Abstract:
A device for determining the rotation angle of a shaft in an aircraft, the device having a shaft and a motor operable to rotate the shaft to operate a component and to detect first rotation data of the shaft. The device also includes a position pickup unit designed to detect second rotation data of the shaft, and a synchronization unit for synchronizing the first rotation data with the second rotation data.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation, of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/358,529, filed on Feb. 21, 2006, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/655,326 filed Feb. 23, 2005, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to determining the rotation angle of a shaft in an aircraft. In particular the present invention relates to a device for determining the rotation angle of a shaft in an aircraft; to an aircraft comprising a corresponding device; to the use of a corresponding device in an aircraft; and to a method for determining the rotation angle of a shaft in an aircraft. 
         [0003]    The system for operating a brake flap or a landing flap or landing slat in an aircraft forms part of the safety-critical systems within the aircraft. Nowadays electromechanical systems for operating the landing flaps or landing slats are used, which systems are designed so as to be redundant if need be and have proven to be highly reliable. In order to operate the landing flaps or landing slats, generally speaking mechanical shaft systems for transmission of the rotational forces are used. In order to prevent the occurrence of asymmetries in the flap positions and in order to still be able to adjust all the flaps should a drive motor fail, all flaps are connected to central shafting. 
         [0004]    The position of the flaps is measured by way of two or even four independent position pickup units (PPUs) for each flap segment on the shaft. These sensors are located at the ends of the shaft part so as to detect differences in the absolute positions of the two shaft ends, and in this way provide information about the forces acting on the mechanism. In the normal state the servo motors are highly synchronised, in other words no forces act on the shaft. 
         [0005]    If, in the case of a malfunction, one of the PPUs fails, in the state of the art the motor that is seated on the corresponding shaft end is switched off because it is no longer possible to measure the position, and because the motor would then not be synchronised. Possibly a so-called force fight between the two motors would develop, and at some stage the shaft would be destroyed. On the other hand this also means that a fault-free and properly functioning component (namely the motor) is switched off because of a malfunction of some other component so that the availability of the system may be thus reduced by 50%. Furthermore, the dynamics and agility of the system may be reduced by 50% because the remaining motor then runs only at half its possible rotary speed. In order to maintain synchronicity, the same also applies to the other wing. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Amongst other things, it may be an object of the present invention to, state improved rotation angle determination in an aircraft. 
         [0007]    According to one embodiment of the present invention the above object may be met by means of a device for determining the rotation angle of a shaft in an aircraft, wherein the device comprises a shaft and a motor, wherein the motor is designed to rotate the shaft, and wherein the motor furthermore is designed to detect first rotation data in an absolute manner which first data correspond to a rotation angle of a first region of the shaft. The shaft may be designed for operating a device, selected from the group consisting of brake flap, landing flap or landing slat, rudder, aileron and elevator. Moreover, the device for determining the rotation angle of a shaft in an aircraft comprises a position pickup unit and a synchronisation unit, wherein the position pickup unit is designed to detect second rotation data, which data corresponds to a rotation angle of a second region of the shaft, and wherein the synchronisation unit is designed to synchronise the first rotation data with the second rotation data. 
         [0008]    Measuring the rotation data or rotation angles by means of a drive motor ensures a simple and automatic rotation angle determination without having to provide additional detection devices. This may be ensured by installing drive motors which automatically measure their current positions internally and with high precision during operation. 
         [0009]    Because of the provision of the position pickup unit and the motor detecting rotation data, a redundant system may be provided which measures rotation data even if, for example, one or all position pickup unit(s) should fail, because in this case the drive motor is still available for measuring rotation data. This results in a significant increase in the availability of the landing flap or landing slat or brake flap system. Even if all PPUs should fail it is not necessary to switch the motors off. 
         [0010]    Because of the provision of the synchronisation unit it can be ensured that the zero points (in other words the positions of the first and second shaft regions at which rotation of the shaft regions has not yet taken place) of the position pickup unit and of the motor agree with each other. For example, in flight calibration of the motors can take place based on the data provided by the position pickup unit. 
         [0011]    Due to the fact, that the shaft is designed for operating a device, selected from the group consisting of brake flap, landing flap or landing slat, rudder, aileron and elevator the control surfaces or flaps of the aircraft can be determined redundantly and in various ways (not only by way of the motor control system, but also by way of the corresponding position pickup units). Consequently, improved system safety or system availability of the control surface systems or flap systems may be ensured. 
         [0012]    According to a further embodiment of the present invention the device further comprises a control unit, wherein the motor is designed to transmit the first rotation data to the control unit, and wherein the control unit is designed to control or regulate the rotation data of the shaft on the basis of the transmitted first rotation data. 
         [0013]    According to this embodiment of the present invention, the motor can for example transmit the rotation angle of the first shaft region, which rotation angle has been measured by said motor, by way of a databus or a wireless connection or the like to the control unit, which is for example housed in the fuselage. Consequently it may be ensured that the on-board control unit always receives the current rotation data of the first shaft region. 
         [0014]    According to a further embodiment of the present invention the position pickup unit is designed to transmit the second rotation data to the control unit, wherein the control unit is designed to control or regulate the rotation of the shaft on the basis of the transmitted first and second rotation data. 
         [0015]    This may make it possible for the central control unit to always receive data that represents the rotation angle of the first shaft region and the rotation angle of the second shaft region. In this way the control unit has at any point in time sufficient information relating to the present positions of the two shaft regions available. Thus, the redundant design of the rotation data measuring devices may ensure excellent system safety. 
         [0016]    According to a further embodiment of the present invention the control unit for controlling or regulating the rotation of the shaft is designed only on the basis of the transmitted first rotation data when the transmitted second rotation data is faulty or incomplete. 
         [0017]    Therefore, improved system availability may be ensured to the extent that in the case of failure of all PPUs it is not necessary to switch the motors off because there is still sufficient rotation data of the shaft available. 
         [0018]    According to a further embodiment of the present invention the control unit for controlling or regulating the rotation of the shaft is designed on the basis of the transmitted first and second rotation data, even if the transmitted second rotation data is faulty or incomplete. 
         [0019]    According to this embodiment, for example, faulty or incomplete rotation data of the position pickup unit can be supplemented on the basis of the supplied rotation data of the motor so that in the final analysis a complete data set is available again. 
         [0020]    According to a further embodiment of the present invention a method for determining the rotation angle of a shaft in an aircraft is stated. The shaft is rotated by a motor, and first rotation data that correspond to the rotation angle of a first region of the shaft is detected by the motor in an absolute manner. Moreover, second rotation data that corresponds to a second rotation angle of a second region of the shaft is detected by a position pickup unit. Subsequently, the first rotation data will be synchronised with the second rotation data. 
         [0021]    According to this embodiment of the present invention a simple and quick method is stated in which rotation data of the shaft is automatically detected by way of its drive means, without there being a need to provide additional detection devices. This can not only lead to savings in cost and weight, but also to improved redundancy and therefore system availability. 
         [0022]    Further embodiments of the present invention are stated in the subordinate claims and in the further independent claims. 
         [0023]    Below, with reference to the figures, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    In the drawings: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  shows a diagrammatic perspective illustration of an aircraft with a device according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  shows a diagrammatic perspective illustration of a device for determining the rotation angle according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  shows a diagrammatic perspective detail of the device shown in  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  shows a diagrammatic cross sectional illustration of a shaft for operating a brake flap in an aircraft. 
       
    
    
       [0029]    In the following description of the figures, the same reference characters are used for identical or similar elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]      FIG. 1  shows a diagrammatic perspective illustration of an aircraft with a device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , in both of its wings the aircraft  100  comprises a device  200  according to the invention, which device  200  is for example provided for operating the brake flaps or landing flaps or landing slats, or for operation of the ailerons or the like. 
         [0031]    The device  200  is also shown within a simulation model (not incorporated in an aircraft)  300 , which simulation model  300  is shown in detail in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         [0032]    The device  200  comprises a shaft  1 , two motors  2 ,  3  and a brake  4 . Furthermore, rotation actuators  7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  12  are provided which, as is also the case with the motors  2 ,  3 , make it possible to determine rotation data of the corresponding shaft sections. 
         [0033]    The measuring data that is picked up by motors  2 ,  3  and actuators  7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  12  is supplied by way of corresponding data lines (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) to a central power control unit (PCU)  10 . There the data can be evaluated, and corresponding control signals or regulating signals can be made available to the flap motors or aileron motors. 
         [0034]      FIG. 2  shows a diagrammatic perspective illustration of a device for determining the rotation angle according to one embodiment of the present invention. The device shown in  FIG. 2 , which device can for example be integrated in an aircraft wing, in the case of  FIG. 2  is installed in a simulation model  300 . The device comprises a shaft  1 , motors  2  and  3 , a system brake  4 , a load-simulation cylinder  5  and servos  6  to simulate a flap resistance, actuators or position pickup units  7 ,  12 , as well as a first shaft region  13  and a second shaft region  14 . 
         [0035]    The end regions of the shaft  1  are rotated by way of the two motors  2 ,  3  in order to operate the flaps or ailerons that are simulated by way of the cylinders  5  and servos  6 . In this arrangement the rotation means of the corresponding shaft regions are measured by way of the actuators  7  and  12 , and the corresponding measuring data is transmitted to the central control unit  10  (see  FIG. 1 ). Furthermore, the rotation data of the shaft region near the motors  2 ,  3  is detected directly by the motors (during operation) and is also transmitted to the central control unit  10 . 
         [0036]    The motors used for adjusting the flaps measure the set positions internally with very high precision—much more precisely than is the case with presently available PPUs  7 ,  12 . In this arrangement measuring the position data or rotation data takes place for example absolutely rather than incrementally. By way of corresponding data lines this position data is then transmitted to the control unit  10 , rather than (as has been the case up to now) remaining within the motor units. 
         [0037]    If the PPU data and the motor position data are supplied to the control unit  10 , for example according to one embodiment of the present invention the motor position data can correspondingly be converted. This can for example take place following a calibration procedure which determines the zero point of the motor on the basis of the rotation data provided by the position pickup units  7 ,  12 . 
         [0038]    Consequently the rotation data measured by the motors  2 ,  3  is directly comparable with the PPU data, and in the case of failure or malfunction of a PPU, according to the invention the corresponding motor no longer needs to be switched off since positioning data is still available at the corresponding motor. 
         [0039]    Furthermore, position data of a PPU, which furnishes data that is only slightly incorrect (bit hanger), can now be detected and evaluated or used accordingly, which has not been possible up to now. 
         [0040]    According to one embodiment of the present invention the motor position data together with the data of the position pickup units  7 ,  12  is transmitted to the control unit  10  and every now and then is synchronised with the data from the position pickup unit. Consequently any motor drift that may occur can be calculated out. 
         [0041]    If for example one of the PPUs  7 ,  12  fails, the rotation data or position data of the corresponding drive motor  3 ,  2  continues to be available so that conclusive information about the position of the corresponding shaft region and thus of any dynamic effect on the shaft can continue to be obtained and the motor does not have to be switched off. 
         [0042]    According to one embodiment of the present invention the rotation data measured by the motors can be used to repair or supplement faulty or incompletely transmitted rotation data of the position pickup units  7 ,  12 . This takes place for example within the control unit  10 . Even if all position pickup units  7 ,  12  should fail, safe operation of the flap equipment or aileron equipment may still be ensured because there is still sufficient rotation data in relation to the corresponding shafts  1 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 3  shows a diagrammatic perspective detail of the device shown in  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the drive motor  2  is arranged on the end of the shaft  1  so as to rotate the shaft  1 . The load cylinder  5  is used for simulating the forces acting on the flaps or ailerons, which forces are for example caused by air resistance. 
         [0044]    By way of data lines and supply lines  15  it is for example possible to transmit rotation data measured by the motor  2  to the control unit  10  of  FIG. 1 . Of course this data transfer can also take place by way of additional data lines or wirelessly. 
         [0045]      FIG. 4  shows a diagrammatic cross sectional illustration of a shaft for operating a brake flap. As shown in  FIG. 4  the shaft  1  comprises a home position  41  that is for example a folded-in position. In this position for example the motor  2  can be synchronised with the rotation data measured by the position pickup unit  12 . By activating the motor  2  the shaft  1  then rotates by an angle α to a position  42 . According to the invention this rotation angle α can be detected both by the motor  2  and by the position pickup unit  12 . In this context the motor  3  and the position pickup unit  12  may be attached to the shaft so as to be in close proximity to each other so that they monitor the same shaft region. However, this is not mandatory. Instead, corresponding calibration procedures can be undertaken, e.g. at defined conditions, so that allocation of the motor measuring data to the position pickup unit data can for example take place in the control unit  10 . 
         [0046]    Implementation of the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments shown in the figure. Instead, a multitude of variants are imaginable which use the solution shown and the principle according to the invention even in the case of fundamentally different embodiments. 
         [0047]    In addition it should be pointed out that “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and “a” or “one” does not exclude a plural number. Furthermore, it should be pointed out that characteristics or steps which have been described with reference to one of the above embodiments can also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference characters in the claims are not to be interpreted as limitations.