Wake vortex detection and reporting system
View Patent ↗A method for estimating the effect of environmental conditions on an aircraft, including measuring the motions of an aircraft; estimating the expected motions of the aircraft, wherein the expected motions of the aircraft are estimated using information regarding the aircraft's control inputs and/or control surface positions; and estimating, based on the measured motions of the aircraft and the expected motions of the aircraft, the forces exerted on the aircraft by the environmental conditions, wherein the forces are estimated based on a difference between the measured motions of the aircraft and expected motions of the aircraft.
1. A method for estimating the effect of environmental conditions on an aircraft, comprising:
measuring the motions of an aircraft;
estimating the expected motions of the aircraft, wherein the expected motions of the aircraft are estimated using information regarding the aircraft's control inputs and/or control surface positions; and
estimating, based on the measured motions of the aircraft and the expected motions of the aircraft, the forces and/or moments exerted on the aircraft by the environmental conditions, wherein the forces and/or moments are estimated based on a difference between the measured motions of the aircraft and expected motions of the aircraft.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising estimating a specific threshold value of the forces and/or moments based on the aircraft static information and/or dynamic information;
comparing the estimated value of the forces and/or moments to the estimated threshold value;
transmitting, if the estimated value of the forces and/or moments exceeds the estimated threshold value, a report.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the report is transmitted to an annunciation device onboard the aircraft.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the report is transmitted to another aircraft.
5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the report is transmitted to a ground-based receiver or transceiver.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising comparing the estimated value of the forces and/or moments to a predetermined threshold value;
transmitting, if the estimated value of the forces and/or moments exceeds the estimated threshold value, a report.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the predetermined threshold value is a predetermined threshold value for another aircraft.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the report is transmitted to another receiving aircraft.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the receiving aircraft uses information from the received report, consisting of encounter forces and/or moments and dynamic and static vehicle information included in the report information and combines dynamic and static vehicle information for the receiving aircraft to process the received report information into specific hazard information for the receiving aircraft;
comparing the specific hazard information for the receiving aircraft to a threshold value for the receiving aircraft;
transmitting, if the estimated value of the forces and/or moments exceed the estimated threshold value, a report to an annunciation device onboard the receiving aircraft.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the receiving aircraft uses information from the received report, consisting of encounter forces and/or moments and dynamic and static vehicle information included in the report information and combines dynamic and static vehicle information for the receiving aircraft to process the received report information into specific hazard information for the receiving aircraft;
predicting wake vortex behavior in translation and decay using the forces and/or moments information;
updating the calculated forces and/or moments information based on the predicted wake vortex behavior information;
calculating a threshold value for the receiving aircraft;
transmitting, if a value of the updated information exceeds the threshold value, a report to an annunciation device onboard the receiving aircraft.
11. The method of claim 6 , wherein the report is transmitted to a ground-based receiver or transceiver.
12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
receiving the report information by the ground-based receiver or transceiver;
processing, utilizing an aircraft database, the report information to calculate forces and/or moments information;
calculating at least once a threshold value for an aircraft;
transmitting, if a value of the calculated forces and/or moments information exceeds the calculated threshold value, a report to an annunciation device onboard an aircraft.
13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
receiving the report information by the ground-based receiver or transceiver;
calculating, utilizing an aircraft database and the report information, forces and/or moments information;
calculating at least one threshold value for an aircraft;
transmitting, if a value of the calculated forces and/or moments information exceeds the calculated threshold value, a report a system for predicting wake vortex transport, decay, and behavior, and/or a system for determining automatic spacing and separation of aircraft.
14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
receiving the report information by the ground-based receiver or transceiver;
processing, utilizing an aircraft database, the report information to calculate forces and/or moments information;
predicting, using the calculated forces and/or moments information, wake vortex behavior in translation and decay;
updating the calculated forces and/or moments information based on the predicted wake vortex behavior information;
calculating a threshold value for the receiving aircraft;
transmitting, if a value of the updated information exceeds the threshold value, a report to an annunciation device onboard the receiving aircraft.