Aircraft Route Set Ranking for Multi-Constraint Airspace Planning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems struggle to efficiently generate aircraft routes that consider multiple parameters such as acoustic impact, fuel consumption, geographic features, and constraints like no-fly zones, while traditional optimization methods become computationally expensive when dealing with multiple variables.

Innovation Solution

A method for creating a route set for an aircraft that involves generating initial routes, ranking them based on objectives and constraints, deleting routes that rank below a threshold, generating additional routes to supplement the set, and selecting the optimal route for flight, using modules for sound propagation and aircraft kinematics to evaluate acoustic impact and fuel consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional optimization methods are used to calculate routes considering multiple parameters (acoustic impact, fuel consumption, geographic features, constraints), then the route optimization comprehensiveness is improved, but the computational expense increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroute optimization comprehensivenessVSAvoidcomputational expense
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the route optimization process into distinct modules: a sound propagation module that calculates acoustic impact, an aircraft kinematic module that computes fuel consumption, and a route evaluation module that integrates multiple parameters. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently and processed efficiently, reducing overall computational expense while maintaining comprehensive multi-parameter optimization capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary calculations of acoustic impact and fuel consumption for various route segments before final route determination. By pre-computing these parameters for different geographic regions and flight conditions, the system avoids redundant calculations during the final optimization phase, significantly reducing computational expense while maintaining comprehensive optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If route optimization considers multiple parameters including acoustic impact and fuel consumption, then the environmental and operational efficiency is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal route optimization framework that handles multiple parameters (acoustic impact, fuel consumption, geographic features, constraints) through a single integrated system. The sound propagation module and aircraft kinematic module serve multiple functions: they evaluate different route options, compare alternative paths, and provide input for final route selection. This multi-functionality reduces system complexity by consolidating what would otherwise require separate specialized systems for each parameter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary route evaluation module that mediates between the sound propagation module, aircraft kinematic module, and final route selection. This intermediary integrates multiple parameters and constraints, transforming complex multi-parameter data into simplified route recommendations. The intermediary absorbs system complexity by providing a unified interface that manages the interaction between different optimization criteria.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12347327B2Methods and systems for creating a set of routes for an aircraft to travel through an airspace
Publication Date: 2025.07.01 THE BOEING CO
  • US12347327B2 patent drawing
  • US12347327B2 patent drawing
  • US12347327B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods and systems to develop routes for an aircraft to travel through an airspace. The system includes interface circuitry to receive one or more objectives and one or more constraints for the routes. Processing circuitry is configured to optimize the routes based on one or more of the input parameters. The processing circuitry is configured to: generate a set of routes that each comprise a different flight path through the airspace; rank the routes in the set based on how each of the routes dominates the other routes based on the one or more objectives and constraints; maintain dominant routes in the set and eliminate dominated routes from the set based on the rankings; generate additional dominant routes based on the one or more objectives and constraints; and supplement the set with the additional dominant routes.