Dynamic aircraft threat controller manager apparatuses, methods and systems

• US 9,558,672 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2013
• Issued: 01/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DTN, LLC (TBG AG)
• Original Assignee: Telvent DTN Incorporated (TBG AG)
• Inventors: McCann, Donald, Lennartson, Daniel W., Block, James H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Butler, Rodney
• Application Number:
  US14/758,777
• Publication Number:
  US 20150339930A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,127 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01W 1/00 Meteorology
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0013 with a ground station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0034 Assembly of a flight plan
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0039 Modification of a flight plan
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/006 in accordance with predefined flight zones, e.g. to avoid prohibited zones
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0091 for monitoring atmospheric conditions radar or analogous systems specially adapted for meteorological use G01S13/95; meteorology G01W

Abstract

The DYNAMIC AIRCRAFT THREAT CONTROLLER MANAGER APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS (“DATCM”) transforms flight profile information, terrain, weather/atmospheric data and flight parameter data via DATCM components into comprehensive hazard avoidance optimized flight plans. Comprehensive hazard avoidance includes synergistic comprehensive turbulence and airfoil-specific icing data. In one implementation, the DATCM comprises a processor and a memory disposed in communication with the processor and storing processor-issuable instructions to receive anticipated flight plan parameter data, obtain weather data based on the flight plan parameter data, obtain atmospheric data based on the flight plan parameter data, and determine a plurality of four-dimensional grid points based on the flight plan parameter data. The DATCM may then determine comprehensive hazards mappings. With (near) real-time comprehensive hazard information and/or predictive turbulence/icing forecast specific to airfoil type and/or profile parameters, the DATCM may allow aircraft to avoid areas where comprehensive hazard is greater than a predetermined threshold and/or avoid areas where turbulence/icing may occur.

Claims

1. A dynamic comprehensive hazard flight planning apparatus, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory disposed in communication with the processor and storing processor-issuable instructions to;

receive parameter data for an initial anticipated flight plan;

determine aircraft data for an aircraft associated with the initial anticipated flight plan, the aircraft data including an airfoil type;

obtain atmospheric data based on the flight plan parameter data;

determine a plurality of four-dimensional grid points based on the flight plan parameter data;

determine corresponding comprehensive hazard data for each point of the plurality of four-dimensional grid point based on the airfoil type, the comprehensive hazard data including comprehensive turbulence data and icing data;

determine an at least one alternative flight plan based on the flight plan parameter data and the determined comprehensive hazard data for the initial anticipated flight plan; and

provide the determined at least one alternative flight plan.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flight plan parameter data includes aircraft data.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flight plan parameter data includes at least one of:

flight take-off time, flight take-off location, flight destination location, scheduled flight arrival time, passenger flight information, and/or cargo flight information.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the initial anticipated flight plan includes a shortest route flight plan.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one alternative flight plan comprises an optimized route flight plan.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the optimized route flight plan is optimized for safety.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the optimized route flight plan is optimized for safety and fuel consumption.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flight plan parameter data includes at least one of (1) a take-off time, (2) a take-off location, or (3) a destination location.

9. A processor-readable tangible medium storing processor-issuable dynamic comprehensive hazard flight plan generating instructions to:

receive parameter data for an initial anticipated flight plan;

determine aircraft data for an aircraft associated with the initial anticipated flight plan, the aircraft data including an airfoil type;

obtain atmospheric data based on the flight plan parameter data;

determine a plurality of four-dimensional grid points based on the flight plan parameter data;

determine corresponding comprehensive hazard data for each point of the plurality of four-dimensional grid point based on the airfoil type, the comprehensive hazard data including comprehensive turbulence data and icing data;

determine an at least one alternative flight plan based on the flight plan parameter data and the determined comprehensive hazard data for the initial anticipated flight plan; and

provide the determined at least one alternative flight plan.

10. The medium of claim 9, wherein the initial flight plan parameter data includes aircraft data.

11. The medium of claim 9, wherein the initial flight plan parameter data includes the airplane airfoil information.

12. The medium of claim 9, wherein the at least one flight plan adjustment that comprises an update to the initial flight plan.

13. A dynamic comprehensive hazard processor-implemented flight planning method, comprising:

receiving parameter data for an initial anticipated flight plan;

determining aircraft data for an aircraft associated with the initial anticipated flight plan, the aircraft data including an airfoil type;

obtaining atmospheric data based on the flight plan parameter data;

determining a plurality of four-dimensional grid points based on the flight plan parameter data;

determining via a processor corresponding comprehensive hazard data for each point of the plurality of four-dimensional grid points and based on the airfoil type and the obtained atmospheric data, the comprehensive hazard data including comprehensive turbulence forecast data and predictive icing data specific to the airfoil type of the aircraft, the comprehensive turbulence forecast data being an eddy dissipation rate for each point of the plurality of four-dimensional grid points and based on;

(1) integration of mountain wave turbulence, boundary layer turbulence, and upper level unbalanced flow turbulence, and (2) vertical velocity turbulence; and

generating a real-time hazard display for the aircraft based on the determined comprehensive hazard data.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising determining an at least one alternative flight plan based on the flight plan parameter data and the determined comprehensive hazard data for the initial anticipated flight plan;

and

providing the determined at least one alternative flight plan.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

generating a real-time hazard map; and

providing the generated real-time hazard map.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the flight plan parameter data includes aircraft data.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the airfoil type is associated with a type of the aircraft.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the initial anticipated flight plan includes one of (1) a shortest route flight plan, or (2) an optimized route flight plan.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the optimized route flight plan is optimized for safety and fuel consumption.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the flight plan parameter data includes at least one of (1) a take-off time, (2) a take-off location, or (3) a destination location.