The development of a predictive thermal capacity monitoring system for fuel-based cooling systems on aircraft is proposed. This new information system will operate to provide the pilot with an updated perspective on the operational status and capability of the fuel-based thermal management system. Using real time physical data, projected flight scenarios, and known operating characteristics of aircraft components, information concerning flight capability will be provided to the pilot. Largely using information available from existing instrumentation and operating systems, the system will track, predict, and possibly automatically manage thermal system cooling capacity. Appropriate microprocessor module and user interface technology will be applied. Development will be based on detailed system requirements and system architecture reviewed by Navy personnel. Target application is the F-35 aircraft.
Benefit: With the proposed system, the pilot will be better able to avoid having capabilities of the thermal management limit flight operation. It will have potential application to all types of high-performance aircraft in the future.
Keywords: mission planning, mission planning, heat sink, Real Time Modeling, Thermal Capacity, Thermal Management, Heat Load
