Avionics Controller for Aircraft Fuel Prediction Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft performance estimation methods are inaccurate due to errors in torque sensors and wear-related losses, leading to inefficient fuel management and potential hazardous operations.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a flight plan database, flight parameter database, and avionics controller circuit that determines expected flight performance parameters, compares them with current sensor values, and adjusts operation parameters to minimize differences, thereby improving fuel efficiency and reducing the need for unplanned refueling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of fuel requirements is made by pilot, then fuel management flexibility is improved, but accuracy of performance estimation deteriorates due to mental guessing
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors actual flight performance parameters (fuel consumption, torque, speed) and compares them with predicted values from performance models. This feedback loop enables automatic adjustment of operation parameters to maintain optimal fuel efficiency without requiring manual pilot estimation.
Solution Approach 2:
The avionics controller automatically adjusts operation parameters (thrust, speed, altitude) based on real-time sensor data and performance predictions, eliminating the need for manual pilot intervention in fuel management decisions while maintaining high accuracy.
2Device complexity
If existing performance models are used, then fuel requirement calculation is simplified, but accuracy deteriorates due to sensor errors and component wear
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts operation parameters (thrust setting, cruise speed, altitude) based on real-time sensor feedback and actual performance data. This allows the aircraft to adapt to sensor drift and component wear by continuously optimizing parameters rather than relying on fixed pre-flight calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs real-time performance predictions and adjustments during flight based on accumulated sensor data, rather than relying solely on pre-flight estimates. This continuous preliminary action corrects for sensor errors and wear effects as they develop.
3Reliability
If conservative fuel estimates are made, then risk of fuel exhaustion is reduced, but fuel efficiency deteriorates due to overestimation
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses real-time feedback from actual fuel consumption and performance sensors to continuously refine fuel predictions. This eliminates the need for conservative overestimation while maintaining high reliability through continuous monitoring and adjustment of operation parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual conservative estimation with automated, data-driven performance prediction and adjustment. This substitution of mechanical/pilot judgment with electronic sensing and computation achieves both precision and reliability without conservative bias.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a flight parameter database and an avionics controller circuit. The flight parameter database is configured to store at least one ownship operation parameter for the ownship. The avionics controller circuit is configured to determine an expected value of a flight performance parameter for the ownship based on the at least one ownship operation parameter, receive a current value of the flight performance parameter from a sensor of the ownship, determine a difference between the expected value of the flight performance parameter and the current value of the flight performance parameter, and adjust the at least one ownship operation parameter to reduce the difference.