Magnetorheological flight control clutch system

A redundant control system, comprising:

• a first control system comprising a first power source and a first clutch configured to receive mechanical energy from the first power source, the first control system configured to receive an input from an input device and transmit a mechanical output based on the received input;
• a second control system comprising a second power source and a second clutch configured to receive mechanical energy from the second power source, the second control system configured to receive an input from the input device and transmit a mechanical output based on the received input;
• a shared clutch system comprising:
• a shared shaft configured to receive mechanical energy from a shared power source;
• a first shared clutch corresponding to the first clutch and configured to receive mechanical energy from the shared shaft;
• and
• a second shared clutch corresponding to the second clutch and configured to receive mechanical energy from the shared shaft;
• a first linkage providing mechanical communication between an output of the first clutch, an output of the first shared clutch, and a first output device in mechanical communication with the rotor system;
• and
• a second linkage providing mechanical communication between an output of the second clutch, an output of the second shared clutch, and a second output device in mechanical communication with the rotor system.

A method of controlling a rotor system of a rotorcraft, comprising:

• receiving a first input and a second input from one or more pilot input devices;
• providing mechanical energy to a first clutch such that the first clutch transmits a mechanical output based on the received first input;
• providing mechanical energy to a second clutch such that the second clutch transmits a mechanical output based on the received second input;
• providing mechanical energy to a shared clutch system, the shared clutch system comprising:
• a shared shaft configured to receive mechanical energy from a shared power source;
• a first shared clutch corresponding to the first clutch and configured to receive mechanical energy from the shared shaft, the first shared clutch having an output mechanically linked with an output of the first clutch;
• and
• a second shared clutch corresponding to the second clutch and configured to receive mechanical energy from the shared shaft, the second shared clutch having an output mechanically linked with an output of the second clutch;
• identifying a failure associated with the first clutch or the second clutch;
• disengaging the clutch associated with the failure;
• and
• engaging the shared clutch corresponding to the failed clutch.