Autonomous Outer Loop Control of Man-Rated Fly-By-Wire Aircraft

• US 20090222148A1
• Filed: 01/05/2009
• Published: 09/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Calpine Corporation
• Original Assignee: Calpine Corporation
• Inventors: Ohmit, Eric E., Knotts, Louis H.
• Application Number:
  US12/348,654
• Publication Number:
  US 20090222148A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/2
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0038 by providing the operator with simple or augmented images from one or more cameras located onboard the vehicle, e.g. tele-operation images analyzed by a computer and used for automatic navigation G05D1/0246

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a system for converting a man-rated fly-by-wire (FBW) aircraft into a remote controlled unmanned airborne vehicle (UAV). The FBW aircraft includes a FBW flight control system (FBW-FCS) configured to control aircraft control surfaces disposed on the aircraft. The system includes a controller coupled to the FBW aircraft. The controller is configured to generate substantially real-time pilot control data from at least one aircraft maneuver command. The real-time pilot control data is generated in accordance with a predetermined control law. The at least one aircraft maneuver command is derived from at least one command telemetry signal received from a remote control system not disposed on the FBW aircraft or from a pre-programmed trajectory. An FBW-FCS interface system is coupled to the controller. The FBW-FCS interface system is configured to convert the substantially real-time pilot control data into substantially real-time simulated FBW-FCS pilot control signals. The substantially real-time simulated FBW-FCS pilot control signals are configured to direct the FBW-FCS such that the FBW aircraft performs in accordance with the at least one aircraft maneuver command.

Claims

16-1. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote control system is a ground based control system.

17-2. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote control system is an airborne control system.

30. A method for converting a man-rated fly-by-wire (FBW) aircraft into a remote controlled unmanned airborne vehicle (UAV), the FBW aircraft including a FBW flight control system (FBW-FCS) configured to control aircraft control surfaces disposed on the aircraft, the method comprising:

decoupling existing pilot controls from the FBW-FCS;

coupling an embedded control system to the FBW aircraft and the FBW-FCS, the embedded system including,

a controller configured to generate substantially real-time pilot control data from at least one aircraft maneuver command, the real-time pilot control data being generated in accordance with a predetermined control law, the at least one aircraft maneuver command being derived from at least one command telemetry signal received from a remote control system not disposed on the FBW aircraft or from a pre-programmed trajectory, and

an FBW-FCS interface system coupled to the controller, the FBW-FCS interface system being configured to convert the substantially real-time pilot control data into substantially real-time simulated FBW-FCS pilot control signals, the substantially real-time simulated FBW-FCS pilot control signals being configured to direct the FBW-FCS such that the FBW aircraft performs in accordance with the at least one aircraft maneuver command.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising programming at least one processor to perform a method for controlling the FBW-FCS, the method for controlling the FBW-FCS comprising:

obtain aircraft flight parameters from the FBW aircraft;

derive at least one reference parameter value from the at least one aircraft maneuver command;

generate an error signal as a function of the aircraft flight parameters and the at least one aircraft maneuver command in accordance with a predetermined control law; and

generate simulated pilot control signals based on the error signal, the simulated pilot control signals being configured to direct the FBW-FCS, whereby the FBW aircraft performs an aircraft maneuver in accordance with the at least one aircraft maneuver command.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the method for controlling the FBW-FCS is stored on computer-readable firmware disposed in the embedded controller and coupled to the processor.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the simulated pilot control signals include simulated pitch stick commands, roll stick commands, and rudder pedal commands.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein the simulated pilot control signals include throttle servo commands.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising the step of providing an electro-mechanical throttle actuator coupled between the embedded controller and an aircraft throttle, the electro-mechanical throttle actuator being configured to move the aircraft throttle in accordance with the throttle servo commands.