System and method for planning automatic emergency descending route of civil aircraft

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and a method for planning an automatic emergency descending route of a civil aircraft. In the technical scheme of the invention, after automatic emergency descent is switched on, a responder code, an emergency descent target height and a target airport are sent to an ATC, and a direct descent route plan is generated and executed according to the current height and position and the target height and position in a direct descent mode. And generating an offset route plan according to the current height and position in the normal descending mode, generating a descending route plan according to the current height and position and the target height and position after the offset route plan is executed, and executing the route plan.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of automatic emergency descent of civil aircraft, and in particular to a system and method for automatic emergency descent route planning of civil aircraft. Background Art

[0002] When the cabin depressurizes rapidly at cruising altitude, the crew's effective awareness period is short, and the flight crew must quickly and manually execute the emergency descent procedure to descend to a safe altitude, which places a heavy workload on the crew. If the cabin depressurizes slowly, the crew may become incapacitated, making it impossible to manually execute the emergency descent procedure, which could result in a fatal crash.

[0003] Therefore, aircraft should be equipped with an automatic emergency descent system and method. In emergency situations, the system can automatically trigger the emergency descent and descend to a safe altitude according to the planned route, reducing the crew's operational burden. However, existing automatic emergency descent solutions do not differentiate between rapid and slow decompression strategies. In the case of rapid decompression, the descent may be too slow, failing to ensure the safety of the aircraft and its occupants. Furthermore, there is a lack of planning for the route between the automatic emergency descent and the target altitude.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a method and system for further improving the existing automatic emergency descent solution. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This Summary is provided to introduce some concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0006] In order to solve the problems in the prior art, an improved method and system are needed to conveniently implement descent route planning for different emergency descent modes.

[0007] The present invention is made for this purpose. The present invention provides a system and method for automatic emergency descent route planning for civil aircraft. In the technical solution of the present invention, after automatic emergency descent is engaged, a transponder code, as well as the emergency descent target altitude and target airport, are transmitted to ATC. In direct descent mode, a direct descent route plan is generated and executed based on the current altitude and position, as well as the target altitude and position. In normal descent mode, an offset route plan is generated based on the current altitude and position, and after executing the offset route plan, a descent route plan is generated and executed based on the current altitude and position, as well as the target altitude and position.

[0008] Specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, a system for automatic emergency descent route planning for a civil aircraft is disclosed, the system comprising:

[0009] an ATC communication module configured to inform ATC of the transponder code and the target altitude and target airport of the emergency descent upon engagement of the automatic emergency descent;

[0010] a descent mode on-off module configured to determine whether the descent mode is a direct mode or a normal descent mode;

[0011] The route plan generation module is configured to:

[0012] generating a direct descent route plan according to the current altitude and the current position and the target altitude and the target position when the descent mode is the direct descent mode;

[0013] generating an offset route plan according to the current altitude and the current position if the descent mode is the normal descent mode and generating a descent route plan according to the current altitude and the current position and the target altitude and the target position after executing the offset route plan; and

[0014] The route plan execution module is configured to:

[0015] In a case where the descent mode is the direct descent mode, the direct descent route plan is executed; in a case where the descent mode is the normal descent mode, the offset route plan is first executed and then the descent route plan is executed.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the transponder code is a 7700 code.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the descent mode is determined based on the cabin pressure change rate before the automatic emergency descent is engaged.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the direct descent mode is a deflection-while-descent mode, and the normal descent mode is a deflection-completed-descend mode.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, the current altitude and the target airport are received from a flight control system, the current position is received from a navigation system, and the target altitude is determined before the automatic emergency descent is engaged based on the current altitude and route information from the flight control system.

[0020] In the above embodiment of the present invention, the direct descent route plan, the offset route plan, and the descent route plan are sent to the flight control system, and each includes the following information: the target altitude, the target position, the target speed, and the target heading.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the route plan generation module is further configured to generate an idle thrust instruction and a spoiler control surface instruction associated with the direct descent route plan or the descent route plan, and send the idle thrust instruction and the spoiler control surface instruction to the route plan execution module so that the throttle is placed in idle slow and the speed brake is opened while executing the direct descent route plan or the descent route plan.

[0022] In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for automatic emergency descent route planning for a civil aircraft is disclosed, the method comprising:

[0023] Inform ATC of the transponder code, target altitude, and target airport for the emergency descent when the automatic emergency descent is engaged;

[0024] Determine whether the descent mode is direct mode or normal descent mode;

[0025] generating a direct descent route plan based on the current altitude and current position and the target altitude and target position and executing the direct descent route plan if the descent mode is the direct descent mode; and

[0026] When the descent mode is the normal descent mode, an offset route plan is generated and executed according to the current altitude and current position and after executing the offset route plan, a descent route plan is generated and executed according to the current altitude and current position and the target altitude and the target position.

[0027] In one embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes generating an idle thrust command and a spoiler control surface command associated with the direct descent route plan or the descent route plan, so as to place the throttle at idle and deploy the speed brake while executing the direct descent route plan or the descent route plan.

[0028] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a computer-readable storage medium having instructions is disclosed, the instructions comprising:

[0029] Instructions for communicating the transponder code, target altitude, and target airport for the emergency descent to ATC when the automatic emergency descent is engaged;

[0030] Instructions for determining whether the descent mode is direct mode or normal descent mode;

[0031] Instructions for generating a direct descent route plan based on the current altitude and current position and the target altitude and target position and executing the direct descent route plan if the descent mode is the direct descent mode; and

[0032] Instructions for generating and executing an offset route plan based on the current altitude and current position when the descent mode is the normal descent mode, and for generating and executing a descent route plan based on the current altitude and current position and the target altitude and target position after executing the offset route plan.

[0033] After studying the description of the specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, other aspects, features and embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Although features of the present invention may be discussed below with respect to certain embodiments and drawings, all embodiments of the present invention may include one or more of the advantageous features discussed herein. In other words, although one or more embodiments may be discussed as having certain advantageous features, one or more of such features may also be used according to the various embodiments of the present invention discussed herein. In a similar manner, although exemplary embodiments may be discussed below as equipment, means or method embodiments, it should be appreciated that such exemplary embodiments may be implemented in various equipment, devices, and methods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] In order that the manner in which the above-recited features of the present disclosure may be understood in detail, a more particular description of the content briefly summarized above may be obtained by reference to various aspects, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only certain typical aspects of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, as the description may admit to other equally effective aspects.

[0035] Figure 1 It is a schematic block diagram of a system for automatic emergency descent route planning for a civil aircraft according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 2 The present invention is a flowchart of a method for automatic emergency descent route planning for a civil aircraft according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The various embodiments will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings that form a part of the present invention and illustrate specific exemplary embodiments. However, the embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limiting the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is thorough and complete and the scope of these embodiments is fully conveyed to those skilled in the art. The embodiments may be implemented as methods, devices, or apparatuses. Accordingly, the embodiments may be implemented in hardware, in full software, or in a combination of software and hardware. Therefore, the following detailed description is not intended to be limiting.

[0038] The steps in each flowchart may be performed by hardware (e.g., a processor, an engine, a memory, a circuit), software (e.g., an operating system, an application, a driver, a machine / processor executable instruction), or a combination thereof. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the methods involved in each embodiment may include more or fewer steps than shown.

[0039] In view of the fact that the automatic emergency descent scheme in the prior art does not differentiate between the strategies for rapid decompression and slow decompression, and may descend too slowly in the case of rapid decompression, making it impossible to ensure the safety of the aircraft and the people on board, and the lack of planning for the route between the automatic emergency descent and the target altitude, the present invention proposes an improved solution. In the technical solution of the present invention, a transponder code and the emergency descent target altitude and target airport are sent to ATC after the automatic emergency descent is connected, and a direct descent route plan is generated and executed based on the current altitude and position as well as the target altitude and position in direct descent mode, and an offset route plan is generated and executed based on the current altitude and position in normal descent mode, and after executing the offset route plan, a descent route plan is generated and executed based on the current altitude and position as well as the target altitude and position.

[0040] Various aspects of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0041] Figure 1 FIG1 is a schematic block diagram of a system 100 for automatic emergency descent route planning for civil aircraft according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The following describes various modules in the system 100 , which can interact with the ATC, flight control system, and navigation system.

[0042] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may include an ATC communication module 102. In this embodiment, the ATC communication module 102 may be configured to notify ATC (Air Traffic Control) of a transponder code, a target altitude, and a target airport for the emergency descent when the automatic emergency descent is engaged. In one embodiment of the present invention, the transponder code may be a 7700 code, and the target airport may be received from the flight control system.

[0043] In one embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may further include a descent mode on / off module 104. In this embodiment, the descent mode on / off module 104 may be configured to determine whether the descent mode is a direct mode or a normal descent mode. In one embodiment of the present invention, the descent mode may be determined based on the cabin pressure change rate before the automatic emergency descent is turned on, and the direct descent mode may be a deflection-while-descent mode, and the normal descent mode may be a deflection-complete-and-descend mode. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the descent mode may be any other suitable mode, and is not limited to the deflection-while-descent mode and the deflection-complete-and-descend mode.

[0044] In one embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may further include a route plan generating module 106. In this embodiment, the route plan generating module 106 may be configured to: generate a direct descent route plan based on the current altitude and current position, as well as the target altitude and target position, when the descent mode is the direct descent mode; and generate an offset route plan based on the current altitude and current position, and generate a descent route plan based on the current altitude and current position, as well as the target altitude and target position, after executing the offset route plan.

[0045] In one embodiment of the present invention, the current altitude may be received from the flight control system, the current position may be received from the navigation system, and the target altitude for the emergency descent may be determined based on the current altitude and route information from the flight control system before the automatic emergency descent is engaged. In the above embodiment of the present invention, the direct descent route plan, the offset route plan, and the descent route plan may be sent to the flight control system by the route plan generation module 106, and each may include the following information: emergency descent target altitude, target position, target speed, and target heading.

[0046] In one embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may further include a route plan execution module 108. In this embodiment, the route plan execution module 108 may be configured to: execute the direct descent route plan when the descent mode is the direct descent mode; and first execute the offset route plan and then execute the descent route plan when the descent mode is the normal descent mode. In another embodiment of the present invention, the route plan generation module 106 may be further configured to generate an idle thrust command and a spoiler control surface command associated with the route plan when (or after) generating the direct descent route plan or the descent route plan, and send the idle thrust command and the spoiler control surface command to the route plan execution module 108 so that the throttle is placed in idle slow and the speed brake is opened while executing the direct descent route plan or the descent route plan. In another embodiment of the present invention, the route plan execution module 108 may be further configured to execute the route plan based on the target altitude, target position, target speed, and target heading received from the flight control system and included in the corresponding route plan generated by the route plan generation module 106.

[0047] Figure 2 4 is a flowchart of a method 200 for automatic emergency descent route planning for a civil aircraft according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] like Figure 2 As shown, method 200 begins at step 202, where a transponder code, a target altitude, and a target airport for the emergency descent are notified to ATC upon engagement of the automatic emergency descent. In one embodiment of the present invention, the transponder code may be a 7700 code, the target airport may be received from the flight control system, and the target altitude is determined before engagement of the automatic emergency descent based on the current altitude and route information from the flight control system.

[0049] Next, method 200 proceeds to step 204 to determine whether the descent mode is a direct descent mode or a normal descent mode. In one embodiment of the present invention, the descent mode may be determined based on the cabin pressure change rate before the automatic emergency descent is engaged. The direct descent mode may be a deflection-while-descent mode, and the normal descent mode may be a deflection-completed-descent mode.

[0050] Then, method 200 proceeds to step 206, where, if the descent mode is the direct descent mode, a direct descent route plan is generated based on the current altitude and current position as well as the target altitude and target position, and the direct descent route plan is executed. In one embodiment of the present invention, the current altitude may be received from a flight control system, and the current position may be received from a navigation system.

[0051] Finally, method 200 proceeds to step 208, where, in the case where the descent mode is the normal descent mode, an offset route plan is generated and executed based on the current altitude and current position, and after executing the offset route plan, a descent route plan is generated and executed based on the current altitude and current position and the target altitude and target position. In one embodiment of the present invention, the direct descent route plan, the offset route plan, and the descent route plan may be sent to the flight control system, and may each include the following information: emergency descent target altitude, target position, target speed, and target heading. In another embodiment of the present invention, method 200 may further optionally include the following steps: Figure 2 (not shown): generating an idle thrust command and a spoiler control surface command associated with the direct descent route plan or the descent route plan, so as to place the throttle at idle and deploy the speed brake while executing the direct descent route plan or the descent route plan.

[0052] After step 208 , method 200 ends.

[0053] In summary, the present invention divides automatic emergency descent into a deflection-and-then-descent mode and a deflection-while-descent mode. Different flight plans are generated and executed according to different descent modes. Direct descent is selected for emergency situations, which can reduce descent time, reduce crew burden, and reduce the probability of injury to crew members.

[0054] Embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the block diagrams and / or operational descriptions of methods and apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention. The functions / actions indicated in the blocks may appear in an order different from that shown in any flow chart. For example, depending on the functions / actions involved, two blocks shown in succession may actually be executed substantially simultaneously, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order.

[0055] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A system for automatic emergency descent route planning for a civil aircraft, the system comprising: an ATC communication module configured to inform ATC of the transponder code and the target altitude and target airport of the emergency descent upon engagement of the automatic emergency descent; a descent mode on-off module configured to determine whether the descent mode is a direct mode or a normal descent mode; The route plan generation module is configured to: generating a direct descent route plan according to the current altitude and current position and the target altitude and target position when the descent mode is the direct descent mode; generating an offset route plan according to the current altitude and the current position when the descent mode is the normal descent mode, and generating a descent route plan according to the current altitude and the current position and the target altitude and the target position after executing the offset route plan; and a route plan execution module, which is configured to: executing the direct descent route plan when the descent mode is the direct descent mode; The offset route plan is first executed and then the descent route plan is executed in a case where the descent mode is the normal descent mode.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the transponder code is a 7700 code.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the descent mode is determined based on the cabin pressure change rate before the automatic emergency descent is engaged.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the direct descent mode is a deflection-while-descent mode, and the normal descent mode is a deflection-completed-descent mode.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the current altitude and the target airport are received from a flight control system, the current position is received from a navigation system, and the target altitude is determined before automatic emergency descent is engaged based on the current altitude and route information from the flight control system.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the direct descent route plan, the offset route plan, and the descent route plan are sent to the flight control system and each includes the following information: the target altitude, the target position, the target speed, and the target heading.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the route plan generation module is further configured to generate an idle thrust command and a spoiler control surface command associated with the direct descent route plan or the descent route plan, and send the idle thrust command and the spoiler control surface command to the route plan execution module so that the throttle is placed in idle and the speed brake is deployed while executing the direct descent route plan or the descent route plan.

8. A method for automatic emergency descent route planning for a civil aircraft, the method comprising: Inform ATC of the transponder code, target altitude, and target airport for the emergency descent when the automatic emergency descent is engaged; Determine whether the descent mode is direct mode or normal descent mode; generating a direct descent route plan according to the current altitude and current position and the target altitude and target position when the descent mode is the direct descent mode, and executing the direct descent route plan; as well as When the descent mode is the normal descent mode, an offset route plan is generated and executed according to the current altitude and current position, and after executing the offset route plan, a descent route plan is generated and executed according to the current altitude and current position and the target altitude and target position.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the method further comprises generating an idle thrust command and a spoiler surface command associated with the direct descent route plan or the descent route plan, so as to place the throttle at idle and deploy the speed brakes while executing the direct descent route plan or the descent route plan.

10. A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions, which, when executed, cause a computer to perform the method of any one of claims 8-9.

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