Systems and methods for actuator backlash measurement and monitoring

A system for backlash measurement of an actuator for an aircraft, the actuator comprising a motor end and an output end, the system comprising:

• a first sensor associated with the output end;
• a second sensor associated with the motor end;
• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:
• driving the motor end of the actuator to one endpoint;
• determining, based on the first sensor and the second sensor, a first difference between an output-end initial position and a motor-end initial position;
• determining a second difference between an output-end final position and a motor-end final position,
• wherein
• the output-end initial position and the output-end final position are associated with the output end of the actuator, and
• the motor-end initial position and the motor-end final position are associated with the motor end of the actuator;
• determining a backlash value of the actuator by combining the first difference and the second difference;
• generating a comparison of the backlash value and at least one predetermined threshold;
• generating a signal based on the comparison;
• and
• displaying, on a display device, a notification indicative of an operational condition of the actuator based on the signal.

A method for backlash measurement of an actuator, the actuator comprising a motor end and an output end, comprising:

• driving the motor end of the actuator to one endpoint;
• determining a first difference between an output-end initial position and a motor-end initial position, the output-end initial position being associated with the output end of the actuator and the motor-end initial position being associated with the motor end of the actuator;
• driving the motor end of the actuator to another endpoint;
• determining a second difference between an output-end final position and a motor-end final position, the output-end final position being associated with the output end of the actuator and the motor-end final position being associated with the motor end of the actuator;
• determining a backlash value of the actuator based on the first difference and the second difference;
• generating a comparison of the backlash value and at least one predetermined threshold;
• generating a signal based on the comparison;
• and
• displaying, on a display device, a notification indicative of an operational condition of the actuator based on the signal.