Boots – shoes – and leggings
Patent
1985-06-14
1988-05-31
Lall, Parshotam S.
Boots, shoes, and leggings
244 1713, 73178H, G05D 112, G06F 1550
Patent
active
047485698
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to the provision of equipment on a helicopter for assisting the crew in the location of an object and the navigation and operation of the helicopter in relation to that object.
This invention provides in a helicopter, the provision in combination of a forward looking electro-magnetic radiation (including thermal) detector and having a screen display for providing an image of radiation sources/reflectors detected thereby, and flight director means having actuating means for operation when the helicopter is positioned overhead of a particular object located by the detector and flight path computer means to provide signals for automatic control or pilot guidance of the helicopter in a predetermined flight pattern to bring the helicopter down-wind of the object and then into-wind and at pre-selected heights and predetermined speed towards the location of the object without the need for an external visual reference.
The detector may be in the form of an infra-red camera conveniently arranged to provide a television-type display on a cathode ray screen which can be observed by a member of the helicopter crew, the camera scanning transversely across the line of the flight path. With the present day infra-red sensing equipment, a region of, say, about a quarter-mile on each side of the flight path might be scanned.
One particular use of the subject system is to assist the helicopter crew to effect a search for and rescue of a survivor in the sea, other uses and applications include, safe approaches to off-shore locations, accurate location of pipeline defects and safe approaches to inaccessible landing sites or landing sites not previously surveyed.
The detection of a survivor requires interpretation of the camera display. Thus manually operable means, e.g. push-button control, may be used for providing said signal indicating the position of the helicopter overhead a survivor.
The use of the infra-red camera obviates the necessity for direct visual location of the survivor and this is of particular advantage in facilitating rescue operations at night or in bad weather conditions.
Location of the position of the survivor or other object over which it is desired to position the helicopter may be achieved by means other than infra-red. For example, standard image television camera, radio homing beacon, a signal from which is detected and its bearing displayed by receiver equipment located within the helicopter or radar with the display receiver being located within the helicopter.
Heretofore, a major problem in rescuing a person at night or in bad weather conditions, has been the location of the survivor. In conditions of reduced visibility the helicopter, if permitted to fly at all, is forced to fly very low, with consequential dangers associated with that practice. Moreover when flying low, the chances of locating and hence rescuing a survivor in rough seas are greatly reduced.
As will be explained hereinafter, by appropriate integration of sensors and other equipment, it is possible for the helicopter to be flown along predetermined flight patterns and at pre-determined heights both before and after location of the survivor.
The sensor derived data is used either to provide signals to the pilot who can thus use these signals to enable him to fly the helicopter along the pre-determined flight patterns and at the pre-determined heights or to provide information to the helicopter Automatic Flight Control System (referred to hereinafter as AFCS) to enable fully coupled control of the flight path to be achieved. By appropriate use of suitable inputs to an onboard computer, there need be no requirement for the pilot to use external visual references. This marks a further significant advance in technique for search and rescue operations using a helicopter.
It is common practice in helicopters at the present time to make use of computer integrating sensor inputs. One such input would typically be a radio navigational position for determining the position of the helicopter. This may be used for provi
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Black Thomas G.
Bristow Helicopters Limited
Lall Parshotam S.
LandOfFree
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