EP0370640A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aircraft instrument systems
Assignee: Smiths Group PLC
•
Filing: 1989-10-30
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2009-10-30
Abstract
Abstract An aircraft collision avoidance instrument system has a display located in the aircraft glareshield in the peripheral field of view of the pilot when he is looking forwardly through the aircraft window 13. The display has a matrix array of LCD elements 20 which is controlled to provide a continually changing image that is visible in the peripheral field of view of the pilot when a possible collision with another aircraft is likely. This may be arrows 22 moving up or down the display to indicate climb or decend, or a flashing horizontal line to indicate that present height must be maintained. An alphanumeric legend 24 indicative of the collision avoidance action to be taken is also provided by the display 9. When no collision is likely, the display 9 is used to present other information to the pilot.
Inventors
- 👤 Keith Dougan
- 👤 Peter O'sullivan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:43
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/02; G01S7/04; G01S13/00; G01S13/88; G01S13/93; G01S13/933; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
An aircraft instrument system including a device that identifies when a possible collision with another aircraft is likely, and a unit that provides a signal indicative of evading action to be taken by the pilot of the aircraft to avoid collision, characterised in that a visual display (9) is located in the peripheral field of view of the pilot when he is looking forwardly though the aircraft window, and that the visual display (9) is controlled by the signal to provide a continually changing display image while the evading action is necessary such that the changing image is visible to the pilot in his peripheral field of view and the pilot is thereby visually advised of the evading action without the need to look directly at the display (9).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
An aircraft instrument system including a device that identifies when a possible collision with another aircraft is likely, and a unit that provides a signal indicative of evading action to be taken by the pilot of the aircraft to avoid collision, characterised in that a visual display (9) is located in the peripheral field of view of the pilot when he is looking forwardly though the aircraft window, and that the visual display (9) is controlled by the signal to provide a continually changing display image while the evading action is necessary such that the changing image is visible to the pilot in his peripheral field of view and the pilot is thereby visually advised of the evading action without the need to look directly at the display (9).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An instrument system according to Claim 1, characteristed in that the visual display (9) is provided by a matrix array of electrically-energisable elements (20).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An instrument system according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the visual display (9) is mounted in the aircraft glareshield (12).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
An instrument system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the display (9) provides a representation of upwardly moving signs (22) when the signal indicates that the pilot should climb, and provides a representation of downwardly moving signs when the signal indicates that the pilot should descend.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
An instrument system according to Claim 4, characterised in that the signs are arrows (22).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
An instrument system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the display (9) provides a flashing representation of a stationary sign when the signal indicates that the pilot should maintain height.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
An instrument system according to Claim 6, characterised in that the stationary sign is a horizontal line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
An instrument system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the visual display (9) also provides a display of an alphanumeric legend (24) indicative of the evading action to be taken by the pilot.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
An instrument system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the system includes a circuit that drives the visual display (9) to represent to the pilot information other than collision avoidance action when no collision is likely.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
An instrument system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the system includes an audible indicator (8) that indicates that collision avoidance information is being presented on the visual display (9).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.