Ground proximity warning system and methods for rotary wing aircraft
First Claim
1. A warning system for aircraft comprising:
- a barometric altitude rate detector disposed to detect the barometric altitude of the aircraft and to generate signals representative of the barometric altitude rate; and
a controller coupled to said detector for receiving said barometric altitude rate signals and including means for providing signals indicative of ground effects, the controller adjusting the barometric altitude rate signals based on said signals indicative of ground effects.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides ground proximity warning system and method for aircraft, particularly rotary wing aircraft such as helicopters. The warning system generally includes a barometric altitude rate detector, such an altimeter and a rate circuit, disposed to detect the rate of change of the barometric altitude of the aircraft. A controller is coupled to the detector for receiving the barometric altitude rate signals and adjusting the signals based on the ground effect from the main rotors when the aircraft is near the ground. Typically, the controller decreases the barometric altitude rate signals to compensate for the apparent increase in barometric altitude rate caused by ground effects. This reduces the number of nuisance warnings that may otherwise occur during takeoffs, landings or other low altitude flight conditions.
80 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A warning system for aircraft comprising:
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a barometric altitude rate detector disposed to detect the barometric altitude of the aircraft and to generate signals representative of the barometric altitude rate; and a controller coupled to said detector for receiving said barometric altitude rate signals and including means for providing signals indicative of ground effects, the controller adjusting the barometric altitude rate signals based on said signals indicative of ground effects. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A warning system for a rotary wing aircraft comprising:
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a barometric altimeter disposed to detect the barometric altitude of the aircraft; a rate circuit coupled to the barometric altimeter for generating a barometric altitude rate signal; a torque detector disposed to detect the total engine torque; and a controller coupled to the rate circuit and the detector, the controller adjusting the barometric altitude rate signal based on the engine torque.
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19. A method for determining a barometric altitude rate of an aircraft comprising:
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generating signals representative of the barometric altitude rate of the aircraft; generating signals indicative of ground effects; and adjusting the barometric altitude rate signals based on said signals indicative of ground effects. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification