Abstract: A combined active stick and control boost actuator system for a control surface has a control stick engaged to a mechanical flight control structure with a linkage configured to move a control surface. A mechanical interconnect engages the linkage and has a control stick connection. An integrated actuator is separably connected to the mechanical interconnect intermediate the control stick connection and the linkage. A stick force sensor is configured to provide a stick force signal. A flight control system receives the stick force signal and provides an actuator position control signal to the integrated actuator. The integrated actuator moves to a prescribed position in accordance with a force feel profile providing pilot variable tactile cueing and power boost to reduce both fatigue and workload.

Abstract: A combined active stick and control boost actuator system for a control surface has a control stick engaged to a mechanical flight control structure with a linkage configured to move a control surface. A mechanical interconnect engages the linkage and has a control stick connection. An integrated actuator is separably connected to the mechanical interconnect intermediate the control stick connection and the linkage. A stick force sensor is configured to provide a stick force signal. A flight control system receives the stick force signal and provides an actuator position control signal to the integrated actuator. The integrated actuator moves to a prescribed position in accordance with a force feel profile providing pilot variable tactile cueing and power boost to reduce both fatigue and workload.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring and detecting failures in the actuation of a control system, such as a flight control system for an aircraft, include defining a nominal model of the control system in terms of the state variables of the control system, defining a model of an asymmetric “actuation monitoring envelope” that dynamically bounds a range that measured state variables of the system are allowed to take during operation of the system as a function of the nominal system state model, monitoring a signal corresponding to a state variable of the system during operation thereof, and detecting a failure in the actuation of the control system when the monitored signal exceeds the bounds of the monitoring envelope.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring and detecting failures in the actuation of a control system, such as a flight control system for an aircraft, include defining a nominal model of the control system in terms of the state variables of the control system, defining a model of an asymmetric “actuation monitoring envelope” that dynamically bounds a range that measured state variables of the system are allowed to take during operation of the system as a function of the nominal system state model, monitoring a signal corresponding to a state variable of the system during operation thereof, and detecting a failure in the actuation of the control system when the monitored signal exceeds the bounds of the monitoring envelope.