The INFLIGHT project (INovative Flight control and real-time capable LIDAR (LIGHT Detection and Ranging) airborne measurement technologies for lighter and more comfortable aircraft) focussed on the development and verification of foreward looking wind measurements for the purpose of load alleviation for small light-weight aircraft. An airborne LIDAR was installed onto a Remos GX aircraft. LIDAR measurements and airborne flight state estimation were fused in real-time and provided to a Model-Predictive-Control (MPC).
Within the INFLIGHT project, a gust load alleviation system has been developed, which uses novel sensors and model predictive control strategies to effectively alleviate gust loads and enhances passenger comfort by reducing vibrations. Systems for alleviation of loads are commonly installed in aircraft to reduce structural loads during specific flight conditions by deflecting control surfaces. State-of-the-art alleviation systems are rather simple and of limited performance. Within the project, the developed system took advantage of enhanced atmospheric measurements by means of a LIght Detection And Ranging (LIDAR) sensor to detect gust winds up to 200m ahead of the aircraft.
The early knowledge of the encountering gust allows for more sophisticated control strategies like Model Predictive Control (MPC) which in combination allow for more effectively deflect control surface in such a way that the wing root bending moment can be reduced and thus pave the way for reduced structural weight and fuel savings. Such weight reduction would directly affect the fuel consumption and moreover the CO2 emission in a positive way and will contribute to a more economic and safe air travel. Additionally, control aims to reduce inflight vibrations can be formulated, which enhances passenger comfort and passenger safety. The gust load alleviation system had been be installed on an ultra-light aircraft.
The following partners were part of INFLIGHT:
The project started in January 2018 and ended in March 2022. INFLIGHT received funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy LuFo V-3 under grant agreement no 20Q1711A-C.
Kontakt
Prof. Dr.-Ing. PeterHecker
fon: +49 531 391 9801, E-Mail: peter.hecker(at)tu-braunschweig.de
Dr. Meiko Steen
fon: +49 531 391 9837, E-Mail: m.steen(at)tu-braunschweig.de