Flight Fuel Data Collection for Accurate Center of Gravity Indexing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional flight fuel data transmission methods rely on manual input and lack timely updates, leading to errors and inefficiencies in calculating the center of gravity index, which affects the accuracy and efficiency of aircraft load planning.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for automatically collecting and processing flight fuel data, including acquiring flight schedule information, determining matching fuel data, and calculating a fuel load planning center of gravity index using pre-configured parameters, with options for standard and non-standard refueling modes to optimize fuel management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual input methods are used for flight fuel data transmission, then device complexity is reduced, but information update timeliness and data accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission system complexityVSAvoidflight fuel data accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an automated data collection component that acts as an intermediary between the flight management system and the load planning system. This component automatically collects flight fuel data and transmits it to the load planning system, eliminating manual input while maintaining system simplicity. The intermediary handles data extraction, validation, and transmission, ensuring data accuracy without requiring complex manual procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If automated data collection is implemented, then information update timeliness and data accuracy improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflight fuel data accuracyVSAvoiddata collection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The data collection component is designed to automatically collect flight fuel data from the flight management system without requiring external intervention. It self-configures data collection parameters, automatically queries the flight management system, validates received data, and transmits it to the load planning system. This self-service capability reduces the need for complex manual configuration and maintenance procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary data validation and processing before transmission to the load planning system. The data collection component pre-processes flight fuel data by validating formats, checking completeness, and formatting according to requirements before sending. This preliminary action prevents errors from propagating through the system and reduces the need for complex error handling mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If manual data input is used, then system implementation cost is reduced, but productivity and efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem implementation costVSAvoidload planning efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual data input process with an automated electronic data collection and transmission system. The system uses software-based data extraction and transmission mechanisms to automatically transfer flight fuel data from the flight management system to the load planning system. This substitution eliminates manual typing and data entry, significantly improving productivity while keeping implementation costs reasonable through the use of standard software components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If automated processing is implemented, then productivity and efficiency improve, but loss of time for system setup increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel data processing efficiencyVSAvoidsystem configuration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary configuration of data collection parameters and establishes data transmission protocols in advance. The data collection component is pre-configured with the necessary parameters for querying the flight management system, validating data formats, and transmitting to the load planning system. This preliminary setup reduces the time required for system initialization and enables immediate automated processing once deployed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20260054856A1Method and apparatus for collecting and processing flight fuel data, and computer-readable medium

Publication Date: 2026.02.26 TRAVELSKY TECHNOLOGY LIMITED

AI summary

A method and apparatus for collecting and processing flight fuel data, and a computer-readable medium. The method includes: acquiring flight schedule information of a flight from a flight list; determining and acquiring flight fuel data matching the flight schedule information of the flight; collecting, by a pre-constructed data collection component, the flight schedule information of the flight and a matched flight fuel data based on a set data collection protocol; and determining a fuel load planning center of gravity based on pre-configured fuel calculation parameters and the matched flight fuel data, to obtain a center of gravity index value of the flight.