Aircraft Auto-Thrust Control System Turbulence Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current auto-thrust systems in aircraft are not responsive enough during turbulence, leading pilots to manually control engines due to perceived slow response times during momentary speed reductions.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a processing unit that receives turbulence level measurements and adjusts the aircraft speed setting by adding an additional speed setting, applying a correction function to the engine control setting when deviations from the set speed are below or above predetermined thresholds, thereby enhancing the system's responsiveness during turbulence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the response time of the auto-thrust system is optimized for nominal flight conditions, then the system performs efficiently under normal operations, but the responsiveness becomes too low during turbulence causing momentary speed reductions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the control system's response characteristics adaptable to different flight conditions. The processing unit dynamically adjusts the control setting based on detected turbulence, allowing the system to transition from a fixed-response design optimized for nominal conditions to a variable-response design that enhances responsiveness during turbulence without compromising nominal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter by modifying the control setting transmitted to the engine controller based on turbulence detection. When turbulence is detected, the processing unit adjusts the control setting to produce a more rapid response in thrust adjustment, effectively changing the system's operational parameters to match the disturbed flight conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system uses a fixed control algorithm optimized for nominal conditions, then the system structure remains simple, but the system cannot adequately respond to degraded flight conditions like turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a control system that serves multiple functions: it operates efficiently under nominal flight conditions while simultaneously being capable of detecting and responding to turbulence. The processing unit integrates turbulence detection and adaptive control adjustment within the existing auto-thrust system, allowing one system to handle multiple flight conditions without requiring separate dedicated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by having the processing unit receive information about actual flight conditions (including turbulence detection) and use this information to adjust the control setting. The system continuously monitors flight conditions and modifies its control output accordingly, creating a closed-loop control that adapts to changing conditions while maintaining system simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling the thrust of the engines of an aircraft comprises a processing unit configured to receive an aircraft speed setting, to determine a control setting for at least one engine of the aircraft as a function of the speed setting and to transmit a setting to a controller of the at least one engine of the aircraft as a function of the control setting. The processing unit is further configured to receive a current turbulence level measurement information item and to add an additional speed setting, as a function of the turbulence level, to the speed setting.