Aircraft Deceleration Control Using Adaptive Switching Time

Solution Overview

Problem

Current aircraft deceleration control systems, such as the 'Brake to Vacate' system, face challenges in calculating deceleration commands due to dynamic conditions like speed, position, and external factors, leading to potential overruns and increased runway occupancy times, as they may not always admit a physical solution.

Innovation Solution

A method that adapts deceleration parameters in real-time based on current dynamic parameters and preselected values, using reference positions and speeds to ensure safe arrival at a target point, employing iterative calculations and deceleration profiles like ramp-plateau or plateau-ramp to adjust braking accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the BTV system uses a fixed switching time estimation for ramp-plateau deceleration profiles, then the deceleration command can be calculated, but the system may not find a physical solution when dynamic conditions vary, leading to excessive deceleration and increased runway occupancy time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolution existenceVSAvoidrunway occupancy time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the switching time adaptive rather than fixed. The switching time is continuously adjusted based on real-time dynamic conditions including aircraft speed, position, mass, and environmental factors like wind and track quality. This dynamic adaptation ensures the deceleration profile remains physically valid and optimized for current conditions, preventing both solution non-existence and excessive runway occupancy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring actual aircraft performance and comparing it with the predicted deceleration profile. Based on this feedback, the switching time and other deceleration parameters are adjusted in real-time to maintain optimal braking performance. This closed-loop control ensures the system adapts to varying dynamic conditions and maintains reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Length of stationary object

If the plateau deceleration value is set too high to ensure stopping within distance, then the aircraft can stop within the required distance, but the switching time becomes greater than the braking time, making the calculated profile physically invalid

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestopping distanceVSAvoidprofile validity

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes both the plateau deceleration value and switching time dynamic parameters that are continuously adjusted based on real-time conditions. Rather than using fixed values, the system calculates optimal deceleration profiles that adapt to the aircraft's current speed, position, mass, and environmental factors, ensuring the profile remains physically valid while achieving the required stopping distance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters dynamically by continuously adjusting the switching time and plateau deceleration value based on real-time feedback. When conditions change (such as wind speed, track quality, or aircraft mass), the parameters are recalculated to maintain a valid deceleration profile that achieves the target stopping distance without creating physical inconsistencies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of time

If the deceleration profile is adjusted to reduce runway occupancy time, then the aircraft can vacate the runway faster, but the system may not find a solution under certain dynamic conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverunway occupancy timeVSAvoidsolution existence

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the switching time adaptive rather than fixed. The switching time is continuously adjusted based on real-time dynamic conditions including aircraft speed, position, mass, and environmental factors like wind and track quality. This dynamic adaptation ensures the deceleration profile remains physically valid and optimized for current conditions, preventing both solution non-existence and excessive runway occupancy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters dynamically by continuously adjusting the switching time and plateau deceleration value based on real-time feedback. When conditions change (such as wind speed, track quality, or aircraft mass), the parameters are recalculated to maintain a valid deceleration profile that achieves the target stopping distance without creating physical inconsistencies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2514647B1Method for controlling deceleration on the ground of a vehicle

Publication Date: 2017.05.31 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)

Figure 1~2
Figure 3

AI summary

The method involves obtaining (22) a preselected deceleration value, and obtaining (24) current dynamic parameters representing a current position and current speed of a vehicle. Reference position and reference speed of the vehicle are determined (28, 32) from the parameters and the deceleration value, where the reference position is a target position to be reached by the vehicle. A deceleration command is determined (34) from the parameters and the reference speed and reference position so as to obtain an outcome position and outcome speed of the vehicle. An independent claim is also included for a device for controlling deceleration on the ground of a vehicle.