Programmable actuator simulation card

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10691088-B2
Application number	US-201514664296-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 20, 2015
Priority date	Mar 20, 2015
Publication date	Jun 23, 2020
Grant date	Jun 23, 2020

Abstract

An actuator simulator card that is programmable with one or more actuator simulation models is provided. The actuator simulator card may include a first interface configured to communicate with a programmable computer, a second interface configured to communicate with an actuator controller, and a simulation module in communication with each of the first interface and the second interface. The simulation module may be configured to receive at least one actuator simulation model corresponding to at least one actuator from the first interface, receive excitation signals and command signals for operating the actuator from the second interface, and determine simulated feedback signals based on the excitation signals, the command signals, and the actuator simulation model.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An actuator simulator, comprising:
a first interface configured to communicate with a programmable computer;
a second interface configured to communicate with an actuator controller that is configurable to issue signals for operating a connected actuator; and
a simulation module in communication with each of the first interface and the second interface, the simulation module being configured to:
(i) receive at least one actuator simulation model including simulated responses and behaviors corresponding to at least one actuator from the first interface;
(ii) receive, from the actuator controller via the second interface, excitation signals and command signals for invoking simulated feedback signals;
(iii) determine the simulated feedback signals based on the excitation signals, the command signals, and the actuator simulation model; and
(iv) transmit, via the second interface, the simulated feedback signals to the actuator controller for generation of test result information of the actuator controller based on the excitation signals, the command signals, and the simulated feedback signals.

2. The actuator simulator of claim 1 , further comprising a third interface configured to communicate with the actuator, the simulation module being configured to receive actual feedback signals from the actuator in response to the excitation signals and the command signals, and transmit characterization data corresponding to the actual feedback signals and the simulated feedback signals to the programmable computer through the first interface.

3. The actuator simulator of claim 2 , wherein the characterization data is configured to enable graphical views comparing actual actuator performance to theoretical actuator performance.

4. The actuator simulator of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a hydraulic actuator, the actuator simulation model is a preprogrammed model of a hydraulic actuator, and the actuator controller is a flight control computer.

5. The actuator simulator of claim 1 , wherein the command signals include commands pertaining to at least one of a desired displacement and a desired rate of displacement, and the feedback signals include at least one of an actual displacement, an actual rate of displacement, and one or more error values.

6. An actuator simulation system, comprising:
a programmable computer configured to source one or more of a plurality of actuator simulation models including simulated responses and behaviors corresponding to one or more actuators;
an actuator controller configured to transmit excitation signals and command signals to a connected actuator; and
an actuator simulator having a first interface for communicating with the programmable computer and a second interface for communicating with the actuator controller, the actuator simulator being configured to:
(i) receive at least one actuator simulation model through the first interface:
(ii) receive, from the actuator controller, the excitation signals and command signals through the second interface to invoke simulated feedback signals;
(iii) determine the simulated feedback signals based on the excitation signals, the command signals, and the actuator simulation model; and
(iv) transmit, via the second interface, the simulated feedback signals to the actuator controller for generation of test result information of the actuator controller based on the excitation signals, the command signals, and the simulated feedback signals.

7. The actuator simulation system of claim 6 , wherein the programmable computer is configured to monitor for defects in the actuator controller based on a response of the actuator controller to the simulated feedback signals.

8. The actuator simulation system of claim 7 , wherein the programmable computer is configured to monitor for defects in the actuator controller pertaining to one or more of open outputs, shorted outputs, and low-voltage conditions.

9. The actuator simulation system of claim 6 , wherein the actuator simulator includes a third interface for communicating with at least one actuator that is operatively coupled to the actuator controller and configured to generate actual feedback signals in response to the excitation signals and the command signals, the actuator simulator being configured to receive the actual feedback signals through the third interface and transmit characterization data corresponding to the actual feedback signals and the simulated feedback signals to the programmable computer through the first interface.

10. The actuator simulation system of claim 9 , wherein the programmable computer is configured to receive the characterization data from the actuator simulator and generate graphical views comparing actual actuator performance to theoretical actuator performance.

11. The actuator simulation system of claim 9 , wherein the programmable computer is configured to receive the characterization data from the actuator simulator and generate graphical views presenting failures detected in the actuator pertaining to one or more of actuator response, actuator temperature, and hydraulic pressure.

12. The actuator simulation system of claim 6 , wherein the actuator controller includes a flight control computer having an operational flight program preprogrammed therein for controlling one or more hydraulic actuators, and the actuator simulator receives an actuator simulation model which corresponds to the one or more hydraulic actuators.

13. The actuator simulation system of claim 6 , wherein the programmable computer is operatively coupled to the actuator controller and configured to control the actuator controller to issue the excitation signals and the command signals to the actuator simulator.

14. The actuator simulation system of claim 6 , wherein the programmable computer is configured to provide a graphical user interface through which one or more of the actuator simulation models may be selected for use, and through which functionality of at least one of the actuator controller and the one or more actuators may be monitored.

15. A method of simulating an actuator, comprising:
providing a first interface for communicating with a programmable computer having one or more actuator simulation models preprogrammed therein;
providing a second interface for communicating with an actuator controller having an operational program installed therein, the actuator controller being configurable to issue signals for operating a connected actuator;
selecting at least one of the actuator simulation models corresponding to the actuator to be simulated;
operating the actuator controller to issue excitation signals and command signals to invoke simulated feedback signals;
determining the simulated feedback signals based on the excitation signals, the command signals, and the selected actuator simulation model; and
transmitting, via the second interface, the simulated feedback signals to the actuator controller for generation of test result information of the actuator controller based on the excitation signals, the command signals, and the simulated feedback signals.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
monitoring the actuator controller for defects.

17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
providing a third interface for communicating with the actuator;
receiving actual feedback signals from the actuator in response to the excitation signals and the command signals; and
generating characterization data corresponding to comparisons between the actual feedback signals and the simulated feedback signals.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Moore Michael

Classifications

• G01M17/00 Primary

  Testing of vehicles (testing fluid tightness G01M3/00; testing elastic properties of bodies or chassis, e.g. torsion-testing, G01M5/00; testing alignment of vehicle headlight devices G01M11/06; testing of engines G01M15/00) · CPC title

• G01R31/2846

  using hard- or software simulation or using knowledge-based systems, e.g. expert systems, artificial intelligence or interactive algorithms · CPC title

• G01R31/2829

  Testing of circuits in sensor or actuator systems (testing of apparatus for measuring electric or magnetic variables G01R35/00; testing of indicating or recording apparatus G01D; in airbag systems B60R21/0173; checking gas analysers G01N33/007; monitoring or fail-safe circuits for electromagnets H01F7/1844) · CPC title

• B64C13/504

  using electro-hydrostatic actuators [EHA's] · CPC title

• G05B17/02

  electric · CPC title