FORMATION FLIGHT CONTROL

摘要

An apparatus for controlling the formation flight of a trailing aircraft relative to a vortex generated by a leading aircraft includes a position module, peak-seeking module, limiter module, and control module. The position module is configured to determine a position of the vortex relative to the trailing aircraft. The peak-seeking module is configured to determine a desired position of the trailing aircraft for providing desired vortex-induced aerodynamic benefits based on the position of the vortex relative to the trailing aircraft and a mapping function of an individual performance metric. The limiter module is configured to modify the desired position of the trailing aircraft to avoid unintended crossings of the trailing aircraft into the vortex. Finally, the control module is configured to control flight of the trailing aircraft based on one of the desired position of the trailing aircraft and modified desired position of the trailing aircraft.

主权项

1. An apparatus for controlling a formation flight of a trailing aircraft relative to a vortex generated by a leading aircraft, comprising
a position module configured to determine a position of the vortex relative to the trailing aircraft based on an estimate of wind conditions, the estimate of wind conditions being based on at least one air data measurement obtained by the leading aircraft; a desired position module configured to determine a desired position of the trailing aircraft relative to the vortex for providing desired vortex-induced aerodynamic benefits based on the position of the vortex; and a control module configured to control flight of the trailing aircraft based on the desired position of the trailing aircraft.