Aircraft ground collision avoidance system and method
First Claim
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1. A method of avoiding collision between a wingtip of an aircraft on the ground and an object comprising the steps of:
- (a) detecting the presence of a nearby object which is in proximity to one of the wingtips of an aircraft when the aircraft is on the ground using a radar and at least one video camera, the proximity of the object capable of causing the wingtip and object to collide based on movement of the aircraft; and
(b) indicating the presence of the nearby object and the wingtip to which it is proximate to an operator controlling the movement of the aircraft so that the operator can react to avoid collision between the wingtip and the nearby object.
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Abstract
A system and method for avoiding collision between objects and wingtips of an aircraft when the aircraft is on the ground includes mounting detecting devices such as a low cost radar unit and a video camera in the wingtip. These detection devices are coupled with one or more indicators to provide an operator of the aircraft such as a pilot that an imminent collision with an object is about the occur. The indication can be an audio or visual signal, either within or outside of the aircraft.
95 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of avoiding collision between a wingtip of an aircraft on the ground and an object comprising the steps of:
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(a) detecting the presence of a nearby object which is in proximity to one of the wingtips of an aircraft when the aircraft is on the ground using a radar and at least one video camera, the proximity of the object capable of causing the wingtip and object to collide based on movement of the aircraft; and (b) indicating the presence of the nearby object and the wingtip to which it is proximate to an operator controlling the movement of the aircraft so that the operator can react to avoid collision between the wingtip and the nearby object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for avoiding collision between an object and wingtips of an aircraft on the ground comprising:
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(a) a detecting device comprising a radar unit and a video camera mountable to a respective wingtip of an aircraft for detection of an object near that wingtip; and (b) an indicating device mountable to said aircraft for indicating the presence of said object and the wingtip proximate to said object is detected by at least one of said radar unit and said video camera so that an operator of said aircraft can react to avoid collision between said object and said wingtip. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for avoiding collision between a wingtip of an aircraft on the ground and an object comprising:
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a detector for detecting the presence of a nearby object which is in proximity to an aircraft when the aircraft is on the ground, the field of view of said detector changing with a change of direction of the aircraft; and an indicator indicating the presence of the nearby object and the wingtip to which it is proximate to an operator controlling the movement of the aircraft so that the operator can react to avoid collision between the wingtip and the nearby object.
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Specification