Aircraft Vertical Profile Construction Adapting to User Strategies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current flight management systems lack the ability to adaptively construct optimized vertical profiles for aircraft descent and approach, failing to effectively incorporate user strategies and real-time situational factors such as air traffic, weather, and airline policies, which limits fuel efficiency and adherence to operational constraints.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that allow for the construction of a vertical profile using strategic and tactical parameters, enabling adaptation to user-defined strategies and real-time modifications during flight, incorporating parameters like final approach speed, aircraft configuration, and airbrake usage to create an optimized profile.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single predefined strategy is used for constructing the vertical profile, then the construction process is simple, but the system cannot adapt to different user strategies, airline policies, or real-time conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to user strategiesVSAvoidconstruction process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static single-strategy approach to a dynamic multi-strategy system that can adapt to different user preferences, airline policies, and real-time conditions. The flight management system now allows selection among multiple construction methods (e.g., fuel-optimal, time-optimal, constrained) and adjusts parameters based on current flight conditions and user input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces multiple configurable parameters that define different construction strategies (e.g., priority between fuel savings and time, speed constraints, altitude constraints). By changing these parameters, the system can switch between different vertical profile construction approaches without requiring a complete system redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the vertical profile is strictly optimized for fuel consumption and time, then operational efficiency is improved, but the system cannot accommodate air traffic control clearances and real-time operational constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel efficiencyVSAvoidadaptability to operational constraints

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a hierarchical constraint satisfaction approach where optimization objectives (fuel, time) are pursued partially, with allowances made for mandatory constraints (ATC clearances, safety limits). The profile construction balances optimization goals with operational realities, accepting sub-optimal performance in some areas to satisfy critical constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors actual flight conditions, ATC clearances, and operational constraints, then adjusts the vertical profile in real-time. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain fuel efficiency while adapting to changing operational requirements, such as unexpected ATC instructions or weather conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple parameters and strategies are incorporated into the vertical profile construction, then the system becomes highly adaptable, but the computational complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to conditionsVSAvoidprofile construction time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The vertical profile construction process is divided into discrete segments or phases (e.g., descent initiation, intermediate descent, approach, landing). Each segment can be optimized independently with appropriate constraints, allowing the system to handle complexity in a manageable way while reducing overall computational burden compared to optimizing the entire profile at once.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-calculates and stores optimal vertical profiles for various standard conditions and scenarios. During actual flight operations, the system selects and adjusts pre-computed profiles based on current conditions rather than performing full optimization calculations in real-time, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9378645B2Method and device for constructing a vertical profile for a descent and/or an approach of an aircraft

Publication Date: 2016.06.28 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)

AI summary

This relates to a method and device for constructing a vertical profile for an aircraft descent and/or approach. The construction device comprises a data-capture unit configured to provide, for at least one of a plurality of parameters, a value relating to a user strategy. A construction unit is configured to automatically construct a vertical profile for an aircraft descent and/or approach, using the value thus provided.