Aircraft Vertical Trajectory Optimization for Fuel-Efficient Altitude Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining vertical aircraft trajectories are inefficient in reducing flight costs, as they do not adequately consider fuel consumption and atmospheric conditions, leading to suboptimal altitude changes and increased operational expenses.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for calculating and optimizing vertical trajectories using a computing device onboard an aircraft, which analyzes aircraft performance data and atmospheric conditions to determine cost-efficient altitude values, smoothing the trajectory to maintain consistent altitudes and reduce fuel consumption by implementing altitude consistency thresholds and practical flying principles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional flight management systems determine vertical trajectory, then flight path is established, but fuel consumption is not optimized and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculation of cost-efficient altitude values for each distance point along the air route before flight execution. By pre-computing the optimal vertical trajectory based on atmospheric data and aircraft performance characteristics, the system eliminates the need for complex real-time optimization during flight, thus reducing fuel consumption without requiring complex onboard computation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational layer that processes atmospheric condition data and aircraft performance data to generate cost-efficient altitude recommendations. This intermediary system acts as a mediator between raw data inputs and flight control decisions, translating complex environmental and performance parameters into simple, actionable altitude guidance that reduces fuel consumption without burdening the aircraft's flight management system with excessive complexity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If altitude changes are frequently made to optimize fuel consumption, then fuel efficiency improves, but flight stability decreases and operational practicality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality optimization by determining cost-efficient altitude values for specific distance points along the air route rather than implementing uniform altitude changes. By identifying and applying altitude optimizations only at specific locations where atmospheric conditions and aircraft performance align favorably, the system improves fuel efficiency while maintaining flight stability at other segments of the journey.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial optimization by applying cost-efficient altitude changes only at selected distance points along the air route rather than continuously adjusting altitude. This partial action approach captures sufficient fuel savings from strategic altitude modifications while avoiding the instability and operational impracticality that would result from excessive or continuous altitude changes.
3Device complexity
If vertical trajectory is optimized without considering atmospheric conditions, then calculation is simpler, but fuel consumption increases due to suboptimal altitude selection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air route into discrete distance points and processes atmospheric condition data and aircraft performance data separately for each segment. By dividing the optimization problem into manageable segments rather than attempting to optimize the entire route simultaneously, the system incorporates comprehensive atmospheric considerations without requiring excessively complex calculation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes fuel consumption by dynamically changing altitude parameters based on atmospheric condition variations along the air route. By adjusting the altitude parameter at each distance point according to local atmospheric data and aircraft performance characteristics, the system achieves significant fuel savings while maintaining calculation simplicity through a systematic parameter-change approach rather than complex control algorithms.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for calculating vertical trajectory values is provided. The method obtains aircraft performance data for a particular aircraft and atmospheric condition data associated with an air route; calculates a cost-efficient vertical trajectory for the air route, based on the aircraft performance data and the atmospheric condition data, wherein the cost-efficient vertical trajectory comprises a plurality of altitude values for minimizing cost for the particular aircraft during travel of the air route; obtains an altitude consistency threshold; and adjusts the cost-efficient vertical trajectory using the altitude consistency parameter, to create an optimized vertical trajectory for the aircraft route.