Patent US4965572A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4965572A
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US
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Method for producing a warning of the existence of low-level wind shear and aircraftborne system for performing same
Assignee: TURBULENCE PREDICTION SYSTEMS BOULDER COLORADO A OF COLORADO LP
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Filing: 1988-06-10
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Granted: 1990-10-23
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Expires: 2008-06-10
Abstract
Abstract A method for producing a warning of the existence of low-level wind shear and an aircraftborne system for performing the method utilizes measured values of airspeed and temperature, to determine a temperature based hazard factor relating to the existence of a wind shear threat to the aircraft and to issue a warning whenever the hazard factor exceeds a predetermined threshold level based upon the performance characteristics of the aircraft. Temperatures may be sensed locally, such as by a resistive temperature sensor or, remotely, such as by an infrarred temperature detector. Furthermore, in accordance with preferred embodiments, an inertial reactive wind shear detector is utilized as an integrated safety measure. Moreover, the threshold level may be varied depending on such factors as aircraft altitude.
Inventors
- 👤 Hugh P. Adamson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S17/00; G01S17/88; G01S17/95; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A90/00; Y02A90/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
A method for producing a warning of the possible existence of low-level wind shear comprising the steps of: (A) measuring air speed, A s , from on-board an aircraft; (B) measuring a first temperature, T m , from on-board the aircraft where said first temperature corresponds to the outside air temperature near the aircraft; (C) measuring a second temperature, T, where said second temperature is the temperature of the air a predetermined distance remote from the aircraft; (D) determining the difference, ΔT, between the first and second temperatures; (E) determining the value of a hazard factor which is a function of at least (a) a first term which is a linear function of at least ΔT and (b) a second term which is a non-linear function of at least ΔT and T m and an inverse function of at least A s ; (F) comparing the determined hazard factor F with a predetermined threshold value, F T , representing the maximum value of F permissible, based upon the performance capabilities of the aircraft; and (G) issuing a warning if the determined value of F exceeds F T to thus provide a warning to the aircraft of the possible existence of low-level wind shear at said predetermined distance from the aircraft.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
210 words
A method for producing a warning of the possible existence of low-level wind shear comprising the steps of: (A) measuring air speed, A s , from on-board an aircraft; (B) measuring a first temperature, T m , from on-board the aircraft where said first temperature corresponds to the outside air temperature near the aircraft; (C) measuring a second temperature, T, where said second temperature is the temperature of the air a predetermined distance remote from the aircraft; (D) determining the difference, ΔT, between the first and second temperatures; (E) determining the value of a hazard factor which is a function of at least (a) a first term which is a linear function of at least ΔT and (b) a second term which is a non-linear function of at least ΔT and T m and an inverse function of at least A s ; (F) comparing the determined hazard factor F with a predetermined threshold value, F T , representing the maximum value of F permissible, based upon the performance capabilities of the aircraft; and (G) issuing a warning if the determined value of F exceeds F T to thus provide a warning to the aircraft of the possible existence of low-level wind shear at said predetermined distance from the aircraft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said hazard factor F is determined as: F=K* ΔT+(J/A.sub.s)(ΔT/T.sub.m).sup.1/2 where K and J are constants.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
19 words
A method as in claims 1 or 2 wherein said measurements of T m and T occur substantially simultaneously.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein T is measured by infrared remote temperature sensing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as in claim 4 including inertially determining a hazard factor F I as a function of wind components at the aircraft; determining whether the inertially determined hazard factor F I exceeds a predetermined maximum permissible value thereof; and issuing said warning if F I does exceed said maximum permissible value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as in claim 4 wherein T m is measured by local temperature measuring means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as in claim 6 including inertially determining a hazard factor F I as a function of wind components at the aircraft; determining whether the inertially determined hazard factor F I exceeds a predetermined maximum permissible value thereof; and issuing said warning if F I does exceed said maximum permissible value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 6 wherein T m is obtained from a data acquisition bus on board the aircraft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as in claim 8 including inertially determining a hazard factor F I as a function of wind components at the aircraft; determining whether the inertially determined hazard factor F I exceeds a predetermined maximum permissible value thereof; and issuing said warning if F I does exceed said maximum permissible value.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as in claim 6 wherein T m is measured by a resistive temperature sensor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as in claim 10 including inertially determining a hazard factor F I as a function of wind components at the aircraft; determining whether the inertially determined hazard factor F I exceeds a predetermined maximum permissible value thereof; and issuing said warning if F I does exceed said maximum permissible value.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 6 wherein T m is measured by infrared local temperature sensing means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as in claim 12 including inertially determining a hazard factor F I as a function of wind components at the aircraft; determining whether the inertially determined hazard factor F I exceeds a predetermined maximum permissible value thereof; and issuing said warning if F I does exceed said maximum permissible value.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
69 words
A method as in claims 1, or 2 where said measurements of T m and T occur at different times, the measurements of both being made by local temperature measuring means where the time difference between (a) the time at which the temperature T m is measured and (b) the time at which the temperature T is measured corresponds to the time said aircraft travels through said predetermined distance.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 14 where both said measurements are obtained from a data acquisition bus on board the aircraft.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as in claim 15 including inertially determining a hazard factor F I as a function of wind components at the aircraft; determining whether the inertially determined hazard factor F I exceeds a predetermined maximum permissible value thereof; and issuing said warning if F I does exceed said maximum permissible value.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 14 wherein both said measurements are obtained from a resistive temperature sensor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as in claim 17 including determining whether an inertially determined hazard factor F I exceeds a predetermined maximum permissible value thereof and issuing said warning if F I does exceed said maximum permissible value.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 14 wherein both said measurements are obtained from infrared local temperature sensing means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as in claim 19 including inertially determining a hazard factor F I as a function of wind components at the aircraft; determining whether the inertially determined hazard factor F I exceeds a predetermined maximum permissible value thereof; and issuing said warning if F I does exceed said maximum permissible value.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
54 words
A method as in claims 1 or 2 including inertially determining a hazard factor F I as a function of wind components at the aircraft; determining whether the inertially determined hazard factor F I exceeds a predetermined maximum permissible value thereof and issuing said warning if F I does exceed said maximum permissible value.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 21 including alternately determining F and F I .
Claim 24
Independent Claim
20 words
A method as in claims 1, or 2 including modifying F T in accordance with the altitude of the aircraft.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
24 words
A method as in claims 1 or 2 including modifying the flight of said aircraft in response to the issuance of the warning signal.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
221 words
A system for producing a warning of the possible existence of low-level wind shear comprising: (A) means for measuring air speed, A s , from on-board an aircraft; (B) means for measuring a first temperature, T m , from on-board the aircraft wherein said first temperature corresponds to the outside air temperature near the aircraft; (C) means for measuring a second temperature, T, where said second temperature is the temperature of the air a predetermined distance remote from the aircraft; (D) means for determining the difference, ΔT, between the first and second temperatures; (E) means for determining the value of a hazard factor which is a function of at least (a) a first term which is a linear function of at least ΔT and (b) a second term which is a non-linear function of at least ΔT and T m and an inverse function of at least A s ; (F) means for comparing the determined hazard factor F with a predetermined threshold value, F T , representing the maximum value of F permissible, based upon the performance capabilities of the aircraft; and (G) means for issuing a warning if the determined value of F exceeds F T to thus provide a warning to the aircraft of the possible existence of low-level wind shear at said predetermined distance from the aircraft.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
221 words
A system for producing a warning of the possible existence of low-level wind shear comprising: (A) means for measuring air speed, A s , from on-board an aircraft; (B) means for measuring a first temperature, T m , from on-board the aircraft wherein said first temperature corresponds to the outside air temperature near the aircraft; (C) means for measuring a second temperature, T, where said second temperature is the temperature of the air a predetermined distance remote from the aircraft; (D) means for determining the difference, ΔT, between the first and second temperatures; (E) means for determining the value of a hazard factor which is a function of at least (a) a first term which is a linear function of at least ΔT and (b) a second term which is a non-linear function of at least ΔT and T m and an inverse function of at least A s ; (F) means for comparing the determined hazard factor F with a predetermined threshold value, F T , representing the maximum value of F permissible, based upon the performance capabilities of the aircraft; and (G) means for issuing a warning if the determined value of F exceeds F T to thus provide a warning to the aircraft of the possible existence of low-level wind shear at said predetermined distance from the aircraft.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as in claim 25 where said hazard factor F is determined as: F=K*ΔT+(J/A.sub.s)(ΔT/T.sub.m).sup.1/2 where K and J are constants.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
21 words
A system as in claims 25 or 54 including means for making said measurements of T m and T substantially simultaneously.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as in claim 27 where T is measured by infrared remote temperature sensing means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system as in claim 28 including means for inertially determining a hazard value F I as a function of wind components at the aircraft; means for determining whether the inertially determined hazard factor F I exceeds a predetermined maximum permissible value thereof; and issuing said warning if F I does exceed said maximum permissible value.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as in claim 28 where T m is measured by local temperature measuring means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system as in claim 30 including means for inertially determining a hazard value F I as a function of wind components at the aircraft; means for determining whether the inertially determined hazard factor F I exceeds a predetermined maximum permissible value thereof; and issuing said warning if F I does exceed said maximum permissible value.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as in claim 30 where T m is obtained from a data acquisition bus on board the aircraft.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system as in claim 32 including means for inertially determining a hazard value F I as a function of wind components at the aircraft; means for determining whether the inertially determined hazard factor F I exceeds a predetermined maximum permissible value thereof; and issuing said warning if F I does exceed said maximum permissible value.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as in claim 30 where T m is measured by a resistive temperature sensor.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system as in claim 34 including means for inertially determining a hazard value F I as a function of wind components at the aircraft; means for determining whether the inertially determined hazard factor F I exceeds a predetermined maximum permissible value thereof; and issuing said warning if F I does exceed said maximum permissible value.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as in claim 30 where T m is measured by infrared local temperature sensing means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system as in claim 36 including means for inertially determining a hazard value F I as a function of wind components at the aircraft; means for determining whether the inertially determined hazard factor F I exceeds a predetermined maximum permissible value thereof; and issuing said warning if F I does exceed said maximum permissible value.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
69 words
A system as in claims 25 including means for making said measurements of T m and T at different times, the measurements of both being made by local temperature measuring means where the time difference between (a) the time at which the temperature T m is measured and (b) the time at which the temperature T is measured corresponds to the time said aircraft travels through said predetermined distance.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as in claim 38 where both said measurements are obtained from a data acquisition bus on board the aircraft.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system as in claim 39 including means for inertially determining a hazard value F I as a function of wind components at the aircraft; means for determining whether the inertially determined hazard factor F I exceeds a predetermined maximum permissible value thereof; and issuing said warning if F I does exceed said maximum permissible value.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as in claim 38 where both said measurements are obtained from a resistive temperature sensor.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system as in claim 41 including means for inertially determining a hazard value F I as a function of wind components at the aircraft; means for determining whether the inertially determined hazard factor F I exceeds a predetermined maximum permissible value thereof; and issuing said warning if F I does exceed said maximum permissible value.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as in claim 38 where both said measurements are obtained from infrared local temperature sensing means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system as in claim 43 including means for inertially determining a hazard value F I as a function of wind components at the aircraft; means for determining whether the inertially determined hazard factor F I exceeds a predetermined maximum permissible value thereof; and issuing said warning if F I does exceed said maximum permissible value.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system as in claim 25 including means for inertially determining a hazard value F I as a function of wind components at the inertially determined hazard factor F I exceeds a predetermined maximum permissible value thereof; and issuing said warning if F I does exceed said maximum permissible value.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as in claim 45 including means alternately for determining F and F I .
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as in claim 25 including means for modifying F T in accordance with the altitude of the aircraft.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as in claim 25 including means for modifying the flight of said aircraft in response to the issuance of the warning signal.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as in claim 25 where at least said means for measuring the second temperature is a multispectral spectrometer having an integral calibrating means.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as in claim 49 where said multispectral spectrometer comprises means for selectively directing energy from (a) an internal calibration black body or (b) an external remote energy source to an infrared energy detector means.
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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) | 1993-10-22 | 1994-04-23 | 1994-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-10-22 | 1998-04-23 | 1998-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-10-22 | 2002-04-23 | 2002-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |