METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TRANSLATING AN EMERGENCY SYSTEM ALERT SIGNAL TO AN AUTOMATED FLIGHT SYSTEM MANEUVER

• US 20120253555A1
• Filed: 03/28/2011
• Published: 10/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Stange, Kent
• Granted Patent: US 9,870,000 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/3
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0055 with safety arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/106 Change initiated in response to external conditions, e.g. avoidance of elevated terrain or of no-fly zones
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/1064 specially adapted for avoiding collisions with other aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0021 located in the aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0056 in an emergency situation, e.g. hijacking

Abstract

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for translating an alert signal into an auto flight system (AFS) maneuver. The system comprises a first module. The first module is configured to receive an alert signal and to construct one or more AFS mode commands associated with the alert signal. The system also comprises a second module. The second module is configured to read and to execute the one or more AFS mode commands that when executed manipulate two or more standard AFS modes that implement the AFS maneuver. The system further comprises a state machine, which couples the first module to the second module and is configured to coordinate the construction of the one or more AFS mode commands by the first module with an execution of the one or more AFS mode commands by the second module.

Claims

1. A system for translating an alert signal into an auto flight system (AFS) maneuver for an aircraft comprising:

a first module, the first module configured to receive the alert signal from an emergency system and to construct one or more AFS mode commands associated with the alert signal;

a second module, the second module configured to read and to execute the one or more AFS mode commands, wherein when executed the one or more AFS mode commands manipulate two or more standard AFS modes that implement the AFS maneuver; and

a state machine, the state machine coupling the first module to the second module, the state machine configured to coordinate construction of the one or more AFS mode commands by the first module with an execution of the one or more AFS mode commands by the second module to control an engine and/or a flight control surface of the aircraft to effect the AFS maneuver.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein receiving the alert signal includes validating the alert signal.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein receiving the alert signal includes prioritizing the alert signal based at least in part on the validation of the alert signal.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein receiving the alert signal includes determining a maneuver definition associated with the alert signal based at least in part on the validation of each of the alert signal.

5. The system of claim 4 further comprising a memory device, wherein when the alert signal does not include a maneuver definition a supplemental definition of the AFS maneuver is obtained from the memory device by the first module.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein each AFS mode command is constructed from one or both of the maneuver definition and the supplemental definition of the AFS maneuver.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the second module manipulates the two or more standard AFS modes by arming or disarming the two or more standard AFS modes and adjusting limits and reference values for each standard AFS mode.

8. The system of claim 3, wherein the state machine comprises at least an Inhibit Active Maneuvers State, a Ready State, a Maneuver in Progress State and a Maneuver Exit State.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the state machine in the Inhibit Active Maneuvers State waits until all previous alert signals have cleared.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the state machine in the Ready State:

receives a prioritized alert signal from the first module;

activates the first module to process the prioritized alert; and

inhibits any lower priority AFS maneuvers.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the state machine in the Maneuver in Progress State activates the second module to read the one or more AFS mode commands constructed by the first module.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the state machine in the Maneuver Exit State:

activates the second module to conclude the AFS maneuver;

receives a prioritized alert signal from the first module;

activates the first module to process the prioritized alert signal; and

inhibits any lower priority active maneuvers based at least on the prioritized alert signal.

13. A method for translating an alert signal into a maneuver executed by an auto flight system (AFS) comprising:

receiving and validating an alert signal;

constructing one or more AFS mode commands based at least in part on the alert signal; and

executing the one or more AFS mode commands, the one or more AFS mode commands configured to manipulate two or more standard AFS modes as necessary to affect the maneuver.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein creating one or more AFS mode commands includes determining a definition of an AFS maneuver from the alert signal based at least in part on the validation of the alert signal.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the alert signal does not include a maneuver definition, a supplemental definition of the AFS maneuver is obtained from a memory.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein manipulating two or more AFS modes comprises arming or disarming the two or more standard AFS logic modes and adjusting limits and reference values for each standard AFS mode.

17. An apparatus for translating one or more alert signals into an auto flight system (AFS) maneuver comprising:

a processor, the processor containing a first module, a second module and a state machine and configured to receive a time signal,

the first module configured to;

decode the one or more alert signals,

validate the one or more alert signals,

determine a maneuver definition that is associated with the one or more alert signals, and

construct one or more AFS mode commands from the maneuver definition that when executed in combination direct an AFS to perform the AFS maneuver;

a second module configured to;

execute the one or more AFS mode commands determined from the maneuver definition by selectively arming one or more standard AFS modes required to implement the AFS maneuver; and

a state machine coupling the first module to the second module, the state machine configured to coordinate a function of first module with that of the second module based on the time signal.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the maneuver definition is determined based at least in part on the validation of each of the one or more alert signals.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a memory device, wherein the memory device contains, recorded thereon, one or more supplemental maneuver definitions associated with the one or more alert signals.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the one or more AFS mode commands is determined by combining the maneuver definition and the one or more supplemental maneuver definitions.