Extended Iso-Displacement Curves for Aircraft Mission Trajectory Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flight plan systems in civil and business aviation are inadequate as they fail to provide complete and optimized mission trajectories, leading to non-optimal flight times and increased fuel consumption due to the inability to efficiently manage customer criteria, aircraft context, and performance constraints.
Innovation Solution
A mission calculation system that determines optimized aircraft trajectories both horizontally and vertically, taking into account the current state of the aircraft, customer-imposed criteria, and mission volume constraints, using advanced algorithms and data integration from various sources such as meteorological and navigation databases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing flight plan systems are used to determine aircraft trajectories, then the systems can provide basic navigation solutions, but the flight time is non-optimal and fuel consumption is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends traditional 2D horizontal iso-cost curves into 3D extended iso-cost curves by incorporating vertical dimension (flight levels). This allows simultaneous optimization of both horizontal route and vertical profile, resolving the contradiction by adding a dimensional perspective that enables comprehensive trajectory optimization rather than separate horizontal and vertical planning
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-calculates extended iso-cost curves for multiple flight levels before mission execution. These curves represent pre-computed optimal cost paths at different altitudes, allowing the flight management system to quickly select and follow optimized trajectories during actual flight without real-time iteration, thus improving productivity while minimizing energy loss
2Manufacturing precision
If existing flight plan systems are used, then basic flight paths can be established, but the trajectories are not optimized horizontally and vertically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the trajectory optimization problem into horizontal and vertical components that are then integrated. By calculating iso-cost curves for each flight level separately and then combining them into extended 3D curves, the system achieves precise multi-dimensional optimization while managing complexity through structured decomposition of the calculation process
Solution Approach 2:
The extended iso-cost curve calculation system serves multiple functions: it optimizes horizontal routing, vertical profiling, and fuel consumption simultaneously. This multi-functional approach achieves high trajectory optimization precision while avoiding the need for separate specialized systems for each optimization aspect
3Measurement precision
If multiple iterations are performed to adjust mission hypotheses, then more accurate solutions can be found, but the time required for mission preparation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculation of extended iso-cost curves for multiple flight levels before actual mission planning. This pre-computation stores optimal cost paths in advance, eliminating the need for multiple iterative adjustments during mission preparation while maintaining high solution accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The flight management system uses the pre-calculated extended iso-cost curves as feedback references to directly determine optimal trajectories. Instead of iterative hypothesis adjustment, the system queries the pre-computed curves based on current flight conditions and immediately obtains optimized solutions, reducing preparation time while maintaining precision
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional iso-cost curves are used for horizontal optimization only, then horizontal routes can be determined, but vertical optimization is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends 2D horizontal iso-cost curves into 3D extended iso-cost curves by adding the vertical dimension (flight levels). This dimensional extension enables the system to simultaneously optimize both horizontal routing and vertical profiling, achieving comprehensive trajectory optimization while managing complexity through systematic extension of the existing curve calculation methodology
Data Source
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Figure 2A~2C
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AI summary
The system includes a first calculation module capable of calculating a plurality of iso-displacement curves (79, 80, 81) from a chosen point, at a displacement interval corresponding to several successive displacement increments of the aircraft from the chosen point, the iso-displacement curves (79, 80, 81) being obtained at the displacement interval for a displacement of the aircraft up to a given flight level from displacements of the aircraft at distinct flight levels. The first calculation module is designed to determine, on the basis of the iso-displacement curves (79, 80, 81) up to the given flight level, obtained at distinct flight levels, taken at the same aircraft displacement interval, an iso-displacement curve extended to the given flight level maximizing the aircraft displacement from the geographical point of origin or minimizing the aircraft displacement towards the geographical point of destination.