US4968879A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for measuring aircraft flight parameters
Assignee: Boeing Co
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Filing: 1988-07-29
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Granted: 1990-11-06
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Expires: 2008-07-29
Abstract
Abstract Various aircraft flight parameters are determined based on the thermal radiation emitted from a plurality of members while the aircraft is flying. A fiberoptic cable is positioned adjacent the member emitting the thermal radiation. A thermal radiation sensor receives, through the fiberoptic cable, the radiation emitted by the member and generates an electrical signal corresponding to the radiation emitted. For an aircraft traveling at high speeds, the heat flux generated across the skin surface by air friction is proportional to the velocity and angle of attack at a given air density. An on-board computer calculates various aircraft flight parameters, such as velocity, angle of attack of various aircraft surfaces, and the like, based on the signals received from the radiation sensors. Aircraft flight parameters are more rapidly and accurately determined than possible in the prior art.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry T. Clark
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 17:52
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64D; B64D43/00; G; G01; G01P; G01P13/00; G01P13/02; G01P13/025; G01P5/00; G01P5/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A device for sensing an aircraft flight parameter, comprising: a first member having a first surface exposed to ambient air as said aircraft flies through said air; a second member having a first surface exposed to ambient air as said aircraft flies through said air; a fiberoptic cable adjacent a second surface of said first member; a fiberoptic cable adjacent a second surface of said second member; a photodetector for sensing the radiation emitted from said respective second surfaces; and means for analyzing the radiation emitted by said first member with the radiation emitted by said second member to determine said aircraft flight parameter.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
A device for sensing an aircraft flight parameter, comprising: a first member having a first surface exposed to ambient air as said aircraft flies through said air; a second member having a first surface exposed to ambient air as said aircraft flies through said air; a fiberoptic cable adjacent a second surface of said first member; a fiberoptic cable adjacent a second surface of said second member; a photodetector for sensing the radiation emitted from said respective second surfaces; and means for analyzing the radiation emitted by said first member with the radiation emitted by said second member to determine said aircraft flight parameter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein a cavity is formed in said respective members and said fiberoptic cable is retained in said cavity, abutting said members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said fiberoptic cable is spaced from said respective members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said second surface is rough compared to said first surface to improve the thermal radiation characteristics of said member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said member includes a plurality of different materials, a first material being exposed to said air and a second material being in contact with said first material, said second material having said second surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device according to claim 1 further including a layer of aluminum oxide on said fiberoptic cable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said members are removably mounted in said aircraft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said analyzing means includes a summing means for summing said radiation and means for determining a velocity of said aircraft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said analyzing means includes comparing means for comparing said radiation and means for determining an attitude of an aircraft member.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
50 words
The method of determining an aircraft flight parameter, comprising: sensing thermal radiation emitted by a first member; sensing thermal radiation emitted by a second member; and analyzing the thermal radiation emitted by said first member with the thermal radiation emitted by said second member to determine said aircraft flight parameter.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
50 words
The method of determining an aircraft flight parameter, comprising: sensing thermal radiation emitted by a first member; sensing thermal radiation emitted by a second member; and analyzing the thermal radiation emitted by said first member with the thermal radiation emitted by said second member to determine said aircraft flight parameter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein said analyzing step includes comparing thermal radiation from said first member with the thermal radiation from said second member and wherein said aircraft flight parameter is an attitude of an aircraft member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 11 wherein said attitude is the aircraft pitch.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 11 wherein said attitude is the aircraft yaw.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 11 wherein said attitude is the aircraft roll.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 10, further including the step of sensing thermal radiation emitted by a third member and analyzing the thermal radiation emitted by said first, second and third members.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 11 wherein said comparison step includes determining the difference between the radiation emitted by said first and second members.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 11 wherein said comparison step includes determining the ratio of the difference of the radiation emitted by said first and second members divided by the sum of the radiation emitted by said first and second members.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein said member is positioned on the skin of an aircraft.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein said member is positioned adjacent the skin of an aircraft and coupled to the skin of said aircraft.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein said analzying step includes summing the radiation emitted by said first and second members.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 20 wherein said aircraft flight parameter is velocity.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 10, further including determining the angle of attack of the wings of said aircraft.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
48 words
The method of determining an aircraft attitude, comprising: sensing a first skin temperature of said aircraft at a first location; sensing a second skin temperature of said aircraft at a second location; and comparing said first skin temperature to said second skin temperature to determine said aircraft attitude.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
48 words
The method of determining an aircraft attitude, comprising: sensing a first skin temperature of said aircraft at a first location; sensing a second skin temperature of said aircraft at a second location; and comparing said first skin temperature to said second skin temperature to determine said aircraft attitude.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 23 wherein said skin temperatures are sensed using temperature measuring devices coupled to each of said skin members.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 23 wherein said skin temperatures are sensed by measuring the thermal radiation emitted by said skin at said respective locations.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 23 wherein said skin temperatures are sensed by temperature measuring devices in thermal contact with said respective skin members.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 23 wherein the step of sensing said skin temperatures includes sensing the temperature of a member adjacent said skin at said respective locations.
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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) | 1993-11-05 | 1994-05-07 | 1994-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-11-05 | 1998-05-07 | 1998-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-11-05 | 2002-05-07 | 2002-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |