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Method and Apparatus for Aircraft Sensor and Actuator Failure Protection Using Reconfigurable Flight Control Laws

  • US 20140005862A1
  • Filed: 09/03/2013
  • Published: 01/02/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A reconfigurable flight control system for reconfiguring flight control of an aircraft during a failure, the aircraft having flight control actuators and sensors, the reconfigurable flight control system comprising:

  • a control law that is software-implemented and configured to automatically send flight control data to a mixing/mapping matrix;

    a reconfiguration management tool configured to communicate with the mixing/mapping matrix in order to safely transfer authority from a failed actuator to a back-up actuator, the reconfiguration management tool comprising;

    a risk factor tool for calculating a risk factor, the risk factor being used for determining whether reconfiguration is necessary;

    wherein the risk factor is an empirical representation of a control authority of the aircraft, such that a degradation in the control authority effects the risk factor; and

    a sensor management tool for providing input to the reconfiguration management tool in order to smooth any transient conditions that may occur during reconfiguration;

    wherein the mixing/mapping matrix is configured to dictate the use of a differentiate collective power and a left and right aircraft flap differential, in order to achieve an aircraft yawing control of the aircraft.

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