Flight Alarm Patents (Class 340/963)
  • Patent number: 8502700
    Abstract: An apparatus for pressurizing an aircraft cabin structure and measuring the amount of leakage of the aircraft cabin structure comprises an air supply line which at a first end is connectable to a pressurized air source and which at a second end is connectable to the aircraft cabin structure so as to supply pressurized air from the pressurized air source into the aircraft cabin structure, an air supply valve disposed in the air supply fine, a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure inside the aircraft cabin structure and for providing signals indicative of the pressure inside the aircraft cabin structure, an air discharge line which at a first end is connectable to the aircraft cabin structure and which at a second end is connectable to an air discharge opening so as to discharge air from the inside of the cabin structure to the air discharge opening and an air discharge valve disposed in the air discharge line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Uhlendorf, Michael Bielenberg, Matthias Geske, Jens Beier, Juergen Hintze, Michael Diesing-Jester
  • Patent number: 8502702
    Abstract: The present general inventive concept relates to a system of method having an electronic flight display that meets the FAR 23.1311(b) regulatory requirement for redundant backup instruments in the cockpit. The present general inventive concept also provides a system and method to detect failures, obstructions, or improper operation of the aircraft pitot pressure sensing system using a combination of dissimilar sensor data that is independent from each other, e.g., allocated from different sources and employed for different purposes on different displays, and displays information on an avionics display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Aspen Avionics, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Lyons, Jeffrey D. Bethel
  • Patent number: 8497784
    Abstract: An integrated crew alert and checklist function system is configured to provide single touch direct access to critical checklists in response to a message in the crew alert message window. More particularly, the system is configured to display crew alert message in a crew alert system message window, and in response to a single touch of the crew alert message on the touch screen, the system is configured to automatically display a checklist corresponding to the crew alert message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin J. Vandrovec
  • Patent number: 8493239
    Abstract: A method and a device are provided for detecting lack of reaction of the crew of an aircraft to an alarm related to a path. The method includes monitoring the emitting condition of a plurality of alarms related to dangers in the path of the aircraft and monitoring a reaction of a crew during first and second time intervals determined based on how long the crew should take to response to the initial alarm in the first time interval and an auxiliary alarm in the second time interval. The method also includes implementing automatic avoidance operation for coping with the danger if the crew has not reacted to the alarms by the end of the second time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignees: Airbus (S.A.S.), Airbus Operations (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Frédéric Dehais, Laure Christophe, Jean-Michel Merle, Philippe Pellerin
  • Patent number: 8494761
    Abstract: A device and method aids the evaluation of a flight trajectory that is intended to be followed by an aircraft within a constrained environment. The method includes receiving information from a processing unit regarding stationary and moving obstacles, implementing a collision trial based on this information, and displaying any collision risks to the pilot on a display device in the cockpit. Consequently, a pilot can know within the constrained environment whether a flight trajectory needs to be modified to avoid potential collisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (SAS)
    Inventors: Andrea Giovannini, Thomas Pastre
  • Patent number: 8487787
    Abstract: A near-to-eye display allows an operator of a vehicle, such as a pilot of an aircraft, to see an obstacle on a conformal pathway, such as a runway or taxiway. The obstacle may be boundaries of the pathway or an object captured by an optional Infrared camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Carl A. Best, Frank Cupero
  • Patent number: 8487785
    Abstract: A system and device is provided for formulating alerts of the items of equipment of an aircraft. The device includes a database of virtual objects representing the items of equipment for constructing a virtual model representative on the one hand of the topological configuration of the network of items of equipment and on the other hand of the configuration of the chain of functional applications implemented by the items of equipment, means for each virtual object to formulate a request for consulting the status of the functional application carried out by the item of equipment associated with the object and means for detecting alerts for formulating requests for consulting the status of each of the objects of the virtual model so as to detect anomalies of configuration of the topology of the network of items of equipment and of the chain of functional applications of the virtual model and to transmit the alerts associated with the anomalies. The device detects and manages the alerts of an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: François Fournier, Christian Sannino, Stéphanie Gaudan, Laurent Robert
  • Publication number: 20130176148
    Abstract: Systems and methods for aircraft cabin noise analysis are disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer based system to monitor vehicle conditions comprises a trigger table stored in a tangible computer readable memory which stores at least one set of logic conditions which may trigger directive to analyze if alert conditions exist. The system further comprises a trigger processor to receive one or more data streams comprising vehicle condition data for a monitored vehicle and transmit the directive to analyze alert logic to an alert evaluation queue when the vehicle condition data satisfies the at least one set of logic conditions in the trigger table, and an alert evaluation processor to execute a stand-alone program to analyze vehicle data and generate an alert when the vehicle condition data satisfies the at least one set of alert conditions. In some embodiments, the system may be implemented in a computing system or as logic instructions recorded on a computer readable medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventors: John E. Harrison, David S. Kinney, James L. Millar, Matthew D. Smith
  • Patent number: 8482435
    Abstract: The invention concerns a wind power installation comprising a flight warning light arrangement. In accordance with the invention it is proposed that the flight warning light arrangement is switched on only when a vehicle or craft, preferably an aircraft, approaches the wind power installation to a predetermined spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: Aloys Wobben
  • Patent number: 8477047
    Abstract: The present invention is a communication system for implementation on-board an aircraft. The communication system includes an Audio Control Panel (ACP) including a first input device associated with an installed component and a second input device associated with an uninstalled component. The communication system further includes a Radio Interface Unit (RIU) which is communicatively coupled to the ACP. The communication system further includes an Engine Indicating and Crew Alerting System (EICAS) which includes a Display Management Computer (DMC), the EICAS being communicatively coupled to the RIU and an Aircraft Personality Module (APM) of the communication system. The DMC may be configured for evaluating an input device status (generated based upon an input received via the second input device) against an APM configuration file, and based upon said evaluation, providing an aural and/or visual alert to a user that an input device associated with an uninstalled component has been activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel A. Conrad, Stephen R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8471731
    Abstract: A system and method for determining when a LED-based position light is nearing its end of life by providing to maintenance personnel visible indication that end of life is approaching. An example system includes a controller, a main LED light, an indicator LED light, a first elapsed time counter, a second elapsed time counter, and an oscillator. The first elapsed time counter recognizes when a first time threshold is exceeded, causing the indicator LED light to flash and triggering the second elapsed time counter to start counting. The second elapsed time counter recognizes when a second time threshold is exceeded, disabling both the indicator LED light and the main LED lights, thereby notifying maintenance personnel that the main LED lights have reached their end of life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: John Lundberg, David Barnett, Saed M. Mubaslat
  • Patent number: 8471730
    Abstract: Onboard systems and methods for early detection that an aircraft is approaching a volcanic (ash) plume or a gas plume having a concentration of a volcanic gas which would be toxic to humans. The detection method generally comprises the steps of measuring the concentration of one or more volcanic gases in air circulating in a space inside an aircraft and generating an alarm when one or more measured volcanic gas concentrations exceed a respective user-specified threshold or when a pattern of volcanic gas concentration is recognized with a user-specified confidence level. These systems are configured so that the alarm indicates the proximity of dangerous levels of either a volcanic gas or of volcanic ash. In particular, the detection system utilizes the air circulating through an aircraft cabin or cockpit to enable use of low-cost, carry-on electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Brian J. Tillotson
  • Patent number: 8463463
    Abstract: Methods for flying multiple aircraft in a predetermined formation in which a relative navigation grid is emitted from at least one of the aircraft, a spatial relationship is calculated based on the emitted relative navigation grid, and a relative position of at least one aircraft is altered to position the aircraft in the predetermined formation when the spatial relationship does not conform with the predetermined formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems LLC
    Inventors: Michael Steven Feldmann, Jerry Lynne Page
  • Patent number: 8456328
    Abstract: A system for informing aircraft operators about a temporary flight restriction (“TFR”) includes, but is not limited to, a display unit that is adapted for attachment to an aircraft. The display unit is configured to display graphical images. A processor is communicatively connected to the display unit and is configured to control the display unit. A receiver is communicatively connected to the processor and is configured to receive a broadcast containing information relating to the TFR (“TFR information”) and to automatically provide the TFR information to the processor. The processor is further configured to automatically control the display unit to display a three dimensional representation of an airspace that is subject to the TFR relative to the position of the aircraft when the processor receives the TFR information from the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Tharangini Karthikeyan, Kavitha Kumaar, Kalpana Palaniswamy
  • Patent number: 8447437
    Abstract: An assistant driving system with video recognition includes a camera array capturing environment images for the environment around the vehicle, an image recognition unit identifying environment objects and their image, location, color, speed and direction from the environment images, an environment monitor and control unit receiving the information generated by the image recognition unit and creating the rebuild environment information for the vicinity of the vehicle as well as judging the space relationship between the vehicle and the environment objects to generate the warning information, a video recognition display unit showing a single image for the rebuild environment information, a vehicle warning unit performing the processes corresponding to the warning information, a vehicle driving unit generating the driving control command based on the rebuild environment information, and a vehicle controlling unit receiving the driving control command to control the throttle, brake or steering wheel of the vehic
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Yan-Hong Chiang
  • Patent number: 8441375
    Abstract: A flight management verification apparatus adapted to verify at least one flight management, wherein the flight management in use outputs a warning, disables an aircraft and/or inhibits the activation thereof in response to a power fail condition. The flight management verification apparatus comprises a first connection means adapted to be disposed in a first power indicator line to a first flight management, wherein the first power indicator line provides a signal representative of a condition of a first power supply, and further comprises a first switch connected in use such that the signal of the power indicator line for the first flight management means is switched. Actuating the switch causes the signal on the power indicator line to change indicating a distortion or failure of the power supply of the aircraft and/or a part thereof. The response of the flight management can be verified by the signal output by the flight management, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Sven Knoop
  • Patent number: 8436749
    Abstract: A display system comprises first and second LED panels for displaying first and second priority aviation data, a power supply, a modulator, a processor and a logic gate. The modulator generates a modulated voltage for the second LED panel, where the second priority data are displayed at a modulated brightness. The processor controls the modulator, and generates a status signal indicating a failure condition of the modulated voltage. The logic gate switches the first LED panel from the modulated voltage to the unmodulated voltage based on the status signal, where the first priority data default from the modulated brightness level to full brightness based on the failure condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Lillis, Edward J. Kysar, III
  • Patent number: 8436750
    Abstract: The invention is a method making it possible to calculate and monitor the provisional landing distance and the configuration of the aircraft and flight parameters during the changes in the landing phase manoeuvre. The method consists in determining the landing runway then in analyzing the configuration and the dynamic parameters of the aeroplane, the meteorological and airport data in order to assess, from a performance database, whether the planned braking is suitable and will stop the aeroplane before the end of the runway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Bernard Fabre, Pascal Gayraud, Nicolas Marty
  • Patent number: 8428269
    Abstract: A spatial audio system for implementing a head-related transfer function (HRTF). A first stage implements a lateral HRTF that reproduces the median frequency response for a sound source located at a particular lateral distance from a listener, and second stage implements a vertical HRTF that reproduces the spectral changes when the vertical distance of a sound source changes relative to the listener. The system improves the vertical localization accuracy provided by an arbitrary measured HRTF by introducing an enhancement factor into the second processing stage. The enhancement factor increases the spectral differentiation between simulated sound sources located at different positions within the same “cone of confusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Douglas S. Brungart, Griffin D. Romigh
  • Patent number: 8428369
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a characteristic amount calculating unit calculating a characteristic amount for each of a plurality of n different image patterns, a specifying unit specifying a best-matching image pattern among the plurality of n image patterns for each of frames forming a learning moving picture and having temporal continuity, a computing unit computing a collocation probability Pij indicating a probability that, for a frame located at a position where a temporal distance to a frame for which a first image pattern Xi is specified among the plurality of n image patterns is within a predetermined threshold ?, a second image pattern Xj is specified among the plurality of n image patterns, and a grouping unit grouping the plurality of n image patterns by using the computed collocation probability Pij.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Yokono
  • Patent number: 8428793
    Abstract: According to an example embodiment, a method includes receiving an emergency status signal indicating that an aircraft is in an emergency condition, formatting a downlink message in response to receiving the emergency status signal, the downlink message describing the emergency condition and an autopilot response to the emergency condition, and transmitting the downlink message to a controller of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: W. Jerry Mettes
  • Patent number: 8395533
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for managing an anti-collision system for aircraft, said system comprising means of detecting collision with a threat and at least one head-up viewing device. The symbol system comprises two display modes dedicated to collision detection which are: on the one hand an “action” mode: a potential collision is detected by the system, the symbol system comprises at least one symbol representative of the limits of the disengagement path of the aircraft to avoid the collision and enabling the pilot to engage his avoidance maneuver, and on the other hand a “control” mode: this mode is displayed when the avoidance maneuver is engaged and the collision avoided, the symbol system comprises at least the symbol representative of the limits of the disengagement path of the aircraft and a plan view representing the air space around the aircraft and including at least one representation of the threat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Thierry Ganille, Regis Azarian, Eric Filliatre
  • Patent number: 8384563
    Abstract: A device for confirming the engine thrust of an aircraft is disclosed. The device, via an operating logic unit (14) of each engine processing different information, including a warning indicator (15) connected to the unit (14) delivers or not thrust confirmation information at the level of the cockpit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (SAS)
    Inventor: Brice Fernandez
  • Patent number: 8378853
    Abstract: A method of managing alerts associated with the operation of an aircraft is provided. The method maintains an alert model database that correlates root causes to alerts associated with onboard aircraft subsystems. During operation of the aircraft, the method receives first alert data indicative of at least one alert of a first onboard aircraft subsystem, and traverses the alert model database to determine a root cause of the first alert data. The root cause (or some indicia thereof) can then be displayed on a display element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Brian James Smith, Billy Durham, Jeff Vanderzweep
  • Patent number: 8380365
    Abstract: A method of determining a sound nuisance level outside an aircraft, wherein an aircraft is fitted with a plurality of external microphones, then during a flight of the aircraft, sound levels are measured using on-board microphones and at least two components are measured of the speed of the aircraft relative to air, and thereafter the kurtosis of samples of the sound level measurements is calculated and a model is determined of variations in a sound nuisance level as function of the air speed components, with the sound nuisance level being determined as a function of the kurtosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventor: Henri-James Marze
  • Patent number: 8380425
    Abstract: Autonomous collision avoidance systems for unmanned aerial vehicles are disclosed. Systems illustratively include a detect and track module, an inertial navigation system, and an auto avoidance module. The detect and track module senses a potential object of collision and generates a moving object track for the potential object of collision. The inertial navigation system provides information indicative of a position and a velocity of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The auto avoidance module receives the moving object track for the potential object of collision and the information indicative of the position and the velocity of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The auto avoidance module utilizes the information to generate a guidance maneuver that facilitates the unmanned aerial vehicle avoiding the potential object of collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: L-3 Unmanned Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Duggan, David A. Felio, Craig S. Askew
  • Publication number: 20130041529
    Abstract: A vision system is provided for confirming continuously updated approach information from a global positioning system or an instrument landing system with that from an inertial navigation system. The approach information from the inertial navigation system is displayed when the global positioning system or the instrument landing system is unavailable or whose approach information is determined to be invalid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Gang He, Thea L. Feyereisen, Ivan Sandy Wyatt, Ken Leiphon, David Wright
  • Patent number: 8374733
    Abstract: A computer-implemented transportation information management system and method permits entry, recording, and transmission of operation and maintenance data related to FAA recordkeeping and recording requirements within an SQL database. A secure website permits entry and display of operation and maintenance data as well as facilitating data input using input devices such as a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, a personal computer, and a portable computer. The system outputs aircraft operation and maintenance data, automatic alerts of pilot flight and duty time limitations, and flight tracking and monitoring information via a spreadsheet, electronic mail message, text message, and a completed FAA mandatory reporting requirement forms to the aforementioned data input devices. Operation and maintenance data is automatically and continuously transferred to the FAA to populate FAA flight tracking data systems and air traffic control data system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Myfligtdata, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald H. Dexheimer, Raymond D. Shinneman
  • Patent number: 8373590
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of processing an image sensed by an image sensor on board an aircraft fitted with an obstacle-locator system, in which the position and the extent of a zone in the sensed image, referred to as the zone of interest, is determined as a function of obstacle location data delivered by the obstacle-locator system, after which at least one parameter for modifying the brightness of points/pixels in said zone of interest is determined to enable the contrast to be increased in said zone of interest, and as a function of said modification parameter, the brightness of at least a portion of the image is modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventor: Richard Edgard Claude Piré
  • Patent number: 8359129
    Abstract: A method and device control the thrust of a multi-engine aircraft. At least one engine command is determined by a command determining unit, with the determined command commanding each engine that has not failed to deliver a thrust substantially equal to a reduced thrust value. A command application unit is configured to apply the determined command to each aircraft engine that has not failed. The reduced thrust value is determined, by a weight determining device, according to the current weight of the aircraft and according to a reduced thrust value FOEI, which is calculated by a thrust calculation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Benoît Lemaignan, Gérard Mathieu
  • Patent number: 8346409
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for controlling the speed of flap retraction on aircraft, and alerts to the pilot of potentially unsafe flap position. The invention accepts direction from a pilot and senses operation of the aircraft to determine appropriate flap position and flap retraction speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Vertical Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Ausman, Kevin DeVries, Jake Dostal
  • Patent number: 8340842
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses that reduce pilot workload and increase the performance and efficiency of the pilot's control of the aircraft. The present invention comprises methods and apparatuses for determining the presence and type of an emergency condition, for example by detecting corresponding sensor outputs or by accepting input from a pilot or a combination thereof; and then responding to that emergency by initiating a pre-determined set of actions specific to the determined emergency. Embodiments of the invention can include the ability to monitor engine conditions as well as control electrical functions such as the fuel boost pump, alternator field, battery contactor and other important electrical devices. Some examples described below assume a single-engine piston aircraft for ease of illustration. The invention can also be applied to multi engine and turbine powered aircraft as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Vertical Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Ausman, Kevin DeVries
  • Patent number: 8339285
    Abstract: A method of alerting an occupant of a seat assembly of the occurrence of a triggering event comprising the steps of monitoring for the occurrence of the triggering event, vibrating the seat assembly and/or probing the seat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kelly L. Boren, Dianne L. McMullin, Rush F. Green, Jr., Frank P. Santoni
  • Publication number: 20120319872
    Abstract: Systems and methods for alerting a flight crew when the vertical situation display may be providing incomplete information due to the presence of a non-computed trajectory segment in the flight plan. A processing device in signal communication with a flight management system, a position measuring system, and a velocity measuring system receives a flight plan from the flight management system and determines if the flight plan includes any non-computed trajectory segments. If at least one of time or distance to the beginning of a next non-computed trajectory segment is less than a threshold value, the processing device generates an alert that information displayed on a vertical situation display may be incomplete. An output device outputs the generated alert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Scott R. Gremmert, Timothy Crawford
  • Publication number: 20120306667
    Abstract: A digital audio warning system (DAWS) that can monitor all relative aircraft systems and provide audio for any warning that requires immediate action. Current aircraft systems only monitor their individual system. The DAWS can monitor all relative aircraft systems. The DAWS may not replace the conventional warning signals, but can be a second level of warning to the flight crew. These warnings are relative to “red flag” type warnings and are not meant to replace warnings such as traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) or enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPWS) warnings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: JONATHAN ERLIN MORITZ, John Alton Moritz
  • Patent number: 8319667
    Abstract: A system and method of conveying missed approach procedures to a pilot are provided. The system and method include rendering a graphic representation of at least one leg of the missed approach procedure on a display. A determination is made as to whether the aircraft is at least substantially flying the at least one leg of the missed approach procedure. At least one visual characteristic of the rendered graphic is selectively varied based on the determination of whether the aircraft is at least substantially flying the at least one leg of the missed approach procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Roger W. Burgin, Blake Wilson, Sandy Wyatt
  • Patent number: 8314719
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating an avionics system are provided. A set of data that is representative of traffic advisory information is received. A visual indicator is displayed to a user based on the set of data that is representative of the traffic advisory information. The traffic advisory information may be received by a user through a receiver and manually entered into an interface for viewing. Alternatively, the avionics system may automatically generate the visual indicator based on the traffic advisory information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Paul Grothe
  • Patent number: 8306678
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and methods for filtering anti-collision alerts for aircraft having a locating system charting the position of the aircraft and estimating the precision of its position. A navigation system of the aircraft calculates at least the actual speed of the aircraft, the speed instruction and a first deviation between the instruction and the actual speed, and the deviation being compared with a first reference overshoot threshold. An anti-collision system generates alerts. An alarms manager of the aircraft centralizes the alerts transmitted by the terrain anti-collision equipment of the aircraft to the crew. The alerts each posses a coding of the danger level, and the danger levels form part of a first predetermined set. The alert filter according to the invention filters sets of alerts according to the coding of their danger level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Stéphane Fleury, Nicolas Marty, Julia Percier
  • Patent number: 8294596
    Abstract: Disclosed is to an aircraft radiofrequency communication system. The system includes at least one at least one radiofrequency transceiver device that is configured to transmit and receive data according to a VDL mode 3 standard and to receive status information that relates to at least one radio link of the radiofrequency transceiver device and includes the status concerning the possibility of transmitting on a particular, selected frequency. In one embodiment, a man/machine interface unit is configured to display configuration information and at least a portion of the status information. In an alternative embodiment, at least one radiofrequency transceiver device is configured to further determine status information that represents a possibility of using the radiofrequency transceiver device in transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Isabelle Lavielle, Michel Le Toullec
  • Patent number: 8279108
    Abstract: The general field of the invention is that of viewing systems of the synthetic vision type SVS, for a first aircraft, the said system comprising at least one cartographic database of a terrain, position sensors, for the said aircraft, an air traffic detection system calculating the position and the danger rating of at least one second aircraft exhibiting a risk of collision with the said first aircraft on the basis of data originating from sensors or systems such as TCAS or ADS-B, an electronic computer, a man-machine interface means and a display screen, the computer comprising means for processing the various items of information originating from the database, sensors and interface means, the said processing means arranged so as to provide the display screen with a synthetic image of the terrain comprising a representation of the said second aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Christian Nouvel, Corinne Bacabara, Jean-Noel Perbet
  • Publication number: 20120242509
    Abstract: The degree of urgency of a displayed object is promptly recognized in a control display system. The control display system has: an information acquisition unit that acquires a target serving as an object of monitoring and attribute information of the target; a control condition storage unit that stores the attribute information of the target and a viewpoint control condition serving as information about a display mode of the target, the attribute information and the condition being associated with each other in advance; a viewpoint control unit that detects attribute information matching the attribute information of the target acquired by the information acquisition unit from the control condition storage unit and that extracts the viewpoint control condition associated with the detected attribute information; and a display unit that displays a result obtained by carrying out viewpoint control of the target on the basis of the viewpoint control condition extracted by the viewpoint control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicants: NEC Corporation, MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Komeda Munehiro, Katoji Takahiro, Otaka Toshiaki, Naruto Motofumi
  • Patent number: 8275495
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device, which provide an enhanced ability to monitor the navigation of an aircraft during a phase of flight in which the aircraft is close to the ground in which the aircraft uses positional information supplied by a satellite positioning system for the navigation. A display screen is used to display a first characteristic sign representing a selected setpoint value for a height parameter of the aircraft. The display screen also displays a second characteristic sign representing a current auxiliary value expressed in the form of an achievable height parameter. An alert is emitted when the second characteristic sign is determined to be within a predetermined height value of the first characteristic sign, and the alert is shown in visual format on the display screen. An alarm is also emitted following a predetermined time after the alert is emitted, if the setpoint value is not replaced by a new setpoint value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignees: Airbus Operations SAS, Airbus
    Inventors: Fabien Joyeux, Adrien Ott, Melanie Morel, Romain Merat, Stephane Dattler, Francois Barre, Armelle Seillier
  • Patent number: 8265805
    Abstract: A method for detecting icing conditions for an airborne aircraft operating within a zone defined using one or more aircraft-related parameter and one or more environment parameter includes: (a) In no particular order: (1) measuring the aircraft-related parameter(s) to obtain aircraft-related parametric value(s); and (2) measuring the environment-related parameter(s) to obtain environment-related parametric value(s). (b) Employing the aircraft-related parametric value(s) and the environment-related parametric value(s) to determine whether the aircraft is operating within the zone. (c) If the aircraft is operating within the zone, observing elapsed time during which the aircraft is operating within the zone. (d) If the aircraft has operated within the zone for a predetermined elapsed time-in-zone, displaying an alert message for a user to indicate a likelihood of presence of icing conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Art Lee Ma, Steven George Mackin, Emily Jane Yannucci
  • Patent number: 8255174
    Abstract: A method and device for determining critical buffeting loads on a structure of an aircraft is disclosed. The device (1) comprises means (2, UC) implementing a semi-empirical method for determining the critical loads generated by some buffeting on the structure of the airplane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (SAS)
    Inventors: Guillermo Jenaro Rabadan, Juliane Havas, Stéphane Soumillon, Carole Despre-Flachard
  • Patent number: 8248274
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the flight of an aircraft using two navigation screens respectively dedicated to a pilot and to a copilot of the aircraft is provided. The method includes displaying on the screens, depending on the choice of the pilot and the copilot, at least information relating to the following of terrain by the aircraft or information relating to meteorological conditions that the aircraft encounters during the flight, triggering at least one warning representative of hazardous meteorological conditions detected by the meteorological radar and liable to be encountered by the aircraft while the navigation screens of the pilot and copilot simultaneously are displaying the terrain-following information, wherein the at least one warning is triggered when the information relating to the hazardous meteorological conditions is located in a predetermined volume relative to the aircraft, and displaying the warning on at least one of the navigation screens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignees: Airbus Operations SAS, Airbus
    Inventors: Laure Christophe, Garance Raynaud, Nicolas Caule, Andre Marques, Jean-Michel Merle
  • Patent number: 8234037
    Abstract: A method and device for detecting oscillatory faults relating to an aircraft airfoil slaving chain. The device includes units that count the number of overshoots of a threshold value by the current value of a quantity related to the positional slaving of an airfoil. Oscillatory fault is detected based on the number of overshoots of the threshold value being greater than the current value by a predetermined number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Philippe Goupil, Jean-Jacques Aubert
  • Patent number: 8203465
    Abstract: A method for filtering and presenting relevant aircraft traffic to a pilot may include determining a location and altitude of aircraft within a predetermined airspace relative to the pilot's own aircraft. The method may also include presenting a representation of the pilot's own aircraft and a representation of the location of each of the aircraft within the predetermined airspace in relation to the pilot's own aircraft on a display to the pilot. The method may additionally include filtering relevant aircraft within a selected filtering airspace relative to the pilot's own aircraft. The method may further include presenting the representation of the relevant aircraft within the selected filtering airspace in a selected format to distinguish the relevant aircraft within the selected filtering airspace from any other aircraft that may be presented in the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Syed Tahir Shafaat, Tan N. Che, Minh-Tri Le
  • Publication number: 20120146816
    Abstract: The device (1) comprises means (10) for determining, in the case of the loss of a speed information, control parameters which are used on at least one automatic pilot of the aircraft, instead of said speed information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)
    Inventors: Thierry Bourret, Pascale Louise, Jean Muller, Xavier Dal Santo
  • Patent number: 8200379
    Abstract: This invention relates to an intelligence system on board an aircraft that detects an emergency, assesses the situation, and then acts on the situation in a pre-determined manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Inventors: Dario P. Manfredi, Robert La France
  • Patent number: 8199030
    Abstract: An alerts module having a memory storing aircraft data, the aircraft data including identities of aircraft that are grounded and a processor comparing the aircraft data to predetermined rules for determining whether an aircraft is stranded and generating an alert for each of the aircraft that are determined to be stranded, wherein the alert includes the identify of the aircraft that is stranded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: PASSUR Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Ron Dunsky