CONSOLIDATED VEHICLE PROPULSION CONTROL USING INTEGRATED MODULAR AVIONICS
First Claim
1. A vehicle, comprising:
- a first virtual backplane;
a vehicle management computer communicatively coupled to the first virtual backplane and having a first predetermined schedule, wherein the vehicle management computer is configured to add and consume data from the first virtual backplane according to the first predetermined schedule;
a consolidated propulsion controller communicatively coupled to the first virtual backplane and having a second predetermined schedule different from the first predetermined schedule, wherein the consolidated propulsion controller is configured to add and consume data from the first virtual backplane according to the second predetermined schedule;
at least one engine communicatively coupled to the first virtual backplane, each of the at least one engines having a unique schedule, wherein each of the at least one engines is configured to add and consume data from the first virtual backplane according to a respective unique schedule; and
at least one control system communicatively coupled to the first virtual backplane, each of the at least one control systems having a unique schedule, wherein each of the at least one control systems is configured to add and consume data from the first virtual backplane according to a respective unique schedule.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle is provided. The vehicle may include, but is not limited to, a virtual backplane, a vehicle management computer communicatively coupled to the first virtual backplane and having a first predetermined schedule, a consolidated propulsion controller communicatively coupled to the virtual backplane and having a second predetermined schedule different from the first predetermined schedule, at least one engine communicatively coupled to the first virtual backplane, each of the at least one engines having a unique schedule, and at least one control system communicatively coupled to the first virtual backplane, each of the at least one control systems having a unique schedule, wherein each of the vehicle management computer, consolidated propulsion controller, at least one engines and at least one control system are configured to add and consume date from the virtual backplane according to their respective schedules.
49 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A vehicle, comprising:
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a first virtual backplane; a vehicle management computer communicatively coupled to the first virtual backplane and having a first predetermined schedule, wherein the vehicle management computer is configured to add and consume data from the first virtual backplane according to the first predetermined schedule; a consolidated propulsion controller communicatively coupled to the first virtual backplane and having a second predetermined schedule different from the first predetermined schedule, wherein the consolidated propulsion controller is configured to add and consume data from the first virtual backplane according to the second predetermined schedule; at least one engine communicatively coupled to the first virtual backplane, each of the at least one engines having a unique schedule, wherein each of the at least one engines is configured to add and consume data from the first virtual backplane according to a respective unique schedule; and at least one control system communicatively coupled to the first virtual backplane, each of the at least one control systems having a unique schedule, wherein each of the at least one control systems is configured to add and consume data from the first virtual backplane according to a respective unique schedule. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A spacecraft having at least one engine, comprising:
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a first virtual backplane; a vehicle management computer communicatively coupled to the virtual backplane and having a first predetermined schedule, wherein the vehicle management computer is configured to add and consume data from the virtual backplane according to the first predetermined schedule; a remote interface unit communicatively coupled to the at least one engine and configured to control the engines, wherein the remote interface unit comprises at least one sensor for monitoring a health of the engine, wherein the remote interface unit is communicatively coupled to the virtual backplane and has a second predetermined schedule, wherein the remote interface unit is configured to add and consume data from the first virtual backplane according to the first predetermined schedule; a consolidated propulsion controller communicatively coupled to the virtual backplane and having a third predetermined schedule different from the first and second predetermined schedules, wherein the consolidated propulsion controller is configured to add and consume data from the virtual backplane according to the third predetermined schedule; and at least one control system communicatively coupled to the virtual backplane, each of the at least one control systems having a unique schedule, wherein each of the at least one control systems is configured to add and consume data from the first virtual backplane according to a respective unique schedule. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for controlling vehicle having a main flight computer and at least one engine, comprising:
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receiving, by a consolidated propulsion controller, a flight command from the main flight computer via a virtual backplane, wherein the flight command is independent of the state and configuration of the vehicle; determining, by the consolidated propulsion controller, instructions for the at least one engine and for at least one control system on the vehicle to execute the flight command; and adding, by the consolidated propulsion controller, instructions for the at least one engine and for the at least one control system on the virtual backplane according to a predetermined schedule. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification