Switching transient simulation of redundant actuation system with mechanical backup

Although the fly-by-wire flight control system is very common in contemporary aircrafts, the emergency mechanical backup is still necessary to provide basic manual flight control in case of fly-by-wire flight control failure. The transient of mode switching is uncontrollable and unexpectable, which always causes disaster if the switch failed. The transient analysis is necessary in both the design stage and ground test stage. Based on the platform of AMESim8.0b, the hydraulic parts and mechanical parts of redundant actuation system with mechanical backup could be modeled in details. In this way, the paper simulated the switching moments when the system lost power sources one by one and degraded to mechanical backup. The simulation result shows us the reverse movement when the power is lost and uncontrollable behavior when the mechanical linkage is poorly balanced, all of which could not be expected in advance. Besides, this article also provides a good example to simulate the complicated system with hydraulic and mechanical components together.