SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING AN AIRCRAFT AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY DESCENT

• US 20140343761A1
• Filed: 05/15/2013
• Published: 11/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Pastor, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 9,199,724 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/7
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 13/18 using automatic pilot
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0688 Emergency descent

Abstract

A system and method automatically control an emergency descent of an aircraft to a target altitude. Factors including weather, traffic, terrain, special use airspace, distance to an alternate, time above 10,000 feet, and time airborne are considered in deciding on descent airspeed, aircraft heading, and selection of an alternate. The target altitude may be redefined after activation of a Terrain Advisory and Awareness System. A vertical speed, or rate of descent, may be adjusted after receiving a resolution advisory from a traffic clearance and avoidance system if the maneuver with maximum operating speed generates excessive normal acceleration. Initiation of the emergency descent will be transmitted via radio and data link communication and automatic selection of a mode declaring a state of emergency on the traffic clearance and avoidance system.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an emergency descent by an aircraft, comprising:

activating an autopilot to initiate the emergency descent;

determining an airspeed for the aircraft to maintain in the emergency descent;

categorizing potential hazards in the vicinity of the aircraft, wherein the hazards are selected from at least one of the group consisting of;

other aircraft;

weather;

time above 10,000 feet;

estimated time to the alternate;

terrain; and

special use areas;

identifying a flight path, which either avoids the potential hazards or which is the least risky in view of the potential hazards;

transmitting a message conveying the initializing of the emergency descent by at least one of the actions selected from the group consisting of;

an automated voice message;

a 7700 squawk and ident; and

a data link electronic message;

configuring the aircraft for the emergency descent; and

commanding the aircraft to fly the airspeed and the flight path by the autopilot.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the commanding step further comprises:

activating the autopilot when a pressure of a cockpit of the aircraft exceeds a predefined altitude.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the commanding step further comprises:

initiating the emergency descent manually.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the airspeed comprises:

determining the maximum airspeed for the aircraft.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the airspeed comprises:

determining a turbulent airspeed for the aircraft if required by weather.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein configuring the aircraft comprises:

extending spoilers on the aircraft.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the transmitting a message comprises:

transmitting a message upon entering a restricted zone.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining a flight path further comprises:

turning to a flight path in a rear hemisphere of the aircraft if within a designated number of minutes from takeoff.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining a flight path further comprises:

turning to a flight path in a front hemisphere as a priority.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein categorizing potential hazards further comprising:

calculated a time at altitude weighted by altitude levels.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining a flight path further comprises:

providing the flight path even though the all of the potential hazards present a risk, the flight path assuming a path of least risk.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining one or more altitudes in the descent requiring the aircraft to temporarily remain at the altitude due to the potential hazards.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein determining one or more altitude comprises:

determining the altitude upon activation of a terrain awareness and warning system.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein determining the airspeed comprises:

determining a maximum gradient airspeed upon activation of a terrain avoidance and warning system.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the vertical speed comprises:

determining the vertical airspeed after receiving a resolution advisory from a traffic collision and avoidance system to avoid collision with other aircraft.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein determining the airspeed comprises:

avoiding maneuvers that would cause acceleration to exceed a threshold after activation of the traffic collision and avoidance system.

17. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

implement predefined procedures if weather and traffic are determined to be not risky.

18. A method for controlling an emergency descent by an aircraft, comprising:

activating an autopilot to initiate the emergency descent;

determining an airspeed for the aircraft to maintain in the emergency descent;

categorizing potential hazards in the vicinity of the aircraft;

identifying a flight path which is the least risky in view of the potential hazards;

transmitting a message conveying the initializing of the emergency descent;

configuring the aircraft for the emergency descent; and

commanding the aircraft to fly the airspeed and the flight path by the autopilot.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the activating an autopilot further comprises:

initiating the emergency descent automatically upon detection of a loss of cabin pressure.

20. A system for controlling an emergency descent by an aircraft, comprising:

a terrain database configured to store terrain elevation;

a navigation system configured to provide navigational data;

a flight management system configured to manage aircraft flight, and including an autopilot system;

a sensor system configured to aircraft flight parameters;

a data link unit configured to transmit signals;

a processor coupled to each of the terrain database, the navigation system, the flight management system, the sensor system, and the data link unit, and configured to;

activate an autopilot to initiate the emergency descent;

determine an airspeed for the aircraft to maintain in the emergency descent;

categorize potential hazards in the vicinity of the aircraft, wherein the hazards are selected from one of the group consisting of;

other aircraft;

weather;

time above 10,000 feet;

estimated time to the alternate;

terrain; and

special use areas;

identify a flight path, which either avoids the potential hazards or which is the least risky in view of the potential hazards;

transmit a message conveying the initializing of the emergency descent by at least one of the methods selected from the group consisting of;

an automated voice message;

a 7700 squawk and ident; and

a data link electronic message;

configure the aircraft for the emergency descent; and

command the aircraft to fly the airspeed and the flight path by the autopilot.