Formation Flight Wake Vortex Positioning for Passenger Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for assisting follower aircraft in formation flight do not adequately alleviate passenger discomfort caused by wake vortices while allowing them to benefit from the upwards air flow induced by leader aircraft, leading to turbulence and performance issues.
Innovation Solution
A system using on-board electronic circuitry in follower aircraft that determines the position and uncertainty of wake vortices through sensors and models, calculates a potential discomfort window, and adjusts the aircraft's trajectory to maintain a safe distance from the vortex, using recursive Bayesian filters and load factor movements to minimize discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the follower aircraft positions itself close to the wake vortex to benefit from upwards air flow, then fuel consumption is reduced, but passenger discomfort increases due to turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct mechanical positioning near the vortex with a sensor-based detection and control system. The system uses sensors to detect wake vortex characteristics and an onboard computer to calculate optimal positioning, substituting pilot judgment and manual control with automated electronic systems that can precisely maintain the optimal balance between energy benefit and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors wake vortex parameters through sensors and adjusts the follower aircraft's position in real-time based on detected vortex strength and location. This feedback loop allows the aircraft to maintain optimal positioning within the upward air flow while automatically avoiding conditions that would cause passenger discomfort, dynamically balancing energy efficiency and comfort.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the follower aircraft enters the space between wake vortices to reduce drag, then fuel consumption decreases, but performance is impaired due to downward air flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces intuitive positioning between vortices with sensor-based detection and automated control. The system uses wake vortex sensors to identify the precise location and characteristics of vortices, and the onboard computer calculates the optimal position that provides upward flow benefits without entering the downward flow zone between vortices, maintaining both energy efficiency and performance reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The onboard computer and control system act as intermediaries between the wake vortex environment and the aircraft's flight control. They process sensor data about vortex location and strength, then translate this information into precise positioning commands that navigate the complex aerodynamic environment, ensuring the aircraft remains in beneficial airflow while avoiding harmful zones.
3Loss of energy
If the follower aircraft positions itself precisely near the wake vortex for maximum benefit, then drag reduction is optimized, but turbulence increases causing significant passenger discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual positioning near the vortex with an automated sensor-based system. The sensors detect wake vortex characteristics with high precision, and the onboard computer calculates the optimal distance that maximizes upward flow benefits while maintaining a safety margin to minimize turbulence exposure, substituting pilot judgment with precise electronic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors wake vortex parameters and adjusts positioning in real-time, providing feedback control that maintains the optimal balance between drag reduction and comfort. The system can dynamically adjust the following distance based on detected vortex strength and atmospheric conditions, ensuring maximum energy benefit while minimizing passenger discomfort.
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 allows follower aircraft to benefit from the upwards air flow without causing discomfort to passengers by maintaining the aircraft outside the potential discomfort window, reducing drag and fuel consumption.
Implementation Method 1
Wake vortices, also called marginal vortices or wingtip vortices, are counter-rotating wake turbulence at the wingtips of an aircraft in flight caused by a pressure difference between the pressure face and the suction face of the wings
Implementation Method 2
the follower aircraft can benefit from an upwards air flow phenomenon induced by the wake vortices, thereby reducing drag and fuel consumption
Implementation Method 3
if the follower aircraft enter the space between the wake vortices of the leader aircraft, the follower aircraft experience a downward air flow phenomenon that is induced by the wake vortices and that impairs their performance
Implementation Method 4
Similarly, turbulence is experienced by a follower aircraft if one of its wings enters a wake vortex. This turbulence causes significant discomfort to the passengers of the follower aircraft
Data Source
AI summary
A formation flight assistance system is placed on board a follower aircraft to benefit from an upwards air flow induced by a wake vortex generated by a leader aircraft. The system determines a wake vortex effect experienced by the follower aircraft as being a difference between measurements taken by sensors and modelling in a wake vortex free environment. Using a recursive Bayesian filter, the system determines an estimated position of the wake vortex on the basis of information relating to the leader aircraft and a wake vortex model, and determines an estimation uncertainty, according to which a potential discomfort window is computed for the passengers of the follower aircraft. The system keeps the follower aircraft outside the potential discomfort window. Thus, the comfort of the passengers of the follower aircraft is provided, while benefiting from an upwards air flow induced by the wake vortex.