Adding backup engines to enhance aircraft safety
Auxiliary engines with intelligent activation in emergencies address flight safety and operational efficiency challenges by ensuring continued flight and control, integrating weight management and fuel efficiency.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- AL-GABAB SALEH
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-23
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Figure SA2025050054_23072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Title: Adding Auxiliary Engines to Enhance Aircraft Safety
[0002] Detailed Description:
[0003] Background of the Invention:
[0004] This invention aims to address some of the security and operational challenges faced by commercial aircraft in emergency situations, particularly in the event of a primary engine failure. One of the most significant risks aircraft face is flying with only one engine, which leads to a substantial decrease in performance and maneuverability, especially In adverse weather conditions or during emergencies. Furthermore, relying on the backup power unit (APU) can be problematic due to Its failure, potentially compromising the aircraft's essential systems. In such circumstances, the aircraft becomes less able to control its course, potentially endangering passengers and the aircraft itself.
[0005] It is crucial to modify the aircraft's systems without sacrificing the entire aircraft.
[0006] This is why the need arose to add backup engines that can be automatically activated in emergencies to ensure continued flight and aircraft control without significantly impacting operational efficiency or fuel consumption.
[0007] The invention also addresses issues related to aircraft weight balance and fuel efficiency by designing backup engines that operate idle during normal flights, thus reducing fuel consumption and maintaining operational economy. Overall, this innovation addresses numerous concerns regarding aviation safety in emergency situations and aims to improve safety in commercial aviation while enhancing operational efficiency.
[0008] In a thorough examination of existing technologies and previous attempts to address bird strikes and engine failures In flight, no comprehensive technological solutions have been found that provide sufficient safety to tackle these challenges. While some studies and innovations address specific aspects of these problems, most do not offer effective solutions to mitigate the risks posed by bird strikes or engine failures during critical phases of flight. Current research has revealed a lack of advanced technological solutions that encompass all aspects of these issues, both in terms of prevention and recovery from engine failure. This necessitates the development of new technologies based on advanced sensing technologies or innovations in materials and mechanical systems. Status of Previous Technologies:
[0009] 1. Details of Previous Technologies: Some innovations that may have existed but were not comprehensive or sufficiently effective were mentioned.
[0010] 2. Alternative Solutions: It was clarified that alternative solutions were insufficient for both prevention and emergency response.
[0011] 3. Although some research exists on hybrid systems, no known existing technology adds Actual, medium-powered backup engines, operating in idle mode and activated only in emergencies, with full integration of intelligent control systems and weight and interior space adjustments as described in this innovation.
[0012] Detailed Description:This innovation is based on adding backup engines to commercial aircraft, employing flexible solutions to the problems of weight and fuel consumption. This innovation aims to enhance flight safety in extreme emergencies and achieve a higher level of passenger safety without significantly impacting aircraft efficiency or operating economy. As a strategic option, these backup engines provide additional safety systems that ensure continued flight and complete control in the event of the failure of one or both primary engines, while maintaining the aircraft's basic function and performance.
[0013] Aircraft Engineering Design:
[0014] 1. Auxiliary Engines:
[0015] 1.1 Two auxiliary medium-power engines are strategically added, as shown in Figure 1-A, so as not to affect the aircraft's aerodynamics or balance, either at the rear of the aircraft (1) or alongside the primary engine (2) under the wing.
[0016] 1.2 Idle Operation: The engines operate in idle made during normal flight to reduce fuel consumption and minimize performance impact.
[0017] 1.3 Activation When Needed: The engines are activated only in emergencies, such as the complete failure of the main engines, or one of them, to ensure continued flight and control of the course.
[0018] 2. Weight and Fuel Solutions:
[0019] 2.1 Fuel: Since the engines operate at idle most of the time, they do not require additional fuel. The fuel allocation is as planned for the aircraft, keeping in mind that the backup engines will only consume fuel in emergencies.
[0020] 2.2 Weight Solution: To reduce the weight generated by the engines, some seats can be removed or the number of passengers reduced, which maintains the aircraft's balance and enhances performance and control.
[0021] 2.3 Dynamic Adjustment: Studying the modification of baggage areas or passenger distribution to accommodate the size of the backup engines to Improve the aircraft's balance and efficiency.
[0022] 3. Utilizing Seat Space:
[0023] 3.1 Some of the seat space can be utilized to add essential services such as a mini-hospital or additional facilities like lavatories or medical rooms, in accordance with the aircraft's weight and passenger comfort requirements.
[0024] 4. Intelligent Operating and Control Systems:
[0025] 4.1 Developing intelligent electronic systems to automatically activate the backup engines in the event of a primary engine failure.
[0026] 4.2 Automatic Control: Immediate activation of the backup engines to restore flight capability and control speed. Altitude.
[0027] 4.3 Safe Landing: Enabling the aircraft to land safely using backup systems without complex pilot intervention.
[0028] 4.4 Integration with Other Systems: Integration with autopilot and navigation systems to ensure arapid and effective response.
[0029] Risks Associated with Flying on Only One Engine:
[0030] Not Installing Additional Engines with a Backup Power Unit (APU)
[0031] 1. Risks Resulting from Reliance on the Backup Power Unit (APU):
[0032] 11 Some aircraft are equipped with a Backup Power Unit (APU), a small device that provides electricity and power to critical equipment during flight. Although the APU is not used to propel the aircraft, it
Claims
CLAIMSClaims 1 (Independent):
1. A commercial aircraft equipped with a backup propulsion system comprising two additional medium-power engines strategically located on the fuselage or under the wings. These engines operate in idle mode during normal flight and are automatically or manually activated in emergencies to compensate for the loss of one or more primary engines, while maintaining the aircraft's ability to fly, control, maneuver, and land safely.Subsidiary Claims:
2. The system, as per Claim 1, has the additional engines located at the rear of the aircraft or adjacent to the primary engines under the wings without affecting the aircraft's aerodynamics or balance.
3. The system, as per Claim 1, has the backup engines operating in idle mode to minimize fuel consumption and allocating additional fuel only when required in an emergency4. The system, as per Claim 1, includes solutions to reduce the weight resulting from the addition of the engines by reducing the number of seats, redistributing passengers, or modifying baggage compartments.
5. The system, as per claim 1, allows for the use of space created by ucing seating to add internal facilities such as a mini-emergency hospital, medical care ms, or additional passenger services.
6. The system, as per claim 1, includes intelligent operating systems capable of automatically activating the backup engines in the event of primary engine failure, with the ability to autonomously control speed, altitude, and maintain flight.
7. The system, as per claim 1, integrates the backup engine operating systems with the autopilot and navigation systems to ensure rapid response and support the pilot during critical operations.
8. The system, as per claim 1, helps reduce the risks associated with single-engine flight, including loss of maneuverability, lateral instability, difficulty controlling course, and reduced performance in severe weather conditions.
9. The system, as per claim 1, reduces reliance on the backup power unit (APU) not specifically designed to provide air thrust, which is prone to failure and cannot guarantee support for vital systems in the event of engine failure.The system, as per claim 1, supports wheel descent during landing by providing alternative er in case of failure of the hydraulic, system connected to the main motors, thus reducing the lihood of landing mechanism failure.