Aircraft Emergency Descent Control via Limited Vertical Speed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Emergency descent control systems for aircraft often result in non-optimized descents, potentially compromising other procedures during the emergency phase due to excessive vertical speed, which can lead to non-optimal functioning and safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that automatically detect emergency descent situations, calculate and apply a limited emergency descent command, which is less than the standard command but still compliant with regulatory performance, to optimize the descent and prevent excessive vertical speed, thereby ensuring the aircraft's structural integrity and safety during the emergency phase.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a standard emergency descent command is applied to achieve rapid descent, then the descent speed is improved, but the structural integrity and safety of the aircraft deteriorates due to excessive vertical speed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedescent speedVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the descent command parameters by introducing a limited emergency descent command that adjusts the vertical speed threshold. Instead of applying the standard maximum descent rate, the system dynamically adjusts the descent rate parameters to remain within structural safety limits while still achieving rapid descent to breathable altitude.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of time

If a standard emergency descent command is applied, then the response time is reduced, but the functioning of other emergency procedures deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse timeVSAvoidprocedure functioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the descent command based on real-time aircraft state and environmental conditions. The limited emergency descent command is not a fixed value but adapts to current flight conditions, allowing the aircraft to maintain optimal descent rate while preserving the functionality of other emergency systems such as anti-collision warnings and communication capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If a limited emergency descent command is applied, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the descent speed is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoiddescent speed

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors aircraft parameters including vertical speed, structural stress indicators, and system functionality. Based on this feedback, the control system adjusts the limited emergency descent command to maintain the maximum safe descent rate that preserves structural integrity. The feedback loop ensures that the descent speed is optimized within the constraints of structural safety limits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9904291B2Method and system to control emergency descent of aircraft

Publication Date: 2018.02.27 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)

AI summary

A method and a system for controlling an emergency descent of an aircraft. The system (1) includes a unit (2) for detecting an emergency situation, a unit (11) for calculating a usual emergency descent command, a unit (12) for calculating a limited emergency descent command, a selection unit (14) configured for selecting the usual emergency descent command or, if application conditions are met and if the limited descent command is less than said usual emergency descent command and greater than a regulation emergency descent command, selecting the limited emergency descent command, and a unit (4) for application, to the aircraft, of the selected emergency descent command.