US4063072A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic process for the optimum regulation of aircraft fuel flow
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-08-05
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Granted: 1977-12-13
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Expires: 1995-08-05
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerhard Sochtig
- 👤 Heinz Heitfeld
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:06
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D1/00; G05D1/0005; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0283; G06Q30/0284; G06Q50/00; G06Q50/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
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,
Claim 2
Independent Claim
228 words
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,
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
82 words
comparing the first total cost per unit distance and the second total cost per unit distance to determine which is the lesser amount, 10. 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, 11. successively repeating steps (5) through (10) until a minimum total cost per unit of distance is determined at a final fuel flow.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
comparing the first total cost per unit distance and the second total cost per unit distance to determine which is the lesser amount, 10. 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, 11. successively repeating steps (5) through (10) until a minimum total cost per unit of distance is determined at a final fuel flow.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
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).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
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.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
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.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
CA851576A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-12-12 | 1981-06-13 | 1981-12-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-12-12 | 1985-06-13 | 1985-12-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-12-12 | 1989-06-13 | 1989-12-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |