Novel Real-Time Flight Envelope Monitoring System

The proposed innovation is an aircraft flight envelope monitoring system that will provide real-time in-cockpit estimations of aircraft flight envelope boundaries. The adaptable system will provide information on current and predicted aircraft performance and controllability, alerting the pilot to any aerodynamic degradation of the aircraft control surfaces. This includes heavy rain, in-flight icing encounters, environmental contamination of surfaces, and structural damage such as bird strikes or battle damage. The real-time monitoring system measures the unsteady control surface hinge moment from all aircraft aerodynamic controls. Control surface hinge moments are sensitive to the aerodynamics of the section, including separation. These data are processed and information on the current and predicted future state of aircraft performance and control (including asymmetric cases) is made available to the pilot or flight management system. Phase I results have shown that the hinge moment sensor concept is a viable technology for the monitoring and prediction of airfoil stall. The hinge moment monitoring system was able to provide reliable stall warning and prediction across an incredibly wide range of simulated aerodynamic hazards. The proposed aircraft flight envelope monitoring system is an integral part of an overall integrated vehicle health management system.