Runway Condition Assessment Using Aircraft Sensor Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for determining runway conditions rely on subjective pilot feedback, leading to inconsistent and inaccurate assessments, which can affect safe landing and takeoff operations.
Innovation Solution
An airport computing system that uses sensors on airplanes to collect and analyze data on brake force, deceleration, and thrust during landing and takeoff, calculating parameters like coefficient of friction and sharing this information in real-time across a network to other aircraft, providing a more accurate and consistent assessment of runway conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pilot subjective feedback is used to determine runway conditions, then the system is simple to operate, but the measurement precision and reliability of runway condition assessment deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual system of pilot subjective assessment with an automated sensor-based measurement system. Sensors on the airplane collect objective data about runway conditions (brake force, deceleration, thrust), which is then processed to determine runway condition codes, eliminating reliance on pilot subjectivity while maintaining ease of operation through automatic data collection and analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computing system that acts as a mediator between the physical runway conditions and the pilots needing this information. The computing system receives sensor data, processes it through algorithms, and generates standardized runway condition assessments that are then communicated to pilots, providing an objective bridge between the runway state and pilot decision-making.
2Ease of manufacture
If pilot subjective feedback is used to determine runway conditions, then the system is simple to implement, but the reliability and consistency of runway condition assessment deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the unreliable human judgment system with a consistent automated measurement and analysis system. Sensors continuously collect objective physical data (brake force, deceleration rates, thrust levels), and computing algorithms process this data to generate reliable runway condition assessments that are consistent across different pilots and conditions, significantly improving reliability while remaining implementable through standard aviation sensors and computing infrastructure.
3Measurement precision
If real-time sensor data collection and analysis is implemented, then the measurement precision and reliability of runway condition assessment improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the multi-functionality of existing airplane sensors that serve multiple purposes. The same sensors used for general flight control and monitoring (accelerometers, brake force sensors, thrust sensors) are also utilized for runway condition assessment, eliminating the need for dedicated specialized equipment and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the airplane's own existing sensors and onboard computing resources to perform runway condition assessment, making the aircraft self-sufficient for this function. The sensors already present on the airplane for other operational purposes are repurposed to collect runway condition data, and onboard processors analyze the data, reducing the need for additional external equipment and minimizing system complexity.
4Reliability
If dynamic real-time updates of runway conditions are provided to multiple airplanes, then the reliability and usefulness of runway condition information improve, but the loss of time for data processing and transmission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous real-time data collection, processing, and transmission operations. Sensors continuously monitor runway conditions during airplane operations, the computing system continuously processes this data stream to update runway condition assessments, and information is continuously transmitted to relevant airplanes. This continuous operation eliminates delays and provides timely, reliable updates without significant time loss, as the system operates continuously rather than in discrete batches.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where sensor data from airplanes using the runway continuously informs runway condition assessments, which are then communicated back to pilots for informed decision-making. This real-time feedback mechanism ensures that runway condition information remains current and reliable, allowing pilots to adjust their operations based on the latest conditions while minimizing time delays through automated rapid processing and communication channels.
Data Source
AI summary
An airport computing system is communicatively coupled to a first airplane and to one or more second airplanes over a network system. The airport computing system comprises a plurality of sensors associated with the first airplane. The airport computing system comprises a data module configured to receive data from the first airplane over the network. The data comprises runway data sampled using the plurality of sensors while the first airplane is on a runway. The airport computing system also comprises a parameter module configured to determine one or more parameters that describe a condition for the runway based on the received runway data. The airport computing system further comprises a transmission module configured to transmit the one or more parameters to the one or more second airplanes over the network.