Aircraft Wind Speed Determination for Takeoff Weight Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air data computers on rotary wing aircraft are unable to accurately and reliably measure wind speeds, especially low speeds, due to interference from the main and tail rotors, leading to inaccurate maximum authorized takeoff weights and safety margins.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using multidirectional anemometers on board the aircraft to measure wind speeds, combined with weather observation and forecast data, to determine the actual wind speed and optimize takeoff weight, reducing safety margins while ensuring accuracy and integrity of measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional air data computers with Pitot tubes are used to measure wind speed, then the measurement system is simple and low-cost, but the measurement precision deteriorates at low wind speeds due to rotor interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wind speed measurement function from the conventional Pitot tube system and implements it through a separate anemometer device mounted on the aircraft. This allows the measurement system to operate independently from the aircraft's aerodynamic structure, eliminating rotor interference effects while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational process that combines anemometer measurements with weather observation data. This intermediary system processes and validates the measurements, improving precision through data correlation while keeping the physical measurement device simple.
2Reliability
If safety margins are increased to compensate for measurement inaccuracies, then flight safety is improved, but the maximum authorized takeoff weight decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where anemometer measurements are continuously compared with weather observation data. This feedback loop validates measurement accuracy and allows the system to reduce safety margins when measurements are confirmed accurate, thereby increasing maximum authorized takeoff weight while maintaining flight safety.
3Measurement precision
If anemometer measurements are used to determine wind speed, then measurement precision is improved, but the reliability of measurements deteriorates due to potential inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges anemometer measurements with independent weather observation data to determine wind speed. This combination approach cross-validates the measurements, improving reliability by confirming accuracy through multiple data sources while maintaining the precision benefits of the anemometer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback comparison between anemometer readings and weather observations to verify measurement integrity. When measurements align with independent observations, reliability is confirmed; discrepancies trigger validation protocols, ensuring measurement integrity is maintained.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of determining the speed of the wind to be taken into account for determining a maximum authorized takeoff weight of an aircraft. A measured speed TASmes of the local wind is calculated from at least one current speed TASinst of the local wind and an observed speed TASobs of the local wind on the basis of weather observations and on the basis of a heading value. The measured speed TASmes is compared with the observed speed TASobs in order to determine a calculated speed TASperfo of the local wind while also making use of at least one instability criterion of the local wind as supplied by the weather observations and weather forecasts. The calculated speed TASperfo is then for taking into account in order to optimize the maximize authorized takeoff weight of the aircraft.