Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling aircraft roll operations are disclosed. An example system includes an aileron actuator including a mode selector valve to control fluid flow through the aileron actuator, and a valve spring coupled to the mode selector valve, the valve spring to adjust the mode selector valve from the active position to a block position, the block position to prevent fluid flow through the aileron actuator, a wing cable system coupled to the aileron actuator, a wing actuator coupled to the wing cable system, the wing actuator to control displacement of the aileron of the aircraft in response to the mode selector valve being in the block position, and a differential linkage coupled to the wing actuator and the aileron, the differential linkage to translate the displacement of the wing actuator into rotational movement to adjust the aileron from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling aircraft roll operations are disclosed. An example system includes a wing actuator coupled to an aileron of an aircraft, an alternate power unit (APU), a control wheel position sensor to measure a control wheel position of a control wheel of the aircraft, a flight control computer (FCC) coupled to the APU and the control wheel position sensor, the FCC to invoke the APU to provide power to the wing actuator, and transmit a control signal to the wing actuator, the control signal to invoke the wing actuator to control the aileron based on the control wheel position, and a differential linkage coupled to the wing actuator and the aileron, the differential linkage to convert first movement of the wing actuator into second movement to control the aileron, the first movement of the wing actuator based on the control wheel position.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture for a distributed aircraft actuation system are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a non-responsive component detector to determine a position difference between a first position of a first control surface of an aircraft and a second position of a second control surface of the aircraft, the first position lagging the second position, and a command generator, in response to determining that the position difference satisfies a threshold, the command generator is to cease movement of the second control surface at the second position, attempt to move the first control surface to the second position, and cease movement of the first control surface when moved to the second position.

Abstract: Electro-hydraulic servo-valves and related methods are disclosed herein. An example electro-hydraulic servo-valve includes an inlet to receive a fluid from a reservoir, a torque motor, a chamber, the fluid to return to the reservoir via the chamber, and a flexure tube coupled to the torque motor. At least a portion of the flexure tube is disposed in the chamber. The flexure tube includes a nozzle to deliver the fluid to an actuator. The example electro-hydraulic servo-valve includes a damper operatively coupled to the flexure tube. The damper is disposed in the chamber.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus to control aircraft roll operations are disclosed herein. An example system includes a control wheel position determiner to determine a control wheel position based on an input from a control wheel of the aircraft, a control wheel force determiner to determine a first control wheel force based on a sensor measurement, and a spoiler controller to map the control wheel position to a second control wheel force, the second control wheel force based on nominal characteristics of the aircraft, determine a first difference between the first control wheel force and the second control wheel force, and in response to determining that the first difference does not satisfy a threshold, move a flight control surface based on a third control wheel force, the third control wheel force based on a second difference between the first difference and the threshold.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for redundant actuation of control surfaces. An example apparatus includes a control surface of an aircraft, and an actuator to move the control surface. The example apparatus also includes an electric motor to move the actuator; the electric motor communicatively coupled to an electrical system of the aircraft. The example apparatus also includes a hydraulic motor to move the actuator, the hydraulic motor fluidly coupled to a hydraulic system of the aircraft. The example apparatus also includes a sensor to detect incorrect operation of the hydraulic system. The example apparatus also includes a switch operatively coupled to the sensor, the switch to enable operation of the electric motor in response to the detected incorrect operation of the hydraulic system.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus to control aircraft roll operations are disclosed herein. An example system includes a control wheel position determiner to determine a control wheel position based on an input from a control wheel of the aircraft, a control wheel force determiner to determine a first control wheel force based on a sensor measurement, and a spoiler controller to map the control wheel position to a second control wheel force, the second control wheel force based on nominal characteristics of the aircraft, determine a first difference between the first control wheel force and the second control wheel force, and in response to determining that the first difference does not satisfy a threshold, move a flight control surface based on a third control wheel force, the third control wheel force based on a second difference between the first difference and the threshold.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for redundant actuation of control surfaces. An example apparatus includes a control surface of an aircraft, and an actuator to move the control surface. The example apparatus also includes an electric motor to move the actuator; the electric motor communicatively coupled to an electrical system of the aircraft. The example apparatus also includes a hydraulic motor to move the actuator, the hydraulic motor fluidly coupled to a hydraulic system of the aircraft. The example apparatus also includes a sensor to detect incorrect operation of the hydraulic system. The example apparatus also includes a switch operatively coupled to the sensor, the switch to enable operation of the electric motor in response to the detected incorrect operation of the hydraulic system.

Abstract: An aircraft control system includes pilot and co-pilot flight control systems that each include a first shaft mechanically coupled to and displaced apart from a second shaft, the shafts defining and being rotatable about independent longitudinal axes. A connecting link enables rotation of one of the first shafts to rotate a corresponding one of the second shafts. A position transducer is mechanically coupled to each shaft and configured to communicate an electrical signal corresponding to the rotation of the respective shaft. A flight control unit electrically communicates with the position transducers and is configured to (a) receive the electrical signal from each position transducer, (b) detect a failure of the flight control system by detecting differences in the position transducers' electrical signals, and (c) communicate the electrical signal from the position transducer to a flight control surface actuation system to compensate for the detected failure.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for reducing the probability of the occurrence of an aircraft's tailstrike are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a disclosed method for reducing a probability of an occurrence of a tailstrike for an aircraft comprises determining whether a tailstrike has a first probability of occurring by using tailstrike related data. The method further comprises producing a tactile warning to a pilot of the aircraft, when at least one processor determines that a tailstrike has the first probability of occurring. In at least one embodiment, the determining of whether a tailstrike has a first probability of occurring comprises determining whether an aircraft pitch attitude is greater than a first probability threshold by using the tailstrike related data; and determining that a tailstrike has the first probability of occurring, when the aircraft pitch attitude is greater than the first probability threshold.

Abstract: Systems for compensating for force fighting in multi-actuator systems are provided. A drive controller unit comprises a first feedforward controller in communication with a first actuator and configured to receive a drive command signal. A first feedback regulator is configured to output a first feedback input into the first feedforward controller, and to receive as input a first actuator position and a first actuator force. The drive controller unit further comprises a second feedforward controller in communication with a second actuator and configured to receive the drive command signal. A second feedback regulator is configured to output a second feedback input into the second feedforward controller, and to receive as input a second actuator position and a second actuator force. The drive controller unit utilizes both feedforward controllers and both feedback regulators to minimize force fighting while driving a common aileron.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reacting rotary actuator and control surface loads into a wing structure using reaction links. The apparatus incorporates a structural interface feature that can facilitate a change of the component(s) in the load loop, such as the path connecting a control surface to a fixed aircraft structure via a rotary actuator. In particular, the structural interface between the rotary actuator and the rear spar of a wing can be tuned for stiffness to achieve an optimized load path that reacts actuator and control surface loads back into the wing structure. An actuator integration objective can be met for any rotary actuator using an integration method which tolerates wing and/or hinge line deflection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning a control surface. A desired position for the control surface associated with an aerodynamic aircraft structure is identified. The control surface is moved to the desired position using an electronically controlled rotary actuator system located inside of the aerodynamic aircraft structure, wherein a shape of the aerodynamic aircraft structure with the electronically controlled rotary actuator system has a desired aerodynamic performance.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture for a distributed aircraft actuation system are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a non-responsive component detector to determine a position difference between a first position of a first control surface of an aircraft and a second position of a second control surface of the aircraft, the first position lagging the second position, and a command generator, in response to determining that the position difference satisfies a threshold, the command generator is to cease movement of the second control surface at the second position, attempt to move the first control surface to the second position, and cease movement of the first control surface when moved to the second position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling aircraft flight control surfaces are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a flight control surface controller to move a control surface of an aircraft to a target position via at least one of a first actuator or a second actuator associated with the control surface based on a command input received by the flight control surface controller. The flight control surface controller to: obtain a flight characteristic of the aircraft; compare the flight characteristic to a flight characteristic threshold; in response to a first comparison result, cause the first actuator to move the control surface to the target position based on the command input without moving the second actuator; and in response to a second comparison result, cause the first actuator and the second actuator to move the control surface to the target position based on the command input.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture for a distributed aircraft actuation system are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a collection engine to obtain first monitoring information corresponding to a first set of control surfaces of an aircraft, the first set including a first control surface on a first side of the aircraft and a second control surface on a second side of the aircraft, the second side opposite the first, and obtain second monitoring information corresponding to a second set of control surfaces of the aircraft, the second set including a third control surface on the first side and a fourth control surface on the second side.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for reducing the probability of the occurrence of an aircraft's tailstrike are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a disclosed method for reducing a probability of an occurrence of a tailstrike for an aircraft comprises determining whether a tailstrike has a first probability of occurring by using tailstrike related data. The method further comprises producing a tactile warning to a pilot of the aircraft, when at least one processor determines that a tailstrike has the first probability of occurring. In at least one embodiment, the determining of whether a tailstrike has a first probability of occurring comprises determining whether an aircraft pitch attitude is greater than a first probability threshold by using the tailstrike related data; and determining that a tailstrike has the first probability of occurring, when the aircraft pitch attitude is greater than the first probability threshold.

Abstract: Systems for compensating for force fighting in multi-actuator systems are provided. A drive controller unit comprises a first feedforward controller in communication with a first actuator and configured to receive a drive command signal. A first feedback regulator is configured to output a first feedback input into the first feedforward controller, and to receive as input a first actuator position and a first actuator force. The drive controller unit further comprises a second feedforward controller in communication with a second actuator and configured to receive the drive command signal. A second feedback regulator is configured to output a second feedback input into the second feedforward controller, and to receive as input a second actuator position and a second actuator force. The drive controller unit utilizes both feedforward controllers and both feedback regulators to minimize force fighting while driving a common aileron.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture for a distributed aircraft actuation system are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a collection engine to obtain first monitoring information corresponding to a first set of control surfaces of an aircraft, the first set including a first control surface on a first side of the aircraft and a second control surface on a second side of the aircraft, the second side opposite the first, and obtain second monitoring information corresponding to a second set of control surfaces of the aircraft, the second set including a third control surface on the first side and a fourth control surface on the second side.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling aircraft flight control surfaces are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a flight control surface controller to move a control surface of an aircraft to a target position via at least one of a first actuator or a second actuator associated with the control surface based on a command input received by the flight control surface controller. The flight control surface controller to: obtain a flight characteristic of the aircraft; compare the flight characteristic to a flight characteristic threshold; in response to a first comparison result, cause the first actuator to move the control surface to the target position based on the command input without moving the second actuator; and in response to a second comparison result, cause the first actuator and the second actuator to move the control surface to the target position based on the command input.