Wind calculation system using a constant bank angle turn
First Claim
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1. An aircraft ground track control system comprising:
- a location sensor configured such that, during a flight of the aircraft, the location sensor determines a location of the aircraft; and
a computer system comprising;
a connection of the computer system to the aircraft when the aircraft lacks a receiver for information about a direction and a velocity of a wind that can affect a flight of the aircraft over an intended ground track; and
a code programmed to receive information about the aircraft as the aircraft flies along a maneuver ground track with a constant bank angle such that the maneuver ground track crosses the intended ground track of the aircraft at two points along the intended ground track and the code determines, based upon the intended ground track and positions of the aircraft, received from the location sensor, as the aircraft flies along the maneuver ground track, the direction and the velocity of the wind, and adjust a heading flown by the aircraft to maintain the intended ground track.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for operating an aircraft. The aircraft is flown at a constant bank angle in which the aircraft crosses an intended ground track for the aircraft. Information is identified about a wind using positions of the aircraft flying at the constant bank angle.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. An aircraft ground track control system comprising:
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a location sensor configured such that, during a flight of the aircraft, the location sensor determines a location of the aircraft; and a computer system comprising; a connection of the computer system to the aircraft when the aircraft lacks a receiver for information about a direction and a velocity of a wind that can affect a flight of the aircraft over an intended ground track; and a code programmed to receive information about the aircraft as the aircraft flies along a maneuver ground track with a constant bank angle such that the maneuver ground track crosses the intended ground track of the aircraft at two points along the intended ground track and the code determines, based upon the intended ground track and positions of the aircraft, received from the location sensor, as the aircraft flies along the maneuver ground track, the direction and the velocity of the wind, and adjust a heading flown by the aircraft to maintain the intended ground track. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A machine for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising:
a computer in communication with the unmanned aerial vehicle and comprising a code programmed to; determine a speed and a direction of a wind that affects a control input that keeps the unmanned aerial vehicle flying along an intended ground track, based upon inputs of; a constant bank angle in which the unmanned aerial vehicle crosses the intended ground track for the unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein the constant bank angle is a first constant bank angle as the unmanned aerial vehicle crosses the intended ground track for the unmanned aerial vehicle in a first turn at the first constant bank angle in which the unmanned aerial vehicle crosses the intended ground track for the unmanned aerial vehicle; and a second constant bank angle in which the unmanned aerial vehicle crosses the intended ground track for the unmanned aerial vehicle from an opposite direction of the intended ground track in a second turn; identify a wind correction angle based upon the speed and the direction of the wind; identify a heading, based upon the wind correction angle, for the unmanned aerial vehicle to maintain the intended ground track; and adjust, based upon the heading, a flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly on the intended ground track, such that the unmanned aerial vehicle flies on the intended ground track. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
Specification