Autonomous Altitude Control via Barometric Differential Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current aircraft systems certified for flight with a pilot cannot fly through regions with varying barometric pressures without a flight crew member on board, as they require manual setting of barometric pressure in the altimeter, necessitating costly retrofits and recertifications to operate autonomously.

Innovation Solution

A computer system programmed to calculate a 'pilotless altitude' by determining the differential between the altimeter's fixed setting and current barometric pressure, allowing the aircraft to maintain assigned altitudes autonomously without manual intervention, using a fixed altimeter setting and existing certified equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If an aircraft uses an altimeter with a barometric pressure selector that requires manual setting by a flight crew member, then the aircraft can be certified for flight with a pilot, but the aircraft cannot fly autonomously through regions with varying barometric pressures without a flight crew member on board

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous altitude controlVSAvoidaltimeter system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables the aircraft to automatically adjust altitude indications by calculating the differential between the fixed altimeter setting and current barometric pressure, allowing the aircraft to serve itself without crew intervention for barometric adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

A computer system acts as an intermediary between the fixed altimeter setting and the flight management system, automatically calculating and applying altitude differentials to bridge the gap between fixed instrument settings and variable environmental conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Extent of automation

If an aircraft is retrofitted with new altimetry systems to fly without a flight crew member, then autonomous flight capability is achieved, but costly retrofits and recertifications are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous flight capabilityVSAvoidretrofit cost and complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system makes the existing altimeter serve multiple functions by allowing it to operate with a fixed setting while the computer system automatically compensates for barometric variations, enabling both piloted and unpiloted operation with the same hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a virtual representation of the altitude indication by calculating the differential and applying it to the flight management system, allowing the aircraft to fly at the correct altitude without physically changing the altimeter setting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If the aircraft maintains a fixed altimeter setting, then the existing certified equipment can be used, but the aircraft cannot accurately maintain assigned altitudes when flying through regions with different barometric pressures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealtitude accuracyVSAvoidbarometric pressure adjustment system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously receives current barometric pressure data and automatically adjusts the altitude indication in the flight management system based on the differential between the fixed altimeter setting and current conditions, maintaining accuracy without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables aircraft to fly through regions with changing barometric pressures without the need for new equipment or recertification, reducing operational costs and time by maintaining assigned altitudes autonomously using existing altimeters and flight management systems.

Implementation Method 1

receive a barometric pressure for a location of the aircraft; receive a new barometric pressure for the location of the aircraft; determine a differential between a height above mean sea level indicated on an altimeter using the new barometric pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBarometric pressure measurement: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS10250318B2Process and machine for aircraft altitude control

Publication Date: 2019.04.02 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

Embodiments are described for a machine and process that include a computer code specially programmed on a non-transitory medium to change an altitude, of an aircraft that remains certified for flight by a pilot, such that the aircraft contains an altimeter having a fixed altimeter setting. The computer code may be configured to: receive an assigned altitude and a barometric pressure for a location of the aircraft; determine a differential between a height above mean sea level indicated on an altimeter using the new barometric pressure for the location of the aircraft and a height above mean sea level indicated on an altimeter based upon the fixed altimeter setting; modify, based upon the differential, a flight planned altitude for the aircraft, to create a pilotless altitude; send the pilotless altitude to the aircraft; and fly the aircraft at the assigned altitude via commanding flight at the pilotless altitude.