Flight control system for civil aircraft - uses interlinked computers to provide dual decision making to determine signals which will be delivered to control surfaces

摘要

The system (1) incorporates detectors, control settings, a centralised controller to hold flight control surfaces in a seat position, actuators to position them, and position detectors for each of the surfaces. An electrically operated automatic pilot controls the system. The automatic pilot computers have four computation paths (9) each having two different programs, with switching between them effected in response to electrical command signals. The computers respond to signals (8) indicating alteration of settings of control surfaces by computation of the set values, and regulate the position by feedback control. The results from both normal and emergency computers are checked for discrepancy. ADVANTAGE - Automatic pilot system offers improved safety and easier certification for civil aircraft, and is easily combined with existing controller, provides high performance, checks emergency computer, and enhances reliability.