Method and System for Meteorological Monitoring Aboard an Aircraft

• US 20100090867A1
• Filed: 10/07/2009
• Published: 04/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Airbus Operations (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS NV)
• Inventors: Christophe, Laure, Raynaud, Garance
• Granted Patent: US 8,395,534 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/970
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 23/005 Flight directors indicating arrangements specially adapted for rotary gyroscopes G01C19/32
• CPC Class Codes: G01W 1/00 Meteorology

Abstract

A method and system for meteorological monitoring aboard an aircraft.

According to the invention:

• • the altitude difference between the current altitude of the aircraft and the altitude of the meteorological monitoring plane is formed;
  • said altitude difference is compared with a predetermined deviation threshold; and
  • a first alert is emitted if said altitude difference attains or exceeds said deviation threshold and if said altitude difference diverges.

Claims

1. A method for generating alerts for a system for viewing meteorological data of an aircraft, said system comprising viewing means (10) displaying the meteorological data in a monitoring plane at a determined altitude (Zs) although said aircraft is situated at its current altitude (Zp) provided by means for acquiring the latter, said monitoring plane being adjusted either to automatic mode so as to match up the determined altitude (Zs) with the current altitude (Zp) of said aircraft or to manual mode so as to view the meteorological data at said determined altitude different from the current altitude,

wherein, when said displayed monitoring plane is adjusted to manual mode,

the altitude difference (Dz) between said current altitude (Zp) and said altitude of the monitoring plane (Zs) is formed;

said altitude difference (Dz) is compared with a predetermined deviation threshold (S1) and

a first alert (A1) is emitted

i. if said altitude difference (Dz) attains or exceeds said deviation threshold (S1) and

ii. if said altitude difference (Dz) diverges.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1,

wherein a second alert (A2) is emitted:

i. if said altitude difference (Dz) attains or exceeds said deviation threshold (S1) and

ii. if said altitude difference (Dz) converges.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the vertical speed of the aircraft (Vp) is measured and it is deduced that said attitude difference (Dz) diverges when:

i. said altitude difference (Dz) is positive and

ii. said vertical speed of the aircraft (Vp) is positive.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the vertical speed of the aircraft (Vp) is measured and it is deduced that said altitude difference (Dz) diverges when:

i. said altitude difference (Dz) is negative and

ii. said vertical speed of the aircraft (Vp) is negative.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the vertical speed of the aircraft (Vp) is measured and the emission of said first alert (A1) is disabled when said vertical speed of the aircraft (Vp) is, in absolute value, below a predetermined speed threshold (S2).

6. The method as claimed in claim 5,

wherein the vertical speed of the aircraft (Vp) is measured and a third alert (A3) is emitted when:

i. said vertical speed (Vp) is, in absolute value, above said speed threshold (52),

ii. said altitude difference (Dz) diverges and

iii. said altitude difference (Dz) is below said deviation threshold (S1).

7. The method as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the first alert (A1) is emitted when:

i. said altitude difference (Dz) attains or exceeds said deviation threshold (S1) for a duration equal to or greater than a predetermined time threshold (S3) and

ii. said altitude difference (Dz) converges.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1,

wherein an alert message is displayed on the viewing means (10) upon the emission of an alert (A1, A2, A3).

9. The method as claimed in claim 8,

wherein a flashing alert message is displayed on the viewing means (10) upon the emission of a first alert (A1).

10. A system for viewing meteorological data for an aircraft, comprising at least:

viewing means (10) displaying the meteorological data in a monitoring plane at a determined altitude (Zs);

means for acquiring the current altitude (Zp) of the aircraft,

which comprises;

processing means designed to

i. form the altitude difference (Dz) between said current altitude (Zp) and said altitude of the monitoring plane (Zs);

ii. compare said altitude difference (Dz) with a deviation threshold (S1) and

iii. detect a divergence of said altitude difference (Dz); and

means for generating alerts designed to emit a first alert (A1) for the pilot in the event that

i. said altitude difference (Dz) attains or exceeds the deviation threshold (S1) and

ii. the altitude difference (Dz) diverges.