Detection system for use in an aircraft
First Claim
1. A detection system including means for monitoring infrared radiation received from above the horizon, means for generating signals representative of said radiation, and processing means for determining the presence of a cloud including silicate bearing minerals on the basis of said signals,wherein said signals are representative of different predetermined wavelengths of said radiation, and said processing means is adapted to compare the signals of at least two of said predetermined wavelengths and generate a cloud warning signal if the results of the comparison indicate a cloud including silicate bearing minerals is present,wherein said warning signal is generated when said signals indicate the radiation received of a longer predetermined wavelength is less than the radiation received of a shorter predetermined wavelength, andwherein said monitoring means includes an infrared detector array and said signals relate to pixels of said array, such that said signals of each of said predetermined wavelengths correspond to each one of said pixels and said processing means generates display signals representative of the position of said cloud relative to said system on the basis of said signals and position signals representative of the position of said system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A detection system for use in an aircraft which is able to monitor atmospheric conditions ahead of the aircraft, generate an alarm signal if adverse atmospheric conditions exist ahead of the aircraft and generate information which indicates the position of the adverse conditions so the adverse conditions can be avoided. The system is able to detect the presence of volcanic ash cloud ahead of the aircraft and, if desired, can also be used to detect a high density of sulphur dioxide gas and/or clear air turbulence ahead of the aircraft. The system monitors infrared radiation received by the aircraft, generates intensity signals representative of at least one predetermined wavelength of the radiation and compares intensity signals with reference signals or intensity signals of another infrared wavelength. If the results of the comparison indicate the adverse conditions are present, an adverse condition warning signal is generated and the device is also able to generate video display signals for producing a video display which indicates the position of the adverse conditions relative to the aircraft.
78 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A detection system including means for monitoring infrared radiation received from above the horizon, means for generating signals representative of said radiation, and processing means for determining the presence of a cloud including silicate bearing minerals on the basis of said signals,
wherein said signals are representative of different predetermined wavelengths of said radiation, and said processing means is adapted to compare the signals of at least two of said predetermined wavelengths and generate a cloud warning signal if the results of the comparison indicate a cloud including silicate bearing minerals is present, wherein said warning signal is generated when said signals indicate the radiation received of a longer predetermined wavelength is less than the radiation received of a shorter predetermined wavelength, and wherein said monitoring means includes an infrared detector array and said signals relate to pixels of said array, such that said signals of each of said predetermined wavelengths correspond to each one of said pixels and said processing means generates display signals representative of the position of said cloud relative to said system on the basis of said signals and position signals representative of the position of said system.
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3. A method of detecting an adverse atmospheric condition, including:
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monitoring infrared radiation received from above the horizon; generating signals representative of said radiation; and determining if an adverse atmospheric condition, comprising at least the presence of a cloud including silicate bearing minerals, is present on the basis of said signals. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6)
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7. A detection system, including means for monitoring infrared radiation received from above the horizon, means for generating signals representative of predetermined wavelengths of said radiation, and processing means for determining on the basis of said signals if an adverse atmospheric condition is present and generating a warning signal when said condition is present, characterized in that:
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said processing means is adapted to determine on the basis of said signals if said adverse atmospheric condition, comprising a cloud including volcanic ash cloud constituents, is present, wherein said processing means determines said cloud is present if said signals indicate radiation received of a longer wavelength is less than radiation received of a shorter wavelength, wherein said predetermined wavelengths fall within the range of approximately 10 to 12 μ
m, andwherein said monitoring means includes an infrared detector array and said signals relate to pixels of said array, such that said signals of each of said wavelengths correspond to each one of said pixels, and said processing means generates display signals representative of the position of said adverse atmospheric condition relative to said system on the basis of said signals and position signals representative of the position of said system. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. A method of detecting an adverse atmospheric condition, including monitoring infrared radiation received from above the horizon, generating signals representative of predetermined wavelengths of said radiation, determining on the basis of said signals if an adverse atmospheric condition is present and generating a warning signal when said condition is present, characterized by:
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determining on the basis of said signals if said adverse atmospheric condition, comprising a cloud including volcanic ash cloud constituents, is present, wherein said monitoring step involves using an infrared detector array and said signals relate to pixels of said array, such that said signals of each of said wavelengths correspond to each one of said pixels, and display signals representative of the position of said adverse condition relative to an object are generated on the basis of said signals and position signals representative of the position of said object. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification