Integrated separation assurance method for an aircraft

• US 7,580,776 B1
• Filed: 07/29/2003
• Issued: 08/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: McCusker, Patrick D., Anderson, Eric N.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, KHOI H
• Application Number:
  US10/629,286
• Time in Patent Office: 2,219 Days
• Field of Search: 701/3, 701/14, 701/8, 701/9, 701/10, 701/301
• US Class Current: 701/3
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 23/00 Combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value, e.g. for aircraft; Combined measuring devices for measuring two or more variables of movement, e.g. distance, speed or acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/045 Navigation or guidance aids, e.g. determination of anti-collision manoeuvers radar or analogous systems specially adapted for anti-collision between aircraft G01S13/933

Abstract

A method and system for assuring separation between an aircraft and potential flight hazards is provided. According to the method, an intended path of the aircraft is predicted. A potential hazard to the aircraft along the intended path is identified. A distance from the potential hazard that the aircraft is required to maintain is determined. An ability of the aircraft to maneuver to avoid the identified hazard and to remain further from the identified hazard than the distance is determined. A probability that the aircraft will not maintain the distance from the identified hazards is determined. A pilot of the aircraft is alerted if the probability is greater than a predetermined level.

Claims

1. A method of assuring separation between an aircraft and potential flight hazards, comprising:

predicting an intended path of the aircraft;

accessing information relative to terrain proximal the aircraft;

receiving inputs representative of weather events proximal the aircraft;

receiving inputs representative of locations of nearby aircraft;

accessing separation information that provides a distance by which the aircraft must be separated from any of the terrain, weather events, and nearby aircraft;

determining a possibility that the aircraft, traveling along the intended path, will be less than the distance from any of the terrain, weather events, and nearby aircraft; and

advising a pilot of the aircraft if the possibility is above a predetermined threshold

accessing information relative to areas of restricted airspace proximal the aircraft;

accessing separation information that provides a distance by which the aircraft must be separated from the restricted airspace;

determining a possibility that the aircraft, traveling along the intended path, will be less than the distance from the restricted airspace; and

advising a pilot of the aircraft if the possibility is above a predetermined threshold.