Abstract: Systems and methods are described, including a system (100) for automatically ascertaining a height characteristic of a contaminant (104) on a travel surface (102). The system (100) comprises an illumination and imaging device (106). At a first time, when the travel surface (102) is generally free of contaminant, the illumination and imaging device (106) illuminates the travel surface (102) with at least one light beam (119), and images at least one impingement of the at least one light beam (119). At a second time, when the travel surface (102) is covered by a layer of contaminant (104), the illumination and imaging device (106) illuminates the travel surface with a light beam (132), and images an impingement of the light beam on an impingement surface (107). In response to the imaging, a computer (130) calculates the height characteristic of the contaminant. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described, including a system (100) for automatically ascertaining a height characteristic of a contaminant (104) on a travel surface (102). The system (100) comprises an illumination and imaging device (106). At a first time, when the travel surface (102) is generally free of contaminant, the illumination and imaging device (106) illuminates the travel surface (102) with at least one light beam (119), and images at least one impingement of the at least one light beam (119). At a second time, when the travel surface (102) is covered by a layer of contaminant (104), the illumination and imaging device (106) illuminates the travel surface with a light beam (132), and images an impingement of the light beam on an impingement surface (107). In response to the imaging, a computer (130) calculates the height characteristic of the contaminant. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A system for detection of foreign objects on an aircraft travel surface and ascription of the foreign objects present on the aircraft travel surface to foreign object sources, the system including a foreign object detection subsystem operative to detect foreign objects on an aircraft travel surface, a potential foreign object source identifier subsystem operative to indicate the presence of potential foreign object sources at or near the aircraft travel surface and a foreign object to foreign object source correlator operative to receive inputs from the foreign object detection subsystem and from the foreign object source identifier subsystem indicating at least a time relationship between sensed presence of the potential foreign object sources on the aircraft travel surface and detection of the foreign objects and to provide an ascription output indicating the origin of at least some of the foreign objects detected by the foreign object detection subsystem.

Abstract: A system for detection of foreign objects on an aircraft travel surface and ascription of the foreign objects present on the aircraft travel surface to foreign object sources, the system including a foreign object detection subsystem operative to detect foreign objects on an aircraft travel surface, a potential foreign object source identifier subsystem operative to indicate the presence of potential foreign object sources at or near the aircraft travel surface and a foreign object to foreign object source correlator operative to receive inputs from the foreign object detection subsystem and from the foreign object source identifier subsystem indicating at least a time relationship between sensed presence of the potential foreign object sources on the aircraft travel surface and detection of the foreign objects and to provide an ascription output indicating the origin of at least some of the foreign objects detected by the foreign object detection subsystem.

Abstract: A system for detection of foreign objects on an aircraft travel surface and ascription of the foreign objects present on the aircraft travel surface to foreign object sources, the system including a foreign object detection subsystem operative to detect foreign objects on an aircraft travel surface, a potential foreign object source identifier subsystem operative to indicate the presence of potential foreign object sources at or near the aircraft travel surface and a foreign object to foreign object source correlator operative to receive inputs from the foreign object detection subsystem and from the foreign object source identifier subsystem indicating at least a time relationship between sensed presence of the potential foreign object sources on the aircraft travel surface and detection of the foreign objects and to provide an ascription output indicating the origin of at least some of the foreign objects detected by the foreign object detection subsystem.