RADAR BASED GROUND VEHICLE COLLISION PREVENTION

• US 20080172178A1
• Filed: 11/16/2007
• Published: 07/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Anderson, David M., Renton, William J., Avery, Robert L., Banks, David L., Akdeniz, Aydin
• Granted Patent: US 7,579,980 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/301
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/48 for parking purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/525 automatically indicating risk of collision between vehicles in traffic or with pedestrians, e.g. after risk assessment using the vehicle sensor data
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 5/006 indicating risk of collision between vehicles or with pedestrians
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/3055 with hinged head interface between aircraft and passenger bridge
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/934 on airport surfaces, e.g. while taxiing
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9323 Alternative operation using light waves
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0082 for monitoring traffic from a ground station radar or analogous systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/045 Navigation or guidance aids, e.g. determination of anti-collision manoeuvers radar or analogous systems specially adapted for anti-collision between aircraft G01S13/933
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/065 Navigation or guidance aids, e.g. for taxiing or rolling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 367/909 Collision avoidance

Abstract

The present invention comprises systems and methods for preventing collisions between aircraft and ground vehicles. In one embodiment, a system includes a proximity detection unit and a transducer proximate to a selected structural portion of an aircraft, proximity detection unit being operable to emit ranging signals through the transducer and to receive reflected signals through the transducer to determine the position of an object within a ranging area adjacent to the structural portion. The system further includes an alarm device coupled to the proximity detection unit that is responsive to a signal generated by the proximity detection unit. In another embodiment, a method includes determining a distance between the ground service vehicle and a selected structural portion of the aircraft when the vehicle is positioned in a ranging area about the aircraft. The method further includes generating a proximity alarm based upon the distance.

Claims

1. A ground vehicle collision prevention system, comprising:

a proximity detection unit being a radio frequency detection and ranging apparatus (RADAR) positioned at least proximate to an aircraft and coupled to at least one transducer proximate to at least one selected structural portion of the aircraft, the at least one transducer being an antenna suited for use at microwave radio frequencies, the proximity detection unit being operable to emit ranging signals through the at least one transducer and to receive reflected signals through the at least one transducer to determine the position of an object within a ranging area adjacent to the selected structural portion, wherein the ranging area is subdivided into at least a first field region adjacent to the at least one selected structural portion, and the proximity detection unit is operable to generate a first alarm signal characteristic when the object is positioned within the first field region, wherein the proximity detection unit

a second field region adjacent to the first field region and spaced apart from the at least one structural portion, wherein the proximity detection unit is operable to generate a second alarm signal characteristic when the object is positioned within the second field region; and

at least one alarm device coupled to the proximity detection unit that is responsive to a proximity alarm signal generated by the proximity detection unit.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one alarm device comprises at least one of an audio alarm device and a visual alarm device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first alarm signal is a first audible message that provides a verbal caution to an operator.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first alarm signal characteristic comprises a steady audible tone at a selected audio frequency.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the second alarm signal is a second audible message that provides a verbal warning to an operator.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the second alarm signal characteristic comprises an intermittent audible tone at a selected audio frequency.

7. The system of claim 5, further comprising a third field region adjacent to the second field region and spaced apart from the first field region, wherein the proximity detection unit is operable to generate a third alarm signal characteristic when the object is positioned within the third field region.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the third alarm signal characteristic comprises an intermittent audible tone at a selected audio frequency.

9. A ground vehicle collision prevention system, comprising:

a proximity detection unit positioned at least proximate to an aircraft and coupled to at least one transducer proximate to at least one selected structural portion of the aircraft, the proximity detection unit being operable to emit ranging signals through the at least one transducer and to receive reflected signals through the at least one transducer, the proximity detection unit being operable to generate a proximity alarm signal when a vehicle is detected within a ranging area, the proximity alarm signal further including a critical proximity alarm signal that is generated when the vehicle is positioned at a predetermined critical distance from the at least one selected structural portion of the aircraft, wherein the proximity detection unit comprises a radio frequency detection and ranging apparatus (RADAR);

a transmitter coupled to the proximity detection unit that is operable to transmit the critical proximity alarm signal to a corresponding receiver positioned in the vehicle; and

a control system coupled to the receiver that is operable to stop motion of the vehicle when the critical proximity alarm signal is received.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising at least one of an audio alarm device and a visual alarm device configured to receive the proximity alarm signals.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the vehicle includes an electrical energy source coupled to an electric motor, and the control system is operable to interrupt a current between the electrical energy source and the electric motor when the critical proximity alarm signal is received.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the vehicle includes a fuel source coupled to an internal combustion engine, and the control system is operable to interrupt a fuel flow between the fuel source and the engine when the critical proximity alarm signal is received.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the vehicle includes an ignition system that receives electrical energy from an electrical energy source, and provides ignition energy to an internal combustion engine, and the control system is operable to interrupt the electrical energy to the ignition system when the critical proximity alarm signal is received.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the vehicle includes a vehicle braking system and the control system is operable to actuate the braking system when the critical proximity alarm signal is received.

15. A method of preventing a collision between an aircraft and a ground service vehicle, comprising:

determining a distance between the ground service vehicle and a selected structural portion of the aircraft when the vehicle is positioned in a ranging area, wherein determining the distance includes using a radio frequency detection and ranging apparatus (RADAR); and

generating at least one of a proximity alarm to an operator of the vehicle, and a control signal to a control system of the vehicle, based upon the distance, wherein the alarm is an audible message that provides a verbal indication of a location of the ground service vehicle.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein generating a proximity alarm based upon the distance further comprises generating at least one of an audible alarm and a visible alarm.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein generating a proximity alarm based upon the distance further comprises subdividing the ranging area into at least a first field region adjacent to the at least one selected structural portion, and generating a first alarm signal characteristic when the vehicle is positioned within the first field region.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein generating a first alarm signal characteristic further comprises generating a steady audible tone at a selected audio frequency.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein subdividing the ranging area into at least a first field region adjacent to the at least one selected structural portion further comprises subdividing the ranging area into a second field region adjacent to the first field region and spaced apart from the at least one structural portion, and generating a second alarm signal characteristic when the vehicle is positioned within the second field region.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein subdividing the ranging area into a second field region adjacent to the first field region further comprises subdividing the second field region into a third field region adjacent to the second field region and spaced apart from the first field region, and generating a third alarm signal characteristic when the vehicle is positioned within the third field region.