Aircraft Turn Direction Determination via Geometric Sign Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flight management systems (FMS) do not adequately consider the geometric position of the departure point relative to the arrival straight when determining the optimal turn direction, leading to suboptimal trajectories that may not align with the natural direction chosen by pilots or minimize distance traveled, and can result in the aircraft flying outside the intended flight plan.
Innovation Solution
A method to determine the optimal turn direction by comparing the conventional departure sign of the departure point with respect to the arrival straight and the logical sign of the angle change, adjusting the turn direction based on their equality or difference, and considering additional factors like the absolute value of the angle change and distance between the departure point and the arrival straight to refine the turn direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the conventional logical turn direction method is used, then the turn direction is determined simply based on angle change, but the trajectory may not minimize distance or align with pilot intent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters considered for turn direction determination from only angle change to include both the sign of angle change and the position of the departure point relative to the arrival straight. This dual-parameter approach resolves the contradiction by adding minimal computational complexity while significantly improving trajectory optimality and reducing flight distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional logic by not simply following the logical turn direction, but rather determining the optimal turn direction based on the geometric relationship between departure point and arrival straight. This inversion allows the system to choose the more efficient turn direction that minimizes distance while maintaining compliance with flight plan constraints.
2Ease of operation
If the logical turn direction is always followed, then the determination is simple, but the aircraft may fly outside the intended flight plan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the determination parameters to include both the logical turn direction (angle change sign) and the geometric position of the departure point relative to the arrival straight. This combination maintains operational simplicity while ensuring flight plan compliance by selecting the turn direction that keeps the aircraft on the intended flight path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces feedback by continuously evaluating the geometric relationship between the aircraft's current position and the arrival straight, and using this information to adjust the turn direction decision. This feedback mechanism ensures that the selected turn direction always maintains compliance with the flight plan while achieving the desired navigation objective.
3Device complexity
If the turn direction is determined without considering departure point position, then the calculation is simpler, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the calculation parameters to include the position of the departure point relative to the arrival straight in addition to the angle change. This parameter enhancement adds minimal computational complexity while significantly reducing fuel consumption by enabling the selection of optimal turn directions that minimize flight distance and energy expenditure.
Data Source
AI summary
A method determines the optimal turn direction of an aircraft among two directions, right and left, following a lateral trajectory to join an arrival straight charted by an angle of arrival, based on a departure point and angle of departure defining a departure straight oriented along movement of the aircraft, the direction defined by a respectively positive or negative optimal turn sign, comprising: determining a conventional departure sign of the departure point; determining a center value of an angle of change of course equal to the difference between the angle of arrival and angle of departure referred back between −180° and +180°, the center value exhibiting a logical sign corresponding to the center value sign of the angle of change of course; determining the sign of the optimal turn based on comparison between the departure sign and the logical sign, the sign of the optimal turn defining optimal turn direction.