Aircraft Speed Envelope Control for Cost-Efficient Flight Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft trajectory management systems do not account for operating costs when imposing speed constraints, which can lead to inefficient flight operations.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that determines a speed profile for aircraft by identifying speed constraints and maximum acceleration, creating a speed envelope region, and autonomously operating the aircraft to maximize time spent at a target speed while adhering to these constraints, thereby optimizing cost efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If speed constraints are imposed to manage spacing and optimize traffic flow, then flight safety and traffic flow management are improved, but operating costs increase due to deviation from optimum speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts speed parameters by creating a speed envelope region that defines acceptable speed ranges. Instead of enforcing fixed speed constraints, the system modifies the speed parameter to operate within a flexible envelope that maintains safety while allowing cost-optimized speeds. The speed envelope is determined based on maximum acceleration capabilities and constraint boundaries, enabling parameter adaptation that resolves the contradiction between safety requirements and operating cost efficiency.
2Productivity
If aircraft follow custom-made 4D trajectories with specified path and time conformance, then traffic flow management and separation are optimized, but flexibility in speed selection is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms static speed constraints into dynamic speed envelopes that adapt to aircraft capabilities and operational conditions. The speed envelope region is dynamically determined based on maximum acceleration and the specific trajectory requirements, allowing the aircraft to flexibly select speeds within the envelope while still meeting the 4D trajectory time of arrival requirements. This dynamic approach maintains productivity by ensuring timely arrival while preserving adaptability through flexible speed selection within the envelope boundaries.
3Loss of time
If RTA constraints and speed restrictions are enforced to guarantee reliable time of arrival, then spacing between aircraft is minimized, but cost efficiency decreases due to inability to maintain optimum speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary determination of the speed envelope region before executing the trajectory. By calculating the acceptable speed range in advance based on maximum acceleration capabilities and RTA constraints, the system enables the aircraft to proactively select cost-efficient speeds within the envelope while guaranteeing timely arrival. This preliminary action allows cost optimization to be built into the flight plan rather than requiring reactive speed adjustments, thereby reducing energy loss while maintaining time of arrival reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for managing speed-constrained vehicle operations. One exemplary method of operating an aircraft (120) involves identifying a speed constraint (304) associated with a navigational reference point, determining a speed envelope region (302) en route to the navigational reference point based at least in part on the first speed constraint (304), identifying a target speed en route to the navigational reference point, and determining a speed profile (350) for autonomously operations en route to the navigational reference point within the speed envelope region (302). The speed profile (350) intersects the target speed within the speed envelope region (302) and a slope of the speed profile (350) is influenced by the target speed, for example, to effectuate or approximate the target speed by increasing the duration of time operation at or around the target speed is achieved. In one or more embodiments, multiple different target speeds associated with different flight levels or operating regions are accounted for.