Aircraft Trajectory Volume Control for Flexible Geocaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for operating UAVs and manned aircraft in complex environments, such as cities or controlled airspace, restrict flight operations to predefined regions, making it difficult to achieve free movement and requiring precise trajectory adherence, with deviations leading to mission failure or inability to access take-off/landing sites.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine a volume enveloping the aircraft's trajectory, comprising an inner and outer volume, calculated from actual flight conditions, to monitor and maintain trajectory adherence, allowing for flexible flight paths and initiating corrective measures if deviations occur.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If predefined fixed volumes are used for geocaging, then safety and control are improved, but flight flexibility and freedom of movement deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static fixed volumes to dynamic adaptive volumes. The geocage volumes are continuously adjusted based on real-time flight conditions, aircraft state, and environmental factors. This allows the safety boundaries to adapt to current operational context while maintaining reliable control, resolving the contradiction between fixed safety constraints and flexible flight operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the volume parameters dynamically during flight. Instead of using fixed geometric volumes, the system adjusts volume size, shape, and position based on changing flight parameters such as altitude, speed, trajectory, and weather conditions. This enables safety boundaries to scale with operational needs while maintaining control reliability.
2Reliability
If precise trajectory adherence is required, then safety and control are improved, but operational freedom and ability to handle deviations deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the operational space into multiple hierarchical volume levels (first volume, second volume, third volume). Each volume represents a different control zone with graduated response requirements. This segmentation allows precise control within the innermost volume while providing increasing operational freedom in outer volumes, resolving the contradiction between trajectory precision and operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts trajectory requirements based on flight conditions and volume层级. Instead of enforcing rigid precise adherence throughout, the system adapts control stringency to the current operational context, allowing greater freedom when conditions permit while maintaining strict control when safety requires it.
3Reliability
If conservative assumptions are used for volume calculation, then safety margins are improved, but flight area and operational capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conservative static assumptions with dynamic real-time calculations. Volume boundaries are continuously computed based on actual flight conditions, aircraft performance data, and environmental factors. This dynamic approach maintains adequate safety margins by adapting to current operational reality rather than assuming worst-case scenarios throughout, thereby expanding usable flight area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses self-service by leveraging real-time data from the aircraft's own sensors and systems to determine appropriate safety volumes. Instead of relying on pre-defined conservative margins, the aircraft's operational data itself serves to define the safe operating envelope, optimizing the balance between safety and flight area.
4Device complexity
If static volumes are used, then calculation simplicity is improved, but adaptability to changing flight conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making volume calculations adaptive to changing flight conditions. The system continuously updates volume parameters based on real-time data without requiring complex manual recalculation. Automated algorithms adjust volumes dynamically, maintaining simplicity of operation while achieving high adaptability to varying flight environments.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating an aircraft (1) is provided, wherein for a predetermined trajectory (NT) of the aircraft (1) a volume enveloping the trajectory (NT) is determined, which volume includes a first, inner volume and a second, outer volume, and the second volume envelops the first volume. The first volume is composed of a plurality of first individual volumes (TVi) and the second volume is composed of a number of second individual volumes, which individual volumes (TVi) are calculated at each point of the trajectory (NT) on the basis of parameters (vi) of an actual flight condition of the aircraft (1) at a respective time.