Aircraft Flight Path Repositioning for Obstacle-Aware Takeoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated flight path planning systems for hovering aircraft, such as helicopters and V/STOL aircraft, face challenges in adaptability, comfort, and consistency during takeoff and landing, particularly in navigating around obstacles without sacrificing stability and passenger comfort.
Innovation Solution
The system employs sensors like LIDAR and radar to detect obstacles, and a computing device with a processor to determine alternative takeoff waypoints with different heights or orientations, adjusting the flight path to avoid obstacles by translating or rotating it, while maintaining a predetermined trajectory for stability and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the aircraft follows a predetermined takeoff trajectory, then stability and passenger comfort are maintained, but the ability to avoid obstacles is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flight path system dynamically adjusts the predetermined trajectory by translating and rotating it based on detected obstacles, while maintaining the overall stability characteristics of the original path. This allows the system to adapt to environmental conditions without sacrificing the stability benefits of predetermined trajectories.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters of the flight path including position (translation), orientation (rotation), and waypoint coordinates while preserving the fundamental trajectory characteristics. This enables obstacle avoidance while maintaining stability through controlled parameter modifications rather than complete path redesign.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the aircraft changes flight path to avoid obstacles, then obstacle avoidance capability is improved, but passenger comfort and stability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system modifies flight path parameters (position, orientation, waypoints) to avoid obstacles while constraining changes to maintain smooth transitions and stable flight characteristics, thereby preserving passenger comfort during adaptive maneuvers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual pilot control is used for takeoff and landing, then adaptability to obstacles is improved, but automation level and consistency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft system autonomously detects obstacles, calculates alternative flight paths, and executes trajectory adjustments without pilot intervention. This self-service capability provides consistent automated obstacle avoidance while maintaining the adaptability previously requiring manual pilot skill.
4Extent of automation
If existing automated flight path planning systems are used, then automation is improved, but adaptability, comfort, and consistency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically translates and rotates the predetermined flight path based on real-time obstacle detection, enabling automated adaptation to environmental conditions while maintaining the consistency and stability benefits of predetermined trajectories through structured path modification.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables the aircraft to autonomously generate and follow adjusted flight paths that effectively avoid obstacles during takeoff and landing, ensuring stability and comfort by using protocols suited to each flight context, such as brute force or RRT approaches, thereby improving adaptability and consistency.
Implementation Method 1
The system employs sensors like LIDAR and radar to detect obstacles
Implementation Method 2
The system employs sensors like LIDAR and radar to detect obstacles
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of generating flight paths for navigating an aircraft is provided. The method includes hovering the aircraft at a predetermined hover point. The predetermined hover point corresponds to a first takeoff waypoint of a first trajectory of the aircraft. The method includes scanning at least a portion of a first flight path of the first trajectory. The method includes determining that an obstacle obstructs the first flight path of the first trajectory. The first flight path begins at the first takeoff waypoint. The method includes determining a second takeoff waypoint. Determining the second takeoff waypoint includes assigning the first flight path to begin at the second takeoff waypoint. The method includes changing the first flight path of the first trajectory in accordance with the second takeoff waypoint, thereby forming a second flight path of a second trajectory. The method includes causing the aircraft to follow the second flight path of the second trajectory from the second takeoff waypoint.