Aircraft Thrust Balancing Using Stored Asymmetric Bias
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-engine aircraft experience uneven thrust due to engine wear and age disparities, leading to asymmetric thrust output, which increases fuel consumption and decreases efficiency as control surfaces continuously correct for these imbalances during cruise mode.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft controller applies asymmetric thrust biases determined from previous flights, using a non-transient storage medium to adjust engine thrust metrics, calculating a weighted average to account for anomalous conditions, and disabling the system during critical phases like takeoff and landing to optimize engine balance and reduce control surface deflection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If asymmetric thrust bias is applied to balance engine thrust, then fuel efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by determining asymmetric thrust bias from previous flights and storing it in a non-transient storage medium before the current flight. This pre-calculated bias is then applied during the current flight to balance engine thrust, improving fuel efficiency without requiring complex real-time calculations during flight operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the engine control systems and the thrust balancing objective. It receives thrust metric data from engines, applies the stored asymmetric thrust bias, and generates adjusted thrust metrics that are sent back to the engines. This intermediary role simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing the balancing logic in the controller.
2Stability of the object's composition
If control surfaces are used to correct asymmetric thrust, then aircraft heading is maintained, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by determining the asymmetric thrust bias and applying corrective thrust adjustments before the aircraft deviates from its intended heading. By proactively balancing the engine thrust using the stored bias from previous flights, the system prevents the need for continuous control surface corrections, thereby reducing fuel consumption while maintaining heading stability.
3Productivity
If thrust balancing is applied during all flight phases, then engine balance is optimized, but safety is compromised during critical phases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its operation based on flight phase. The thrust balancing is applied during cruise operations where fuel efficiency is critical, but is disabled during takeoff and landing procedures where maximum pilot control and engine responsiveness are essential for safety. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize engine balance when beneficial while maintaining safety during critical phases.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An aircraft controller (50) includes a memory for storing instructions. The instructions are operable to cause the controller (50) to perform a thrust balancing method and ensure a balanced thrust output from the aircraft.