Rotorcraft Trajectory Optimization for Noise Annoyance Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining rotorcraft trajectories fail to effectively minimize noise annoyance in densely populated areas, as they often result in the same population being impacted repeatedly, and pilots lack real-time guidance on reducing noise exposure.
Innovation Solution
A method that iteratively determines and optimizes rotorcraft trajectories by calculating noise exposure levels and indicators, allowing for real-time adjustments and activation of noise reduction systems to minimize noise impact on the ground, using a combination of path planning algorithms and noise footprint computations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If stochastic optimization methods are used to determine a noise-reduced trajectory, then noise improvement is achieved, but optimality is not guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an iterative optimization process where the noise indicator is calculated for a trajectory, used to generate a corrected trajectory, and then re-evaluated. This feedback loop continues until convergence, ensuring that the noise reduction is both achieved and optimized systematically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies trajectory parameters (position, orientation, speed) based on the calculated noise indicator and corrected trajectory. By systematically adjusting these parameters through iterative optimization, the method achieves both noise reduction and optimality guarantee.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If deterministic graph-based methods are used to determine a single noise-reduced trajectory, then a single trajectory is obtained, but noise factorability assumption is required which is not valid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces deterministic graph-based algorithms with an iterative numerical optimization process. This substitution allows the system to handle non-factorable noise models accurately by using direct numerical evaluation of noise indicators rather than relying on simplified graph-based assumptions.
3Loss of information
If noise footprint is displayed to the pilot in real time, then noise information is provided, but no guidance is given on how to reduce noise
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback to the pilot not only by displaying the noise footprint but also by calculating a corrected trajectory based on the noise indicator. This actionable feedback guides the pilot on specific trajectory adjustments needed to reduce noise, transforming information display into operational guidance.
4Productivity
If the same trajectory is used repeatedly in densely populated areas, then operational efficiency is maintained, but noise annoyance to the population increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic trajectory adjustment by calculating corrected trajectories based on real-time noise indicators. Instead of using a fixed repetitive trajectory, the system adapts the trajectory dynamically to reduce noise exposure to the population while maintaining operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary trajectory optimization before each flight operation by calculating the noise indicator and generating a corrected trajectory in advance. This preliminary action ensures that noise-reduced paths are established before the actual flight, allowing for efficient operation without last-minute deviations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of determining a trajectory for a rotorcraft, comprising: receiving an initial trajectory defining a planned flight path of the rotorcraft between a starting point and a target point; performing iterations of a loop comprising adding the initial trajectory to a set of selectable trajectories, evaluating a noise indicator of the rotorcraft for the initial trajectory on the basis of a noise-related acoustic footprint and a noise exposure level-related acoustic footprint, adding the evaluated noise indicator to a set of evaluated noise indicators, determining an alternative trajectory defining an alternative flight path of the rotorcraft between the starting point and the target point on the basis of the evaluated noise indicator, and setting the alternative trajectory as initial trajectory; and outputting a trajectory of the set of selectable trajectories associated with a selected noise indicator fulfilling predetermined noise indicator conditions.