Avionics Descent Path Recalculation for Altitude Constraint Compliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automated avionics systems lack the ability to account for deviations from a flight plan without substantial pilot intervention, particularly in initiating descent prior to or after a predetermined top of descent point, while maintaining altitude and speed constraints.

Innovation Solution

An automated avionics system with a graphical interface and processor that allows pilots to interactively modify the aircraft's descent path by determining a new position of descent and calculating a modified path that complies with altitude constraints, enabling descent initiation at a desired location and altitude, and adjusting the path to meet flight plan requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If automated avionics systems follow a predetermined flight plan with fixed top of descent point, then flight plan adherence is maintained, but the system lacks flexibility to initiate descent at desired locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in descent initiation locationVSAvoidcompliance with altitude constraints

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically calculates a new top of descent point based on the aircraft's current position and desired descent location, rather than following a fixed predetermined point. This allows the descent initiation location to be flexible while maintaining compliance with altitude constraints through real-time path recalculation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the descent parameters (top of descent point, descent path) based on the deviation between current aircraft position and desired descent location. When deviation exceeds a threshold, the system recalculates the descent path to accommodate the new parameters while maintaining constraint compliance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If pilots manually intervene to adjust descent path deviations, then descent can be initiated at desired locations, but pilot intervention and workload increase substantially

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedescent path modification capabilityVSAvoidpilot intervention requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically detecting when the aircraft deviates from the planned top of descent point, calculating the deviation, and autonomously determining a modified descent path. This eliminates the need for pilot intervention in routine descent adjustments, reducing workload while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the aircraft's position relative to the planned descent path and provides feedback by calculating deviations. When the deviation exceeds a threshold, the system automatically initiates path recalculation and guides the pilot through the modification process, minimizing manual intervention while ensuring accurate descent path adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system calculates a new descent path based on aircraft position, then flexible descent initiation is enabled, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteractive descent path modificationVSAvoidprocessor calculations and path recalculation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculations by determining the deviation between current aircraft position and the original top of descent point before initiating full path recalculation. This preliminary assessment allows the system to efficiently determine whether modification is needed and prepares the basis for calculating the new descent path

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The path recalculation process is segmented into distinct steps: calculating deviation, determining if deviation exceeds threshold, calculating new top of descent point, and generating modified descent path. This segmentation allows the complex calculation process to be broken down into manageable, sequential operations that reduce overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11644340B2Automated avionics systems and methods for determining a modified path of descent of an aircraft

Publication Date: 2023.05.09 GARMIN INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

An automated avionics system for determining a modified descent path of an aircraft includes a memory operable to store a database of flight information related to a flight plan and a processor operably coupled with the memory. The processor is operable to receive an indication to initiate descent of the aircraft associated with a position of the aircraft, receive information related to the flight plan from the database, and based on the information received, perform modifications to the path of descent. The processor is further operable to, based on a comparison of an original position of descent and the indicated position, determine a modified position of descent for the aircraft and calculate a modified path of descent, the modified path of descent complying with the of altitude constraint(s) of the flight plan.