Predicted path selection system and method for hazard coding in selectively constrained aircraft control systems
First Claim
1. A method for selecting a predicted path, the method comprising:
- detecting activation of a constraint at a surveillance system;
imposing the constraint on an aircraft flight controller;
detecting the imposition of the constraint by means of a surveillance means;
detecting hazard locations;
calculating a planned flight path;
detecting an aircraft current location;
comparing the aircraft current location to the constraint to determine a variation of aircraft current location from the constraint;
providing alerts of hazards located along the planned path if an absolute value of a difference between an aircraft current altitude and the constraint is greater than the tolerance; and
refraining from providing alerts of hazards located along the planned path if the absolute value is less than the tolerance.
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Abstract
A surveillance system detects potential hazards and alerts the pilot to them. The alerts can be modified to indicate proximity to the predicted path of the aircraft. An autopilot receives instructions from a flight management system (FMS) regarding a planned path and is subject to constraints preempting the planned path. The surveillance system selects which of the planned and a constrained path will be followed for alerting and hazard coding purposes. Means are disclosed to determine when the constrained path will be followed by comparing the current position of an aircraft, the planned path, and the constraint data. Current positions exceeding the tolerance cause the surveillance system to select the planned path as the future path to be followed. If initiation of a constraint has been detected and the current position is within the tolerance, the surveillance system selects the constrained path as the future path.
25 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for selecting a predicted path, the method comprising:
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detecting activation of a constraint at a surveillance system; imposing the constraint on an aircraft flight controller; detecting the imposition of the constraint by means of a surveillance means; detecting hazard locations; calculating a planned flight path; detecting an aircraft current location; comparing the aircraft current location to the constraint to determine a variation of aircraft current location from the constraint; providing alerts of hazards located along the planned path if an absolute value of a difference between an aircraft current altitude and the constraint is greater than the tolerance; and refraining from providing alerts of hazards located along the planned path if the absolute value is less than the tolerance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for selecting a predicted path, the system comprising:
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a flight controller controlling actuators coupled to control surfaces and the propulsion systems of an aircraft and configured to cause the aircraft to follow an actual path, the flight controller receiving a first input describing a planned path and a second input indicating a constraint on the actual path in at least one direction, the flight controller configured to selectively cause the aircraft to conform the actual path to the planned path or a constrained path corresponding to the constraint; a flight planner configured to calculate a planned path and input the planned path to the flight controller; a surveillance system configured to detect locations of hazards and produce a symbolic display comprising relevant symbols corresponding to hazards near a predicted flight path and non-relevant symbols corresponding to hazards away from the predicted flight path, the surveillance system being further configured to detect activation of the constraint and to compare a current aircraft location to the constrained path upon detecting activation of the constraint, and displaying hazards located along the planned path as relevant when the aircraft location is beyond a tolerance distance from the constrained path. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification