Patent ID: 7007897

Claim:
A flight control actuation system for use in a flight control system comprising: an electromechanical actuator responsive to a control signal, for operating a flight control surface, the electromechanical actuator operable to supply a load signal representative of a load thereon; a pneumatic supply module responsive to a load assist signal for selectively supplying a flow of pressurized gas; a pneumatic actuator responsive to the flow pressurized gas for assisting the electromechanical actuator, to thereby reduce the load on the electromechanical actuator; and a controller coupled to receive an input signal and the load signal and operable, in response thereto, to (i) supply the control signal to the electromechanical actuator, (ii) determine the load on the electromechanical actuator, and (iii) supply the load assist signal if the load on the electromechanical actuator exceeds a predetermined value.