Innovation in Aeronautics

Innovation in Aeronautics

by T Young, M Hirst
Released June 2012
Publisher(s): Woodhead Publishing
ISBN: 9780857096098

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Book description

Innovation in aerospace design and engineering is essential to meet the many challenges facing this sector. Innovation in aeronautics explores both a range of innovative ideas and how the process of innovation itself can be effectively managed.

After an introduction to innovation in aeronautics, part one reviews developments including biologically-inspired technologies, morphing aerodynamic concepts, jet engine design drivers, and developments underpinned by digital technologies. The environment and human factors in innovation are also explored as are trends in supersonic passenger air travel. Part two goes on to examine change and the processes and management involved in innovative technology development. Challenges faced in aeronautical production are the focus of part three, which reviews topics such as intellectual property and patents, risk mitigation and the use of lean engineering. Finally, part four examines key issues in what makes for successful innovation in this sector.

With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, Innovation in aeronautics is an essential guide for all those involved in the design and engineering of aerospace structures and systems.

  • Explores a range of innovative aerospace design ideas
  • Discusses how the process of innovation itself can be effectively managed
  • Reviews developments including biologically-inspired technologies, morphing aerodynamic concepts, jet engine design drivers and developments underpinned by digital technologies

Table of contents

  1. Cover image
  2. Title page
  3. Table of Contents
  4. Copyright
  5. Contributor contact details
  6. Part I: Concepts
    1. Chapter 1: Introduction to innovation in aeronautics
      1. 1.1 Introduction
      2. 1.2 Concepts
      3. 1.3 Change
      4. 1.4 Challenges
    2. Chapter 2: Biologically inspired technologies for aeronautics
      1. Abstract:
      2. 2.1 Introduction
      3. 2.2 Biologically inspired or independent human innovation
      4. 2.3 Nature as a source of innovation in aerospace
      5. 2.4 Biologically inspired mechanisms and systems
      6. 2.5 Robotics as beneficiary of biomimetic technologies
      7. 2.6 Conclusion: challenges and potential development
      8. 2.7 Acknowledgement
    3. Chapter 3: Aircraft morphing technologies
      1. Abstract:
      2. 3.1 Introduction
      3. 3.2 Early aircraft morphing developments
      4. 3.3 Keeping morphing alive – NASA research in morphing aircraft structures
      5. 3.4 Resurgence of morphing concepts
      6. 3.5 Current morphing component technologies
      7. 3.6 Conclusion: the future of aircraft morphing technologies
    4. Chapter 4: Jet engine design drivers: past, present and future
      1. Abstract:
      2. 4.1 Introduction
      3. 4.2 Technological drivers
      4. 4.3 New challenges
      5. 4.4 Meeting the challenges through innovation
      6. 4.5 Conclusion
    5. Chapter 5: Innovation in avionic systems: developments underpinned by digital technologies
      1. Abstract:
      2. 5.1 Introduction
      3. 5.2 Cost
      4. 5.3 Capability
      5. 5.4 Demand
      6. 5.5 Timing
      7. 5.6 Future requirements
      8. 5.7 Current safety processes
      9. 5.8 The system of the future
      10. 5.9 The ultimate avionics computer
      11. 5.10 System–crew interaction
      12. 5.11 Conclusions
    6. Chapter 6: The environment as the key design driver in aeronautics
      1. Abstract:
      2. 6.1 Introduction
      3. 6.2 Economic efficiency
      4. 6.3 Environmental impact
      5. 6.4 The characteristics of the aeroplane
      6. 6.5 What determines the value of the energy liberated to revenue work ratio (ETRW)?
      7. 6.6 Observations on the ETRW
      8. 6.7 Aircraft performance
      9. 6.8 Where does it all go? Explaining the discrepancy between energy liberated and revenue work
      10. 6.9 Improving the discrepancy between energy liberated and revenue work
      11. 6.10 Addressing the climate issue
      12. 6.11 Conclusions
      13. 6.12 Acknowledgements
    7. Chapter 7: The human factors that relate to technological developments in aviation
      1. Abstract:
      2. 7.1 Introduction to human factors as a discipline
      3. 7.2 Human factors in a socio-technical system context
      4. 7.3 A history of human factors
      5. 7.4 Recent developments and current trends
      6. 7.5 Future trends
      7. 7.6 Conclusion
    8. Chapter 8: Innovation in supersonic passenger air travel
      1. Abstract:
      2. 8.1 Introduction
      3. 8.2 Historical background
      4. 8.3 Operational issues
      5. 8.4 Technological issues: sonic boom
      6. 8.5 Technological issues: aerodynamics
      7. 8.6 Technological issues: airworthiness
      8. 8.7 Manufacturers and design organisations
      9. 8.8 Conclusion
      10. 8.9 Acknowledgement
  7. Part II: Change
    1. Chapter 9: The process of innovation in aeronautics
      1. Abstract:
      2. 9.1 Introduction
      3. 9.2 Definitions and sources of confusion
      4. 9.3 How to measure innovation
      5. 9.4 The innovation process
      6. 9.5 Innovation environments
      7. 9.6 Innovation viewed as a management of knowledge problem
      8. 9.7 Whole systems view of innovation
      9. 9.8 Conclusion: innovation processes of the future
    2. Chapter 10: Managing innovative technology development in aeronautics: technology assessment (TA) techniques
      1. Abstract:
      2. 10.1 Introduction
      3. 10.2 Methods and limitations
      4. 10.3 Approach and example
      5. 10.4 Conclusion
      6. 10.5 Abbreviations
    3. Chapter 11: Mining the ‘far side’ of technology to develop revolutionary aircraft prototypes: the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) approach
      1. Abstract:
      2. 11.1 Introduction
      3. 11.2 Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) philosophy and structure
      4. 11.3 DARPA and innovation in aviation
      5. 11.4 Examples of DARPA innovation in aviation
      6. 11.5 DARPA’s aviation-related programs
      7. 11.6 Conclusions
    4. Chapter 12: Revolutionary ideas about the future of air transport
      1. Abstract:
      2. 12.1 The mind set to find revolutionary solutions
      3. 12.2 Technological change
      4. 12.3 A framework for assessing revolutionary ideas
      5. 12.4 Carrying forward requirements into design
      6. 12.5 Telecommunications and IT in society
      7. 12.6 The revolution – far beyond the air vehicle
  8. Part III: Challenges
    1. Chapter 13: Intellectual property, patents and innovation in aeronautics
      1. Abstract:
      2. 13.1 Introduction
      3. 13.2 Commentary on likely future trends
      4. 13.3 Creativity and innovation as a mechanism for capturing intellectual property
      5. 13.4 Intellectual property and patenting
      6. 13.5 Converting patents into products
      7. 13.6 Establishing patent value
      8. 13.7 Trends driving innovation within the commercial aerospace industry
      9. 13.8 The switch from aluminum to composites
      10. 13.9 Conception of AMP equipment
      11. 13.10 AMP equipment definitions
      12. 13.11 Evolution of AMP equipment
      13. 13.12 AMP equipment family tree
      14. 13.13 Conclusion
      15. 13.14 Sources of further information
      16. 13.16 Appendix: AMP acronym list
    2. Chapter 14: Cost, time and technical performance risk mitigation in large, complex and innovative aeronautics development projects
      1. Abstract:
      2. 14.1 Introduction
      3. 14.2 Interdependence of development cost, schedule, and technical performance
      4. 14.3 The aspect of risk
      5. 14.4 An integrated decision-support model – the risk value method (RVM)
      6. 14.5 Example: an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) development project
      7. 14.6 Discussion
      8. 14.7 Conclusion and future trends
      9. 14.8 Sources of further information and advice
    3. Chapter 15: Innovation in aeronautics through Lean Engineering
      1. Abstract:
      2. 15.1 Introduction
      3. 15.2 Dynamics of innovation
      4. 15.3 Lean Thinking
      5. 15.4 Lean Thinking and aerospace
      6. 15.5 Lean Engineering framework
      7. 15.6 Tailoring Lean Engineering
      8. 15.7 Lean Engineering challenges
      9. 15.8 Summary
      10. 15.9 Acknowledgments
  9. Part IV: Conclusion
    1. Chapter 16: Conclusion: innovations in aeronautics
      1. Abstract:
      2. 16.1 Introduction
      3. 16.2 Innovation and risk
      4. 16.3 Technology readiness levels (TRLs)
      5. 16.4 Capturing innovation and disruptive technologies
      6. 16.5 Key design drivers
      7. 16.6 Moving from concept to implementation
      8. 16.7 Computer-assisted engineering and design
      9. 16.8 The innovation process
      10. 16.9 Developing a culture of innovation
      11. 16.10 Innovation ‘agendas’
      12. 16.11 Education and innovation
  10. Glossary
  11. Index

Product information

  • Title: Innovation in Aeronautics
  • Author(s): T Young, M Hirst
  • Release date: June 2012
  • Publisher(s): Woodhead Publishing
  • ISBN: 9780857096098