Electric Aircraft Flight Planning With Real-Time Energy Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric aircraft flight plans are often inefficient, lacking a cost-effective navigation solution that optimizes energy usage and route planning based on real-time conditions.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method for generating a cost-effective electric aircraft flight plan using sensors to detect position and phase of flight, coupled with a computing device that determines a maximally cost-effective plan, incorporating machine learning models and real-time data for optimal route optimization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If existing flight plans are used for electric aircraft, then navigation from one location to another is enabled, but the flight plans are inefficient in terms of energy consumption and route optimization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidflight plan efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The flight plan generation system dynamically adapts to real-time conditions including battery status, weather, and aircraft position. The controller continuously receives position data from sensors and updates the flight plan based on current phase of flight and changing conditions, making the system flexible rather than static.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback loops where sensor data about aircraft position and battery status is continuously monitored and fed back to the controller. This feedback enables the controller to adjust the flight plan in real-time to optimize energy consumption while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of energy

If a cost-effective flight plan is generated considering multiple factors like weather and battery status, then energy expenditure is minimized, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy expenditureVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller is designed as a multi-functional device that handles multiple tasks: receiving position data from sensors, determining current phase of flight, accessing weather and battery status information, calculating optimal routes, and generating flight plans. This consolidation of multiple functions into a single controller reduces overall system complexity while achieving energy optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically generates and updates flight plans without requiring manual intervention. The controller self-manages the complex calculations and decision-making processes by integrating data from multiple sources and autonomously determining the optimal flight path based on current conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11790790B2Methods and apparatuses for generating an electric aircraft flight plan

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 BETA AIR LLC

AI summary

An apparatus for generating an electric aircraft flight plan, where the apparatus includes a sensor and controller. The electric aircraft includes a sensor that is configured to detect a position of an electric aircraft, generate a position datum, and transmit the position to a flight controller. The electric aircraft also includes a database of recommended flights. The recommended flight plan is displayed on a display in the electric aircraft.