Multi-Engine Aircraft Start Sequencing for Fuel-Efficient Taxiing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-engine aircraft taxiing operations, pilots randomly select which engine to start first, leading to potential fuel inefficiencies without data-driven decision-making.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that determines which engine to start first based on historical fuel usage data and taxiway information, optimizing factors such as fuel consumption and brake wear, and provides alerts to the pilot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a pilot randomly selects which engine to start first during taxiing operations, then the operation can proceed without complex decision-making, but fuel efficiency deteriorates due to lack of data-driven optimization
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the aircraft to automatically determine which engine to start first by analyzing historical fuel usage data and taxiway information, eliminating the need for pilot decision-making while optimizing fuel efficiency. The aircraft essentially makes its own operational decisions based on embedded algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes historical fuel usage data from previous operations to inform future engine start decisions. By analyzing past performance data and feeding it back into the decision-making algorithm, the system continuously optimizes fuel efficiency based on learned patterns.
2Loss of energy
If historical fuel usage data and taxiway information are analyzed to determine engine start sequence, then fuel savings are optimized, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The determination module serves multiple functions: it processes historical fuel usage data, analyzes taxiway information, determines engine start sequence, and provides alerts to the pilot. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex systems into a single integrated module.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual pilot decision-making with an automated computational system that processes data and generates recommendations. This substitution of mechanical/human processes with electronic/computational processes optimizes fuel consumption while managing complexity through software rather than hardware.
3Reliability
If engine start decisions are made without data support, then the operation is simple, but pilot error increases leading to suboptimal fuel usage
Solution Approach 1:
The determination module acts as an intermediary between the pilot and the engine start decision. Instead of the pilot directly making the decision or the system automatically executing it, the module provides a recommended sequence that the pilot can follow, bridging the gap between simplicity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of historical data and taxiway information before the actual engine start operation. By preparing the recommended engine start sequence in advance, the system ensures accurate decisions are made before the critical operational moment, improving reliability without complicating the actual execution.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for determining which engine of an aircraft to start first for a taxiing operation and/or for estimating a total amount of fuel needed by the aircraft for conducting the taxiing operation includes receiving or accessing historical fuel usage data for each of the first and second engines, receiving or accessing taxiway information, determining which of the first and second engines to start before the other based on optimizing one or more predetermined factors, and producing a first-to-start alert indicating which of the first and second engines is a first-to-start engine. An engine use plan may be determined, the total amount of fuel needed for executing the taxiing operation may be estimated, and a fuel-estimate indication may be produced.