Automated Aircraft Weight and Balance Estimation System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for determining an aircraft's weight and balance rely on manual calculations using estimates, which are time-consuming and prone to errors, and do not provide real-time updates, posing safety risks due to potential weight imbalances and overloading.

Innovation Solution

A system that automatically calculates the weight and balance of an aircraft using information from a flight operating system, reservation system, and bag loader, providing continuous real-time data to ensure safety margins are maintained up to the point of take-off, utilizing software to integrate fuel, passenger, and cargo information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual calculations using estimates are used, then the process is simple to operate, but it is time-consuming and prone to errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidtime-consuming

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical calculation process with an automated computer-based system. The weight and balance calculation, which was previously performed manually using physical tools like the E6B calculator, is now performed automatically by a computer system that retrieves data from databases and performs calculations electronically, eliminating the time-consuming manual operation while maintaining ease of use through automated interfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by automatically retrieving passenger, baggage, and cargo information from existing databases without requiring manual data entry. The computer system autonomously performs the weight and balance calculations and generates reports, allowing the process to serve itself rather than requiring continuous manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If manual calculations are used, then the device complexity is low, but reliability is reduced due to potential errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the simple manual calculation device with a computer-based automated system. This substitution increases device complexity but dramatically improves reliability by eliminating human calculation errors, automatically retrieving accurate data from databases, and performing precise electronic calculations rather than manual estimations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by automatically retrieving and updating weight and balance data from databases, continuously monitoring the calculations, and providing automated alerts or corrections if issues are detected, thereby enhancing reliability through systematic verification rather than relying solely on manual accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If manual calculations are performed continuously, then measurement precision improves, but productivity decreases due to time consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidproductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous automated weight and balance calculations that operate without interruption from check-in through take-off. The computer system continuously retrieves updated data from databases and performs calculations in real-time, maintaining high measurement precision while eliminating the productivity loss associated with repeated manual calculations, as the automated system performs all necessary calculations continuously without human intervention delays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary weight and balance calculations in advance during the check-in process, rather than waiting until the last moment. By continuously calculating and updating weight and balance data as passengers and baggage are checked in, the system ensures precise measurements are available early, allowing time for corrections if needed while maintaining high productivity throughout the pre-flight process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8068975B2Determining an estimate of the weight and balance of an aircraft automatically in advance and up to the point of take-off

Publication Date: 2011.11.29 AMERICAN AIRLINES INC

AI summary

A method, system and computer program product for determining an estimate of the weight and balance of an aircraft automatically in advance and up to the point of take-off. A weight and balance system may receive information from a flight operating system, a reservation system, a bag loader and/or a pilot in advance and up to the point of take-off. The information received from the flight operating system, the reservation system, the bag loader and/or pilot is used to estimate the weight and balance of an aircraft automatically in advance and up to the point of take-off, such as via software. For example, the flight operating system may provide information related to fuel, weather, airplane, airports, and flight information. The reservation system may provide information related to passenger and bag information. The bag loader may provide additional information related to bag information.