Cruise Vertical Path Optimization Under Oceanic Air Traffic Constraints

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircrafts often cannot fly along an optimum cruise profile due to air traffic constraints in remote and oceanic airspaces, leading to inefficiencies in fuel usage and speed.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that determine an optimized cruise vertical path based on flight plans, aircraft characteristics, environmental conditions, and air traffic information of other aircraft, using a processing circuit and autopilot control to guide the aircraft along a more cost-efficient flight path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If aircraft fly along an optimum cruise profile to maximize ground-specific range, then fuel savings and speed are improved, but air traffic control clearances become difficult to obtain due to air traffic constraints in remote and oceanic airspaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel efficiencyVSAvoidair traffic control clearance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables aircraft to autonomously determine and follow optimized cruise vertical paths without requiring continuous air traffic control intervention. The onboard processing circuit independently calculates optimal paths based on flight plans, aircraft characteristics, environmental conditions, and air traffic information, allowing the aircraft to self-manage its vertical navigation while maintaining safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-determines optimized cruise vertical paths by evaluating multiple parameters including flight plans, aircraft characteristics, environmental conditions, and air traffic information before execution. This preliminary optimization allows the aircraft to establish efficient cruise profiles in advance while anticipating air traffic constraints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If aircraft follow conventional flight paths due to air traffic constraints, then air traffic control clearance is easier to obtain, but fuel consumption increases and flight time extends

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair traffic control clearanceVSAvoidfuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the cruise vertical path by continuously evaluating air traffic information and recalculating optimized paths. The processing circuit modifies set points and vertical profiles in real-time based on changing air traffic conditions, allowing the aircraft to maintain fuel efficiency while adapting to dynamic air traffic constraints without requiring static pre-approval for every path change

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes multiple parameters simultaneously including vertical path geometry, cruise altitude, speed profiles, and timing to optimize fuel consumption. By adjusting these parameters based on air traffic information and environmental conditions, the system achieves significant fuel savings while maintaining compliance with air traffic constraints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If aircraft use traditional cruise paths without optimization, then navigation is simpler, but cost efficiency decreases due to higher fuel consumption and longer flight times

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation simplicityVSAvoidcost efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces traditional manual navigation planning with an automated electronic optimization system. The processing circuit automatically calculates optimized cruise vertical paths by processing flight plans, aircraft characteristics, environmental data, and air traffic information, substituting complex manual navigation procedures with automated computational algorithms that deliver both simplicity and cost efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs multiple functions within a single integrated platform: it processes flight plans, evaluates aircraft characteristics, incorporates environmental conditions, analyzes air traffic information, calculates optimized paths, and controls autopilot systems. This multi-functionality achieves cost efficiency without complicating navigation, as all operations are managed through a unified system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11320842B2Systems and methods for optimized cruise vertical path

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 ROCKWELL COLLINS INC

AI summary

A system includes a processing circuit onboard an aircraft and configured to determine an optimum cruise profile for the aircraft based on a flight plan, a characteristic of the aircraft, and an environmental characteristic. The processing circuit is also configured to determine an optimized cruise vertical path based on the optimum cruise profile and air traffic information of at least one other aircraft, and control an autopilot system of the aircraft to cause the aircraft to follow the optimized cruise vertical path.