Aircraft Energy Management Through Stage-Specific Energy Source Planning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flight management systems for hybrid aircraft fail to account for multiple energy sources and impose restrictions on their usage during different flight stages, necessitating a more sophisticated method to determine a multi-energy flight plan.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that divides the aircraft's trajectory into portions and determines the appropriate energy sources for each segment based on input constraints, using a processing portion to generate a multi-energy flight plan that adheres to these restrictions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a single fuel source is used in traditional aircraft, then the system is simple and reliable, but the energy efficiency and adaptability to different flight stages are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The trajectory is divided into multiple portions (taxi, take-off, climb, cruise, descent, landing) and different energy sources are assigned to different portions based on efficiency requirements. This segmentation allows the system to optimize energy usage at each flight stage while maintaining manageable system complexity through structured control.
Solution Approach 2:
The flight management system dynamically selects and switches between different energy sources based on the current flight stage and constraints. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to maximize energy efficiency across varying operational conditions while the processing portion manages the complexity of multi-energy coordination.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple energy sources are used in hybrid aircraft, then energy efficiency and versatility improve, but the complexity of managing energy sources across different flight stages increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flight trajectory is segmented into distinct portions, and energy source selection is simplified by assigning specific energy sources to specific portions. This segmentation reduces the complexity of managing multiple energy sources by creating a structured framework for energy allocation across different flight stages.
Solution Approach 2:
Different energy sources are assigned to different portions of the trajectory based on local requirements and constraints. This local optimization approach allows the system to maximize adaptability and efficiency at each flight stage while the overall system manages complexity through localized decision-making rules.
3Reliability
If energy source constraints are imposed during specific trajectory portions, then compliance with restrictions is achieved, but the flexibility in energy source selection is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Constraints on energy source usage are predetermined and input into the system before flight planning. The processing portion incorporates these constraints into the flight plan generation, ensuring compliance is built into the plan from the outset. This preliminary action maintains reliability while preserving flexibility in non-constrained portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts energy source selection based on where constraints apply along the trajectory. In portions without constraints, the system maintains full flexibility in energy source selection, while in constrained portions, it adheres to the specified restrictions. This dynamic approach balances reliability and adaptability across different flight stages.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of determining a multi-energy flight plan for an aircraft travelling from a first location to a second location. The aircraft comprises a plurality of energy sources, and a processing portion. The method includes determining a trajectory of the aircraft from the first location to the second location (101); dividing the trajectory into a plurality of portions; inputting a constraint on the energy source used during at least one portion (102); and determining a multi-energy flight plan including the energy sources to be used during each portion (108).