Aircraft Life Cycle Assessment Using Operational and Configuration Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current life cycle assessments for aircraft are complex, time-consuming, and lack detailed operational data, particularly for the operations phase, making it difficult to implement changes that reduce environmental impact effectively.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system for life cycle assessment that integrates real-time operational data from logging devices, specific usage data, and configuration changes to determine an aircraft's environmental footprint, allowing for a dynamic and holistic assessment across different layers of the aircraft, including equipment, commodity, and cabin configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional life cycle assessment methods are used for aircraft, then the assessment can be performed with existing data, but the process is complex and time-consuming without detailed operational data
Solution Approach 1:
The assessment system segments the aircraft life cycle into distinct phases (manufacturing, operation, end-of-life) and collects data from specialized sources for each phase. The manufacturing phase uses product-related data from suppliers, the operation phase uses real-time data from logging devices, and end-of-life uses recycling data. This segmentation enables precise assessments without requiring all data to be collected simultaneously, reducing overall assessment time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary data collection and processing during the manufacturing and design phases by gathering product-related data from suppliers and storing it in a database. This preliminary action ensures that when the operation phase begins, the foundational data is already prepared, allowing for faster and more precise environmental footprint calculations during operation without requiring time-consuming data assembly.
2Measurement precision
If detailed operational data is collected from multiple sources, then the environmental footprint assessment becomes more accurate, but the data collection and processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a universal data processing platform that handles multiple data types from various sources through a common architecture. The same database structure, processing algorithms, and visualization tools are used for manufacturing data, operational data from logging devices, and end-of-life recycling data. This multi-functionality reduces the complexity that would otherwise arise from maintaining separate systems for each data source.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a central database and processing platform as an intermediary between the various data sources (suppliers, logging devices, recycling facilities) and the environmental footprint calculation. This intermediary layer standardizes the data formats, handles the complexity of data integration, and presents simplified results, thereby reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If real-time operational data is integrated into the assessment, then the environmental impact can be monitored dynamically, but the system requires continuous data updates and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The assessment system is designed to be dynamic, automatically updating environmental footprint calculations as new operational data becomes available from logging devices. The system can adapt to different aircraft configurations, mission profiles, and operational conditions without requiring manual reconfiguration. This dynamic capability provides flexibility while the automated update mechanism reduces maintenance complexity compared to manual systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where operational data from logging devices is continuously fed back into the environmental footprint calculation. This feedback mechanism allows the assessment to automatically adjust and update as real-time data becomes available, providing adaptability to changing conditions. The automated feedback process reduces the need for manual system maintenance and updates.
4Productivity
If configuration changes are tracked and assessed, then the environmental footprint can be optimized through iterative improvements, but the assessment process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary environmental footprint calculations for different aircraft configurations during the design phase, storing these baseline assessments in the database. When configuration changes occur during operation, the system can quickly compare the new configuration against the stored baselines, enabling rapid iterative improvements without requiring complex real-time recalculations from scratch.
Solution Approach 2:
The system tracks and assesses only the most significant configuration changes that have the greatest environmental impact, rather than monitoring every possible parameter change. This selective approach to tracking configuration changes maintains high productivity in eco-efficiency improvements while reducing the complexity of the assessment process by focusing resources on the most critical factors.
Data Source
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AI summary
In order to improve the environmental footprint of a vehicle, the invention proposes a computer-implemented method for life cycle assessment. The method comprises: a) a group of data sources (14, 16, 18) providing data related to vehicle equipment, a fourth data source (22) providing operation related data indicative of the operation of the vehicle, and a fifth data source (28) providing specific usage data indicative of the specific usage of a piece of vehicle equipment by a vehicle operator; b) determining a reference LCA based on the data obtained in step a); c) determining configuration change data based on configuration data that relates to the configuration of a vehicle; d) determining an environmental footprint of the vehicle based on the reference LCA and the configuration change data.