Aircraft Ground Travel Drive System Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft ground travel systems are inefficient, leading to delays and increased operating costs due to reliance on aircraft engines and tow vehicles, which pose safety risks and reduce engine lifespan, and lack automated optimization methods for efficient operation.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing powered self-propelled drive wheels with sensors and intelligent software to monitor and adjust operating parameters in real-time, allowing for automatic or manual optimization of aircraft ground travel systems, independent of engine use, to minimize ground time and enhance efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If aircraft engines are used to move the aircraft during ground travel, then the aircraft can be moved without additional vehicles, but safety risks increase due to jet blast and engine ingestion, and engine lifespan is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ground travel function is segmented from the aircraft's main engines by introducing a separate powered tow vehicle system. The tow vehicle is dedicated solely to ground movement, while the aircraft engines remain dedicated to propulsion and thrust, eliminating the need for engines to perform ground travel operations.
Solution Approach 2:
A powered tow vehicle acts as an intermediary between the ground and the aircraft. This specialized vehicle is designed specifically for towing aircraft during ground travel, providing the necessary force without requiring the aircraft's own engines to be used for this purpose, thereby protecting engine lifespan and reducing safety risks.
2Reliability
If tow vehicles are used to move the aircraft, then engine lifespan is extended, but additional vehicles and personnel are required, and maneuvering complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The powered tow vehicle is designed with multi-functionality, capable of towing aircraft of various sizes and configurations. This universal design allows a single vehicle type to handle diverse ground travel operations, reducing the need for multiple specialized vehicles and personnel while maintaining engine protection benefits.
3Productivity
If aircraft ground time is minimized, then operating costs are reduced and flight scheduling options increase, but ground travel efficiency must be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The ground travel system incorporates sensors and control systems that provide real-time feedback on the aircraft's position, speed, and movement characteristics. This feedback enables the powered tow vehicle to automatically adjust its operation to optimize ground travel efficiency, minimizing the time the aircraft spends on the ground while maintaining safe and controlled movement.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for automatically or manually optimizing independent ground travel operation in an aircraft equipped with one or more self-propelled nose or main wheels powered by a driver means, wherein selected operating parameters indicative of optimized ground travel are monitored by sensors or detectors to provide data and information relating to the selected parameters during operation of the ground travel system. Selected operating parameters can include, for example, speed, direction of travel, torque, component thermal data, aircraft location data, and operator inputs, commands, and feedback, as well as other operational data or information. Data is collected, recorded, and analyzed to enable changes to be made to the ground travel system components in real time automatically by intelligent software or manually by a system operator or at a later time to ensure optimum operation of the system.