Aircraft Preflight Readiness System with Remote Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft preflight preparations are time-consuming and inefficient, requiring manual intervention by flight crew, leading to potential departure delays, especially in extreme weather conditions, and lacking the ability to optimize energy usage for unattended ground operations.
Innovation Solution
An expedited preflight readiness system that includes a hybrid auxiliary power unit (APU) and an integrated controller, enabling remote monitoring and control of aircraft subsystems through a mobile device, allowing for preflight preparations to be initiated before the flight crew arrives, and optimizing energy usage by managing the state-of-charge of the APU and environmental control systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual preflight preparation by flight crew is used, then aircraft subsystems can be prepared, but the process is time-consuming and leads to departure delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables preflight preparation actions to be initiated in advance before the flight crew arrives at the aircraft. The mobile device allows remote activation of subsystems, and the integrated controller executes preparatory tasks automatically, performing useful work before the crew needs to begin manual checks, thereby reducing overall preparation time and eliminating idle waiting periods
Solution Approach 2:
The aircraft subsystems are configured to automatically perform preflight preparation tasks without requiring continuous manual intervention. The integrated controller manages power distribution and activates subsystems autonomously based on received commands, allowing the system to service itself and reducing dependency on manual crew operations for routine preparatory tasks
2Ease of operation
If ground personnel are deployed for preflight preparation, then aircraft can be prepared, but the need for ground personnel increases operational complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft system is designed to autonomously perform preflight preparation tasks without requiring ground personnel intervention. The integrated controller automatically manages power distribution, activates subsystems, and monitors preparation status, enabling the aircraft to service itself and eliminate the need for additional ground support equipment and personnel
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical operations previously performed by ground personnel are replaced by an automated electronic control system. The integrated controller and mobile device combination substitutes human-operated mechanical switches and manual system activations with automated electronic commands and remote digital control, simplifying the operational interface and reducing personnel requirements
3Power
If APU runs at high power for preflight preparation, then subsystems can be powered, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The APU operates in dynamic power modes rather than a fixed high-power state. The integrated controller adjusts APU power output in real-time based on the specific subsystems that need activation and the current state of battery modules. Power is scaled up only when and where needed, then reduced or shut off for subsystems that are already powered or do not require additional power, optimizing overall energy consumption while maintaining sufficient power for critical preflight tasks
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the APU and battery modules dynamically during preflight preparation. The integrated controller monitors state-of-charge levels, temperature, and power demands, adjusting APU power output and battery discharge rates accordingly. This parameter optimization allows the system to achieve necessary power levels for subsystem activation while minimizing total energy consumption through intelligent parameter management
Data Source
AI summary
An expedited preflight readiness system for aircraft includes a power source having one or more battery modules for storing electrical power. An integrated controller is electrically and communicatively coupled with the power source for monitoring and controlling the power source to provide electrical power to aircraft subsystems. A mobile device is communicatively coupled with the integrated controller for communicating instructions to the integrated controller for initiating preflight readiness of the aircraft and for monitoring preflight readiness. A method for preconditioning an aircraft includes determining a state-of-charge of an APU and activating an environmental control subsystem for preconditioning the aircraft by adjusting a current temperature according to a preconditioning profile based on one or more of a target temperature, a target time, the current temperature, an outside air temperature, an amount of energy, and a state-of-charge of the APU.