Abstract: A high-integrity electromechanical actuator control system includes a system function controller, a plurality of actuator controllers, and at least one electromechanical actuator. Each actuator controller includes a first controller, a second controller, and a duty cycle computation circuit. The first controller receives digital actuator control commands supplied from two of the function control channels and supplies first digital duty cycle commands. The second controller receives digital actuator control commands supplied from two function control channels and supplies second digital duty cycle commands. The duty cycle computation circuit receives the first digital duty cycle commands and the second digital duty cycle commands, computes an average of the first and second duty cycle commands, and generates pulse width modulated (PWM) commutation control signals based on the computed average.

Abstract: Flight display systems and methods for displaying simplified primary flight information for an urban air mobility vehicle (UAMV). Embodiments provide a primary flight display with an enhanced human-machine interface to support the intuitive operation of the UAMV commensurate with an expected reduced training background of the operators.

Abstract: Aircraft fly-by-wire systems and related vehicle electrical systems are provided. In one embodiment, an electrical system suitable for use with a control surface of a vehicle, such as an aircraft, is provided. The electrical system includes a plurality of communications buses and a plurality of control modules, wherein each of the plurality of control modules is connected to a respective subset of the plurality of communications buses that is unique among the plurality of control modules, and a plurality of actuation control modules associated with the control surface, wherein each of the plurality of actuation control modules is connected to a respective subset of the plurality of communications buses that is unique among the plurality of actuation control modules. Thus, each of the control modules is isolated from at least one of the communications buses.

Abstract: Aircraft fly-by-wire systems and related vehicle electrical systems are provided. In one embodiment, an electrical system suitable for use with a control surface of a vehicle, such as an aircraft, is provided. The electrical system includes an asynchronous intermodule bus arrangement, a first vehicle control module, and a second vehicle control module. Each vehicle control module includes a respective interface arrangement to obtain and exchange data from different sensing arrangements with a first frequency, and a respective processing system to obtain the sensed data and determine actuator commands based on the sensed data with a lower frequency.

Abstract: Aircraft fly-by-wire systems and related vehicle electrical systems are provided. In one embodiment, an electrical system suitable for use with a control surface of a vehicle, such as an aircraft, is provided. The electrical system includes an asynchronous intermodule bus arrangement, a first vehicle control module, and a second vehicle control module. Each vehicle control module includes a respective interface arrangement to obtain and exchange data from different sensing arrangements with a first frequency, and a respective processing system to obtain the sensed data and determine actuator commands based on the sensed data with a lower frequency.

Abstract: Aircraft fly-by-wire systems and related vehicle electrical systems are provided. In one embodiment, an electrical system suitable for use with a control surface of a vehicle, such as an aircraft, is provided. The electrical system includes a plurality of communications buses and a plurality of control modules, wherein each of the plurality of control modules is connected to a respective subset of the plurality of communications buses that is unique among the plurality of control modules, and a plurality of actuation control modules associated with the control surface, wherein each of the plurality of actuation control modules is connected to a respective subset of the plurality of communications buses that is unique among the plurality of actuation control modules. Thus, each of the control modules is isolated from at least one of the communications buses.

Abstract: A hydrostatic automatic flight servo system is provided. The automatic flight servo system includes a manifold that defines a first fluid chamber, and a hydraulic fluid is received in the first fluid chamber. The first fluid chamber includes a first bellows and a second bellows. The automatic flight servo system includes a stick received at least partially within the manifold and pivotally coupled to the manifold. The stick includes a control arm fixedly coupled to the first bellows, and the stick is to receive an input. The automatic flight servo system includes a flight output system pivotally coupled to the manifold. The flight output system includes a second control arm received at least partially within the manifold and coupled to the second bellows such that the pivotal movement of the stick pivots the flight output system relative to the manifold.

Abstract: Automatic flight control actuator systems are provided. In one example, the system includes a pilot input linkage that receives an input and a flight surface output linkage adapted to control a flight surface. The system also includes a strain wave gear including a flex spline coupled to one of the pilot input linkage and the flight surface output linkage. The strain wave gear further includes a circular spline coupled to the other of the flight surface output linkage and the pilot input linkage, and coupled to the flex spline such that the input from the pilot input linkage is transferred to the flight surface output linkage via the strain wave gear.

Abstract: An automatic actuator system is provided. The automatic actuator system includes an input linkage that receives an input and an output linkage adapted to control a flight surface actuator. The automatic actuator system includes a first strain wave gear having a first circular spline coupled to the input linkage and a first flex spline rotatably coupled to the first circular spline. The automatic actuator system includes a second strain wave gear having a second circular spline coupled to the first flex spline. The second strain wave gear includes a second flex spline, and the second flex spline is coupled to the output linkage such that at least a portion of the input from the input linkage is transferred to the output linkage via the first strain wave gear and the second strain wave gear.

Abstract: An automatic actuator system is provided. The automatic actuator system includes an input linkage that receives an input and an output linkage adapted to control a flight surface actuator. The automatic actuator system includes a first strain wave gear having a first circular spline coupled to the input linkage and a first flex spline rotatably coupled to the first circular spline. The automatic actuator system includes a second strain wave gear having a second circular spline coupled to the first flex spline. The second strain wave gear includes a second flex spline, and the second flex spline is coupled to the output linkage such that at least a portion of the input from the input linkage is transferred to the output linkage via the first strain wave gear and the second strain wave gear.

Abstract: Automatic flight control actuator systems are provided. In one example, the system includes a pilot input linkage that receives an input and a flight surface output linkage adapted to control a flight surface. The system also includes a strain wave gear including a flex spline coupled to one of the pilot input linkage and the flight surface output linkage. The strain wave gear further includes a circular spline coupled to the other of the flight surface output linkage and the pilot input linkage, and coupled to the flex spline such that the input from the pilot input linkage is transferred to the flight surface output linkage via the strain wave gear.

Abstract: A hydrostatic automatic flight servo system is provided. The automatic flight servo system includes a manifold that defines a first fluid chamber, and a hydraulic fluid is received in the first fluid chamber. The first fluid chamber includes a first bellows and a second bellows. The automatic flight servo system includes a stick received at least partially within the manifold and pivotally coupled to the manifold. The stick includes a control arm fixedly coupled to the first bellows, and the stick is to receive an input. The automatic flight servo system includes a flight output system pivotally coupled to the manifold. The flight output system includes a second control arm received at least partially within the manifold and coupled to the second bellows such that the pivotal movement of the stick pivots the flight output system relative to the manifold.

Abstract: Electromechanical actuation systems and methods are provided. The electromechanical actuation system includes first, second, and third linear actuators having respective first, second, and third ranges of motion and an output member coupled to the first, second, and third linear actuators such that a position of a selected portion of the output member is based on actuation of the first, second, and third linear actuators.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for deriving precision position and rate information for motors using relatively low precision analog sensors, and for implementing compensation techniques that overcome inherent sensor errors and rotor magnet flux tolerances.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for deriving precision position and rate information for motors using relatively low precision analog sensors, and for implementing compensation techniques that overcome inherent sensor errors and rotor magnet flux tolerances.

Abstract: A hybrid actuation system includes one or more electromechanical actuators, one or more master hydraulic actuators, and a slave hydraulic actuator. Each electromechanical actuator is adapted to be controllably energized and is configured, upon being controllably energized, to supply a drive force. Each master hydraulic actuator is coupled to receive the drive force from an electromechanical actuator and is configured, upon receipt of the drive force, to at least selectively supply pressurized hydraulic fluid. The slave hydraulic actuator is in fluid communication with the master hydraulic actuator to receive pressurized hydraulic fluid therefrom. The slave hydraulic actuator is responsive to pressurized hydraulic fluid supplied from the master hydraulic actuator to move to a control position.

Abstract: Electromechanical actuation systems and methods are provided. The electromechanical actuation system includes first, second, and third linear actuators having respective first, second, and third ranges of motion and an output member coupled to the first, second, and third linear actuators such that a position of a selected portion of the output member is based on actuation of the first, second, and third linear actuators.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, and apparati for fail passive error detection and control of a linear actuator recentering system. In an exemplary aspect of the present invention, linear actuator controls are designed to be fail passive. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a recentering device is provided which receives a signal from an independent motion direction sensor and enables continuous monitoring of a recentering function, thereby detecting recentering control failures. In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention comprises a recentering motor control commutation device, an actuator movement direction sensor and an inverse commutation device for determining a centering polarity. The centering polarity is further provided to an aircraft control system which suitably provides continuous verification of the recentering commutation by comparison to linear actuator position determined by another sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods for fail passive servo controllers. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, servo controller is used with an ALS to control an aircraft during landing procedures. In accordance with one aspect of this exemplary embodiment, upon a failure (e.g., of one of the components of ALS) servo controller fails passively rather than actively. In an exemplary embodiment, the fail passive nature of the servo unit is accomplished by providing at least two independent signal and drive current paths for controlling the servo motor. As such, the servo motor will not generate torque unless the two independent signal lanes agree. For example, when a component such as processor, difference amplifier, or PWM fails or otherwise ceases to function properly, servo motor will not runaway, but rather will fail with only minor transient movement, or alternatively, servo unit will lock at its current position.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, and apparati for fail passive error detection and control of a linear actuator recentering system. In an exemplary aspect of the present invention, linear actuator controls are designed to be fail passive. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a recentering device is provided which receives a signal from an independent motion direction sensor and enables continuous monitoring of a recentering function, thereby detecting recentering control failures. In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention comprises a recentering motor control commutation device, an actuator movement direction sensor and an inverse commutation device for determining a centering polarity. The centering polarity is further provided to an aircraft control system which suitably provides continuous verification of the recentering commutation by comparison to linear actuator position determined by another sensor.