Supersonic Aircraft Throttle Scheduling for Takeoff Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Supersonic aircraft face challenges in complying with noise regulations during take-off, climb, and landing due to their powerful engines, and existing systems limit human-initiated adjustments during these phases, necessitating a solution to reduce noise output and minimize configuration changes.
Innovation Solution
A variable noise reduction system that automatically adjusts engine throttle and flight control surfaces, such as slats and flaps, according to predetermined schedules to maintain safe climb rates and reduce noise levels, complying with regulatory limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If supersonic aircraft use powerful engines to achieve supersonic flight, then flight performance is improved, but noise output increases and exceeds regulatory limits
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts engine thrust and flight control surface positions in real-time during takeoff, climb, and approach phases. The automated system varies thrust levels and control surface configurations to minimize noise generation while maintaining safe flight performance, transitioning from static to dynamic control to resolve the contradiction between speed capability and noise output.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters including thrust magnitude, flight path angle, and control surface deflections to optimize the balance between supersonic performance and noise reduction. By adjusting these parameters automatically during critical flight phases, the system reduces noise output while preserving the aircraft's supersonic capability.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If automated systems adjust engine thrust and control surfaces to reduce noise, then noise compliance is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated noise reduction system integrates multiple functions including thrust management, flight path control, and noise monitoring into a single unified system. This multi-functional approach reduces overall system complexity by consolidating control functions rather than adding separate systems, allowing the same automated architecture to handle both performance optimization and noise compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses onboard sensors and automated algorithms to self-regulate noise output without requiring constant external intervention. The automated thrust and control surface adjustments are made based on real-time flight conditions and noise predictions, enabling the system to manage its own noise compliance autonomously while maintaining simple operational interfaces.
3Ease of operation
If human pilots manually control aircraft during takeoff and landing, then operational flexibility is maintained, but noise regulation compliance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated feedback control where onboard sensors monitor flight conditions and noise levels, and the control system automatically adjusts thrust and control surfaces in response. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures noise compliance while maintaining operational flexibility, as the system can adapt to varying flight conditions without requiring complex manual pilot inputs during critical noise-sensitive phases.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods according to embodiments of the present technology vary engine throttle and flight control surfaces (such as high-lift devices, which can include flaps and/or slats) during takeoff, climb, approach, and/or landing of a supersonic aircraft to reduce noise. A representative computing device automatically controls thrust output of the propulsion system according to a schedule of thrust output, such that the thrust output remains below levels at which the jet exhaust becomes supersonic, and such that noise is reduced to comply with noise regulations or other limitations. The computing device also automatically controls the position and configuration of flight control surfaces to compensate for the reduced thrust and to maintain an appropriate climb and/or descent rate.