Optical Wind Sensing for Predictive Aircraft Gust Alleviation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft automatic flight control systems are limited in correcting flight path deviations caused by unanticipated wind shear and gusts due to their reactive nature, which imparts significant perturbations and deviations from the planned route.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize an air velocity sensor to sense remote wind speed and direction, a flight controller to predict the influence of wind on the aircraft's planned route, and a flight control actuator to apply anticipatory steering corrections, counteracting the predicted wind influence through a combination of optical wind sensing and predictive algorithms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional reactive sensors are used to monitor aircraft state, then the system structure remains simple, but flight path deviations due to wind shear and gusts cannot be effectively corrected
Solution Approach 1:
The optical velocity sensor measures wind conditions ahead of the aircraft to predict future wind shear and gusts before they affect the flight path. This preliminary measurement allows the control system to prepare corrective actions in advance, improving flight path accuracy without requiring complex reactive sensor arrays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary predictive model that processes optical velocity sensor data to forecast wind conditions. This mediator translates raw optical measurements into predicted wind shear and gust parameters, enabling effective flight path correction while keeping the overall system architecture manageable.
2Reliability
If predictive wind sensing is implemented, then flight path deviations are reduced, but the system requires advanced optical sensors and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical wind sensing methods with optical velocity sensing. This substitution enables non-contact, remote measurement of wind conditions ahead of the aircraft, improving navigational performance while avoiding the mechanical complexity of traditional anemometers and wind vane systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where optical velocity sensor measurements are continuously processed by a predictive model, and control signals are adjusted based on predicted wind conditions. This closed-loop feedback mechanism maintains high navigational performance while using standardized control system components.
3Loss of time
If reactive control is used, then the system responds to deviations after they occur, but significant flight path errors already exist
Solution Approach 1:
By measuring wind conditions ahead of the aircraft and predicting future wind shear and gusts, the system takes preliminary action before deviations occur. This allows control signals to be prepared in advance, reducing both response time and the magnitude of flight path errors, thereby improving overall flight path accuracy.
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
This solution significantly reduces flight path deviations, enhances navigational performance, and improves passenger ride quality by proactively adjusting the aircraft's flight path to maintain the planned route, even in obstacle-rich environments.
Implementation Method 1
an air velocity sensor disposed on the aircraft and configured to sense a speed and direction of a wind remote to the aircraft
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for guiding an aircraft includes: an air velocity sensor disposed on the aircraft and configured to sense a speed and direction of a wind remote to the aircraft to provide remote wind speed and direction data; a flight control actuator coupled to a flight control device; and a flight controller communicably coupled to the air velocity sensor, the flight controller having an input section that receives the remote wind speed and direction data from the air velocity sensor, a processor configured to determine a magnitude and direction of the wind with respect to a planned flight route and to predict an influence acting on the aircraft due to the magnitude and direction of the wind with respect to the planned flight route, and an output section communicably coupled to the flight control actuator to provide a control signal that results in the aircraft counteracting the predicted influence.