Flight Management Trajectory Optimization for Fuel-Saving Turns
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for commercial aircraft operations is reaching the limits of air traffic management systems, leading to environmental concerns due to increased fuel consumption. Existing flight path generation algorithms result in inefficient flight paths that do not fully optimize fuel usage while adhering to industry guidelines.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for trajectory optimization in aircraft flight management systems that generate a second lateral flight path with a shorter length by analyzing and modifying the first flight path, which includes straight and curved segments, to reduce fuel consumption and environmental impact, by adjusting bank angles and turn radii within industry-defined boundary areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If existing flight path generation algorithms are used, then flight paths are generated following industry guidelines, but the flight path length is not optimized leading to increased fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system modifies flight path parameters including bank angles, turn radii, and segment configurations to optimize the overall path length. By adjusting these parameters within industry-defined boundaries, the system achieves shorter flight paths that reduce fuel consumption while maintaining compliance with aviation standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The flight path generation system dynamically adjusts trajectory parameters based on real-time calculations and optimizations. The controller module continuously refines the flight path by modifying bank angles, turn rates, and segment connections to achieve optimal fuel efficiency while adapting to different flight conditions and constraints.
2Length of moving object
If flight path optimization is implemented to shorten trajectory, then fuel savings are achieved, but compliance with industry guidelines must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The optimization is applied locally to specific segments of the flight path rather than uniformly across the entire trajectory. By selectively optimizing turn segments and straight portions independently while maintaining overall path coherence, the system achieves length reduction without compromising compliance with industry guidelines for critical flight phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculations and validations of optimized flight paths before actual implementation. The controller module pre-computes alternative trajectories and verifies their compliance with industry guidelines, ensuring that only validated optimized paths are executed, thus maintaining reliability while achieving fuel savings.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure generally relates to systems (12, 600) and method (500) within computer systems for an aircraft (10) particularly focused on lateral path generation opportunities for fuel savings beyond that of renditions calculated by a flight management system (12). The approach focuses on turn generation that reduces fuel consumption and environmental impacts of excess CO2 emissions.