Aircraft Ground Heading Control via Automatic Steering Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircrafts on the ground experience heading deviations due to external factors like cross winds and uneven runway conditions, as well as internal factors such as uneven engine thrusts and steering system misalignment, requiring frequent pilot intervention to maintain desired headings using steering mechanisms like the tiller and rudder, increasing pilot workload.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that determine a reference heading, monitor deviations, calculate and apply a ground steering angle to correct deviations, and integrate this angle with existing steering commands to automatically maintain the desired heading, using activation and deactivation conditions to operate the system effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pilot manually controls the heading using steering mechanisms like tiller and rudder, then the aircraft heading can be maintained, but the pilot workload increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the aircraft steering system to automatically maintain heading by detecting deviations and generating correction commands without continuous pilot intervention. The ground steering system serves itself by using sensors to monitor aircraft position and automatically adjusting the nose wheel steering angle to counteract veering forces
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors aircraft heading using sensors and compares it with the desired heading, then feeds back steering correction commands to the ground steering system. This closed-loop feedback mechanism automatically compensates for heading deviations caused by crosswinds, runway camber, and other external factors
2Measurement precision
If the pilot frequently adjusts steering to correct veering, then heading accuracy is maintained, but time is lost due to continuous intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides continuous automatic heading maintenance through uninterrupted sensor monitoring and steady steering correction, eliminating the intermittent nature of manual pilot adjustments. The useful action of heading control becomes continuous and automated rather than requiring repeated discrete pilot interventions
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical manual steering operation with an automated electronic control system that uses sensors, processors, and actuators to maintain heading. This substitution eliminates the time delay inherent in manual perception and reaction, providing immediate and consistent heading corrections
3Stability of the object's composition
If manual steering control is used to compensate for external factors like crosswinds, then heading stability is achieved, but the complexity of pilot operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering system automatically compensates for external disturbances like crosswinds and runway camber without requiring the pilot to understand or manage the complexity of multiple steering inputs. The system serves itself by detecting heading deviations and autonomously generating appropriate correction commands
4Reliability
If the ground steering system operates continuously, then heading control is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system operates by periodically detecting heading deviations and applying corrective steering actions only when needed, rather than continuous operation. The control system monitors heading continuously but intervenes only when deviations exceed thresholds, creating a periodic rather than continuous energy-consuming operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies steering corrections only to the extent necessary to maintain heading within acceptable limits, avoiding excessive or unnecessary steering actions. Partial correction is applied based on the magnitude of deviation, consuming energy proportionally to the control need rather than operating at full capacity continuously
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus and software is disclosed for controlling the heading of an aircraft travelling on the ground in which veering is detected and compensatory steering commands generated so as to automatically maintain a reference heading.