Aircraft-runway total energy measurement, monitoring, managing, safety, and control system and method

• US 10,202,204 B1
• Filed: 03/25/2017
• Issued: 02/12/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AAR Aerospace Consulting, LLC
• Original Assignee: AAR Aerospace Consulting, LLC
• Inventors: Daidzic, Nihad E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli, Michael J
• Application Number:
  US15/469,519
• Time in Patent Office: 689 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 25/10 retractable, foldable, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 25/42 Arrangement or adaptation of brakes
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 5/02 Tailplanes
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2045/0085 Devices for aircraft health monitoring, e.g. monitoring flutter or vibration
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2045/0095 Devices specially adapted to avoid bird strike
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/00 Aircraft indicators or protectors not otherwise provided for camouflage F41H3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/04 Landing aids; Safety measures to prevent collision with earth's surface
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/06 mechanical
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/08 optical
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/18 Visual or acoustic landing aids taxiing aids B64F1/002
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/36 Other airport installations ground installations for de-icing aircraft B64F5/20
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 23/005 Flight directors indicating arrangements specially adapted for rotary gyroscopes G01C19/32
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/00 Control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles, e.g. using automatic pilots drive control systems specially adapted for autonomous road vehicles B60W60/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0653 during a phase of take-off or landing
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0013 with a ground station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0026 located on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0043 Traffic management of multiple aircrafts from the ground G08G5/003 takes precedence; data processing specially designed for resource management, e.g. scheduling or allocating time, human or machine resources G06Q10/06
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0065 for taking-off
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0091 for monitoring atmospheric conditions radar or analogous systems specially adapted for meteorological use G01S13/95; meteorology G01W
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/025 Navigation or guidance aids radar or analogous systems specially adapted for landing purposes G01S13/913
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/065 : Navigation or guidance aids, e.g. for taxiing or rolling
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/80 : Energy efficient operational measures, e.g. ground operations or mission management

Abstract

A total runway safety system (TRSS) and method measures, monitors, manages, and informs flight crew on the progress of takeoffs and landings and of any hazardous runway conditions. In some embodiments, the TRSS measures, monitors, and informs flight crew of longitudinal and lateral runway tracks thus preventing overruns and veer-offs during takeoffs and landings. In some embodiments, backscatter of infrared laser beams emitted by the aircraft is used to evaluate groundspeed and the reflectivity of the runway surface to make estimates of the surface conditions, roughness and contamination, which affects rolling and braking efforts and acceleration. In some embodiments TRSS evaluates runway surface and predicts tire-surface rolling and braking coefficient of friction. In some embodiments, GPS and similar navigation data, and ATC/airport reported runway braking conditions are evaluated along with the infrared laser, ultrasound and digital images to find best estimates of the runway remaining, current speed, acceleration, and jerk.

Claims

1. A total runway safety system (TRSS) apparatus comprising:

a first plurality of sensors located on an aircraft that measure a first set of parameters regarding real-time spatial distribution of runway surface conditions relevant to a landing;

a first computer system communicatively coupled to the first plurality of sensors and to a second plurality of sensors spatially separated from the aircraft that measure a second set of parameters relevant to the landing,

wherein the first computer system is configured to elicit and receive the first and second sets of parameters from the first and second plurality of sensors,

wherein the first computer system is configured to automatically calculate a prediction of whether the landing can be done within safety parameters without overrunning runway longitudinally or veering off runway laterally and to output indications of the prediction to flight crew in the aircraft, and

wherein at least some of the first and second pluralities of sensors measure current lateral and longitudinal accelerations and wind vector, and wherein the first computer system is configured to automatically calculate and display a prediction of future lateral and longitudinal runway track and predictions of future lateral and longitudinal accelerations.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first computer system is configured to automatically adjust aircraft controls based on the prediction.

3. A total runway safety system (TRSS) apparatus comprising:

a first plurality of sensors located on an aircraft that measure a first set of parameters regarding real-time spatial distribution of runway surface conditions relevant to a landing;

a first computer system communicatively coupled to the first plurality of sensors and to a second plurality of sensors spatially separated from the aircraft that measure a second set of parameters relevant to the landing,

wherein the first computer system is configured to elicit and receive the first and second sets of parameters from the first and second plurality of sensors, and

wherein the first computer system is configured to automatically calculate a prediction of whether the landing can be done within safety parameters without overrunning runway longitudinally or veering off runway laterally and to output indications of the prediction to flight crew in the aircraft; and

an imaging system that generates fast digital optical and infrared thermal images (side, down and forward) during day and night operations, wherein the first computer system makes continuous and updated estimates of runway spatially-distributed rolling and braking coefficients of friction based on processing of the fast digital optical and infrared thermal images.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first computer system is configured to automatically adjust aircraft controls based on the prediction.

5. A total runway safety system (TRSS) apparatus comprising:

a first plurality of sensors located on an aircraft that measure a first set of parameters regarding real-time spatial distribution of runway surface conditions relevant to a landing;

a first computer system communicatively coupled to the first plurality of sensors and to a second plurality of sensors spatially separated from the aircraft that measure a second set of parameters relevant to the landing,

wherein the first computer system is configured to elicit and receive the first and second sets of parameters from the first and second plurality of sensors, and

wherein the first computer system is configured to automatically calculate a prediction of whether the landing can be done within safety parameters without overrunning runway longitudinally or veering off runway laterally and to output indications of the prediction to flight crew in the aircraft; and

a system that generates infrared laser beams and one or more microwave radiometers, wherein the first computer system uses received data from backscatter of the infrared laser beams and the microwave radiometers to independently evaluate groundspeed and spatially-distributed reflectivity, emissivity and temperature of the runway surface and also makes estimates of the runway surface conditions, roughness and contamination types and thicknesses that affect rolling and braking efforts and ultimately predicts lateral and longitudinal acceleration history.

6. A total runway safety system (TRSS) apparatus comprising:

a first plurality of sensors located on an aircraft that measure a first set of parameters regarding real-time spatial distribution of runway surface conditions relevant to a landing;

a first computer system communicatively coupled to the first plurality of sensors and to a second plurality of sensors spatially separated from the aircraft that measure a second set of parameters relevant to the landing,

wherein the first computer system is configured to elicit and receive the first and second sets of parameters from the first and second plurality of sensors, and

wherein the first computer system is configured to automatically calculate a prediction of whether the landing can be done within safety parameters without overrunning runway longitudinally or veering off runway laterally and to output indications of the prediction to flight crew in the aircraft; and

infrared laser, optical and microwave radiometers, wherein the first computer system uses the infrared laser, optical and microwave radiometers to gain information about remaining runway length, current groundspeed, actual and predicted acceleration.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first computer system is configured to automatically adjust aircraft controls based on the prediction.

8. A total runway safety system (TRSS) apparatus comprising:

a first plurality of sensors located on an aircraft that measure a first set of parameters regarding real-time spatial distribution of runway surface conditions relevant to a landing;

a first computer system communicatively coupled to the first plurality of sensors and to a second plurality of sensors spatially separated from the aircraft that measure a second set of parameters relevant to the landing,

wherein the first computer system is configured to elicit and receive the first and second sets of parameters from the first and second plurality of sensors, and

wherein the first computer system is configured to automatically calculate a prediction of whether the landing can be done within safety parameters without overrunning runway longitudinally or veering off runway laterally and to output indications of the prediction to flight crew in the aircraft; and

digital visual and infrared cameras, wherein the first computer system receives image data from the digital visual and infrared cameras for evaluation of runway surface and estimates future accelerations based on the evaluated image data.

9. A total runway safety system (TRSS) apparatus comprising:

a first plurality of sensors located on an aircraft that measure a first set of parameters regarding real-time spatial distribution of runway surface conditions relevant to a landing;

a first computer system communicatively coupled to the first plurality of sensors and to a second plurality of sensors spatially separated from the aircraft that measure a second set of parameters relevant to the landing,

wherein the first computer system is configured to elicit and receive the first and second sets of parameters from the first and second plurality of sensors, and

wherein the first computer system is configured to automatically calculate a prediction of whether the landing can be done within safety parameters without overrunning runway longitudinally or veering off runway laterally and to output indications of the prediction to flight crew in the aircraft; and

a system that generates acoustic ultrasound data, wherein the first computer system receives the acoustic ultrasound data for evaluation of runway surface and estimates future accelerations based on the evaluated acoustic ultrasound data that is suitable for poor weather conditions.

10. A total runway safety system (TRSS) apparatus comprising:

a first plurality of sensors located on an aircraft that measure a first set of parameters regarding real-time spatial distribution of runway surface conditions relevant to a landing;

a first computer system communicatively coupled to the first plurality of sensors and to a second plurality of sensors spatially separated from the aircraft that measure a second set of parameters relevant to the landing,

wherein the first computer system is configured to elicit and receive the first and second sets of parameters from the first and second plurality of sensors,

wherein the first computer system is configured to automatically calculate a prediction of whether the landing can be done within safety parameters without overrunning runway longitudinally or veering off runway laterally and to output indications of the prediction to flight crew in the aircraft,

wherein the aircraft is a transport-category airplane certified under Federal Aviation Regulations part 25 (FAR

     25), wherein the first computer system is connected to a plurality of TRSS multi-sensor units located in the aircraft including a multi-sensor unit in each landing-gear assembly of the aircraft, a multi-sensor unit located in a nose of the aircraft, and a multi-sensor unit located on a vertical tail location, and wherein, as landing gear are deployed for landing, the plurality of multi-sensor units are extended, and, after gear retraction, the multi-sensor units are disabled and no longer needed until next landing, in order that the multi-sensor units are protected during most of the flight time and not exposed to high dynamic pressures and damage risk due to debris.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least one of the plurality of multi-sensor units is coupled to a retractable boom.

12. A total runway safety system (TRSS) apparatus comprising:

a first plurality of sensors located on an aircraft that measure a first set of parameters regarding real-time spatial distribution of runway surface conditions relevant to a landing;

a first computer system communicatively coupled to the first plurality of sensors and to a second plurality of sensors spatially separated from the aircraft that measure a second set of parameters relevant to the landing,

wherein the first computer system is configured to elicit and receive the first and second sets of parameters from the first and second plurality of sensors, and

wherein the first computer system is configured to automatically calculate a prediction of whether the landing can be done within safety parameters without overrunning runway longitudinally or veering off runway laterally and to output indications of the prediction to flight crew in the aircraft; and

a plurality of side-looking and forward-looking ultrasonic transceivers, and wherein the first computer system receives information from the ultrasonic transceivers to reduce and minimize bird-strike hazards during landing and takeoff aircraft which are greatest at low altitudes.

13. A total runway safety system (TRSS) method comprising:

measuring a first set of parameters of real-time spatial distribution of runway surface conditions relevant to a landing using a first plurality of sensors located on an aircraft;

eliciting and receiving the first set of parameters from the first plurality of sensors into a first computer system located on the aircraft;

eliciting and receiving a second set of parameters into the first computer system from a second plurality of sensors that are spatially separated from the aircraft and that measure a second set of parameters of spatial distribution of runway surface conditions relevant to the landing;

automatically calculating, using the first computer system, a prediction of whether the landing can be done within safety parameters without overrunning runway longitudinally or veering off runway laterally;

outputting indications of the prediction to flight crew in the aircraft;

using the first plurality of sensors located on the aircraft, measuring a third set of parameters relevant to a takeoff;

eliciting and receiving the third set of parameters from the first plurality of sensors into the first computer system; and

automatically calculating, by the first computer system, a prediction whether the takeoff can be done within safety parameters without overrunning runway longitudinally or veering off runway laterally and to automatically adjust aircraft controls based on the comparisons of the first and second sets of measured landing and takeoff parameters and conditions to predetermined values and combinations of values.

14. A total runway safety system (TRSS) method comprising:

measuring a first set of parameters of real-time spatial distribution of runway surface conditions relevant to a landing using a first plurality of sensors located on an aircraft;

eliciting and receiving the first set of parameters from the first plurality of sensors into a first computer system located on the aircraft;

eliciting and receiving a second set of parameters into the first computer system from a second plurality of sensors that are spatially separated from the aircraft and that measure a second set of parameters of spatial distribution of runway surface conditions relevant to the landing;

automatically calculating, using the first computer system, a prediction of whether the landing can be done within safety parameters without overrunning runway longitudinally or veering off runway laterally;

outputting indications of the prediction to flight crew in the aircraft;

using the first plurality of sensors located on the aircraft to measure a third set of parameters relevant to a takeoff;

eliciting and receiving the third set of parameters from the first plurality of sensors into the first computer system;

communicating between the first computer system and a remote computer system located off the aircraft, and eliciting and receiving pre-processed data from runway-based sensors representing real-time spatial distribution of runway surface conditions relevant to the takeoff from the remote computer system into the first computer system;

automatically calculating, by the first computer system, a prediction whether the takeoff can be done within safety parameters without overrunning runway longitudinally or veering off runway laterally; and

outputting indications of the prediction to flight crew in the aircraft.

15. A total runway safety system (TRSS) method comprising:

measuring a first set of parameters of real-time spatial distribution of runway surface conditions relevant to a landing using a first plurality of sensors located on an aircraft;

eliciting and receiving the first set of parameters from the first plurality of sensors into a first computer system located on the aircraft;

eliciting and receiving a second set of parameters into the first computer system from a second plurality of sensors that are spatially separated from the aircraft and that measure a second set of parameters of spatial distribution of runway surface conditions relevant to the landing;

automatically calculating, using the first computer system, a prediction of whether the landing can be done within safety parameters without overrunning runway longitudinally or veering off runway laterally;

outputting indications of the prediction to flight crew in the aircraft; and

using the first computer system to calculate takeoff and landing operational control and performance airspeeds based on atmospheric, environmental, weather, and runway conditions for the aircraft'"'"'s mass and configuration.

16. A total runway safety system (TRSS) method comprising:

measuring a first set of parameters of real-time spatial distribution of runway surface conditions relevant to a landing using a first plurality of sensors located on an aircraft;

eliciting and receiving the first set of parameters from the first plurality of sensors into a first computer system located on the aircraft;

eliciting and receiving a second set of parameters into the first computer system from a second plurality of sensors that are spatially separated from the aircraft and that measure a second set of parameters of spatial distribution of runway surface conditions relevant to the landing;

automatically calculating, using the first computer system, a prediction of whether the landing can be done within safety parameters without overrunning runway longitudinally or veering off runway laterally;

outputting indications of the prediction to flight crew in the aircraft; and

using the first computer system to continuously calculate real-time estimates of point-of-no-return and commit-to-land runway locations after which no aborted landing and go-around should be attempted for existing and actual runway geometry and layout.

17. A total runway safety system (TRSS) method comprising:

measuring a first set of parameters of real-time spatial distribution of runway surface conditions relevant to a landing using a first plurality of sensors located on an aircraft;

eliciting and receiving the first set of parameters from the first plurality of sensors into a first computer system located on the aircraft;

eliciting and receiving a second set of parameters into the first computer system from a second plurality of sensors that are spatially separated from the aircraft and that measure a second set of parameters of spatial distribution of runway surface conditions relevant to the landing;

automatically calculating, using the first computer system, a prediction of whether the landing can be done within safety parameters without overrunning runway longitudinally or veering off runway laterally;

outputting indications of the prediction to flight crew in the aircraft; and

outputting, from the first computer system to the flight crew, a range of airspeeds between VGO and VSTOP if the takeoff weight is less than maximum and V1 speed is maximum stopping speed and minimum go speed when OEI.

18. A total runway safety system (TRSS) method comprising:

measuring a first set of parameters of real-time spatial distribution of runway surface conditions relevant to a landing using a first plurality of sensors located on an aircraft;

eliciting and receiving the first set of parameters from the first plurality of sensors into a first computer system located on the aircraft;

eliciting and receiving a second set of parameters into the first computer system from a second plurality of sensors that are spatially separated from the aircraft and that measure a second set of parameters of spatial distribution of runway surface conditions relevant to the landing;

automatically calculating, using the first computer system, a prediction of whether the landing can be done within safety parameters without overrunning runway longitudinally or veering off runway laterally;

outputting indications of the prediction to flight crew in the aircraft;

receiving, into the first computer system, data from dedicated runway computers that continuously evaluate runway potential-energy capacity and the kinetic energy storage of the aircraft, performing, by the first computer system, energy calculations; and

issuing specific advisory information to flight crew based on the energy calculations.

19. A total runway safety system (TRSS) method comprising:

measuring a first set of parameters of real-time spatial distribution of runway surface conditions relevant to a landing using a first plurality of sensors located on an aircraft;

eliciting and receiving the first set of parameters from the first plurality of sensors into a first computer system located on the aircraft;

eliciting and receiving a second set of parameters into the first computer system from a second plurality of sensors that are spatially separated from the aircraft and that measure a second set of parameters of spatial distribution of runway surface conditions relevant to the landing;

automatically calculating, using the first computer system, a prediction of whether the landing can be done within safety parameters without overrunning runway longitudinally or veering off runway laterally;

outputting indications of the prediction to flight crew in the aircraft; and

receiving, into the first computer system, data from dedicated TRSS computers that use sophisticated estimators of future acceleration levels to assist flight crew in real-time regarding critical operational decisions.

20. A total runway safety system (TRSS) method comprising:

measuring a first set of parameters of real-time spatial distribution of runway surface conditions relevant to a landing using a first plurality of sensors located on an aircraft;

eliciting and receiving the first set of parameters from the first plurality of sensors into a first computer system located on the aircraft;

eliciting and receiving a second set of parameters into the first computer system from a second plurality of sensors that are spatially separated from the aircraft and that measure a second set of parameters of spatial distribution of runway surface conditions relevant to the landing;

automatically calculating, using the first computer system, a prediction of whether the landing can be done within safety parameters without overrunning runway longitudinally or veering off runway laterally;

outputting indications of the prediction to flight crew in the aircraft;

providing one or more anti-skid computer systems on the aircraft;

providing one or more brake computers on the aircraft;

using the one or more brake computers, continuously evaluating available braking energy (ABE) capacity based on existing state of brake wear and representative brake temperatures;

performing rejected takeoff (RTO), normal landing, and aborted landing (PNR) computations based on the ABE evaluation; and

monitoring, by the one or more brake computers, tire wear, temperature and pressure; and

exchanging information between the one or more brake computers and the one or more anti-skid computer systems.