Autorotation flight control system
US7976310B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 13, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jul 12, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 14, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05D1/105
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides computer implemented methodology that permits the safe landing and recovery of rotorcraft following engine failure. With this invention successful autorotations may be performed from well within the unsafe operating area of the height-velocity profile of a helicopter by employing the fast and robust real-time trajectory optimization algorithm that commands control motion through an intuitive pilot display, or directly in the case of autonomous rotorcraft. The algorithm generates optimal trajectories and control commands via the direct-collocation optimization method, solved using a nonlinear programming problem solver. The control inputs computed are collective pitch and aircraft pitch, which are easily tracked and manipulated by the pilot or converted to control actuator commands for automated operation during autorotation in the case of an autonomous rotorcraft. The formulation of the optimal control problem has been carefully tailored so the solutions resemble those of an expert pilot, accounting for the performance limitations of the rotorcraft and safety concerns.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.