Hybrid Aircraft Power Plant Indicator for Battery Energy and Runtime
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveying useful information about the operational state of a hybrid aircraft power plant to the flight crew in an efficient manner during operation is challenging.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid aircraft power plant system that includes an electric motor, a thermal engine, and an indicator providing visual indications of battery energy storage and remaining run time, with distinct regions for go-around and takeoff capabilities, displayed in a unified format.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If multiple separate indicators are provided for battery energy level and remaining run time, then information completeness is improved, but display complexity and crew workload increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate indicators (battery energy level, remaining run time, go-around capability, takeoff capability) into a single integrated display unit. This unified indicator presents all critical power plant status information in one location, reducing display complexity and crew workload while maintaining complete information delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The single integrated indicator serves multiple functions simultaneously: it displays current battery energy level, calculates remaining run time at different power settings, and provides go-around and takeoff capability assessments. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would traditionally require multiple separate indicators.
2Loss of information
If detailed operational parameters are displayed, then operational awareness is improved, but information processing time and crew workload increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and displays derived parameters such as remaining run time and go-around/takeoff capability assessments based on current battery energy levels. By performing these calculations in advance and presenting them directly, the system eliminates the need for crew members to perform manual calculations or interpret raw data, reducing information processing time while enhancing operational awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated indicator acts as an intermediary that processes raw battery energy data and transforms it into meaningful operational information (remaining run time, capability assessments). This intermediary processing delivers pre-interpreted information to the crew, reducing their cognitive load and decision-making time.
3Reliability
If real-time battery energy monitoring is implemented, then operational safety is improved, but system complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator system monitors its own operational parameters and automatically updates displays based on real-time battery energy levels. The system self-regulates by continuously assessing energy state and adjusting displayed information without requiring external intervention, thereby improving operational safety through continuous monitoring while minimizing additional system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An indication system for a hybrid aircraft power plant including an electric motor and a heat engine for driving an air mover configured to propel an aircraft is provided. The indication system includes a display providing a display area and a computer operatively connected to the display. The computer is configured to cause a first visual indication to be generated in the display area of the display. The first visual indication indicates a current amount of energy stored in a battery powering the electric motor of the hybrid aircraft power plant along a scale. The computer is configured to cause a second visual indication to be generated in the same display area of the display. The second visual indication indicates a remaining run time for the electric motor based on the current amount of energy stored in the battery.