Formation Flight Vortex Positioning Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
During formation flight, following aircraft face challenges in managing their position relative to vortices generated by leading aircraft, which can lead to loss of fuel efficiency benefits when needing to move away from vortices due to maneuvers or events.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that use vortex transport and signature models to determine safety and optimum positions for the following aircraft, allowing it to maintain formation while avoiding vortex effects or benefiting from updrafts, respectively, through control units that adjust the aircraft's position based on predetermined conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the following aircraft positions itself to benefit from vortex updrafts, then fuel consumption is reduced, but the aircraft becomes vulnerable to harmful vortex effects during maneuvers or unexpected events
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the following aircraft's position between two states: an optimum position within the vortex updraft for fuel efficiency, and a safety position outside the vortex for protection. The control unit continuously monitors flight conditions and maneuvers the aircraft between these positions based on real-time needs, making the positioning system adaptive rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is configured to maneuver the following aircraft to a safety position in advance when predetermined conditions are detected, such as upcoming maneuvers or potential vortex encounters. This preliminary action prevents the aircraft from being exposed to harmful vortex effects before they occur.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the following aircraft moves away from vortices to avoid harmful effects, then safety is improved, but the aircraft loses fuel efficiency benefits
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system is designed to be dynamic, switching between safety-oriented positioning (outside vortices) and efficiency-oriented positioning (within vortices) based on real-time flight conditions. The control unit evaluates maneuver status and vortex proximity continuously, adjusting the aircraft's position optimally at each moment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the control unit to monitor flight conditions, vortex proximity, and maneuver status. Based on this feedback, the control unit automatically adjusts the following aircraft's position to maintain either safety or fuel efficiency, whichever is prioritized by current flight conditions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the following aircraft maintains constant spacing with the leading aircraft, then formation stability is maintained, but the aircraft cannot quickly respond to vortex avoidance needs
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system is segmented into two distinct operational modes: formation maintenance mode (constant spacing from leading aircraft) and vortex avoidance mode (adjusted positioning relative to vortices). The control unit switches between these modes based on detected conditions, allowing the system to maintain formation stability during normal flight while enabling rapid response when vortex avoidance becomes necessary.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the following aircraft to swiftly move to a safety position without breaking formation during events and maintain fuel-efficient positions by continuously monitoring and controlling its position relative to the leading aircraft's vortices, optimizing fuel consumption and flight stability.
Implementation Method 1
a first position determination step, implemented by a first position determination unit, wherein said first position determination step comprises determining, using a vortex transport model, what is termed a safety position
Implementation Method 2
a second position determination step, implemented by a second position determination unit, wherein said second position determination step comprises determining, using a vortex signature model, what is termed an optimum position
Implementation Method 3
Formation flying allows a following aircraft to exploit the updrafts caused by the vortices of the leading aircraft
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device for monitoring and controlling a path of a following aircraft (AC2) with respect to vortices (V1, V2) generated by a leading aircraft (AC1) while both aircraft (AC1, AC2) fly in a formation (F), wherein the device includes a unit for determining, using a vortex transport model, a safety position (PS) at which the following aircraft (AC2) is not subjected to effects of the vortices (V1, V2) generated by the leading aircraft (AC1), a unit for determining, using a vortex signature model, an optimum position (PO) at which the following aircraft (AC2) benefits from at least one (V1) of the vortices (V1, V2), and a control unit for bringing and keeping the following aircraft (AC2) in the safety position (PS) while a predetermined condition(s) is met and otherwise for bringing the following aircraft (AC2) and keeping it in the optimum position (PO).