Follower Aircraft Trajectory Control for Wake Vortex Fuel Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft following a leader in formation flight face challenges in navigating through vortices generated by the leader, which can lead to increased fuel consumption and discomfort due to turbulence, as existing methods do not effectively optimize the follower aircraft's trajectory to benefit from vortex effects while minimizing turbulence risks.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that control the follower aircraft's trajectory through a series of sections, using current flight parameter measurements and theoretical vortex models to determine optimal positions, allowing the aircraft to benefit from vortex effects while avoiding discomfort zones, involving safety, approach, search, and optimization zones, with control units and modules processing and deciding flight paths based on threshold values and Kalman filter convergence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the follower aircraft flies directly behind the leader aircraft to maintain formation, then the spacing between aircraft is maintained, but the follower aircraft encounters turbulence from vortices causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The trajectory control is divided into multiple phases: approach phase (moving from safety position toward vortex region), search phase (locating optimal position), and optimization phase (maintaining fuel-saving position). This segmentation allows the system to systematically navigate through the contradiction by progressing through defined stages rather than attempting to resolve all issues simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors flight parameters and vortex position data, using this feedback to dynamically adjust the follower aircraft's trajectory. The control unit processes real-time information about vortex location and aircraft state to modify the trajectory and avoid discomfort zones while maintaining formation benefits
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the follower aircraft stays at a safe distance from the leader aircraft, then turbulence risks are minimized, but fuel consumption increases due to missed vortex benefits
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the follower aircraft's distance from the leader aircraft based on real-time conditions. Rather than maintaining a fixed safe distance, the trajectory is continuously modified to allow the aircraft to enter and exit vortex influence zones at appropriate times, optimizing the balance between turbulence avoidance and fuel savings
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key trajectory parameters including lateral offset distance, vertical position, and timing of vortex engagement. By dynamically adjusting these parameters based on vortex characteristics and flight conditions, the system optimizes fuel consumption while managing turbulence exposure
3Use of energy by moving object
If the follower aircraft attempts to profit from ascending winds in vortices, then fuel consumption is reduced, but the aircraft may encounter discomfort zones caused by turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the potentially harmful vortex turbulence into a beneficial fuel-saving opportunity by precisely timing and positioning the aircraft's passage through vortex regions. The trajectory control allows the aircraft to exploit the ascending wind currents in vortices for fuel savings while using predictive modeling to avoid the most turbulent discomfort zones
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method enables the follower aircraft to optimize its trajectory for fuel savings while minimizing turbulence risks, effectively navigating to positions where it can benefit from vortex effects, thereby reducing fuel consumption and enhancing flight comfort.
Implementation Method 1
an aircraft in flight generates vortices (or wake turbulences) in its wake
Implementation Method 2
These vortices are counter-rotating whirlpools and are characterized by a wind field which is globally ascending outside the whirlpools
Data Source
AI summary
Method and device for determining trajectory to optimal position of a follower aircraft with respect to vortices generated by a leader aircraft. The method includes controlling trajectory of a follower aircraft to an optimal position where the follower aircraft benefits from effects of at least one of the vortices of a leader aircraft. A first section control step controls flight of the follower aircraft using current measurements of flight parameters, from a safety position to a search position, along an approach section passing through an approach zone. A second section control step controls flight of the follower aircraft using current measurements of flight parameters, from the search position to a precision position, along a search section passing through a search zone, and a third section control step controls flight of the follower aircraft, from the precision position to the optimal position, along an optimization section passing through an optimization zone.