Aircraft Trajectory Risk Indication Using Iso-Displacement Curves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flight plan delivery systems are not fully satisfactory as they often require multiple iterations to adjust mission assumptions due to changing weather conditions and other constraints, leading to non-optimal flight times and increased fuel consumption, and lack robustness in maintaining the calculated trajectory.

Innovation Solution

A mission calculation system that includes a risk level determination module to assess the likelihood of trajectory deviation, displaying an indicator of risk alongside the calculated trajectory, and calculates iso-displacement curves to minimize time or fuel consumption while avoiding constraints such as weather zones and air traffic routes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing flight plan delivery systems are used to calculate trajectories, then a navigation solution can be provided, but multiple iterations are required to adjust mission assumptions due to changing weather conditions, leading to non-optimal flight times and increased fuel consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrajectory optimalityVSAvoidflight time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system calculates iso-displacement curves in advance during mission planning, creating a pre-computed database of optimal trajectories for various weather conditions and mission parameters. This preliminary action allows the aircraft to quickly determine the optimal trajectory during flight without requiring multiple iterative adjustments, thus reducing flight time while maintaining trajectory optimality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors actual weather conditions and compares them with the conditions used in trajectory calculations. When deviations are detected, the system provides feedback to recalculate the optimal trajectory using the pre-computed iso-displacement curves, ensuring the aircraft maintains optimal flight time and fuel consumption despite changing conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrajectory optimalityVSAvoidfuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates iso-displacement curves that represent optimal trajectories for various displacement increments, fuel consumption levels, and weather conditions during the mission planning phase. This preliminary computation stores the optimal path information, allowing the aircraft to directly determine the fuel-optimal trajectory during flight without requiring multiple iterative adjustments, thereby reducing overall fuel consumption while maintaining trajectory optimality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system varies key parameters such as displacement increment, flight level, and speed along the trajectory by referencing different pre-computed iso-displacement curves. This allows the aircraft to adapt to changing weather conditions and operational constraints while maintaining fuel optimality, as the iso-displacement curves are pre-calculated to account for various parameter combinations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the aircraft deviates from the calculated optimal trajectory due to changing weather or operational constraints, then operational flexibility is improved, but the risk of loss of optimality increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidtrajectory optimality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the aircraft's actual position and compares it with the optimal trajectory defined by the iso-displacement curves. When deviations occur due to weather changes or operational constraints, the system provides feedback to recalculate the remaining trajectory using the pre-computed curves, ensuring the aircraft can adapt flexibly while minimizing the risk of loss of optimality for the remaining mission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the trajectory by selecting different iso-displacement curves based on current weather conditions and operational constraints. This dynamic adaptation allows the aircraft to maintain operational flexibility while continuously striving to follow an optimal trajectory, as the iso-displacement curves are pre-computed to account for various dynamic conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12518639B2Aircraft mission calculation system indicating a risk of loss of optimality of the trajectory actually followed by the aircraft and related method

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 DASSAULT AVIATION SA

AI summary

An aircraft mission calculation system is for indicating a risk of loss of optimality of the trajectory actually flown by the aircraft. The system includes a first trajectory calculation module, configured to calculate an optimal mission trajectory between a geographical point of origin and a geographical point of destination. The first calculation module is configured to calculate a plurality of iso-displacement curves from the geographical point of origin to the geographical point of destination. The system comprises a module for determining a level of risk of loss of optimality of the trajectory actually taken by the aircraft, associated with a modification of the trajectory of the aircraft with respect to the calculated mission trajectory, the display manager displaying on the display, in addition to the calculated trajectory, an indicator of the determined level of risk.