Multi-Fuel Aircraft Engine Fuel Scheduling for Emissions and Landing Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel delivery systems for multi-fuel aircraft engines lack efficiency and flexibility in managing different fuel types, particularly in terms of refueling capabilities, emissions compliance, and weight management during flights.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that determines a fuel schedule based on flight plans, considering refueling capabilities, emissions standards, and maximum landing weights to optimize the use of multiple fuel types, including hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon fuels, within an aircraft's fuel delivery system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the aircraft uses only the second fuel (lower density) during flight, then emissions standards are met and fuel flexibility is improved, but the aircraft landing weight may exceed the maximum landing weight limit
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel delivery system dynamically adjusts fuel selection based on real-time conditions. The system transitions from static fuel usage to dynamic fuel management, where the processing system continuously monitors flight progress, weight, and refueling availability to optimize fuel blend ratios and selection, resolving the contradiction between emissions compliance and weight management
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes fuel parameters (density, composition) based on flight conditions. By switching between first fuel (higher density) and second fuel (lower density, cleaner burning), the system adjusts both emissions output and weight characteristics, allowing compliance with emissions standards while maintaining acceptable landing weight through parameter variation
2Weight of moving object
If the aircraft carries sufficient first fuel (higher density) to meet maximum landing weight requirements, then weight constraints are satisfied, but fuel efficiency and emissions compliance are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The processing system performs preliminary calculations before flight to determine optimal fuel schedules. By pre-calculating fuel requirements based on flight distance, refueling availability, and weight constraints, the system determines the minimum necessary first fuel carriage, reducing unnecessary weight while ensuring compliance can be maintained through scheduled refueling with cleaner second fuel
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses partial amounts of first fuel rather than carrying excessive quantities. By applying partial action - using just enough first fuel to meet weight requirements for the initial flight segment and relying on second fuel for subsequent segments - the system avoids the harm of excessive first fuel carriage while maintaining weight compliance
3Length of moving object
If the aircraft refuels at intermediate airports, then flight range and flexibility are improved, but flight time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from refueling infrastructure data to optimize flight planning. By continuously monitoring which airports offer refueling for which fuel types, the processing system dynamically adjusts the fuel schedule to identify optimal refueling stops that minimize total flight time while extending effective range, resolving the contradiction between range extension and time loss
4Adaptability or versatility
If the fuel delivery system supports multiple fuel types selectively, then adaptability and emissions compliance are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel delivery system is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple fuel types through a single integrated system. Rather than separate delivery systems for each fuel type, the system uses universal components (pumps, lines, reservoirs) that can selectively deliver different fuels, reducing overall complexity while maintaining adaptability through intelligent control
Solution Approach 2:
The processing system acts as an intermediary that manages the complexity of multi-fuel operations. By centralizing fuel selection logic, refueling infrastructure monitoring, and schedule optimization in a software mediator, the system handles the adaptability requirements without proportionally increasing hardware complexity, as the intermediary manages fuel type selection and delivery coordination
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is provided for operating an aircraft (22). During this operating method, a flight plan is received for an aircraft (22). The flight plan schedules a flight for the aircraft (22) to fly from a first airport (76) to a second airport (78). The aircraft (22) includes an engine (34) and a fuel delivery system (26) with a first fuel reservoir (48) and a second fuel reservoir (58). The fuel delivery system (26) is configured to selectively deliver a first fuel from the first fuel reservoir (48) and/or a second fuel from the second fuel reservoir (58) to the engine (34) for combustion. The first fuel reservoir (48) contains a quantity of the first fuel and the second fuel reservoir (58) contains a quantity of the second fuel at the first airport (76). A fuel schedule for the aircraft (22) is determined to use during the flight. The fuel schedule is determined based on whether the second airport (78) includes refueling capability for the first fuel and/or the second fuel.