Method and system for hold path computation to meet required hold departure time
First Claim
1. A hold path computation system for automatically generating a hold path for an aircraft flying in a holding pattern, wherein the holding pattern is defined by one or more orbits within a selectable holding area and includes a substantially oval track including a plurality of straight legs and a plurality of turn legs, said system comprising a processor configured to:
- receive a hold departure time indicating a time the aircraft is to leave the hold path;
determine a present position of the aircraft within the holding pattern;
determine an amount of time to complete a current hold orbit;
if the determined amount of time to complete a current hold orbit is less than the time remaining to the hold departure time, maintain the aircraft flying in the holding pattern;
determine an amount of time by which to shorten the next orbit to exit the holding pattern at the hold departure time; and
determine a new holding pattern straight leg distance using a new holding pattern straight leg time multiplied by a speed of the aircraft.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and hold path computation system for automatically generating a hold path for an aircraft flying in a holding pattern, wherein the holding pattern is defined by one or more orbits within a selectable holding area are provided. The system includes a processor configured to receive a hold departure time indicating a time the aircraft is to leave the hold path to meet a required time of arrival (RTA) at a waypoint, determine a present position of the aircraft within the holding pattern, and determine an amount of time to complete a current hold orbit. The processor is also configured such that if the determined amount of time to complete a current hold orbit is less than or equal to the hold departure time, maintain the aircraft flying in the holding pattern and determine an amount of time by which to shorten the next orbit to exit the holding pattern at the hold departure time.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A hold path computation system for automatically generating a hold path for an aircraft flying in a holding pattern, wherein the holding pattern is defined by one or more orbits within a selectable holding area and includes a substantially oval track including a plurality of straight legs and a plurality of turn legs, said system comprising a processor configured to:
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receive a hold departure time indicating a time the aircraft is to leave the hold path; determine a present position of the aircraft within the holding pattern; determine an amount of time to complete a current hold orbit; if the determined amount of time to complete a current hold orbit is less than the time remaining to the hold departure time, maintain the aircraft flying in the holding pattern; determine an amount of time by which to shorten the next orbit to exit the holding pattern at the hold departure time; and determine a new holding pattern straight leg distance using a new holding pattern straight leg time multiplied by a speed of the aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of computing a holding pattern flight path to meet a required holding pattern departure time, wherein the holding pattern includes a substantially oval track including a plurality of straight legs and a plurality of turn legs, said method comprising:
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a) receiving by an aircraft flying in a holding pattern a hold departure time wherein the holding pattern is defined by one or more orbits within a selectable holding area; b) determining a present position of the aircraft within the holding pattern; c) determining an amount of time to complete a current hold orbit; d) if the determined amount of time to complete a current hold orbit is less than the time remaining to the hold departure time, maintaining flying in the holding pattern and returning to step b); e) determining an amount of time by which to shorten the next orbit to exit the holding pattern at the hold departure time; and f) determining a new holding pattern straight leg distance using a new holding pattern straight leg time multiplied by a speed of the aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A non-transient computer-readable medium that includes a computer program that causes a processor to:
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a) receive by an aircraft flying in a holding pattern a hold departure time wherein the holding pattern is defined by one or more orbits within a selectable holding area and includes a substantially oval track including a plurality of straight legs and a plurality of turn legs; b) determine a present position of the aircraft within the holding pattern; c) determine an amount of time to complete a current hold orbit; d) if the determined amount of time to complete a current hold orbit is less than the time remaining to the hold departure time, maintaining flying in the holding pattern and returning to step b); e) determine an amount of time by which to shorten the next orbit to exit the holding pattern at the hold departure time; and f) determine a new holding pattern straight leg distance using a new holding pattern straight leg time multiplied by a speed of the aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification