US6531978B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Midair collision avoidance system
Assignee: L3 Technologies Inc
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Filing: 2001-08-20
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Granted: 2003-03-11
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Expires: 2021-08-20
Abstract
Abstract A midair collision avoidance system (MCAS) employs an existing design of Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) as a module and seamlessly integrates it with a customized tactical module which is capable of providing unique tactical avoidance guidance control and display. The tactical module handles all phases of a tactical mission, including formation flight (e.g., formation fall-in, arming formation flight, engaging formation flight following, and formation break-away), and an air-refueling sequence (e.g., rendezvous, linkup, re-fueling, and disengaging air-refueling). The tactical module divides the air space around the aircraft into advisory, caution, and warning zones and for each provides display, tone and voice alerts to facilitate pop-up avoidance guidance commands. Military aircraft can thus effectively avoid mid air and near mid air collision situations in all three different operation modes: air traffic control (ATC) management mode, tactical mode, and a mixed mode.
Inventors
- 👤 My Tran
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:49
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G5/00; G08G5/20; G08G5/25; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/88; G01S13/93; G01S13/933; G08G5/50; G08G5/53; G08G5/55; G08G5/70; G08G5/72; G08G5/723; G08G5/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
46 words
A method for avoiding collisions when operating an aircraft comprising: operating in a first mode when in an air traffic control environment; operating in a second mode when in a tactical environment; and operating in a third mode when in a mixed air traffic control/tactical mode.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
46 words
A method for avoiding collisions when operating an aircraft comprising: operating in a first mode when in an air traffic control environment; operating in a second mode when in a tactical environment; and operating in a third mode when in a mixed air traffic control/tactical mode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
A midair collision avoidance system for use in an aircraft, the system comprising: an air traffic management module that tracks objects when the system is operating in an air traffic control mode; a tactical based management module that tracks objects when the system operating in a tactical control mode; and wherein the air traffic management module and the tactical based management module both track objects when operating in a mixed air traffic control/tactical mode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
A midair collision avoidance system for use in an aircraft, the system comprising: an air traffic management module that tracks objects when the system is operating in an air traffic control mode; a tactical based management module that tracks objects when the system operating in a tactical control mode; and wherein the air traffic management module and the tactical based management module both track objects when operating in a mixed air traffic control/tactical mode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 2 , further comprising an internal communication link coupling the air traffic management module and the tactical based management module, the internal communication link passing data between the the air traffic management module and the tactical based management module.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 3 , wherein the air traffic management module includes a first data bus, the tactical management module includes a second data bus, the first data bus coupled to the second data bus by the internal communication link.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
82 words
A system for operating an aircraft in the vicinity of other objects, the system comprising: a midair collision avoidance system that tracks a first object external to the aircraft in an air traffic control environment and a second object external to the aircraft in a tactical control environment; and a transponder coupled to the midair collision avoidance system, the transponder receiving information regarding the first and second objects external to the aircraft and supplying the information to the midair collision avoidance system.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
82 words
A system for operating an aircraft in the vicinity of other objects, the system comprising: a midair collision avoidance system that tracks a first object external to the aircraft in an air traffic control environment and a second object external to the aircraft in a tactical control environment; and a transponder coupled to the midair collision avoidance system, the transponder receiving information regarding the first and second objects external to the aircraft and supplying the information to the midair collision avoidance system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
A midair collision avoidance system for use in an aircraft, the system comprising: an air traffic management module that monitors and tracks objects in an air traffic control environment; and a tactical based management module, in communication with the air traffic management module, that monitors and tracks objects in a tactical environment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
A midair collision avoidance system for use in an aircraft, the system comprising: an air traffic management module that monitors and tracks objects in an air traffic control environment; and a tactical based management module, in communication with the air traffic management module, that monitors and tracks objects in a tactical environment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
74 words
A midair collision avoidance system for use in an aircraft, the system comprising: an air traffic management means for tracking objects when the system is operating in an air traffic control mode; a tactical based management means for tracking objects when the system operating in a tactical control mode; and wherein the air traffic management means and the tactical based management means both track objects when operating in a mixed air traffic control/tactical mode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
74 words
A midair collision avoidance system for use in an aircraft, the system comprising: an air traffic management means for tracking objects when the system is operating in an air traffic control mode; a tactical based management means for tracking objects when the system operating in a tactical control mode; and wherein the air traffic management means and the tactical based management means both track objects when operating in a mixed air traffic control/tactical mode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 7 , further comprising an internal communication means coupling the air traffic management module and the tactical based management module, the internal communication means for passing data between the the air traffic management module and the tactical based management module.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 8 , wherein the air traffic management means includes a first data bus, the tactical management means includes a second data bus, the first data bus coupled to the second data bus by the internal communication means.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
86 words
A system for operating an aircraft in the vicinity of other objects, the system comprising: a midair collision avoidance means for tracking a first object external to the aircraft in an air traffic control environment and a second object external to the aircraft in a tactical control environment; and a transponder means coupled to the midair collision avoidance system, the transponder means for receiving information regarding the first and second objects external to the aircraft and for supplying the information to the midair collision avoidance system.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
86 words
A system for operating an aircraft in the vicinity of other objects, the system comprising: a midair collision avoidance means for tracking a first object external to the aircraft in an air traffic control environment and a second object external to the aircraft in a tactical control environment; and a transponder means coupled to the midair collision avoidance system, the transponder means for receiving information regarding the first and second objects external to the aircraft and for supplying the information to the midair collision avoidance system.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
A midair collision avoidance system for use in an aircraft, the system comprising: an air traffic management means for monitoring and tracking objects in an air traffic control environment; and a tactical based management means, in communication with the air traffic management module, for monitoring and tracking objects in a tactical environment.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
A midair collision avoidance system for use in an aircraft, the system comprising: an air traffic management means for monitoring and tracking objects in an air traffic control environment; and a tactical based management means, in communication with the air traffic management module, for monitoring and tracking objects in a tactical environment.
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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) | 2006-03-10 | 2006-09-09 | 2007-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-03-10 | 2010-09-09 | 2011-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-03-10 | 2014-09-09 | 2015-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |