Augmenting flight control surface actuation system and method

Apparatus for providing actuation power to an aircraft flight control surface, the apparatus comprising:

• a first actuator;
• a second actuator including a bypass mode and an assist mode, the mode of the second actuator being at least partially based on a load of the first actuator;
• the first actuator providing the actuation power for the aircraft flight control surface when the second actuator is in the bypass mode;
• the first and second actuators providing the actuation power for the aircraft flight control surface when the second actuator is in the assist mode;
• and
• wherein the bypass mode comprises a default mode for the second actuator.

Apparatus for providing actuation power to an aircraft flight control surface, the apparatus comprising:

• a first actuator;
• a second actuator including a bypass mode and an assist mode, the mode of the second actuator being at least partially based on a load of the first actuator;
• the first actuator providing the actuation power for the aircraft flight control surface when the second actuator is in the bypass mode;
• the first and second actuators providing the actuation power for the aircraft flight control surface when the second actuator is in the assist mode;
• and
• at least one triggered balance relief valve for selecting between the bypass mode and the assist mode for the second actuator, the at least one triggered balance relief valve selecting the other one of said modes for the second actuator when the at least one triggered balance relief valve is triggered, the at least one triggered balance relief valve being triggered when a pressure upstream of the at least one triggered balance relief valve exceeds a maximum pressure value.

Apparatus for providing actuation power to an aircraft flight control surface, the apparatus comprising:

• a first actuator;
• a second actuator including a bypass mode and an assist mode;
• means for selecting between the bypass mode and the assist mode for the second actuator, the mode selection for the second actuator being at least partially based on a load of the first actuator;
• the second actuator being in the bypass mode during a low load operating condition such that the first actuator provides the actuation power for the aircraft flight control surface when the second actuator is in the bypass mode during said low load operating condition;
• and
• the second actuator being in the assist mode during a high load operating condition such that the first and second actuators provide the actuation power for the aircraft flight control surface when the second actuator is in the assist mode during said high load operating condition.

An aircraft comprising:

• a flight control surface;
• a first actuator;
• a second actuator including a bypass mode and an assist mode, the mode of the second actuator being at least partially based on a load of the first actuator;
• the second actuator being in the bypass mode during a low load operating condition such that the first actuator provides the actuation power for the aircraft flight control surface when the second actuator is in the bypass mode during said low load operating condition;
• and
• the second actuator being in the assist mode during a high load operating condition such that the first and second actuators provide the actuation power for the aircraft flight control surface when the second actuator is in the assist mode during said high load operating condition.

An aircraft comprising:

• a flight control surface;
• a first actuator;
• a second actuator including a bypass mode and an assist mode, the mode of the second actuator being at least partially based on a load of the first actuator;
• the first actuator providing actuation power for the flight control surface when the second actuator is in the bypass mode;
• the first and second actuators providing actuation power for the flight control surface when the second actuator is in the assist mode;
• and
• at least one triggered balance relief valve for selecting between the bypass mode and the assist mode for the second actuator, the at least one triggered balance relief valve selecting the other one of said modes for the second actuator when the at least one triggered balance relief valve is triggered, the at least one triggered balance relief valve being triggered when a pressure upstream of the at least one triggered balance relief valve exceeds a maximum pressure value.

A method of providing actuation power to an aircraft flight control surface, the method comprising:

• selecting between a bypass mode and an assist mode for a second actuator, the selection being at least partially based on a load of a first actuator;
• using the first actuator to provide the actuation power for the aircraft flight control surface when the second actuator is in the bypass mode during a low load operation condition;
• and
• using the first and second actuators to provide the actuation power for the aircraft flight control surface when the second actuator is in the assist mode during a high load operating condition.