Airborne volcanic ash cloud and eruption detection system and method

• US 7,383,131 B1
• Filed: 09/27/2006
• Issued: 06/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Woodell, Daniel L., Wey, Terrence P.
• Primary Examiner(s): McElheny, Jr.; Donald E
• Application Number:
  US11/527,919
• Time in Patent Office: 615 Days
• Field of Search: 702/15, 702/14, 702/3, 702/4
• US Class Current: 702/4
• CPC Class Codes: G01W 1/00 Meteorology

Abstract

Systems and methods for detecting volcanic eruption and predicting plume hazards are described. The system comprises a processor and a database having the location of a plurality of volcanoes communicating with the processor. The system also comprises a lightning detector communicating with the processor. The system further comprises a weather radar communicating with the processor. Further still, the weather radar comprises program logic running on the processor. The program logic is configured to correlate the location of a volcano from the database with the presence of lightning from the lightning detector and a volcanic ash plume from the weather radar.

Claims

1. A system for detecting predicting volcanic eruptions and predicting plume hazards, comprising:

a processor;

a database having the location of a plurality of volcanoes and communicating with the processor;

a lightning detector communicating with the processor;

a weather radar communicating with the processor; and

program logic running on the processor, the logic configured to correlate the location of a volcano from the database with the presence of lightning from the lightning detector and a volcanic ash plume from the weather radar.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the program logic identifies a lightning signature associated with volcanic activity.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the lightning signature comprises identifying lightning polarity.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the lightning polarity associated with volcanic activity is identified as positive.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the system resides on board an aircraft.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the system is ground-based.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an alert system configured to provide a user or using system with an alert of volcanic activity.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the alert system comprises an audio system capable of providing an aural warning.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the alert system comprises a visual display capable of providing a visual warning.

10. The system of claim 5, further comprising a navigation and position system providing the position of the aircraft to the processor.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein a new flight path is generated by the navigation and position system based on an indication of the oncoming presence of a volcanic ash cloud.

12. A method of detecting a volcanic ash cloud, comprising:

receiving weather radar information by a processor, the weather radar information indicating the presence of a cloud system at a first location;

receiving lightning strike information by the processor, the lightning strike information indicating a volcanic eruption lightning signature at the first location; and

correlating with a predetermined likelihood, the lightning strike information and the weather radar information of the first location with a volcano location from a volcano location database.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

determining that a volcanic ash cloud may exist above an area proximate the first location.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

providing an alert to flight crew of the presence of the volcanic ash cloud.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the alert comprises a visual indicator.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the alert comprises an aural indicator.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

generating automatically, a changed flight plan.

18. A method of determining the existence of a volcanic ash plume, comprising:

determining whether a weather system is being detected by a weather radar;

determining whether a lightning signature received by a lightning detector has a volcanic lightning signature; and

determining whether the lightning signature and the weather system are over the same approximate location as a known active volcano.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

determining the direction of drift of the volcanic ash plume.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

predicting the progression of the volcanic ash plume over time.

21. A method of providing a volcanic ash alert to a flight crew, comprising:

receiving ground based weather radar information;

transmitting the ground based weather radar information to the aircraft;

detecting a volcanic lightning signature;

correlating with a predetermined likelihood, the location of a cloud formation from the weather radar information and the location of the volcanic lightning signature with a known location of an active volcano.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

communicating a change in flight path to an air traffic control system.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

displaying a suggested flight path alteration to the flight crew on a display.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

acknowledging, by the flight crew, the flight path alteration.

25. The method of claim 23 further comprising:

changing the flight path of the aircraft by a flight navigation system, in response to the acknowledgement.

26. A method of detecting a volcanic ash cloud, comprising:

receiving weather radar information by a processor, the weather radar information indicating the presence of a cloud system at a first location;

correlating with a predetermined likelihood, the weather radar information of the first location with a volcano location from a volcano location database and determining with a confidence level a volcanic ash cloud threat; and

providing an alert based on the confidence level.