Aileron-Air crafts/Rockets control theory

[ameeno97]

Hi all

I have majored in mechanical engineering and I have taken some basic control courses in the universities so I am wondering how to control the aileron on an air craft or fins on a rocket so as to get the path you want.

example : you want to change the air craft path to move up 10 degree (go upward to certain height) by changing the aileron position.

As a mechanical engineer, of course I know the lift and drag equations.

I know little about Inertial navigation and these things but I am ready to read every thing that could help me understanding, so do you have any experience on these area of control?

 

[viscousflow]

example : you want to change the air craft path to move up 10 degree (go upward to certain height) by changing the aileron position.

Wrong, the control surface for this is the elevator. The aileron controls rolling (banking) maneuvers this is performed by the control system whether it be fly by wire or cable. Inertial navigation is controlled by a host of sensors and satellites.

 

[ameeno97]

Wrong, the control surface for this is the elevator. The aileron controls rolling (banking) maneuvers this is performed by the control system whether it be fly by wire or cable. Inertial navigation is controlled by a host of sensors and satellites.

Sorry not to be accurate on my example, aileron is to control rolling motion,rudder for yaw axis and elevator for pitch, am I right now? :)

 

[viscousflow]

Correct.

 

[alphy]

Hi there,

Controlling the ailerons on an aircraft or fins on a rocket is a crucial aspect of flight dynamics and requires a solid understanding of control theory. The basic principle behind controlling the direction of an aircraft or rocket is by manipulating the lift and drag forces acting on the vehicle.

In the case of an aircraft, the ailerons are used to control the roll of the aircraft. By moving the ailerons up or down, the lift on one wing is increased while the lift on the other wing decreases, causing the aircraft to roll in the desired direction. This change in lift is achieved by changing the angle of attack of the wings, which is directly related to the lift and drag equations you mentioned.

Similarly, in a rocket, the fins are used to control the direction of the rocket's flight. By changing the angle of the fins, the lift and drag forces acting on the rocket are altered, causing it to change direction. This is particularly important during the initial launch phase when the rocket needs to maintain a stable trajectory.

In terms of control theory, there are various methods that can be used to control the ailerons or fins. Some commonly used methods include feedback control, where sensors are used to measure the current state of the vehicle and adjust the control inputs accordingly, and feedforward control, where the control inputs are calculated based on a desired trajectory.

Inertial navigation is also an important aspect of control, as it allows the vehicle to accurately determine its position, velocity, and orientation in space. This information is crucial for controlling the ailerons or fins and achieving the desired flight path.

I would recommend studying the fundamentals of control theory, specifically in relation to aerospace engineering, to gain a better understanding of how to control ailerons and fins in aircraft and rockets. Additionally, researching and studying the various control methods and techniques used in the aerospace industry will also be beneficial. Best of luck in your studies!