Visual Fuel Predictor System for Aircraft Weight Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for predicting fuel for aircraft are time-consuming and inefficient, often leading pilots to add excessive fuel to ensure safety, which increases aircraft weight and fuel consumption, resulting in higher operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a fuel predictor system to calculate remaining fuel amounts and flight times for different types of fuel use, displaying this information graphically to aid pilots in making informed decisions about fuel management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pilots add more fuel than needed to meet safety factors, then safety is improved, but aircraft weight increases and fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual fuel calculation methods with an automated computer-based system that performs real-time fuel predictions. The system uses a processor to execute algorithms that calculate predicted fuel amounts at destination based on current fuel state, flight plan, and aircraft performance data, eliminating the need for pilots to manually add excessive fuel as a safety buffer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback to the pilot through the display system, showing predicted fuel amounts for different fuel use scenarios (enroute, holding, alternate, captain's fuel). This real-time feedback allows pilots to make informed decisions about fuel management without needing to add excessive fuel upfront, as the system continuously updates predictions based on actual flight conditions.
2Ease of manufacture
If pilots perform manual fuel calculations before flight, then fuel planning is completed, but time consumption increases and pilot concentration is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs fuel predictions automatically without requiring pilot intervention for calculations. The processor self-service computes predicted fuel amounts based on input data from the flight management system, eliminating the need for pilots to spend time performing manual calculations before flight.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs fuel predictions in advance during flight planning and continues to update predictions during flight. By calculating predicted fuel amounts before departure and throughout the flight, the system eliminates the need for last-minute manual calculations and allows pilots to make informed fuel decisions ahead of time.
3Loss of information
If the display system shows fuel amount in weight units, then fuel quantity is indicated, but pilot understanding may be insufficient leading to unnecessary fuel additions
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms the fuel quantity information from a single dimension (weight in pounds/kg) to multiple dimensions by displaying predicted fuel amounts for different fuel use scenarios (enroute, holding, alternate, captain's fuel). This multi-dimensional presentation helps pilots understand not just how much fuel is on board, but how that fuel will be consumed under various flight conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the total fuel quantity into different usage categories (enroute fuel, holding fuel, alternate fuel, captain's fuel) and displays predicted remaining amounts for each segment. This segmentation helps pilots understand the purpose and consumption rate of different fuel portions, leading to better fuel management decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for predicting fuel for an aircraft. Remaining amounts of fuel that will be present for types of fuel use for the aircraft at a destination are predicted. Flight times for the types of fuel use are calculated from the remaining amounts of fuel predicted for the types of fuel use for the aircraft at the destination. Graphical indicators are displayed indicating the types of fuel use and the flight times for the types of fuel use.