Aircraft Control Augmentation and Health Monitoring Using Flush Air Data System Feedback

Abstract

This paper describes the development of an innovative control architecture that integrates Flush-air data system with Reconfigurable Control to yield an intelligent prognostic on-line control augmentation and Health and Efficiency Monitoring (FaRCHEM) system. A proof-of-concept FaRCHEM system was developed using a Fouga (CM 170) aircraft as the test platform. The functionality of FaRCHEM system architecture was demonstrated through various simulations examples of different flight scenarios. In particular, the proof-of-concept study demonstrated the capability of the FaRCHEM system by simulating some example aircraft health degradation and/or failure situations and showing how the FaRCHEM system offers graceful recovery through pro-active corrective control actions. The proposed control architecture uses prognostic sensory feedback in the form of instantaneous pressure levels obtained from Flush Air Data System (FADS) in reconfigurable feedback control configuration to provide stability augmentation and/or performance enhancement. The instantaneous pressure signature of the aircraft is effectively used to assess the health of the aircraft. The FaRCHEM system provides valuable information to pilot about imminent anomalies in flight conditions that may lead to potential failures. This pilot alert system will enable pilot to take corrective action to avoid potential failure. The reconfigurable control system uses its control re-allocation capability to redistribute control signal in the event of any actuator/sensor failures. I. Introduction