Aircraft Flap Control for Excess Energy Steep Descent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft systems lack automated solutions for extending wing flaps during excess energy steep descent conditions, relying solely on pilot intervention and conventional flap extension logic that fails to trigger automated transitions due to high energy states, leading to inefficient fuel use and increased operating costs.
Innovation Solution
A control system that automatically detects excess energy steep descent conditions by evaluating throttle positions and flight path angles, commanding actuators to extend wing flaps according to a predefined sequence, independent of aircraft speed, thereby increasing drag and reducing speed during descent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If conventional automated flap extension logic is used based on aircraft speed thresholds, then flap extension is automated, but the system fails to trigger during excess energy steep descent conditions due to high energy states
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the detection parameters from solely speed-based thresholds to a multi-parameter evaluation including throttle position, flight path angle, and rate of descent. This allows the automated flap extension to trigger reliably during EESD conditions where traditional speed-based logic would fail, as the system now recognizes the unique combination of parameters characteristic of EESD rather than relying on speed alone
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous monitoring of multiple flight parameters (throttle position, flight path angle, rate of descent) and uses this feedback to dynamically determine when flap extension is needed. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to varying flight conditions and reliably detect EESD states, triggering automated flap extension when conventional systems would fail
2Ease of operation
If manual flap extension is used during EESD conditions, then pilot control is maintained, but fuel efficiency decreases and operating costs increase due to delayed drag increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the aircraft to self-regulate its descent by automatically detecting EESD conditions and extending flaps without pilot intervention. This self-service capability ensures timely drag increase to optimize fuel efficiency during descent, eliminating the energy waste associated with delayed flap extension while requiring no additional pilot action
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of EESD conditions by continuously monitoring flight parameters and proactively extends flaps before the descent becomes problematic. This preliminary action ensures that drag is increased at the optimal moment to maximize fuel efficiency, preventing the energy loss that occurs when flap extension is delayed until later in the descent
3Speed
If flap extension is delayed during steep descent, then aircraft speed remains high, but control and maneuverability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses continuous feedback from flight path angle and rate of descent sensors to detect when the aircraft is in an uncontrollable steep descent. This feedback triggers automated flap extension at the precise moment when control is needed, ensuring that speed is reduced and maneuverability is restored before the situation becomes critical
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by extending flaps in anticipation of control deterioration. By detecting the onset of EESD conditions through multi-parameter monitoring and extending flaps proactively, the system prevents the harmful effect of lost control and maneuverability before it occurs, rather than reacting after the problem has developed
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for automatically extending aircraft wing flaps in response to detecting an excess energy steep descent condition are described. An example control system of an aircraft includes one or more processors. The one or more processors determine whether the aircraft is experiencing an excess energy steep descent (EESD) condition. In response to determining that the aircraft is experiencing the EESD condition, the one or more processors command an actuator of the aircraft coupled to a flap of the aircraft to extend the flap from a current flap position to a subsequent flap position defined by a flap extension sequence.