System and method for optimization of aircraft fuel economy in real-time

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018268722-A1
Application number	US-201715463126-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 20, 2017
Priority date	Mar 20, 2017
Publication date	Sep 20, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

A system and method for the real-time optimization of aircraft fuel economy is disclosed. Sensors are provided to monitor in-flight performance characteristics, to monitor the status of aircraft control elements during flight, to monitor fuel consumption, and to identify aircraft position information during flight. A processor is coupled to receive information from the sensors. During flight, the processor calculates a current performance level by entering the received information into a predetermined flight model. The processor then determines, based on a comparison of the calculated current performance level with a predetermined expected performance level, a current level of fuel efficiency. Next, the processor determines any parameter changes for improving fuel efficiency. Finally, the processor causes the determined parameter changes to be displayed on a flight deck display. The flight crew may then selectively implement one or more of the determined parameter changes via the flight deck display.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A system for the real-time optimization of aircraft fuel economy, comprising:
one or more first sensors for monitoring in-flight performance characteristics; a flight deck display; and a processor coupled to receive information from the one or more first sensors, the processor configured to:
calculate a current performance level by entering the received information into a predetermined flight model,
determine, based on a comparison of the calculated current performance level with a predetermined expected performance level, a current level of fuel efficiency,
determine any parameter changes for improving fuel efficiency, and
cause the determined parameter changes to be displayed on the flight deck display.

2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more second sensors for monitoring the status of aircraft control elements during flight; wherein the processor is coupled to receive information from the one or more second sensors; and wherein the information entered into the predetermined flight model includes the information from the one or more first sensors and the one or more second sensors.

3 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a third sensor for monitoring fuel consumption; wherein the processor is coupled to receive information from the third sensor; and wherein the information entered into the predetermined flight model includes the information from the one or more first sensors and the third sensor.

4 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a fourth sensor for identifying aircraft position information during flight; and wherein the processor is coupled to receive information from the fourth sensor; and wherein the information entered into the predetermined flight model includes the information from the one or more first sensors and the fourth sensor.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the flight deck displays are configured to receive input and, based on the received input, signals are automatically provided implementing one or more of the displayed parameter changes.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the determined parameter changes are automatically implemented.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more first sensors are a Pitot probe, a static pressure probe and/or a total air temperature probe.

8 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the one or more second sensors monitor the status of aircraft spoilers, flaps, gears, flaperons, rudder vertical tail and/or ailerons.

9 . A system for the real-time optimization of aircraft fuel economy, comprising:
one or more first sensors for monitoring the status of aircraft control elements during flight; a flight deck display; and a processor coupled to receive information from the one or more first sensors, the processor configured to:
calculate a current performance level by entering the received information into a predetermined flight model,
determine, based on a comparison of the calculated current performance level with a predetermined expected performance level, a current level of fuel efficiency,
determine any parameter changes for improving fuel efficiency, and
cause the determined parameter changes to be displayed on the flight deck display.

10 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising one or more second sensors for monitoring in-flight performance characteristics; wherein the processor is coupled to receive information from the one or more second sensors; and wherein the information entered into the predetermined flight model includes the information from the one or more first sensors and the one or more second sensors.

11 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising a third sensor for monitoring fuel consumption; wherein the processor is coupled to receive information from the third sensor; and wherein the information entered into the predetermined flight model includes the information from the one or more first sensors and the third sensor.

12 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising a fourth sensor for identifying aircraft position information during flight; and wherein the processor is coupled to receive information from the fourth sensor; and wherein the information entered into the predetermined flight model includes the information from the one or more first sensors and the fourth sensor.

13 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the flight deck displays are configured to receive input and, based on received input, signals are automatically provided implementing one or more of the displayed parameter changes.

14 . The system of claim 9 , wherein one or more of the determined parameter changes are automatically implemented.

15 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the one or more first sensors monitor the status of aircraft spoilers, flaps, gears, flaperons, rudder vertical tail and/or ailerons.

16 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the one or more second sensors are a Pitot probe, a static pressure probe and/or a total air temperature probe.

17 . A method for the real-time optimization of aircraft fuel economy, comprising:
receiving information from one or more first sensors monitoring in-flight performance characteristics; calculating a current performance level by entering the received information into a predetermined flight model; determining, based on a comparison of the calculated current performance level with a predetermined expected performance level, a current level of fuel efficiency; determine any parameter changes for improving fuel efficiency; and causing the determined parameter changes to be displayed on the flight deck display.

18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising receiving information from one or more second sensors for monitoring the status of aircraft control elements during flight; and wherein the information received from the one or more second sensors is part of the information used to calculate the current performance level.

19 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising receiving information from a third sensor for monitoring fuel consumption; and wherein the information received from the third sensor is part of the information used to calculate the current performance level.

20 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising automatically implementing one or more of the determined parameter changes.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Meier Oliver C
• Eggink Roy A
• Jonson Kristoffer R

Classifications

• B64D43/02

  for indicating aircraft speed or stalling conditions · CPC title

• G08G5/0047 Primary

  Physics · mapped topic

• G07C5/0816

  Indicating performance data, e.g. occurrence of a malfunction · CPC title

• B64D45/0005

  Devices specially adapted to indicate the position of a movable element of the aircraft, e.g. landing gear · CPC title

• G08G5/55

  for a single aircraft · CPC title