Aircraft Task Management With Smart Contracts for Real-Time Replanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft manufacturing processes face inefficiencies due to rigidly planned tasks, manual labor-intensive reassessments, and challenges in maintaining accurate data integrity for FAA certification, especially when conditions change during production.
Innovation Solution
An integrated system utilizing blockchain-based distributed ledgers and smart contracts for manufacturing task work statements (MTWS) that include conditional logic for resource management and priority adjustments, enabling real-time optimization and autonomous execution of tasks while maintaining data integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If tasks are rigidly planned in advance with predefined sequences, then manufacturing precision and compliance are improved, but adaptability to changing conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic task management by enabling real-time modification of task parameters, sequences, and resource allocations based on changing manufacturing conditions. The system transitions from static predefined MTWS to dynamically adjustable task definitions that can be modified without complete rework, allowing the manufacturing process to adapt while maintaining precision through controlled change management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows modification of task parameters such as sequences, resources, and dependencies in response to changing conditions. By enabling parameter changes rather than requiring complete task redefinition, the system maintains manufacturing precision while improving adaptability to disruptions like delayed parts or resource availability changes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual reassessment and reworking of tasks is performed when conditions change, then adaptability is improved, but productivity and time efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service through automated reassessment capabilities where the manufacturing execution system automatically evaluates condition changes, determines their impact on task sequences and resources, and executes necessary modifications without requiring manual intervention from engineers or administrators. This maintains adaptability while preserving productivity by eliminating manual reassessment labor.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor manufacturing conditions, resource availability, and task progress. When changes are detected, the system automatically processes feedback information to reassess and adjust task plans, enabling rapid adaptation without manual intervention and thus maintaining high productivity levels.
3Measurement precision
If extensive manual labor is used for task reassessment and data maintenance, then data accuracy for FAA certification is improved, but time consumption and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical processes of data collection, verification, and maintenance with automated electronic systems. The manufacturing execution system automatically captures task data, verifies compliance requirements, and maintains accurate records for FAA certification without manual intervention, thereby ensuring data accuracy while dramatically reducing the time required for data maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates and maintains digital copies of task data, resource allocations, and compliance information in structured formats that can be automatically verified and submitted for FAA certification. These digital copies replace manual documentation processes, ensuring accuracy through automated data capture while eliminating time-consuming manual data maintenance activities.
4Reliability
If comprehensive data tracking is implemented for FAA certification, then reliability and compliance are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal data management system that serves multiple functions: tracking task execution, monitoring resource allocation, verifying compliance requirements, and generating certification documentation. By consolidating these functions into a single integrated system rather than separate specialized systems, the patent maintains comprehensive data tracking for reliability while reducing overall system complexity through functional integration.
Data Source
AI summary
In an example, a method is performed by a computing system that is one of a group of computing systems involved in facilitating a manufacturing of an aircraft. The method comprises generating a plurality of manufacturing task work statements (MTWSs), each MTWS being associated with a task involved in the manufacturing and comprising smart contract data and computer code. The method also comprises receiving system state information indicating (i) a schedule according to which the aircraft is to be manufactured, (ii) resources available for use in executing the MTWSs, and (iii) one or more aircraft certification requirements with which the tasks involved in the manufacturing of the aircraft are to comply. The method also comprises executing the MTWSs based on the system state information and storing, in a blockchain-based distributed ledger accessible by the group of computing systems, an end state result of the execution of each MTWS.