Abstract: The present invention provides for a computer that accepts inputs from a surface monitor to determine whether the terrain below the aircraft is water or land. In a preferred embodiment an improved landing gear warning system is provided to warn a pilot when landing gear of an aircraft are in the improper configuration for a landing on a particular surface. The warning system comprises a computer operatively connected to a surface monitor and a gear-status warning indicator. The computer also accepts an input from the gear status sensors to determine if the landing gear is extended or retracted. If the system senses a water surface and the landing gear is down, a warning light and/or buzzer alerts the pilot that the landing gear is in the incorrect configuration. If the landing surface is land and the gear is up, the “gear status” indicator warning is initiated.

Abstract: It is a known fact that the lower the takeoff linear acceleration is, the longer will be the takeoff distance. Phenomenal aviation development has occurred in the 96 years since Kitty Hawk; however, Pilots still have only two linear acceleration sensors to tell him if the aircraft acceleration is being abnormally degraded during takeoff.

Abstract: When a vehicle enters a tollhouse and is detected with a vehicle detector, a fixed station transmits a communication link request to a mobile station of the vehicle via an antenna to thereby start transferring toll transfer information between the fixed station and mobile station. During a predetermined release timer time after the communication completion, the communication between the mobile station and fixed station is inhibited, and the mobile station can resume communication upon reception of the communication link request from the fixed station after the lapse of the release timer time. The passing time of the vehicle passing a section between the vehicle detector and another vehicle detector is measured at the fixed station to update the release timer time in accordance with the passing times of vehicles.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for aiding landing of aircraft in weather conditions obscuring a pilot's view of a runway. The apparatus comprises a plurality of LED assemblies which are disposed along the runway. Each LED assembly includes a plurality of LEDs, a receiver and a plurality of drivers responsive to the receiver for energizing the LEDs. The LEDs of each LED assembly are pulsed on by signals from a transmitter disposed adjacent an end of the runway. The transmitter also sends synchronization signals to a receiver located on board the approaching aircraft. The receiver on the aircraft is coupled to a processor which uses the synchronization signals to determine when the LEDs are energized and when they are not energized. The processor controls a CCD camera mounted on the aircraft so as to obtain an unobstructed view of the approaching runway. The processor controls the CCD camera such that the camera takes images (i.e., frames) while the LEDs are pulsed on and also while the LEDs are off.

Abstract: The Aircraft Landing Gear Warning System is an electronic device designed for general aviation aircraft having retractable landing gear. The unit attaches to the aircraft. The system incorporates means of determining the aircraft's proximity to the ground and the status of the landing gear. If the device determines that the aircraft has descended to approximately 100 ft. above the ground and the wheels are retracted, the device provides a visual and audible warning to the pilot.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for displaying state and transition state information of mechanical equipment. A sensor and display system is provided for displaying aircraft landing gear status and other mechanism status. In one embodiment, the system utilizes two light emitting diodes (LEDs) for each landing gear leg to display the current position of each gear leg. One yellow LED indicates gear UP and the second green LED shows gear DOWN position. When the control switch is moved to change the position of the gear, the indicator light which had been lit is extinguished, and the indicator for the desired position begins to flash, indicating gear movement. The indicator will continue to flash until the gear leg has reached the limit of travel, at which time the indicator stops flashing and glows steadily. Each gear leg indicator operates independently of the others, so that proper position of each gear leg can be confirmed and any malfunction can immediately be identified.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying state and transition information in a system. A sensor and display system is disclosed for displaying aircraft landing gear status. The system utilizes two light emitting diodes (LEDs) for each landing gear leg to display the current position of each gear leg. One yellow LED indicates gear UP and the second green LED shows gear DOWN position. When the control switch is moved to change the position of the gear, the indicator light which had been lit is extinguished, and the indicator for the desired position begins to flash, indicating gear movement. The indicator will continue to flash until the gear leg has reached the limit of travel, at which time the indicator stops flashing and glows steadily. Each gear leg indicator operates independently of the others, so that proper position of each gear leg can be confirmed and any malfunction can immediately be identified.

Abstract: An apparatus (700) for inhibiting operation of an electronic device (702) during take-off and landing of an aircraft (802) has a sensor (704) that measures a lateral acceleration. A control circuit (706) is coupled to the sensor (704) and has an output (708) coupled to the electronic device (702).

Abstract: A warning system provides a warning to the pilot of an aircraft during a take-off mode of flight of a relatively dangerous flight condition, such as improper configuration of the flaps during a take-off mode of flight prior to the aircraft becoming airborne. In order to avoid nuisance warnings, the warning system is disabled once the aircraft becomes airborne. The warning system monitors the flap position of the aircraft as well as the airspeed and provides a warning when the flaps are improperly configured during a take-off mode of flight. Different aural warnings are provided as a function of the airspeed of the aircraft.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for an amphibious aircraft which also has retractable landing gear. The apparatus senses changes in aircraft speed indicative of an imminent landing or a takeoff and prompts the pilot to verify that the landing gear is in a position compatible with the type of surface, land or water, chosen for landing.

Abstract: To increase the effectivity of warnings and to decrease nuisance warnings in a ground proximity warning system having several modes of operation, the switching from one mode to another is done as a function of time. In addition, in a ground proximity warning system where a warning signal is generated in accordance with a predetermined relationship between flight parameters, one or more of these parameters can be varied as a function of time in order to, for example, increase the altitude above ground as a function of time from take-off that a terrain clearance warning may be generated or to decrease as a function of time, the radio altitude below which a negative take-off after a climb warning may be generated.

Abstract: A pair of simple phase-sensitive full-wave high-gain demodulator circuits generate an output for both halves of an AC reference cycle. One of the demodulator circuits is utilized as an amplifier to drive, for example, the steering system servo valve in an aircraft steering system and the other demodulator drives a dummy load which has a resistivity approximately equal to the resistivity of the servo valve coils. The output current from both demodulators are compared, for example, by an opto isolator or coupler which generates corrective and/or warning signals in case a system failure occurs. In one embodiment, the sensor output loop is maintained at a predetermined voltage level above ground so that an open circuit in the sensor loop is detected by additional sensing circuits.

Abstract: Process for detecting the under-inflation of a tire of the landing gear of an aircraft in the course of taxiing, said landing gear being formed by at least one bogie comprising a beam provided with a pair of twin wheels at each of its ends provision is made of two bridge assemblies of four strain gauges disposed on each of the parts of the beam located between the median spindle for articulation of said beam to the leg and the corresponding pair of wheels, each bridge being supplied by its diagonal transverse to said beam, while the torsion signal is taken from the diagonal longitudinal with respect to the beam.