Systems and methods for collision avoidance

• US 20060007021A1
• Filed: 07/12/2004
• Published: 01/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Konya, Kazuhide, Brouwer, Todd B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,541,944 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/958
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0021 located in the aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0078 for monitoring traffic from the aircraft radar or analogous systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/065 Navigation or guidance aids, e.g. for taxiing or rolling

Abstract

Systems and methods for collision avoidance are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a proximity warning system operatively coupled to the aircraft and adapted to monitor a scanning area proximate a selected portion of the aircraft. The scanning area is monitored using the proximity warning system. A ground-based device within the scanning area is detected using the proximity warning system, and a distance between the ground-based device and the selected portion on the aircraft is determined using the proximity warning system. If the distance between the ground-based device and the selected portion does not exceed a selected minimum distance, then a warning signal is provided. In alternate embodiments, the proximity warning system provides a second warning signal distinguishable from the warning signal.

Claims

1. A method of reducing a likelihood of a collision between an aircraft and a ground-based device, comprising:

providing a proximity warning system operatively coupled to the aircraft and adapted to monitor a scanning area proximate a selected portion of the aircraft;

monitoring the scanning area using the proximity warning system;

moving the ground-based device into the scanning area;

detecting the ground-based device within the scanning area using the proximity warning system;

determining a distance between the ground-based device and the selected portion of the aircraft using the proximity warning system; and

if the distance between the ground-based device and the selected portion does not exceed a selected minimum distance, providing a warning signal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a proximity warning system includes providing a laser scanning system.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein providing a laser scanning system includes:

providing a controller operatively coupled to a laser rangefinder adapted to emit a laser beam; and

providing a scanning assembly adapted to receive the laser beam and to at least one of transmit, reflect, and refract the laser beam over the scanning area.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a proximity warning system includes providing at least one of a laser radar system, a laser-based imaging system, a laser radar system, an infrared global positioning system, and a laser-based point tracking system.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a distance between the ground-based device and the selected portion comprises determining a first distance, and wherein providing a warning signal comprises providing a first warning signal, the method further comprising:

determining a second distance between the ground-based device and the selected portion using the proximity warning system; and

if the second distance does not exceed a second selected minimum distance, providing a second warning signal distinguishable from the first warning signal.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the ground-based device within the scanning area includes detecting a reflected light.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring the scanning area using the proximity warning system includes rotating a polygonal lens element.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a distance between the ground-based device and the selected portion on the aircraft includes determining a distance between the ground-based device and the selected portion using at least one of a laser rangefinder and a controller of the proximity warning system.

9. A method of approaching an aircraft using a ground-based device, comprising:

moving the ground-based device proximate to a selected portion of the aircraft;

monitoring a scanning area that includes the selected portion using a proximity warning system operatively coupled to the aircraft;

detecting the ground-based device within the scanning area using the proximity warning system;

determining a distance between the ground-based device and the selected portion; and

if the distance does not exceed a selected minimum distance, providing a warning signal.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein monitoring a scanning area that includes the selected portion using a proximity warning system includes monitoring the scanning area using at least one of a laser scanning system, a laser radar system, a laser-based imaging system, a laser radar system, an infrared global positioning system, and a laser-based point tracking system.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein determining a distance comprises determining a first distance, and wherein providing a warning signal comprises providing a first warning signal, the method further comprising:

determining a second distance between the ground-based device and the selected portion using the proximity warning system; and

if the second distance does not exceed a second selected minimum distance, providing a second warning signal distinguishable from the first warning signal.

12. An aircraft, comprising:

a structural assembly;

a propulsion system operatively coupled to the structural assembly; and

a proximity warning device operatively coupled to at least one of the structural assembly and the propulsion system, the proximity warning device being adapted to adapted to monitor a scanning area proximate a selected portion of the aircraft, to determine a monitored distance between an object positioned in the scanning area and the selected portion, and to provide a warning signal when the monitored distance does not exceed a selected minimum distance.

13. The aircraft of claim 12, wherein the proximity warning system includes a laser scanning system.

14. The aircraft of claim 13, wherein the laser scanning system includes:

a controller operatively coupled to a laser rangefinder adapted to emit a laser beam; and

a scanning assembly adapted to receive the laser beam and to at least one of transmit, reflect, and refract the laser beam over the scanning area.

15. The aircraft of claim 12, wherein the proximity warning system includes at least one of a laser radar system, a laser-based imaging system, a laser radar system, an infrared global positioning system, and a laser-based point tracking system.

16. The aircraft of claim 12, wherein the monitored distance comprises a first monitored distance, and the warning signal comprises a first warning signal, and wherein the proximity warning device is further adapted to

determine a second monitored distance between the ground-based device and the selected portion;

and

if the second monitored distance does not exceed a second selected minimum distance, to provide a second warning signal distinguishable from the first warning signal.

17. The aircraft of claim 12, wherein the proximity warning device is adapted to detect the object within the scanning area by detecting a reflected light.

18. The aircraft of claim 12, wherein the proximity warning device is adapted to monitor the scanning area by rotating a polygonal lens element.

19. The aircraft of claim 12, wherein the proximity warning device is adapted to determine a monitored distance between the ground-based device and the selected portion using at least one of a laser rangefinder and a controller of the proximity warning system.