Autopilot Engine Vibration Control for Faster In-Flight Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current engine vibration monitoring and control systems rely on manual pilot intervention, which is time-consuming and may not prevent significant engine damage in a timely manner, especially due to vibrations caused by factors like ice formation, turbine blade release, and foreign object damage.
Innovation Solution
An automated engine vibration monitoring and control system that includes an aircraft autopilot and a flight management system (FMS), which processes vibration data from sensors to determine when vibrations exceed thresholds, and supplies commands to the autopilot to take corrective actions, while also alerting the pilot for high-level vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If manual pilot intervention is used to monitor and control engine vibrations, then the system is simpler and easier to operate, but the response time is delayed and engine damage may occur before corrective actions are taken
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of engine vibrations continuously and automatically detects when vibration thresholds are exceeded, preparing corrective actions in advance before actual engine damage occurs. The FMS proactively identifies vibration issues and initiates autopilot corrective maneuvers without waiting for pilot recognition and response.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the aircraft systems to serve themselves by automatically monitoring engine vibrations and executing corrective actions through the autopilot without requiring continuous pilot intervention. The FMS and autopilot work autonomously to detect vibration anomalies and implement corrective procedures, reducing the need for manual pilot action.
2Reliability
If automated systems are implemented to monitor and control engine vibrations, then the response time is reduced and engine protection is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The Flight Management System (FMS) performs multiple functions including navigation, performance management, and now vibration monitoring and control. By leveraging the existing FMS infrastructure for vibration monitoring and autopilot integration, the system achieves enhanced engine protection without adding completely separate dedicated systems, thus managing complexity through multi-functional use of existing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where vibration sensors monitor engine conditions, the FMS processes the data and compares it against thresholds, and corrective actions are automatically commanded to the autopilot. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures reliable engine protection by continuously monitoring and responding to vibration changes while utilizing existing flight control systems.
3Productivity
If the autopilot automatically takes corrective actions to reduce engine vibrations, then the corrective actions are implemented timely to prevent engine damage, but pilot control is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements partial automation where the autopilot automatically executes corrective actions only for specific vibration conditions within defined thresholds. For normal operating conditions, the system handles corrections autonomously, but pilots retain full control authority and can override or disengage the automated system when desired, providing a balance between automated productivity and pilot control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the level of automation based on flight conditions and pilot input. The automated vibration correction feature can be engaged or disengaged by the pilot, and the system adapts its intervention level according to the severity and type of vibration detected, allowing flexible control where the autopilot acts automatically when needed but yields to pilot control when appropriate.
Data Source
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AI summary
An engine vibration monitoring and control system includes an aircraft autopilot and a flight management system (FMS). The FMS is in operable communication with the aircraft autopilot and is configured to determine when the aircraft autopilot is engaged and disengaged. The FMS is also adapted to receive vibration data from an engine vibration data source and is configured, upon determining that the aircraft autopilot is engaged, to: process the vibration data to determine when engine vibrations exceed one or more first thresholds, and when the engine vibrations exceed the one or more first thresholds, supply commands to the autopilot that cause the autopilot to take corrective actions to reduce the engine vibrations below the one or more first thresholds.