Flight Path Energy Prediction With Contingency Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerial vehicles face challenges in predicting and managing energy consumption along flight paths, leading to potential energy shortfalls during flight, which can impact mission success.
Innovation Solution
Implementing power and energy consumption models, including non-linear models and contingency response operations, to predict and adjust energy usage, ensuring adequate energy reserves and executing corrective actions when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If energy consumption is predicted using simple models, then computational complexity is reduced, but prediction accuracy deteriorates leading to potential energy shortfalls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flight path into multiple sections and applies different energy consumption models to different sections based on their characteristics. This allows using more complex accurate models only where needed while keeping overall computational complexity manageable, thereby resolving the contradiction between prediction reliability and model complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary energy consumption predictions during flight path planning before the actual flight. This preliminary action allows identifying potential energy shortfalls in advance and adjusting the flight path accordingly, preventing energy exhaustion without requiring continuously complex real-time modeling during flight.
2Reliability
If contingency response operations are implemented, then energy shortfall prevention is improved, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an autonomous contingency response system that automatically detects energy shortfalls and executes corrective actions without human intervention. The system monitors energy consumption in real-time, compares it against predicted values, and autonomously adjusts flight parameters or triggers contingency procedures, thereby improving mission reliability while maintaining operational simplicity for the pilot.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback loop where actual energy consumption is continuously monitored and compared against predicted consumption. When deviations indicate potential energy shortfalls, the system automatically triggers contingency responses. This closed-loop feedback mechanism improves reliability by preventing energy exhaustion while keeping the operation simple through automated decision-making.
3Reliability
If energy margin is increased to prevent shortfalls, then safety is improved, but available energy for mission tasks is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the energy margin requirement based on actual flight conditions, mission phase, and risk assessment. Rather than maintaining a fixed conservative energy margin throughout the flight, the system adaptively modifies the margin, allowing more aggressive energy utilization during safe phases while maintaining higher margins when risks are detected, thereby optimizing the balance between safety and task energy availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy allocation parameters dynamically based on flight progress and conditions. By adjusting parameters such as speed, altitude, and mission task priorities in response to actual energy consumption patterns, the system optimizes the trade-off between maintaining a safe energy margin and preserving sufficient energy for mission-critical tasks, preventing both energy exhaustion and unnecessary energy conservation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes determining a portion of a flight path of an aerial vehicle. The method also includes determining an attribute value representing an operating condition expected to be experienced by the aerial vehicle at the portion of the flight path. The method additionally includes determining, based on the attribute value and using a non-linear model, a power value representing an amount of power expected to be consumed by the aerial vehicle in connection with the portion of the flight path. The method further includes determining, based on the power value, an energy value representing an amount of energy expected to be consumed by the aerial vehicle in connection with the portion of the flight path. The method yet further includes determining the flight path based on the energy value.