Automatic process for the optimum regulation of aircraft fuel flow

• US 4,063,072 A
• Filed: 08/05/1975
• Issued: 12/13/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gerhard Sochtig, Heinz Heitfeld
• Original Assignee: Gerhard Sochtig, Heinz Heitfeld
• Inventors: Sochtig, Gerhard, Heitfeld, Heinz
• Primary Examiner(s): Dildine, Jr., R. Stephen
• Application Number:
  US05/602,008
• Time in Patent Office: 861 Days
• Field of Search: 235/150.21, 340/172.5, 444/1
• US Class Current: 701/99
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0005 with arrangements to save energy
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0284 Time or distance, e.g. usage of parking meters or taximeters
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply

Abstract

A method for operating an aircraft at the minimum total flying cost per unit of distance. The fuel cost per unit of distance and the flying time cost per unit of time are calculated at a first fuel flow setting and are added together to obtain a total flying time cost per unit distance. After a predetermined time interval, a second fuel flow setting is entered into the aircraft and a second total flying time cost per unit distance is calculated and compared to the first. The fuel flow setting is again adjusted in the direction of the minimum total flying time cost per unit of distance. This procedure is repeated until the minimum is found, and can be repeated thereafter at specific intervals to assure that the minimum is maintained.

Claims

1. A method for the optimum regulation of the fuel flow of an aircraft, relating to a flight between two airports using a computer with a store and a comparator, comprising the steps of:

1. entering into the computer the flying time costs of the aircraft per unit of time, the fuel price, the first fuel flow, and the first aircraft speed,

2. determining from the fuel price, first fuel flow, and first aircraft speed in the first fuel cost per unit of distance,

3. determining from the flying time cost and the first aircraft speed the first flying time cost per unit of distance,

4. storing the sum of the first fuel cost per unit of distance and the first flying time cost per unit of distance as a first total cost per unit distance,

5. changing the fuel flow by a predetermined amount to a second fuel flow,

6. determining from the second fuel flow, the second speed resulting from the second fuel flow and the fuel price the second fuel cost per unit of distance,

7. determining from the second aircraft speed and the flying time cost the second flying time cost per unit of distance,

8. adding together the second fuel cost per unit of distance and the second flying time cost per unit of distance to provide a second total cost per unit distance,

3. The method set forth in claim 1 comprising the further step of repeating at predetermined time intervals steps (5) through (10) with the final fuel flow arrived at in step (11) being used as the first fuel flow in step (5).

4. The method set forth in claim 1 wherein said predetermined amount is lessened to achieve said third fuel flow as the difference between the first total cost per unit of distance and the second total cost per unit of distance decreases, until the said difference lies below a predetermined tolerance limit.

5. The method set forth in claim 1 wherein said predetermined amount remains constant until a fuel flow achieving a minimum total cost per unit of distance is passed, and then partially withdrawing the final of the said predetermined amount of fuel flow change.

2. comparing the first total cost per unit distance and the second total cost per unit distance to determine which is the lesser amount,automatically adjusting the fuel flow a predetermined amount from said second fuel flow to a third fuel flow in the direction of the lesser of the first or second total cost per unit of distance,successively repeating steps (5) through (10) until a minimum total cost per unit of distance is determined at a final fuel flow.