IP Library Granted Patent US 8,478,459
Granted Patent B2
US 8,478,459 · App. 13/071,756 · Granted Jul 2, 2013

System and method for detecting wake turbulence of an aircraft

Inventors: Laurence Mutuel (Tournefeuille, FR); Bertrand Baillon (Saubens, FR)
Assignee: Thales
G08G5/0091G08G5/0008G08G5/0021G08G5/0078
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,478,459
App. No.
13/071,756
Granted
Jul 2, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

System for detecting wake turbulence (SDWT) of a first aircraft, which can be embedded onboard a second aircraft, comprising: first means (DET 1 ) for determining the roll (Roll 2 ) of the second aircraft; second determination means (DET 2 ) of an envelope (CRollRef) of reference roll curves which is representative of a wake turbulence created by the first aircraft; means (COMP) for comparing, over a sliding window, the roll (Roll 2 ) of the second aircraft and the envelope (CRollRef) of reference roll curves; and alarm means (AL) for forewarning the pilot of the second aircraft of the detection of wake turbulence of the first aircraft when the said comparison is below a resemblance threshold (SS).

Claims (18)

1. A system for detecting wake turbulence of a first aircraft, which is configured to be embedded onboard a second aircraft, comprising:

first means for determining roll of the second aircraft;

second means for determining an envelope of reference roll curves which is representative of a wake turbulence created by the first aircraft;

means for comparing, over a sliding window, the roll of the second aircraft and the envelope of reference roll curves; and

alarm means for forewarning a pilot of the second aircraft of detection of wake turbulence of the first aircraft when said comparison is below a resemblance threshold.

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the second means for determining the envelope of reference roll curves comprises first inputs comprising operating parameters of said first aircraft.

3. The system according to claim 2 , wherein said first inputs comprise a speed of the first aircraft, a mass of the first aircraft, a wingspan of the first aircraft, a flight phase of the first aircraft, or a type of said first aircraft, so as to determine said envelope of reference roll curves.

4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the first means for determining the roll of the second aircraft comprises an inertial platform.

5. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the means for comparing is adapted for comparing, over the sliding window, said roll of the second aircraft and said envelope of reference roll curves, by comparing a function applied to said roll and said function applied to said envelope of reference roll curves.

6. The system according to claim 5 , wherein said function comprises Gaussians.

7. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said envelope of reference roll curves comprises curves of P2P, APA or WAKE4D type.

8. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the second determination means further comprises, second inputs comprising external parameters of the first aircraft.

9. The system according to claim 8 , wherein said second inputs comprise a position of the first aircraft, a wind in a space separating the first and second aircraft, or a temperature in the space separating the first and second aircraft, to determine said envelope of reference roll curves.

10. A method for detecting wake turbulence of a first aircraft, experienced by a second aircraft, the method using a processor and comprising:

determining roll of the second aircraft;

determining an envelope of reference roll curves which is representative of a wake turbulence created by the first aircraft;

comparing the roll of the second aircraft and the envelope of reference roll curves over a sliding window; and

alerting a pilot of the second aircraft of a detection of wake turbulence of the first aircraft when said comparison is below a resemblance threshold.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 3, 2011
From: MUTUEL, LAURENCE; BAILLON, BERTRAND
To: THALES
Reel/Frame 026694/0623 →
Priority Claims (1)
FR 10 01227 · Mar 26, 2010 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20110282524A1 · Nov 17, 2011