METHOD FOR USING AIRCRAFT WHEEL TYRE PRESSURE TO IMPROVE AIRCRAFT ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND DRIVE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE

摘要

A method for improving both drive system performance and energy efficiency performance both in an aircraft equipped with one or more drive wheel drive systems to move the aircraft autonomously on the ground is provided and in an aircraft that relies on its engines for ground movement. Achieving these objectives takes advantage of a discovered relationship between aircraft tyre pressure, drive system performance, and energy efficiency. Monitoring and maintaining tyre inflation pressure of an aircraft's tyres at an inflation level near a high end or recommended maximum cold or hot operating pressure for a specific kind of aircraft tyre on a specific aircraft not only improves drive wheel drive system performance, but also substantially and significantly improves energy efficiency in all types of aircraft.

主权项

1. A method for significantly improving aircraft energy efficiency comprising, in an aircraft having wheels and inflatable tyres mounted on each of the aircraft's wheels, maintaining a tyre inflation pressure level in each of said tyres at about a selected maximum recommended hot inflation pressure level or at about a cold inflation pressure level for said type of inflatable tyre and reducing aircraft energy consumption during ground travel when said the inflation pressures of said tyres is maintained at said selected inflation pressure.