Method for Defining and Controlling Aircraft Taxi Profile

摘要

A system and method are provided for defining, optimizing, and controlling taxi profiles for aircraft equipped with onboard non-engine drive means controllable to drive one or more nose or main landing gear wheels to drive an aircraft autonomously during taxi. An onboard taxi profile control system may employ smart software to determine selected taxi operational data at an airport and use this data to control and maintain torque of the drive means at desired selected levels that move the aircraft during taxi in response to determined taxi data or predetermined programmed taxi parameters. The system is designed to set default taxi profiles for each taxi cycle to achieve efficient aircraft taxi and to extend operational life of drive means components. Taxi profiles are modified and updated at periodic intervals or in real time in response to actual taxi conditions to optimize aircraft taxi at a specific airport.

主权项

1. An onboard system for defining and controlling aircraft taxi profiles comprising:
a. an aircraft equipped with one or more onboard non-engine drive means capable of generating operating torque and controllable to move the aircraft autonomously at taxi speeds during ground travel; b. onboard aircraft taxi profile generating means for generating an aircraft taxi profile designed to extend operational life of mechanical components connected to or operatively associated with said drive means; and c. taxi profile control means in operative communication with said one or more onboard drive means and said taxi profile generating means for controlling autonomous movement of the aircraft during ground travel at an airport in response to said aircraft taxi profile.