Actuation control system
AssigneeHamilton Sundstrand Corporation
InventorsWilliam E. Villano, Kevin Gibbons, Teddy L. Jones, Francis W. Recck
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A dual redundant actuation control system for controlling a plurality of actuators for positioning a plurality of moveable aircraft components. The actuation control system includes a component controller. The component controller includes two component control channels. Each of the plurality of actuators is electrically connected to each of the two component control channels such that either of the two component control channels may control any or all of the plurality of actuators.
Claims20
A dual redundant actuation control system for controlling a plurality of actuators for positioning a plurality of moveable aircraft components, the system comprising:
- a component controller comprising two component control channels;
- wherein each of the plurality of actuators is electrically connected to each of the two component control channels such that either of the two component control channels may control any or all of the plurality of actuators.
A variable area fan nozzle actuation system for an aircraft engine comprising:
- a variable area fan nozzle (VAFN) for varying the fan nozzle cross-sectional area of the aircraft engine, the VAFN comprising:
- a first VAFN door;
- and
- a second VAFN door;
- and
- a control system for controlling the position of the VAFN doors, the control system comprising:
- a first actuator attached to the first VAFN door for moving the first VAFN door;
- a second actuator attached to a second VAFN door for moving the second VAFN door;
- a VAFN controller linked to each of the first actuator and the second actuator, the VAFN controller comprising:
- a first VAFN control channel;
- a second VAFN control channel;
- and
- a channel communication link;
- wherein the first VAFN control channel is electrically connected to each of the first actuator and the second actuator to communicate control information between the VAFN controller and the first and second actuators;
- and the second VAFN control channel is electrically connected to each of the first actuator and the second actuator to communicate control information between the VAFN controller and the first and second actuators;
- wherein at least one of the VAFN control channels controls the first actuator and the same at least one of the VAFN control channels controls the second actuator.
A method of controlling an actuator for positioning a moveable aircraft component, the method comprising:
- connecting electrically a first component channel of a component controller to an actuator attached to the moveable aircraft component;
- connecting electrically a second component channel of the component controller to the actuator;
- detecting a position of the moveable aircraft component with a first position sensor and a second position sensor;
- and
- controlling the actuator in response to the detected position of the moveable aircraft component, wherein controlling the actuator comprises:
- controlling a first portion of the actuator with the first component channel in response to the position detected by the first position sensor;
- and
- controlling a second portion of the actuator with the second component channel in response to the position detected by the second position sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.