Flight Management Trajectory Optimization for Fuel-Saving Turns

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

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, necessitating more efficient flight path optimization for fuel savings.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for generating a second lateral flight path that is shorter than the first by utilizing a controller module to analyze and optimize the flight path, comprising a first straight segment, a curved segment, and a second straight segment, with the ability to adjust bank angles within industry-defined boundaries to reduce fuel consumption and environmental impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a traditional lateral flight path with curved segments is used to ensure smooth transitions and compliance with air traffic management standards, then flight safety and regulatory compliance are maintained, but the flight path length increases leading to higher fuel consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel consumptionVSAvoidflight path length

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the geometric parameters of the flight path by replacing curved segments with straight line segments connecting waypoints. This parameter change reduces the flight path length while maintaining the essential function of navigating between locations, directly addressing the fuel consumption issue without compromising safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of following the conventional approach of creating curved paths for smooth transitions, the system inverts the approach by using straight line segments. This inversion challenges the traditional assumption that curved paths are necessary, achieving shorter flight paths while still meeting operational requirements through alternative means

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Use of energy by moving object

If straighter flight paths are used to reduce fuel consumption, then fuel efficiency improves, but compliance with air traffic management standards requiring curved transition segments may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel efficiencyVSAvoidcompliance with air traffic management standards

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flight path is segmented into multiple straight line segments connecting sequential waypoints rather than using continuous curved segments. This segmentation allows the path to approximate a curve through multiple linear sections, achieving fuel efficiency while maintaining compliance with air traffic management standards that require transition capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the flight path by selecting optimal waypoints and calculating straight line segments between them based on real-time conditions. This dynamic approach allows the path to adapt to maintain compliance with air traffic management standards while optimizing for fuel efficiency, resolving the contradiction between straighter paths and regulatory requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11422574B2Flight management computer fuel savings through trajectory optimization

Publication Date: 2022.08.23 GE AVIATION SYSTEMS LLC

AI summary

The disclosure generally relates to systems and method within computer systems for an aircraft particularly focused on lateral path generation opportunities for fuel savings beyond that of renditions calculated by a flight management system. The approach focuses on turn generation that reduces fuel consumption and environmental impacts of excess CO2 emissions.