Aircraft Engine Thrust Ramping Control via Crosswind Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thrust ramping systems in aircraft engines apply uniform thrust limits across all crosswind conditions, leading to unnecessary restrictions during mild winds, which increase maintenance costs and require longer runways or lighter payloads, while failing to account for varying crosswind speeds.
Innovation Solution
A system that selectively activates thrust ramping based on measured crosswind speeds during taxiing, employing different thrust schedules and output limits to only impose restrictions when crosswinds exceed a threshold, allowing full thrust during non-adverse conditions and optimizing takeoff performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If uniform thrust limits are applied during all takeoff conditions, then engine stress is reduced under crosswind conditions, but unnecessary thrust restrictions occur during mild winds leading to increased maintenance costs and reduced operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The thrust ramping system dynamically adjusts thrust limits based on real-time crosswind conditions. The controller continuously monitors crosswind speed and modifies the thrust ramping schedule accordingly, transitioning from static uniform limits to dynamic condition-based limits. This allows the system to optimize between engine protection and operational efficiency by adapting thrust restrictions only when crosswind conditions warrant them.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the thrust parameter (thrust limit) based on varying crosswind conditions. When crosswind speed exceeds a threshold, the system implements thrust ramping with specific acceleration limits; when crosswind is mild, the system allows full thrust or modified thrust schedules. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by applying thrust restrictions only when necessary for engine protection.
2Reliability
If thrust ramping is applied during mild crosswinds, then engine wear is reduced, but aircraft performance is degraded requiring longer runways or lighter payloads
Solution Approach 1:
The thrust ramping system dynamically adapts to crosswind conditions by adjusting the thrust acceleration rate. During mild crosswinds, the system either disables thrust ramping or applies modified schedules with higher thrust limits, allowing aircraft to achieve takeoff speed within available runway length. During severe crosswinds, the system implements stricter ramping schedules that protect the engine while minimizing performance degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system modifies the thrust parameter (acceleration rate) based on crosswind speed. When crosswind exceeds the threshold, the system implements thrust ramping with controlled acceleration; when crosswind is below the threshold, the system allows full thrust or relaxed ramping schedules. This conditional parameter change eliminates unnecessary runway length requirements during mild winds while maintaining engine protection during adverse conditions.
3Productivity
If crosswind threshold detection is implemented, then thrust ramping is activated only when necessary, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flight management system or engine controller is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it continues to manage normal thrust operations and now also detects crosswind conditions and determines appropriate thrust ramping schedules. By making the control system multi-functional rather than adding a completely separate crosswind detection system, the patent reduces overall system complexity while still achieving conditional thrust optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that receives crosswind information (from existing sensors or pilot input), processes it against stored threshold criteria, and automatically selects appropriate thrust ramping schedules. This intermediary function simplifies the interface between crosswind detection and thrust control, avoiding the need for complex direct coupling between multiple subsystems.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and apparatus to control thrust ramping of an aircraft engine are disclosed. An example thrust control system includes a sensor to measure a crosswind speed and a thrust manager to compare the measured crosswind speed to a crosswind threshold range. The thrust manager activates a partial thrust ramping schedule during takeoff when the measured crosswind speed is within the crosswind threshold range. The partial thrust ramping schedule is selected from a plurality of thrust ramping schedules.