Autonomous Light Aircraft Navigation Without an Onboard Pilot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous vehicles, such as drones and light aircraft, face safety concerns and weight limitations that prevent their widespread use for cargo and human transport, requiring human pilots and limiting their range and flight duration, while aviation regulations are evolving rapidly.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous light aircraft system that operates without an onboard pilot, utilizing a temporal vector integration engine for precise navigation, communicates with traffic signals and air traffic control, and includes safety features for landing and propulsion system protection, allowing it to navigate and deliver cargo or passengers with enhanced lift capabilities and compliance with evolving regulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the vehicle weight exceeds 212 pounds to increase lift capability and range, then the vehicle can carry more cargo and passengers, but it is no longer classified as a drone and requires a certified pilot
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft performs self-navigation and self-control functions through an autonomous flight management system that replaces the need for a human pilot. The system autonomously manages flight parameters, navigation, and communication with air traffic control, enabling the vehicle to serve itself without requiring a certified pilot even when exceeding drone weight limits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical control system operated by a human pilot with an electronic autonomous control system. The flight management system uses sensors, processors, and communication modules to substitute human piloting functions, allowing the aircraft to operate autonomously in the weight class above 212 pounds
2Reliability
If autonomous control systems are implemented to remove the requirement for a human pilot, then safety concerns are addressed and operational autonomy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flight management system performs multiple functions including navigation, communication with air traffic control, flight parameter monitoring, and autonomous control within a single integrated platform. This multi-functional approach improves safety through comprehensive monitoring while managing complexity by consolidating control functions rather than using separate independent systems
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous control system continuously monitors flight parameters, position, and environmental conditions, using this feedback to adjust control inputs and maintain safe operation. The system receives feedback from sensors and communication systems to make real-time adjustments, improving safety through closed-loop control while managing complexity through systematic feedback processing
3Productivity
If the aircraft operates without a human pilot to enable autonomous operation, then operational efficiency is improved, but communication and coordination with air traffic control and traffic signals becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The flight management system acts as an intermediary between the autonomous aircraft and external control systems including air traffic control and traffic signal coordination. This intermediary system translates autonomous flight intentions into standardized communication protocols, improving operational efficiency by automating coordination while managing complexity through protocol standardization
Data Source
AI summary
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles also known as UAVs or Drones, either autonomous or remotely piloted, are classified as drones by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as weighing under 212 pounds. The system described herein details Autonomous Flight Vehicles (AFV) which weigh over 212 pounds but less than 1,320 pounds which may require either a new classification or a classification such as Sport Light Aircraft, but without the requirement of a pilot due to the safe autonomous flight system such as the Safe Temporal Vector Integration Engine or STeVIE. Safe Autonomous Light Aircraft (SALA) are useful as drone carriers, large scale air package or cargo transport, and even human transport depending on the total lift capability of the platform.