US 12580510 B2 / Mar 17, 2026

Systems and methods for electric damping of aircraft flight control surfaces and propellers

An aircraft system for damping movement of a structural flight element. The aircraft system including a moveable aircraft structure, a power source, a controller, a resistor, and a first transistor connected in series to the resistor. When the power source of the aircraft is providing power, the controller controls the first transistor to prevent current flow through its terminals and through the resistor. Further, when the power source of the aircraft is not providing power, the first transistor allows current generated by a back EMF (electromotive force) voltage to flow through its terminals and through the resistor, the back EMF voltage being created by movement of the moveable aircraft structure.