Aerological phenomena alert device for an aircraft

• US 8,965,602 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2012
• Issued: 02/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thales SA
• Original Assignee: Thales SA
• Inventors: Oder, Engin, Malka, Daniel, Marin, Jean-Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Algahaim, Helal A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel, Shardul
• Application Number:
  US13/596,985
• Publication Number:
  US 20130079957A1
• Time in Patent Office: 910 Days
• Field of Search: 701/9, 701/14, 701/120, 701/400, 340/968, 340/971, 340/995
• US Class Current: 701/14
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/953 mounted on aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/003 Transmission of data between radar, sonar or lidar systems and remote stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

An aerological phenomena alert device for an aircraft, which comprises onboard equipment capable of detecting meteorological phenomena, comprises: a module for collecting and storing meteorological data originating from the onboard equipment capable of detecting the meteorological phenomena, a module for creating a report from the collected meteorological data, a module for sending the report, a module for receiving reports sent by surrounding aircraft, a module for processing and consolidating the reports received, and for generating alerts when a report signals an aerological phenomenon, and a module for merging the data originating from aircraft and from meteorological stations, situated in a station on the ground and comprising a ground/air communication module for sending meteorological reports adapted to each aircraft according to its position in relation to an aerological phenomenon.

Claims

1. An aerological phenomena alert device for an aircraft comprising onboard equipment capable of detecting meteorological phenomena, the device comprising:

a module for collecting and storing meteorological data originating from;

the onboard equipment capable of detecting the meteorological phenomena, said onboard equipment comprising at least one of a weather radar, a navigation system, an inertial sensor, an infrared camera, a visible camera, an aerological laser sensor, an ultraviolet sensor, or an ultrasonic sensor;

surrounding aircraft using a same route; and

a meteorological station on the ground and comprising a ground/air communication module,

a module for creating a report from the collected meteorological data,

a module for sending the report, the report being sent automatically or manually,

an input module enabling a crew piloting the aircraft to input observations concerning meteorological conditions;

a module for receiving reports sent by surrounding aircraft using the same route, and

a module for processing and consolidating the reports received, and for generating alerts when at least one received report signals an aerological phenomenon;

wherein the processing and consolidation module comprises a data merging system comprising a module for merging the data originating from the aircraft, from the surrounding aircraft reporting, and from meteorological stations on the ground and comprising a ground/air communication module making it possible to send meteorological reports adapted to each aircraft according to its position in relation to an aerological phenomenon.

2. The aerological phenomena alert device according to claim 1, further comprising a diversion assistance module, with diversions based on the consolidated reports.

3. The aerological phenomena alert device according to claim 1, further comprising an interactive dialogue module for conducting interactive dialogue with the other aircraft.

4. The aerological phenomena alert device according to claim 1, further comprising a module for interrogating at least one of the surrounding aircraft and collecting these meteorological data.