Aircraft Performance Model Tuning via Flight Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional aircraft models are often static and inaccurate, failing to reflect real-time characteristics and performance deteriorations, leading to inefficient operations and unreliable monitoring, which can result in increased fuel burn and adverse impacts on engine life.
Innovation Solution
A system that combines physics-based parametric aerodynamic and engine models, tuned using flight data to create a precise performance model for specific aircraft assets, enabling optimized planning and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional static aircraft models are used, then model simplicity is maintained, but model accuracy and reliability deteriorate due to manufacturing tolerances and performance deteriorations over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static aircraft models into dynamic models that continuously adapt to changing aircraft conditions. The system periodically retunes aerodynamic and engine models using new flight data, allowing the models to reflect current aircraft performance characteristics rather than relying on outdated static parameters. This dynamic updating process resolves the contradiction by making the model complexity worthwhile through significant accuracy improvements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where flight data is continuously collected, used to retune models, and then deployed back to improve operations. The system compares model predictions with actual flight measurements, identifies discrepancies, and uses these feedback signals to adjust model parameters. This closed-loop feedback process systematically improves model accuracy while managing complexity through automated tuning procedures.
2Loss of energy
If static aircraft models are used, then operational procedures can be simplified, but fuel efficiency and engine life are adversely impacted due to inaccurate planning and control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically changes model parameters based on actual flight data to optimize operational performance. By retuning aerodynamic coefficients and engine parameters to reflect current aircraft conditions, the system enables more accurate calculation of optimal flight paths, thrust settings, and operational procedures. This parameter adaptation directly reduces fuel consumption while improving the reliability of operational planning.
3Loss of information
If traditional aircraft models are used, then monitoring systems are simpler to implement, but the ability to understand operational conditions and detect inefficiencies is obscured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-tuning models with accurate aircraft-specific parameters before operations begin. This preparatory model customization ensures that monitoring systems have accurate baseline expectations for normal aircraft behavior, enabling them to detect anomalies and inefficiencies more effectively. The upfront investment in model tuning pays dividends throughout the aircraft's operational lifecycle.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, computer-readable medium, and a method including receiving flight data engine measurements for at least one engine of the specific aircraft asset; receiving flight data aerodynamics measurements for the specific aircraft asset; combining a physics based parametric aerodynamic performance model tuned for the specific aircraft asset using the flight data aerodynamics measurements and a physics based engine model tuned for the specific aircraft asset using the flight data engine measurements; calculating, based on the combined tuned aerodynamic performance model and the tuned engine model, a performance model for the specific aircraft asset as a whole; and storing a record of the calculated performance model for the specific aircraft asset for a future deployment.