US 12709380 B2 / Aug 18, 2026

Electrical servo system for a flight control surface, method of detecting sensor failure, and method for determining correct function of a movement related flight control surface sensor

Electrical servo system for a flight control surface comprising: a flight control surface moveable with respect to a mounting portion; an electric actuator configured to actuate the flight control surface; at least one movement-related flight control surface sensor, which is configured to acquire a quantity related to a movement of the flight control surface; at least one movement-related actuator sensor, which is configured to acquire a quantity related to a movement of the actuator. In order to enhance control accuracy, a controller is provided, which is configured to control according to a cascaded closed loop control, wherein the at least one movement-related flight control surface sensor is used in an outer closed loop control for movement control of the flight control surface, and the at least one movement-related actuator sensor is used in an inner closed loop control for movement control of the actuator.