Multiple loop control system
First Claim
1. A multiple loop control system providing a single composite output, comprising:
- a plurality of actuators, each actuator receiving at least two separate control signals and generating an output interconnected with the output of all other actuators in the plurality to provide a single composite output;
a plurality of control loops, at least one connected to each of said actuators, each control loop responsive to an individual input signal and generating one of said control signals to one of the actuators;
failure monitoring means connected to each of said actuators and the control loops to monitor the operation thereof, said failure monitoring means including means responsive to a monitor signal from each actuator, and means responsive to the monitor signal from one actuator having a difference from the monitor signals for the other actuators above a first threshold level to generate a disengage signal to one of the actuators for a failure condition, said failure monitoring means further including means for detecting a hard-type failure and inert-type failure and means for generating the disengage signal at a lower threshold level for an inert-type failure than for a hard-type failure; and
said failure monitoring means further including means connected to each of said plurality of control loops for isolating each of said plurality of control loops from each other.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A redundant, dual-fail/operate fly-by-wire control system actuates a redundant tandem piston actuator (10) to provide a single composite output evidenced by movement of a piston rod (12). The basic fault-tolerate actuation system consists of dual hydraulic primary actuators, quadruplex electrical control loops (14-17), and control servo valves (22-25). A failure management system connects to the actuation system by means of lines (18-21) to control the servo valves (22-25). The four control loops (14-17) connect to a pilot controller that provides a pilot individual input signals to amplifiers (26-29) for each of the control loops. A tracking loop (450) includes switches (480, 482, 484) for connecting the four control loops (14-17) and providing isolation therebetween.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A multiple loop control system providing a single composite output, comprising:
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a plurality of actuators, each actuator receiving at least two separate control signals and generating an output interconnected with the output of all other actuators in the plurality to provide a single composite output; a plurality of control loops, at least one connected to each of said actuators, each control loop responsive to an individual input signal and generating one of said control signals to one of the actuators; failure monitoring means connected to each of said actuators and the control loops to monitor the operation thereof, said failure monitoring means including means responsive to a monitor signal from each actuator, and means responsive to the monitor signal from one actuator having a difference from the monitor signals for the other actuators above a first threshold level to generate a disengage signal to one of the actuators for a failure condition, said failure monitoring means further including means for detecting a hard-type failure and inert-type failure and means for generating the disengage signal at a lower threshold level for an inert-type failure than for a hard-type failure; and said failure monitoring means further including means connected to each of said plurality of control loops for isolating each of said plurality of control loops from each other. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An actuation system to control a hydraulic actuator, comprising:
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a plurality of electrohydraulic actuators, each actuator including at least two servo valves each having a valve coil receiving an independent control signal, the sum of the outputs of each actuator combine to provide an output varying with the combination of the individual control signals; a plurality of control loops, one for each valve coil, and responsive to individual input signals and generating the control signal to one of the valve coils; a position transducer in each servo valve and responsive to the servo valve position and generating a feedback signal; failure monitoring means connected to each of the control loops and responsive to the individual feedback signals to monitor the operation of each actuator and disengage a control loop upon detection of a failure; and said failure monitoring means further including means connected to each of said plurality of control loops for isolating each of said plurality of control loops from each other. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A four loop actuation system to control a hydrualic actuator, comprising:
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four electrohydraulic servo valves, one for each loop of the actuation system, each servo valve providing a drive signal to the hydraulic actuator; each servo valve including a valve coil receiving an independent control signal to actuate the interconnected servo valve; four control loops, one for each valve coil and responsive to individual input signals and generating the control signal to the interconnected valve coil; a position transducer connected to each electrohydraulic servo valve and responsive to valve position to generate a feedback signal; failure monitoring means connected to each of the control loops and responsive to the individual feedback signals to monitor the operation of each loop and disengage a control loop upon detection of a failure; and said failure monitoring means further including switch means connected to each of said control loops for isolating one of said four control loops from the other three of said four control loops. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A multiple control loop system providing a single composite output, comprising:
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a plurality of actuators, each actuator receiving at least two separate control signals and generating an output interconnected with the outputs of all other actuators of the plurality to provide a single composite output; a plurality of control loops, at least one connected to each of said actuators, each control loop responsive to an individual input signal and generating one of said control signals to one of the actuators; failure monitoring means connected to each of said actuators and the control loops to monitor the operation thereof and provide a disengage signal to one of the control loops for a failure condition, said failure monitoring means further including means for generating an alignment signal for each control loop to align the actuators; and said failure monitoring means further including means connected to each of said plurality of control loops for isolating each of said plurality of control loops from each other. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification