Flight Trajectory Compensation for Airspeed Variations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft pilots face challenges in maintaining a desired trajectory due to airspeed variations, which require increased attention and can divert resources from other operations, as changes in lift affect the aircraft's path and can be undesirable during critical maneuvers like landing or refueling.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus utilizing a lift control module that identifies undesired airspeed changes and generates commands for the flight control system to maintain lift for a desired trajectory, comprising a speed command processor, airspeed change monitor, and lift change compensation process to adjust control surfaces accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the pilot manually adjusts control inputs to maintain trajectory during airspeed variations, then the trajectory stability is improved, but the pilot's attention and operational capacity are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrajectory stabilityVSAvoidpilot operational capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flight control system automatically detects airspeed variations and generates compensatory control commands without pilot intervention. The system serves itself by monitoring its own performance parameters (airspeed, lift) and making autonomous corrections to maintain desired trajectory, freeing the pilot from continuous manual adjustment tasks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors airspeed measurements and compares them against expected values. When deviations are detected, the feedback loop triggers automatic generation of compensatory control commands to restore desired lift and trajectory, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains stability without constant pilot input

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Stability of the object's composition

If the pilot focuses on correcting lift changes due to airspeed variations, then the trajectory is maintained, but other flight operations are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrajectory maintenanceVSAvoidflight operation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The lift control module autonomously handles trajectory maintenance by detecting airspeed-induced lift changes and automatically generating compensatory commands. This self-service capability allows the pilot to disengage from continuous trajectory correction and focus on other flight operations such as navigation, communication, and system monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The flight control system is segmented into specialized modules: airspeed monitoring, lift calculation, and control command generation. This segmentation allows automatic handling of trajectory maintenance functions while leaving other flight operations available for pilot attention, effectively dividing responsibilities between automated subsystems and human operator

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If a co-pilot is used to help with operations during trajectory corrections, then operational completeness is improved, but system complexity and resource requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational completenessVSAvoidcrew configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated lift control system performs functions that would otherwise require additional crew members. By autonomously monitoring airspeed, calculating lift changes, and generating control commands, the system replaces the need for a co-pilot dedicated to trajectory correction tasks, reducing crew complexity while maintaining operational completeness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of human co-pilot intervention with an automated electronic control system. The electronic system processes airspeed data, calculates required lift adjustments, and sends control commands directly to flight control surfaces, substituting human mechanical operations with automated electronic control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9811093B2Flight trajectory compensation system for airspeed variations

Publication Date: 2017.11.07 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A method and apparatus for controlling a flight of an aircraft. An undesired change in an airspeed for the aircraft is identified. A number of commands for a flight control system associated with a wing of the aircraft are identified in response to the undesired change in the airspeed. The number of commands is configured to cause the flight control system to maintain a lift of the aircraft for a desired trajectory.