Aircraft Engine Economy Mode Control Using SHP Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems struggle to balance fuel consumption efficiency with flight safety by placing one or more engines into an off or reduced operation state without compromising redundancy and safety protocols.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling multi-engine aircraft to enter and maintain an economy mode by comparing the shaft horsepower (SHP) requirement to threshold values, allowing engines to be placed into a reduced operation mode when SHP is below the threshold and inhibiting this mode when SHP exceeds the threshold, with the flight control system managing transitions between operational modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If one or more engines are placed into an off state or reduced operation state to reduce fuel consumption, then fuel consumption performance is improved, but flight safety and redundancy are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts engine operation mode based on real-time flight conditions. The flight control system continuously monitors parameters such as altitude, airspeed, and power requirements, and automatically transitions between economy mode and full operational mode to optimize fuel consumption while maintaining safety margins.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by comparing shaft horsepower (SHP) requirements against threshold values. When SHP requirements fall below a predetermined threshold, the system permits economy mode operation; when thresholds are exceeded, it mandates full operational mode, thereby adapting engine operation to varying flight conditions.
2Loss of energy
If economy mode is allowed when SHP requirement is below threshold to improve fuel efficiency, then fuel consumption is reduced, but risk of engine over-taxation increases when conditions change
Solution Approach 1:
The flight control system implements continuous feedback monitoring of SHP requirements during economy mode operation. When the monitored SHP requirement exceeds the predetermined threshold, the system automatically inhibits further economy mode operation and transitions to full operational mode, preventing engine over-taxation while maintaining fuel efficiency during appropriate conditions.
3Reliability
If rapid engine restart capability is implemented to ensure safety, then flight safety is improved, but system complexity and response time requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares for potential engine restart by continuously monitoring flight conditions and maintaining readiness protocols before economy mode transitions. This preliminary monitoring and preparation enables rapid response to changing conditions without requiring complex additional hardware or systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating an aircraft includes determining a shaft horse power requirement of a multi-engine power plant, comparing the shaft horse power requirement to a threshold value, and activating an economy mode of operation or inhibiting the economy mode of operation based upon the results of the comparison step. The threshold value may be determined from a power rating for an engine of the multi-engine power plant, and may be adjusted and/or delayed, depending upon whether the current state is economy mode active or economy inhibited. The shaft hose power requirement can be calculated from a control input, such as collective position, from a collection of flight parameters, including airspeed, aircraft gross weight, altitude, and the like, or from a measurement of actual shaft horse power production by the engines.