Adaptive Flight Envelope Ceiling for Airspeed Decay Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current flight envelope protection mechanisms for aircraft do not adequately account for changes in airspeed, leading to delayed activation of safety mechanisms and reduced safety margins during undesired airspeed changes, which can result in increased airspeed decay and compromised maneuverability.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that dynamically adjust the operational flight envelope's ceiling based on real-time airspeed changes, using a computer system to adjust settings such as stick shaker activation and automatic thrust triggers to maintain desired safety margins and maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed ceiling is set for the operational flight envelope, then the system structure is simple and easy to operate, but the safety margin is reduced during undesired airspeed changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed flight envelope ceiling to a dynamically adjustable ceiling that adapts to real-time airspeed changes. The system continuously monitors airspeed and automatically adjusts the ceiling parameter to maintain optimal safety margins, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and safety by introducing adaptive complexity only when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the flight envelope ceiling from a static value to a variable that adjusts based on airspeed conditions. By modifying the ceiling parameter dynamically in response to airspeed decay or increase, the system maintains appropriate safety margins without requiring a completely complex redesign of the flight envelope management architecture.
2Reliability
If the ceiling of the operational flight envelope is set to provide desired safety margin, then safety is improved, but the activation of safety mechanisms is delayed during airspeed changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by proactively adjusting the flight envelope ceiling before the aircraft reaches unsafe conditions. The system detects airspeed trends and adjusts the ceiling in advance, allowing safety mechanisms to activate timely rather than reactively after a delay. This prevents the activation delay problem while maintaining desired safety margins.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring airspeed and using this information to adjust the flight envelope ceiling in real-time. The feedback loop ensures that the ceiling remains appropriately set based on current flight conditions, preventing both premature and delayed activation of safety mechanisms while maintaining optimal safety margins throughout the flight envelope.
3Ease of operation
If a fixed ceiling is used for the operational flight envelope, then the system is easy to operate, but maneuverability is compromised during airspeed decay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the flight envelope ceiling adaptive rather than fixed. The system automatically adjusts the ceiling to maintain appropriate safety margins during airspeed decay while preserving pilot maneuverability. This resolves the contradiction by introducing intelligent adaptability that maintains ease of operation through automation while improving maneuverability during critical flight conditions.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method, apparatus, and system for adjusting an operational flight envelope for an aircraft. An airspeed of the aircraft is received from a sensor system in the aircraft. An amount of change in the airspeed of the aircraft is determined. A current ceiling of the operational flight envelope for the aircraft is adjusted based on the amount of change in the airspeed of the aircraft.