Aircraft Engine Installation Delta Modeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accurately representing engine power situation in installed state is technically challenging due to engine installation deltas (EIDs) which are difficult to address as they vary significantly among engines and vehicles, affecting power availability and requirements.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for modeling and integrating engine installation deltas (EIDs) using a system of computers with software, firmware, or a combination of hardware to generate a mathematical model that profiles engine performance, including power available, required, and margin, by analyzing flight data and engine specifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If engine installation deltas are not modeled, then the system is simpler, but power availability accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary characterization of engine installation deltas during ground testing before flight operations. By pre-measuring and storing EID values for different engine configurations and installation conditions, the system eliminates the need for complex real-time calculations during flight, thus improving power availability accuracy without proportionally increasing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary computational layer that bridges engine manufacturer data and actual installed engine performance. This intermediary model translates generic engine specifications into accurate installed-state predictions by applying pre-determined EID corrections, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and accuracy
2Measurement precision
If engine installation deltas are modeled in real-time, then power availability accuracy improves, but computational load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-computes engine installation delta values during ground testing and stores them in lookup tables. During flight operations, the system simply retrieves pre-computed values based on current engine parameters rather than performing complex real-time calculations, thus maintaining high accuracy while minimizing computational load and processing time
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates simplified copies of engine performance characteristics in the form of lookup tables and pre-computed EID values. These copies allow rapid retrieval of accurate power availability data without requiring complex real-time computations, effectively decoupling accuracy from computational burden
3Reliability
If engine installation deltas vary significantly among engines and vehicles, then individual engine characterization is needed, but data collection requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the engine population into distinct groups based on installation configuration, engine type, and operational characteristics. By characterizing EIDs for each segment separately during ground testing, the system achieves high prediction reliability for individual engines without requiring extensive flight data collection from every engine, as each segment has its own pre-determined characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates universal characterization models that can be applied across multiple engines within the same installation category. By determining EIDs for representative engines in each category during ground testing, the system can reliably predict performance for other engines in the same category without requiring individual flight data collection, thus reducing overall data requirements while maintaining reliability
Data Source
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AI summary
A method (500) of modeling and integrating engine installation deltas includes receiving (502) flight data related to an aircraft that includes an engine installed therein. The flight data includes values of an engine parameter. The method also includes determining (504) values of a measured installation delta for the engine based, at least in part, on the flight data. The method also includes determining (506) values of a measured power parameter for the engine based, at least in part, on the flight data. The method also includes generating (510) a mathematical model of a plurality of installation deltas for the engine as a function of the engine parameter, where the plurality of installation deltas include the measured installation delta and an unmeasured installation delta. The method also includes validating (512) the mathematical model based, at least in part, on the values of the measured installation delta. The method also includes generating (516) a performance profile of the engine.