Aircraft Speed Transition Module Preventing Descent Speed Spikes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling aircraft speed during transitions from manually set target speeds to preprogrammed profiles often result in undesirable speed increases when returning to the preprogrammed VNAV profile, particularly during descent, leading to fuel wastage and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that include a speed transition module to determine if a manually set target speed satisfies specific conditions for qualifying as a constraint speed of the preprogrammed speed profile, updating the profile to include the target speed as a constraint if conditions are met, ensuring smoother and safer transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the flight management system automatically returns to the preprogrammed VNAV profile after intervention is cancelled, then the aircraft can resume optimized flight along the preprogrammed path, but this causes undesirable speed increases during descent when a slower speed is typically necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the speed profile based on flight phase and intervention status. During descent, when intervention is active, the system maintains the manually set slower target speed. When intervention is cancelled, the system dynamically transitions to the preprogrammed profile speed, but only after ensuring the transition is appropriate for the current flight phase, thus avoiding undesirable speed increases during descent
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors flight phase, intervention status, and current speed to determine the appropriate speed profile to maintain or transition to. The flight management computer uses feedback from these parameters to automatically select whether to maintain the manually set target speed or transition to the preprogrammed profile speed, preventing inappropriate speed increases during descent
2Reliability
If the flight management system transitions back to the preprogrammed speed profile after intervention, then optimized flight path is restored, but this results in fuel wastage due to unnecessary speed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the speed profile to current flight conditions and intervention status. During descent phases, the system maintains slower manually set target speeds when intervention is active, and carefully manages the transition back to preprogrammed speeds only when appropriate, thereby optimizing fuel consumption while maintaining flight path integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the target speed parameter based on intervention status and flight phase. When intervention is active during descent, the target speed parameter is set to the manually entered slower speed. When intervention is cancelled, the system transitions to the preprogrammed profile speed parameter, but only after ensuring the transition aligns with optimal fuel consumption requirements
3Adaptability or versatility
If the pilot manually intervenes to set a slower target speed in response to ATC instructions, then compliance with ATC is achieved, but additional pilot workload is created when attempting to manually adjust throttle to avoid speed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flight management system automatically manages speed control during and after intervention, eliminating the need for pilot manual throttle adjustments. When intervention is cancelled, the system automatically transitions from the manually set slower target speed to the preprogrammed profile speed, performing the speed management function itself rather than requiring the pilot to manually adjust the throttle
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are disclosed for controlling the speed of an aircraft having a preprogrammed speed profile when transitioning from a manually set target speed to the preprogrammed speed profile. In operation, an input is received indicating that a user desires to transition from a manually set target speed to the preprogrammed speed profile. A determination is then made as to whether the manually set target speed satisfies one or more selected conditions for qualifying as a constraint speed of the preprogrammed speed profile. If the manually set target speed satisfies the one or more selected conditions, the preprogrammed speed profile is updated to include the manually set target speed as a constraint speed and the speed of the aircraft is controlled using the updated speed profile.