Microprocessor Control of Aerospace Hydraulic Pumps

Future aircraft hydraulic circuits must become more energy efficient to meet expanding power requirements such as thrust vectoring, with a reduced airframe heat dissipation capability associated with composite materials and sustained supersonic speed operation.

The microprocessor controlled pump described herein acts as an energy management controller. Hydraulic circuit heat rejection can be reduced by scheduling the pressure, power and flow to just meet the instantaneous requirements calculated by the aircraft system computer.

Two series of “Ironbird” tests using microprocessor controlled pumps are discussed where advanced energy saving algorithms were successfully implemented. The use of the microprocessor pump controller for pump health monitoring is also described.

Finally, concepts are proposed regarding a more energy efficient hydraulic circuit that integrates a microprocessor controlled pump with “Smart Actuators”.