Formation Flight Vibration Feedback for Wingtip Vortex Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft formation flight poses risks due to marginal vortices generated by lead aircraft, which can disrupt the trajectory of follower aircraft, causing turbulence, engine pressure gradients, and increased probability of penetrating the vortices, leading to performance and stability issues.

Innovation Solution

A formation flight assistance system using accelerometers on follower aircraft to measure vibrations and compare them with predetermined thresholds, generating notifications to maintain optimal positioning relative to the lead aircraft's vortices, thereby benefiting from rising air flows and reducing drag and fuel consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If follower aircraft fly close to lead aircraft to benefit from updraft, then fuel consumption is reduced, but aircraft experience turbulence and stability issues due to wingtip vortices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel consumptionVSAvoidaircraft stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses accelerometers to continuously monitor vibrations of the follower aircraft and provides real-time feedback to the pilot through visual or audible alerts when the aircraft approaches dangerous proximity to wingtip vortices, enabling dynamic adjustment of flight path to maintain both energy efficiency and stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual pilot judgment and mechanical flight control with an automated sensor-based detection system using accelerometers and electronic alert systems to monitor and warn about vortex proximity, reducing reliance on pilot experience and manual control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Stability of the object's composition

If follower aircraft maintain safe distance from lead aircraft, then turbulence and vortex exposure are reduced, but drag and fuel consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaircraft stabilityVSAvoidfuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables dynamic positioning by providing real-time vibration data and alerts that allow the follower aircraft to continuously adjust its distance from the lead aircraft, transitioning between closer positions for energy efficiency and farther positions for stability based on current flight conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If follower aircraft enter gap between wingtip vortices, then positioning precision is improved, but downdraft and performance degradation occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidfuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The accelerometer-based feedback system detects the characteristic vibration patterns that occur when entering the gap between vortices and provides immediate alerts, allowing pilots to maintain precise positioning benefits while avoiding the dangerous downdraft region

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 system effectively assists pilots in managing the positioning of follower aircraft to avoid excessive vibrations, enhancing stability and performance by providing timely notifications for trajectory adjustments, thus mitigating risks associated with marginal vortices.

Implementation Method 1

processing the received measurements so as to obtain a value representative of vibrations generated by the wingtip vortex of the lead aircraft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP4113243B1System to assist formation flight of aircraft

Publication Date: 2023.10.25 AIRBUS (SAS)

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AI summary

A formation flight assistance system (120) for a follow aircraft relative to a wingtip vortex of a lead aircraft includes a controller (160) and at least one accelerometer (130) installed on the follow aircraft. The controller (160) receives acceleration measurements from said at least one accelerometer (130) and processes the received measurements to obtain a value representative of the vibrations generated by the wingtip vortex of the lead aircraft. The controller (160) compares the obtained value with at least a predetermined threshold representative of excessive vibrations with respect to the location of said at least one accelerometer (130) on the follow aircraft. One or more notifications, such as alerts, are generated based on the result of the comparison.Thus, the positioning of the following aircraft in the formation flight is facilitated, in order to benefit from an upward airflow phenomenon induced by the marginal vortex of the leading aircraft.