Wake turbulence analyzer for real-time visualization, detection, and avoidance

• US 9,709,698 B2
• Filed: 06/11/2012
• Issued: 07/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ohio University
• Original Assignee: Ohio University
• Inventors: Nykl, Scott Larson, Mourning, Chad Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Gray, David M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Evans, Geoffrey T
• Application Number:
  US14/125,132
• Publication Number:
  US 20140136110A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,863 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G01W 1/02 Instruments for indicating weather conditions by measuring two or more variables, e.g. humidity, pressure, temperature, cloud cover or wind speed G01W1/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0008 with other aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0021 located in the aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0078 for monitoring traffic from the aircraft radar or analogous systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0091 for monitoring atmospheric conditions radar or analogous systems specially adapted for meteorological use G01S13/95; meteorology G01W

Abstract

A computer method for determining potential wake turbulence by a first aircraft from wake generated by a second aircraft. The computer method includes receiving a signal generated by the second aircraft at the first aircraft and transforming the signal to a first wake turbulence boundary that represents the wake generated by the second aircraft. An intersection volume, which is representative of a zone of dangerous turbulence interactions, is selected for the first aircraft. Based on a determination of intersection between the first wake turbulence boundary and the intersection volume, issuing a warning flag if an intersection exists or continue generating the first wake turbulence boundary and determining whether interactions exist.

Claims

1. A computer method for determining potential wake turbulence for a first aircraft resulting from a wake generated by a second aircraft, the computer method comprising;

receiving a signal generated by the second aircraft at the first aircraft;

transforming the signal to a wake turbulence boundary representing the wake generated by the second aircraft;

selecting an intersection volume associated with the first aircraft and representing a zone of dangerous turbulence interactions for the first aircraft, wherein the intersection volume at least partially surrounds the first aircraft and has a shape that extends away from the first aircraft to provide a safe spatial distance for wake turbulence avoidance;

determining an intersection of the wake turbulence boundary and the intersection volume;

displaying, with an altimeter of a Heads-Up-Display, an altitude of the first aircraft; and

positioning a wake turbulence bar on the altimeter of the Heads-Up-Display to indicate the altitude of the wake turbulence boundary, whereby the positioning of the wake turbulence bar on the altimeter of the Heads-Up-Display causes a reduced cognitive load by the operator to determine the altitude of the wake turbulence boundary relative to the altitude of the first aircraft with comparison to a separate map.

2. The computer method of claim 1, further comprising:

issuing a warning flag when the altitude of the first aircraft coincides with the altitude of the wake turbulence boundary.

3. The computer method of claim 2, wherein the warning flag is a visual, an audible, or other sensory indicator that is presented to the operator to draw the operator'"'"'s awareness to the danger of possible turbulence due to the wake.

4. The computer method of claim 1, wherein the signal generated by the second aircraft includes at least one signal indicating at least one of an altitude of the second aircraft, a global position of the second aircraft, an orientation of the second aircraft, an elevation of the second aircraft, or a combination thereof.

5. The computer method of claim 1, wherein transforming the signal to the wake turbulence boundary includes receiving an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out signal from the second aircraft.

6. The computer method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a satellite image corresponding to a position of the first aircraft; and

generating a visual display including at least one of the wake turbulence boundary and the intersection volume, the visual display being layered over the satellite image.

7. The computer method of claim 1, wherein the shape of the intersection volume is a semi-cylindrical shape having a lengthwise axis aligned with the gravitational force and centered on a heading vector of the first aircraft, the semi-cylindrical shape having a first radius that provides a safe spatial distance for wake turbulence avoidance.

8. The computer method of claim 1, wherein the shape of the intersection volume is a conical shape with an apex centered on a heading vector, the conical shape extending from the first aircraft at an angle relative to the heading vector to a base having a first radius, wherein the distance from the first aircraft to the base provides a safe spatial distance for wake turbulence avoidance.

9. The computer method of claim 1, wherein determining the intersection of the wake turbulence boundary and the intersection volume is obtained using a computational geometry algorithm.

10. The computer method of claim 9, wherein the computational geometry algorithm is at least of point inclusion, ray intersection, or volume intersection.

11. A computer method for a first aircraft to avoid a wake turbulence resulting from a wake generated by a second aircraft, the computer method comprising;

generating a wake turbulence boundary representing the wake turbulence generated by the second aircraft;

determining whether a flight plan of the first aircraft intersects with the wake turbulence boundary of the second aircraft, wherein the flight plan includes an intersection volume associated with the first aircraft and represents a zone of dangerous turbulence interactions for the first aircraft;

displaying, on an altimeter of a Heads-Up-Display, an altitude of the first aircraft; and

positioning a wake turbulence bar on the altimeter of the Heads-Up-Display to indicate an altitude of the wake turbulence boundary relative to the altitude of the first aircraft, whereby positioning the wake turbulence bar on the altimeter of the Heads-Up-Display causes a reduced cognitive load by the operator to determine the altitude of the wake turbulence boundary relative to the altitude of the first aircraft with comparison to a separate map.

12. The computer method of claim 11, wherein generating the wake turbulence boundary includes receiving a signal by the first aircraft that is generated by the second aircraft, the signal including at least one of an altitude of the second aircraft, a global position of the second aircraft, an orientation of the second aircraft, an elevation of the second aircraft, or a combination thereof.

13. The computer method of claim 11, wherein generating the wake turbulence boundary includes receiving an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out signal from the second aircraft.

14. The computer method of claim 11, wherein the intersection volume has a conical shape with an apex centered on a heading vector, the conical shape extending from the first aircraft at an angle relative to the heading vector to a base having a first radius, wherein the distance from the first aircraft to the base provides a safe spatial distance for wake turbulence avoidance.

15. A wake visualization instrument of a first aircraft, comprising;

a receiver configured to receive at least one signal generated by a second aircraft;

a computer configured to transform the at least one signal into a wake turbulence boundary representing wake generated by the second aircraft and to determine a relation between the wake turbulence boundary and the first aircraft; and

a Heads-Up-Display including an altimeter and a wake turbulence bar,

wherein the altimeter is configured to display an altitude of the first aircraft, and

wherein the wake turbulence bar is positioned on the altimeter of the Heads-Up-Display and configured to indicate the altitude of the wake turbulence boundary relative to the altitude of the first aircraft,

whereby positioning the wake turbulence bar on the altimeter of the Heads-Up-Display causes a reduced cognitive load by the operator to determine the altitude of the wake turbulence boundary relative to the altitude of the first aircraft with comparison to a separate map.

16. The wake visualization instrument of claim 15 further comprising a visual display, and the altimeter is a graphical representation on the visual display.

17. The wake visualization instrument of claim 16, wherein the visual display further includes a satellite image corresponding to a position of the first aircraft.