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US4585341A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Wind shear detection
Assignee: BTG International Ltd
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Filing: 1983-06-28
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Granted: 1986-04-29
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Expires: 2003-06-28
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for the early detection of oncoming wind shear, without false indications arising through turbulence. A forward looking laser speed sensor (11) provides a signal (12) containing information on air velocity over a range of distances about a measurement distance (X). This is subject to spectrum analysis (15), to identify all velocities present in a time sample of the signal (12). These velocities are further processed (17) to establish the air velocity at substantially the measurement distance (X), and the highest and lowest velocities present over a distance range (L). A time sequence of results is combined to provide a wind shear hazard level for comparison with a hazard level limit computed (13) from the prevailing conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan A. Woodfield
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:57
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S17/00; G01S17/88; G01S17/95; G01S17/02; G01S17/50; G01S17/58; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A90/00; Y02A90/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
Wind shear detection apparatus comprising: a forward looking laser air speed sensor providing a signal containing information on air velocity over a range of distance about a measurement distance, spectrum analyser means for identifing all velocities present in a time sample of the signal, means for determining the instantaneous air velocity (V I ) at substantially the measurement distance, means for determining the highest velocity V M and lowest velocity V N within said range of distances about the measurement distance, means for determining differences between said instantaneous air velocity and: (1) said maximum air velocity V M and (2) said minimum air velocity V N means for determining the rate of change of said instantaneous air velocity V I means for computing a measure of wind shear hazard level from said differences and said rate of change, and means for comparing the computed measure of wind shear hazard level with limits for acceptable wind shear in prevailing conditions thereby obtaining an advance warning of dangerous wind shear conditions which exist at said measurement distance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
Wind shear detection apparatus comprising: a forward looking laser air speed sensor providing a signal containing information on air velocity over a range of distance about a measurement distance, spectrum analyser means for identifing all velocities present in a time sample of the signal, means for determining the instantaneous air velocity (V I ) at substantially the measurement distance, means for determining the highest velocity V M and lowest velocity V N within said range of distances about the measurement distance, means for determining differences between said instantaneous air velocity and: (1) said maximum air velocity V M and (2) said minimum air velocity V N means for determining the rate of change of said instantaneous air velocity V I means for computing a measure of wind shear hazard level from said differences and said rate of change, and means for comparing the computed measure of wind shear hazard level with limits for acceptable wind shear in prevailing conditions thereby obtaining an advance warning of dangerous wind shear conditions which exist at said measurement distance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
Wind shear detection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the wind shear hazard level is re-computed at closely spaced time intervals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
Wind shear detection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising display unit means for displaying the wind shear hazard level, and comparison with limits for acceptable wind shear.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
Wind shear detection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a laser of the continuous wave type.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
Wind shear detection apparatus as claimed in claim 4 and wherein the laser is of the fixed focus type and is optically focussed to a minimum beam width at the measurement distance.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
Wind shear detection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a hazard limit computer means for computing a wind shear hazard level limit in accordance with the prevailing conditions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
Wind shear detection apparatus for airborne installation as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an aircraft control system for receiving said wind shear hazard level, and said comparison with limits for acceptable wind shear.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
Wind shear detection apparatus for airborne installation as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the measurement distance or wind shear limits may be varied in flight.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
175 words
A method for detecting wind shear, comprising the steps of: focusing a forward looking beam at a measurement distance, receiving a signal from reflection of said beam containing information on air velocity over a range of distances about said measurement distance, identifying all velocities present in a time sample of said signal, determining the instantaneous air velocity (V I ) at said measurement distance, determining the highest velocity V M and lowest velocity V N within said range of distances about said measurement distance, determining differences between said instantaneous air velocity V I and: (1) said maximum air velocity V M and (2) said minimum air velocity V N , determining the rate of change of V I , computing a measure of wind shear hazard level from said differences and said rate of change, and comparing the computed measure of wind shear hazard level with limits for acceptable wind shear in prevailing conditions thereby obtaining an advance warning of dangerous wind shear conditions present in the area of focus of said forward looking beam.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
175 words
A method for detecting wind shear, comprising the steps of: focusing a forward looking beam at a measurement distance, receiving a signal from reflection of said beam containing information on air velocity over a range of distances about said measurement distance, identifying all velocities present in a time sample of said signal, determining the instantaneous air velocity (V I ) at said measurement distance, determining the highest velocity V M and lowest velocity V N within said range of distances about said measurement distance, determining differences between said instantaneous air velocity V I and: (1) said maximum air velocity V M and (2) said minimum air velocity V N , determining the rate of change of V I , computing a measure of wind shear hazard level from said differences and said rate of change, and comparing the computed measure of wind shear hazard level with limits for acceptable wind shear in prevailing conditions thereby obtaining an advance warning of dangerous wind shear conditions present in the area of focus of said forward looking beam.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
Wind shear detection method as in claim 9 further comprising the step or re-computing the wind shear hazard level at closely spaced time intervals.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-04-28 | 1989-10-28 | 1990-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-04-28 | 1993-10-28 | 1994-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-04-28 | 1997-10-28 | 1998-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |