Civil aircraft automatic emergency descending process management and control system and control method

Abstract

The invention provides a civil aircraft automatic emergency descending process management and control system and a control method. The system comprises an emergency descent process traffic conflict handling device which is configured to receive traffic conflict alarm information from a traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) in an emergency descent process, generate a comprehensive emergency descent avoidance route plan based on the traffic conflict alarm information, and synchronously execute conflict avoidance and emergency descent; the emergency descent process manual interruption handling device is configured to receive a termination instruction input by a pilot through a hardware switch and automatically generate a descent-to-level flight transition plan after emergency descent is terminated; and the emergency descending end-to-level flight transition process device is configured to automatically generate a level flight transition path plan based on the current flight state when the target safe height is reached, and maintain the level flight state to wait for a pilot to take over.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of aviation flight control technology, and in particular to a civil aircraft automatic emergency descent process management and control system and a control method. Background Art

[0002] At cruising altitude, the cabin depressurizes rapidly, shortening the effective human consciousness period. The flight crew must quickly and manually execute the emergency descent procedure to descend quickly to a safe altitude, placing a heavy workload on the crew. The cabin depressurizes slowly, disabling the crew and making it impossible to manually execute the emergency descent procedure.

[0003] Therefore, the aircraft should be equipped with an automatic emergency descent system and emergency descent method. In an emergency situation, the system can automatically trigger an emergency descent and descend to a safe altitude, reducing the crew's operating burden.

[0004] Accordingly, there is an urgent need for a high-safety, low-operation-burden civil aircraft automatic emergency descent process management and control system and control method. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In response to the above technical problems, the present invention provides an automatic emergency descent control solution that supports manual interruption control, dynamic conflict avoidance and level flight transition planning, which solves the problems of high operating load, lack of interruption capability and insufficient transition management in the existing technology.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a civil aircraft automatic emergency descent process control system is provided, which includes: an emergency descent process traffic conflict handling device, which is configured to receive traffic conflict warning information from a traffic collision avoidance system TCAS during the emergency descent process, generate a comprehensive emergency descent avoidance route plan based on the traffic conflict warning information, and synchronously execute conflict avoidance and emergency descent; an emergency descent process manual interruption handling device, which is configured to receive a termination instruction input by the pilot through a hardware switch, and automatically generate a descent to level flight transition plan after terminating the emergency descent; and an emergency descent end to level flight transition process device, which is configured to automatically generate a level flight transition path plan based on the current flight status when reaching the target safe altitude, maintain the level flight status and wait for the pilot to take over.

[0007] In one embodiment, the traffic conflict handling device during the emergency descent process generates a compound avoidance instruction including heading adjustment and altitude maintenance during the traffic alert TA stage. The compound avoidance instruction is executed synchronously with the emergency descent instruction and has a time window constraint.

[0008] In another embodiment, the emergency descent process manual interruption handling device includes a hard control knob input interface, which triggers the flight trajectory smooth transition algorithm after detecting the change in the knob state, and generates a level flight transition plan including heading maintenance and speed maintenance.

[0009] In another embodiment, the emergency descent end to level flight transition process device includes a route management unit, which is configured to generate a transition plan including a target airport navigation path based on current GPS coordinates, remaining fuel, and weather data.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling an automatic emergency descent of a civil aircraft is provided, the method comprising: detecting an emergency descent triggering condition; monitoring traffic conflict warning information from a Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) in real time during the emergency descent; generating a compound avoidance instruction including a vertical speed adjustment upon receiving the TCAS traffic conflict warning information; executing a smooth transition of a descent to level flight trajectory in response to a manual termination instruction; and automatically generating a level flight transition plan including heading hold and speed maintenance upon reaching a target safe altitude.

[0011] In one embodiment, generating a compound avoidance instruction including vertical speed adjustment includes: generating a compound avoidance instruction including heading adjustment and altitude hold in the traffic alert TA stage, wherein the compound avoidance instruction is executed synchronously with the emergency descent instruction and has a time window constraint.

[0012] In another embodiment, executing a smooth transition of a descent to level flight trajectory in response to a manual termination command includes: triggering a flight trajectory smooth transition algorithm after detecting a knob state change at a hard control knob input interface, and generating a level flight transition plan including heading maintenance and speed maintenance.

[0013] In another embodiment, automatically generating a level flight transition plan route including heading maintenance and speed maintenance includes: generating a transition plan including a target airport navigation path based on current GPS coordinates, remaining fuel, and weather data.

[0014] In another embodiment, the compound avoidance instruction includes a phased execution strategy to restore the original emergency descent trajectory in an asymptotically regressive manner after the conflict is resolved.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, a civil aircraft is provided, which includes the civil aircraft automatic emergency descent process control system as described above.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the solution for automatic emergency descent control provided by the present invention has at least the following advantages:

[0017] 1) It can receive conflict avoidance information from TCAS, generate a comprehensive emergency descent avoidance route plan, and implement avoidance and descent simultaneously, improving safety and saving time.

[0018] 2) During descent, the pilot can terminate the descent using a hard-control knob input based on the aircraft's status (e.g., cabin pressure recovery). The system detects the manual termination command in real time, terminates the descent, and automatically plans and manages the transition from descent to level flight, waiting for the pilot to take over subsequent flight control. This significantly increases flight stability.

[0019] 3) After reaching the target altitude, the system automatically plans and manages the transition from descent to level flight, waiting for the pilot to take over the aircraft; this greatly enhances flight safety.

[0020] These and other features and advantages will become apparent from reading the following detailed description and referring to the associated drawings.It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are illustrative only and are not restrictive of the aspects claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 4 is a schematic block diagram of a civil aircraft automatic emergency descent process control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 1 is a schematic system architecture of a civil aircraft automatic emergency descent process control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 4 is a flow chart of a method for controlling an automatic emergency descent of a civil aircraft according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 2 is a schematic diagram of a control method for a civil aircraft automatic emergency descent process management and control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the features of the present invention will be further apparent in the following detailed description. In the following detailed description, many specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the described exemplary embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the described embodiments can be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other exemplary embodiments, well-known structures or processing steps are not described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0026] In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the term "A or B" used in this specification refers to "A and B" and "A or B", and does not mean excluding A and B. Similarly, the term "A and / or B" used in this specification refers to "A and B" and "A or B".

[0027] The Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) is a computer system installed on medium and large aircraft to prevent mid-air collisions. TCAS II, currently available on mainstream aircraft, provides both Traffic Alerts (TAs) and Resolution Advisories (RAs), guiding pilots to avoid collisions through voice commands and vertical speed indicators, with an effective warning time of 25-40 seconds. Compared to TCAS I, which only provides TA alerts, TCAS II also includes RA coordination to ensure that two aircraft's maneuvers do not conflict.

[0028] The A350 features an automatic emergency descent function, which automatically arm and engage based on cabin pressure. Pilots can also manually engage the function. Automatic emergency descent is a vertical mode of autopilot. It operates through the interaction of autoflight / steering and autothrottle. This function primarily addresses the lack of flight planning and management during the transition from descent to level flight after reaching the target altitude.

[0029] In order to solve the problems of high operating load, lack of interruption capability and insufficient transition management in the prior art, the present invention provides a civil aircraft automatic emergency descent process control system and control method to solve the above problems, which supports manual interruption control, dynamic conflict avoidance and level flight transition planning.

[0030] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a civil aircraft automatic emergency landing process control system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 The boxes in the figure are explained as different components, but the functions described above with respect to these boxes can be implemented by a single hardware, software, or combined component or a combination of various components. They can be carried on the same or different airborne systems, can be implemented by an integrated module controller, or can be concentrated in a specific functional module (such as flight control).

[0031] In some aspects, the system 100 may include an emergency descent traffic conflict handling device 110, configured to receive traffic conflict alert information from a traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) during the emergency descent, generate a comprehensive emergency descent avoidance route plan based on the traffic conflict alert information, and simultaneously execute conflict avoidance and emergency descent. In one example, the emergency descent traffic conflict handling device 110 may communicate with the TCAS in real time during the descent to obtain potential conflict information and avoidance information. Based on the avoidance information provided by the TCAS, the device may generate an intermediate target altitude, target position, and speed for safe avoidance, thereby planning and managing a safe route. Once the conflict risk is resolved, the system 100 automatically returns to the normal descent process. In another example, during the emergency descent, if computing resources are limited or system latency is excessive, the TCAS may generate an avoidance plan in advance to the TA stage if a traffic conflict is detected. Furthermore, the emergency descent traffic conflict handling device 110 generates a composite avoidance command, including a heading adjustment and altitude hold, during the traffic alert TA stage. This composite avoidance command is executed synchronously with the emergency descent command and is subject to a time window constraint.

[0032] In some aspects, the system 100 may include: an emergency descent process manual interruption handling device 120, which is used to receive the termination instruction input by the pilot through a hardware switch, and automatically generate a descent to level flight transition plan after terminating the emergency descent. In one example, the emergency descent process manual interruption handling device 120 may include a hard control knob input interface, which triggers the flight trajectory smooth transition algorithm after detecting a change in the knob state, and generates a level flight transition plan including heading maintenance and speed maintenance. In another example, the human-computer interaction method that supports the pilot to interrupt the descent at any time can be a cockpit hardware switch or a soft control interface operation. After descending to a safe altitude, the pilot intervenes in any way, and the automatic emergency descent ends.

[0033] In some aspects, system 100 may include an emergency descent end to level flight transition process device 130 configured to automatically generate a level flight transition path plan based on the current flight status upon reaching a target safe altitude, maintaining the level flight state while awaiting pilot takeover. In one example, emergency descent end to level flight transition process device 130 may include a route management unit configured to generate a transition plan including a navigation path to the target airport based on current GPS coordinates, remaining fuel, and weather data.

[0034] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the architecture of a civil aircraft automatic emergency descent process control system 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the system 200 may include an emergency descent process traffic conflict handling module, an emergency descent process manual interruption handling module, and an emergency descent end to level flight transition process module (corresponding to the following respectively: Figure 1The emergency descent process traffic conflict handling device 110, the emergency descent process manual interruption handling device 120 and the emergency descent end to level flight transition process device 130 described in the above can be implemented by a control module. In one example, the emergency descent process traffic conflict handling module can communicate with the traffic warning and anti-collision protection equipment in real time during the descent process to obtain potential conflict information and avoidance information, and generate an intermediate target altitude, target position and speed based on the avoidance information provided by the traffic warning and anti-collision protection equipment for safe avoidance, so as to plan and manage the safe route. In another example, the emergency descent process manual interruption handling module can trigger the flight trajectory smooth transition algorithm after the cockpit control device detects the manual terminal instruction, and generate a level flight transition plan including heading maintenance and speed maintenance. In another example, the emergency descent end to level flight transition process module can generate a transition plan including the navigation path of the target airport based on the current position, remaining fuel and meteorological data obtained from the navigation equipment.

[0035] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating a method 300 for controlling an automatic emergency descent of a civil aircraft according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided. The method 300 is a method for controlling an automatic emergency descent of a civil aircraft by a control system (e.g., as described above). Figure 1 Civil aircraft automatic emergency landing process control system 100, Figure 2 An example of executing a civil aircraft automatic emergency descent control method in a civil aircraft automatic emergency descent process management system 200, etc.

[0036] like Figure 3 As shown in , in some aspects, method 300 may include: detecting an emergency descent triggering condition (block 230). For example, system 100 or system 200 may detect an emergency descent triggering condition (e.g., automatically arming and engaging based on cabin pressure, or manually engaging the emergency descent by the pilot).

[0037] like Figure 3 As further shown in FIG, in some aspects, the method 300 may include: monitoring traffic conflict warning information of a traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) in real time during the emergency descent process (block 320). For example, the system 100 (e.g., using the emergency descent process traffic conflict handling device 110) or the system 200 (e.g., using the emergency descent process traffic conflict handling module) may receive traffic conflict warning information from the traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS), as described above.

[0038] like Figure 3As further shown in FIG, in some aspects, method 300 may include, upon receiving a TCAS traffic conflict alert message, generating a compound avoidance instruction including a vertical speed adjustment (block 330). For example, system 100 (e.g., using the emergency descent process traffic conflict handling device 110) or system 200 (e.g., using the emergency descent process traffic conflict handling module) may generate a comprehensive emergency descent avoidance route plan based on the traffic conflict alert message, and simultaneously execute conflict avoidance and the emergency descent, as described above. In one example, generating the compound avoidance instruction including the vertical speed adjustment may include, during the traffic alert (TA) phase, generating a compound avoidance instruction including a heading adjustment and an altitude hold, the compound avoidance instruction being executed simultaneously with the emergency descent instruction and having a time window constraint. In another example, the compound avoidance instruction includes a phased execution strategy, whereby the original emergency descent trajectory is restored in an asymptotically regressive manner after the conflict is resolved.

[0039] like Figure 3 As further shown in FIG3 , in some aspects, method 300 may include executing a smooth descent-to-level flight trajectory transition in response to a manual termination instruction (block 340). For example, system 100 (e.g., using the emergency descent process manual interruption handling device 120 or the emergency descent termination-to-level flight transition process device 130) or system 200 (e.g., using the emergency descent process manual interruption handling module or the emergency descent termination-to-level flight transition process module) may receive a termination instruction input by the pilot via a hardware switch and execute a smooth descent-to-level flight trajectory transition, as described above. In one example, executing a smooth descent-to-level flight trajectory transition in response to the manual termination instruction may include triggering a flight trajectory smoothing algorithm upon detecting a knob state change at a hard control knob input interface, generating a level flight transition plan including heading hold and speed maintenance.

[0040] like Figure 3 As further shown in FIG. 3 , in some aspects, the method 300 may include automatically generating a level flight transition plan including heading hold and speed hold upon reaching the target safety altitude (block 350). For example, the system 100 (e.g., using the actuator ( Figure 1 (not shown)) or system 200 (e.g., using an execution module) can automatically plan and manage the descent-to-level flight transition process, waiting for the pilot to take over the subsequent flight. In one example, automatically generating a level flight transition plan route that includes heading and speed maintenance may include generating a transition plan that includes a navigation path to the target airport based on current GPS coordinates, remaining fuel, and weather data.

[0041] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a control method 400 for a civil aircraft automatic emergency landing process control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2The system 200 described in the above embodiment implements automatic emergency descent of a civil aircraft and generates a transition plan after the descent is completed through interaction between various modules. The interaction relationship between the modules and the control flow are as follows:

[0042] During the emergency descent, real-time monitoring of the traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) traffic conflict warning information is performed to determine whether TCAS activates RA.

[0043] If it is determined that TCAS has activated RA(Y), a route plan including a new target altitude and speed is generated based on the received TCAS information for collision avoidance;

[0044] Execute avoidance plans;

[0045] Determine whether the avoidance is completed;

[0046] If the avoidance is completed (Y), the original descent plan is executed; if the avoidance is not completed (N), the avoidance plan is returned to execution;

[0047] If it is determined that TCAS has not activated RA(N), then determining whether a pilot-input termination command has been received;

[0048] If it is determined that the termination instruction (Y) input by the pilot has been received, a new flight plan is generated based on the current altitude and the target airport;

[0049] Execute new flight plans;

[0050] If it is determined that the pilot has not input the termination command (N), continue to descend;

[0051] Determine whether the target altitude has been reached;

[0052] If it is determined that the target altitude (N) has not been reached, the process returns to determining whether TCAS has activated RA. If it is determined that the target altitude (Y) has been reached, a new flight plan is generated based on the current altitude and the target airport.

[0053] Execute new flight plans;

[0054] After executing the new flight plan, if the pilot intervenes, the automatic emergency descent ends.

[0055] The various steps and modules of the methods, devices, and systems described above can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. If implemented in hardware, the various illustrative steps, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the present disclosure can be implemented or executed using a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic components, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a processor, a microprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, or a state machine, etc. If implemented in software, the various illustrative steps and modules described in conjunction with the present disclosure can be stored or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium. The software modules that implement the various operations of the present disclosure can reside in a storage medium, such as RAM, flash memory, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, registers, hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM, cloud storage, etc. The storage medium can be coupled to a processor so that the processor can read and write information from / to the storage medium and execute the corresponding program modules to implement the various steps of the present disclosure. Moreover, software-based embodiments can be uploaded, downloaded, or remotely accessed through appropriate communication means. Such appropriate communication means include, for example, the Internet, the World Wide Web, an intranet, software applications, cable (including fiber optic cables), magnetic communication, electromagnetic communication (including RF, microwave and infrared communication), electronic communication or other such communication means.

[0056] The numerical values ​​given in the various embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, as a whole, the technical solution may include other components or steps not listed in the claims or the specification. Furthermore, a single name for a component does not preclude the use of other names for that component.

[0057] It should also be noted that these embodiments may be described as processes depicted as flow charts, flow diagrams, structure diagrams, or block diagrams. Although a flow chart may describe the operations as sequential processes, many of these operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of these operations can be rearranged.

[0058] The disclosed methods, devices, and systems should not be limited in any way. On the contrary, the present disclosure covers all novel and non-obvious features and aspects of the various disclosed embodiments (alone and in various combinations and subcombinations with each other). The disclosed methods, devices, and systems are not limited to any specific aspect or feature or combination thereof, nor do any disclosed embodiments require any one or more specific advantages or solutions to specific or all technical problems.

[0059] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned specific embodiments. The above-mentioned specific embodiments are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Under the guidance of the present invention, ordinary technicians in this field can make many forms without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention and the claims. These all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A civil aircraft automatic emergency descent process control system, characterized by: include: a traffic conflict handling device during an emergency descent, configured to receive traffic conflict warning information from a traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) during an emergency descent, generate an avoidance route plan for a comprehensive emergency descent based on the traffic conflict warning information, and simultaneously execute conflict avoidance and emergency descent; A manual interruption handling device for the emergency descent process, which is configured to receive a termination instruction input by the pilot through a hardware switch and automatically generate a descent-to-level flight transition plan after terminating the emergency descent; as well as The emergency descent ends and the transition process to level flight is configured to automatically generate a level flight transition path plan based on the current flight status when the target safety altitude is reached, and maintain the level flight status and wait for the pilot to take over.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The traffic conflict handling device during the emergency descent process generates a compound avoidance instruction including heading adjustment and altitude maintenance during the traffic alert TA stage. The compound avoidance instruction is executed synchronously with the emergency descent instruction and has a time window constraint.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The emergency descent process manual interruption handling device includes a hard control knob input interface, which triggers the flight trajectory smooth transition algorithm after detecting a change in the knob state, and generates a level flight transition plan including heading maintenance and speed maintenance.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The emergency descent end to level flight transition process device includes a route management unit, which is configured to generate a transition plan including a target airport navigation path based on current GPS coordinates, remaining fuel, and meteorological data.

5. A method for controlling automatic emergency descent of a civil aircraft, characterized in that: include: Detect emergency descent triggering conditions; Real-time monitoring of traffic collision avoidance system TCAS traffic conflict warning information during emergency descent; generating a compound avoidance instruction including a vertical speed adjustment upon receiving the TCAS traffic conflict warning information; executing a smooth transition of a descent to level flight trajectory in response to a manual termination command; When reaching the target safe altitude, a level flight transition plan including heading maintenance and speed maintenance is automatically generated.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that Generating a compound avoidance instruction including vertical speed adjustment includes: generating a compound avoidance instruction including heading adjustment and altitude hold in the traffic alert TA stage, wherein the compound avoidance instruction is executed synchronously with the emergency descent instruction and has a time window constraint.

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that Executing a smooth transition of a descent to level flight trajectory in response to a manual termination instruction includes: triggering a flight trajectory smooth transition algorithm after detecting a knob state change at a hard control knob input interface, and generating a level flight transition plan including heading maintenance and speed maintenance.

8. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that Automatically generate a level flight transition plan route that includes heading and speed maintenance, including: generating a transition plan including a navigation path to the target airport based on current GPS coordinates, remaining fuel, and weather data.

9. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The compound avoidance instruction includes a phased execution strategy, and restores the original emergency descent trajectory in an asymptotic regression manner after the conflict is resolved.

10. A civil aircraft, characterized in that: It comprises a civil aircraft automatic emergency descent process control system as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

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