Patent ID: 11972692
Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
Field: Transport (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC G  B | IPC B  G

Claim 13:
14. A flight control system for an unmanned aircraft, the flight control system comprising:
one or more communication interfaces configured to receive statistical data regarding failure of one or more components comprising the unmanned aircraft from a remote database and further configured to receive a flight plan comprising identified critical elements from a ground control system;
one or more sensors configured to detect real-time operational variables affecting the unmanned aircraft, wherein the one or more sensors comprise a pitch angle sensor configured to provide sensor data indicating a change in a pitch angle of the unmanned aircraft;
one or more processors coupled to the one or more communication interfaces and the one or more sensors and configured to maneuver the unmanned aircraft, wherein the one or more processors are configured to, upon approaching a critical element, calculate a state health assessment, the state health assessment calculated by;
calculating a component failure rate for each of the one or more components using the statistical data;
analyzing the real-time operational variables to determine if it mandates an adjustment to the component failure rates;
adjusting the component failure rates if mandated by the real-time operational variables;
multiplying the adjusted component failure rates to give a net failure probability rate; and
diagnosing that the change in the pitch angle is caused by a partial or whole loss of power in a rotor assembly comprising the unmanned aircraft;

the one or more processors further configured to compare the net failure probability rate to a specified probability, and if the net failure probability rate fails to satisfy the specified probability, activate a contingency plan and then return to the flight plan after the contingency plan, and if the net failure probability rate satisfies the specified probability, continue the flight plan.