Method and a device for marking the ground for an aircraft in flight, and an aircraft including the device

• US 9,944,405 B2
• Filed: 03/24/2016
• Issued: 04/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
• Original Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
• Inventors: Mouton, Christophe, Routin, Herve
• Primary Examiner(s): KING, CURTIS J
• Application Number:
  US15/079,161
• Publication Number:
  US 20160280393A1
• Time in Patent Office: 754 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/247 for illuminating the close surroundings of the vehicle, e.g. to facilitate entry or exit for reverse drive B60Q1/22; by opening a side door B60Q1/323
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/006 Safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2045/008 Devices for detecting or indicating hard landing
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/08 optical
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/04 the lighting devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/06 for indicating aircraft presence

Abstract

A method of marking a landing zone on ground for an aircraft in flight. The aircraft projects on the ground a light shape referred to as a “projected light shape” comprising at least one line of light defining a geometrical surface, the aircraft tending to place at least a portion of landing gear of the aircraft on the geometrical surface, the projected light shape being identical regardless of the position of the projector in air space.

Claims

1. A method of marking a landing zone on the ground for an aircraft in flight, the landing zone being targeted by the aircraft flying at a height lying between a predefined maximum height and a predefined minimum height, in which method the aircraft uses a projector on-board the aircraft to project on the ground a projected light shape having at least one line of light defining a geometrical surface, the aircraft tending to place at least a portion of landing gear of the aircraft on the geometrical surface, the projected light shape being identical regardless of the position of the projector in air space.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one line of light includes a line of light that describes a circle of light, the aircraft tending to place at least a portion of landing gear of the aircraft inside the circle of light.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one line of light includes a line of light that represents a life-size projection on the ground of a member of the aircraft, the life-size projection on the ground being located in register with the location that ought to be occupied by the member of the aircraft after landing.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the aircraft includes a rotary wing having blades, the blades having respective free ends that in rotation describe a lift circle, and wherein the at least one line of light includes a line of light that describes an inner circle of light that represents a life-size projection onto the ground of the lift circle.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the at least one line of light includes a line of light that describes an outer circle that surrounds the inner circle, the inner circle and the outer circle being concentric.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the outer circle presents a diameter that is not less than twice the diameter of the inner circle.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one line of light includes a line of light that describes a segment that represents a landing axis of the aircraft.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the aircraft comprises a cabin extended by a tail boom, and the at least one line of light includes a line of light that describes a segment that is a life-size representation of the tail boom of the aircraft.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one line of light has brightness that is constant regardless of the position of the projector in air space.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein an initial light shape is determined that includes each line of light of the at least one line of light, and the initial light shape is corrected as a function of the position of the projector in air space in order to obtain a corrected light shape, and then the corrected light shape is projected by the projector in order to obtain the projected light shape on the ground with dimensions that do not vary regardless of the position of the projector in air space.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein to correct the initial light shape as a function of the position of the projector in air space, the initial light shape is corrected as a function of information about the distance between the projector and a zone illuminated by the projector, and as a function of information about at least one angle of the projector relative to the ground.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the at least one line of light is adjusted on request from a pilot of the aircraft.

13. A lighting device for marking a landing zone on the ground for an aircraft in flight, wherein the lighting device comprises a projector having a light processor system, a light generator connected to the light processor system, a measurement system that determines information about the position of the projector in air space, and a processor unit connected to the light processor system and to the measurement system, wherein the processor unit is configured to control the light processor system so as to project from the projector onto the ground a projected light shape having at least one line of light defining a geometrical surface with the projected light shape being identical regardless of the position of the projector in air space.

14. The lighting device according to claim 13, wherein the light generator includes at least one quasi-monochromatic light source.

15. The lighting device according to claim 13, wherein the light processor system includes a spatial image encoder and a zoom device arranged downstream from the spatial image encoder.

16. The lighting device according to claim 13, wherein the lighting device further comprise a control device controlled by a pilot in order to adjust the thicknesses of the at least one line of light, the control device being connected to the processor unit.

17. The lighting device according to claim 13, wherein the lighting device further comprises a turret that is steerable about at least two axes, the projector being carried by the turret.

18. The lighting device according to claim 13, wherein the measurement system includes at least one piece of equipment selected from the following list:

a telemeter;

a system for three-dimensionally positioning the aircraft;

a system measuring the orientation of the projector relative to the aircraft;

a system determining the attitude of the aircraft;

a system measuring the orientation of the projector relative to the terrestrial surface; and

a manual system enabling an individual to input height information or geographical information.

19. The lighting device according to claim 13, wherein the light generator includes a plurality of quasi-monochromatic light sources.

20. An aircraft comprising:

a lighting device for marking a landing zone on the ground, the lighting device including a projector having a light processor system, a light generator connected to the light processor system, a measurement system to determine information about the position of the projector in air space, and a processor unit connected to the light processor system and to the measurement system, wherein the processor unit is configured to control the light processor system so as to project from the projector onto the ground a projected light shape having at least one line of light defining a geometrical surface with the projected light shape being identical regardless of the position of the projector in air space.