Aircraft Control Surface Configuration Timing Based on Energy State
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for managing aircraft control surfaces, such as flaps, are primarily based on aircraft speed and do not account for energy considerations, leading to inefficient fuel usage and challenges in maintaining desired flight trajectories.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that identify a selected point in time to change the configuration of control surfaces based on the difference between the current and expected energy of the aircraft, using a computer system to determine the optimal time for configuration changes to maintain a four-dimensional flight trajectory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If control surface configuration changes are based on aircraft speed, then the control process is simple, but fuel efficiency deteriorates and trajectory accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from using only speed as a control parameter to using energy state (difference between current and expected energy) as the control parameter. This allows the system to optimize flap configuration timing based on actual energy conditions, improving fuel efficiency while maintaining trajectory accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the difference between current energy state and expected energy state, using this feedback to dynamically adjust flap configuration timing. This closed-loop control enables the aircraft to adapt to varying flight conditions and maintain optimal fuel efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If control surface configuration changes are made frequently to maintain trajectory, then trajectory accuracy is improved, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs configuration changes only when the energy state difference indicates it is necessary for maintaining trajectory. By using energy state as a threshold-based trigger, the system avoids unnecessary adjustments while still maintaining adequate trajectory accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus for managing a number of control surfaces (116) for an aircraft (102). A current configuration for the number of control surfaces for the aircraft is identified during flight of the aircraft. A selected point in time at which the current configuration for the number of control surfaces is to be changed to a new configuration for the number of control surfaces is identified. A portion of time relative to the selected point in time during which the current configuration for the number of control surfaces is to be changed to the new configuration is identified based on a difference between a current amount of energy for the aircraft and an expected amount of energy for the aircraft.