Method and system for the automatic piloting of an aircraft on the approach to an airdrop position
First Claim
1. A method of automatic piloting of an aircraft during a phase of approach to a predetermined airdrop position, at which an airdrop is to be made from said aircraft, the method comprising:
- automatically applying to said aircraft, during said approach phase, a speed profile with decreasing speed, the speed profile comprising a plurality of constant-speed levels separated by deceleration phases such that the aircraft will reach said airdrop position at a predetermined theoretical arrival time with a predetermined speed;
automatically determining, during said approach phase, an actual arrival time at which the aircraft will actually reach said airdrop position, wherein a difference between said theoretical and actual arrival times is calculated and if this difference differs from zero, said speed profile is corrected by modifying lengths of time that at least two constant-speed levels are applied to the aircraft in such a way as to cancel said difference; and
automatically applying, during said approach phase, said corrected speed profile to said aircraft.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of automatic piloting of an aircraft during a phase of approach to a predetermined airdrop position includes automatically applying a speed profile with decreasing speed such that the aircraft will reach the airdrop position at a predetermined theoretical arrival time with a predetermined speed, the speed profile having a plurality of constant-speed levels separated by deceleration phases. An actual arrival time is automatically determined and a difference between the theoretical and actual arrival times is calculated. If the calculated difference differs from zero, the speed profile is corrected by modifying the length lengths of time that at least two constant-speed levels are applied to the aircraft so as to cancel the difference.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of automatic piloting of an aircraft during a phase of approach to a predetermined airdrop position, at which an airdrop is to be made from said aircraft, the method comprising:
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automatically applying to said aircraft, during said approach phase, a speed profile with decreasing speed, the speed profile comprising a plurality of constant-speed levels separated by deceleration phases such that the aircraft will reach said airdrop position at a predetermined theoretical arrival time with a predetermined speed; automatically determining, during said approach phase, an actual arrival time at which the aircraft will actually reach said airdrop position, wherein a difference between said theoretical and actual arrival times is calculated and if this difference differs from zero, said speed profile is corrected by modifying lengths of time that at least two constant-speed levels are applied to the aircraft in such a way as to cancel said difference; and automatically applying, during said approach phase, said corrected speed profile to said aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for the automatic piloting of an aircraft so as to pilot said aircraft at least during a phase of approach to a predetermined airdrop position, at which an airdrop is to be made from said aircraft, said system comprising:
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a first unit that provides a speed profile that has to allow the aircraft to reach said airdrop position at a predetermined theoretical arrival time, with a predetermined speed; an automatic piloting device for determining orders for piloting the aircraft so that it follows said speed profile; and an actuation unit that actuates controlled members of the aircraft, to which said piloting orders are applied, which system moreover comprises; a second unit that determines an actual arrival time at which the aircraft will actually reach said airdrop position; and a third unit that corrects said speed profile, as a function of said actual arrival time and of said theoretical arrival time, the speed profile thus corrected being provided to said automatic piloting device to determine corresponding piloting orders which are applied to said actuation unit. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for automatic piloting of an aircraft during a phase of approach to a predetermined airdrop position, at which an airdrop is to be made from said aircraft, said system comprising:
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a section for automatically applying to the aircraft, in a course of said approach phase, a speed profile with decreasing speed comprising a plurality of constant-speed levels separated by deceleration phases, such that the aircraft reaches said airdrop position at a predetermined theoretical arrival time with a predetermined speed, a section for automatically determining, in the course of said approach phase, an actual arrival time at which the aircraft will actually reach said airdrop position; a section for calculating a difference between said theoretical and actual arrival times; a section for correcting, if said difference differs from zero, said speed profile by modifying lengths of time that at least two constant-speed levels are applied to said aircraft so as to cancel said difference; and a section for applying said speed profile thus corrected to said aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification