PHOENIX, June 3, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell
(NYSE: HON) has unveiled a new compact "fly-by-wire" system that is
approximately the size of a paperback book. The computer packs the
"brains" of an airliner's flight controls into one system, and is
the next step towards autonomous and Urban Air Mobility
vehicles.
The flight control computer from Honeywell adds stability to
these revolutionary aircraft designs by driving electric actuators
and dynamically adjusting flight surfaces and motors for
smoothly following flight paths. It reduces turbulence and allows
designers to push the limits of aerodynamics, eliminating the need
for heavy hydraulics, control cables or pushrods.
"Honeywell's technology truly enables these innovative aircraft
to fly more safely, accelerating a whole new era in what is quickly
emerging as a new transportation economy," said Carl Esposito, president, Electronic Solutions,
Honeywell Aerospace.
The flight control computer has architectural features derived
from Honeywell's proven and certified existing compact fly-by-wire
systems for airplanes and is built to aviation industry
certification standards, providing the highest levels of
availability and integrity.
Honeywell's offering features a triplex flight control computer
architecture, providing multiple backup options and eliminating the
risk of relying on one system failure. In addition, each computer
uses lockstep processing, meaning it has two processing channels
that constantly check each other's work. These features provide the
safest and most reliable operation that will meet the future
requirements of transporting passengers in highly populated urban
areas.
Dubbed compact fly-by-wire system because the controls are
augmented by electronics versus purely manual controls, this new
compact computer can be held in one hand compared with similar
technologies installed on larger aircraft that are roughly the size
and weight of a fully loaded suitcase. Honeywell's solution will
draw less power, cost a fraction of current systems, and can be
used on multiple aircraft types, including more traditional
aircraft vehicle designs.
"Aircraft designers can use the compact flight control computer
out of the box with easy-to-use development tools," Esposito said.
"It was designed for connectivity to achieve better maintenance and
improved fleet operations."
Honeywell plans to demonstrate the new system June 11–12 at the
Uber Elevate Summit in Washington,
D.C.
This system is the latest in a series of products Honeywell is
developing for the fast-growing urban air mobility market. More
than 100 companies worldwide are designing new cargo and passenger
aircraft capable of on-demand flight across short distances, many
of them self-flying and able to take off and land vertically.
Honeywell recently exhibited its new hybrid-electric
turbogenerator prototype, designed to power the multiple propellers
and fans found on many new urban air vehicles. The turbogenerator
combines the flight-proven HTS-900 turbine with two miniaturized
generators, producing a total of 400 kilovolts — enough electricity
to power 40 average American homes running air conditioning at full
blast.
Honeywell has also signed agreements to develop navigation and
automatic landing systems for Volocopter's vertical takeoff and
landing aircraft, and to develop avionics, radios, navigation,
flight control systems, connectivity and other products for
Pipistrel's vertical takeoff and landing aircraft as well as
eViation's fully electric ALICE aircraft.
About Honeywell
Honeywell Aerospace products and services are found on virtually
every commercial, defense and space aircraft. The Aerospace
business unit builds aircraft engines, cockpit and cabin
electronics, wireless connectivity systems, mechanical components,
and more. Its hardware and software solutions create more
fuel-efficient aircraft, more direct and on-time flights, and safer
skies and airports. For more information, visit www.honeywell.com
or follow us at @Honeywell_Aero.
Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 technology
company that delivers industry-specific solutions that include
aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings
and industry; and performance materials globally. Our technologies
help everything from aircraft, buildings, manufacturing plants,
supply chains, and workers become more connected to make our world
smarter, safer and more sustainable. For more news and
information on Honeywell, please visit
www.honeywell.com/newsroom.
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SOURCE Honeywell Aerospace