless transmitter module and an interface connector connected to the inclinometer. The adapter is configured to receive and wirelessly transmit the measurement data. The system includes a wireless receiver device and a computing device connected thereto to receive the measurement data. The computing device is configured to determine if the inclination value differs by more than a predetermined amount from a directed deflection angle for the surface. The computing device is also configured to communicate an adjustment amount to a controller configured to direct deflection of the surface, based on the difference between the measured inclination value and the directed deflection angle.