Geometrical instruments – Apparel – Laying out
Utility Patent
1998-05-12
2001-01-02
Gutierrez, Diego (Department: 2859)
Geometrical instruments
Apparel
Laying out
C235S0610NV
Utility Patent
active
06167627
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for performing calculations relating to aeronautical holding patterns, having both mechanical and electronic embodiments, which we call the “No Time Holding Pattern Solver.”
2. Description of the Prior Art
One of the most difficult problems for new aircraft pilots to learn while in training is how to properly execute a holding pattern. A holding pattern is a generally oval flight pattern designed to hold an aircraft at a known position for known delays. The aircraft normally reduces its airspeed when in the holding pattern to save fuel, but must continue flying fast enough for its wings to have sufficient lift to maintain controllability. It comprises an inbound leg, in which the airplane is flying in a straight line toward a reliable fix, an outbound leg, in which the airplane is flying in a straight line away from the reliable fix, and two generally semicircular turns between the legs. [A reliable fix is the point at which the aircraft passes a VOR (Very high frequency Omnidirectional Range) station or NBD (Nondirectional Radio Beacon) station, or a VOR intersection, NDB intersection, or VOR/NBD intersection, i.e., a point of intersection between lines representing bearings to a plurality of VOR and/or NBD stations.] Traditionally, pilots have had to time the outbound leg of a holding pattern, so as to know when to turn to yield a time of one minute on the inbound leg. The present invention simplifies this procedure, by letting a pilot know when to turn based on the plane's bearing to a station, without the use of a clock or other timing device. In particular, the invention makes use of the angle of the plane to a VOR or NBD station or other reliable fix.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,007,986, issued on Jul. 16, 1935, to Thomas L. Sprague, discloses a navigational instrument, having a plurality of pivotally connected disks, which enable a pilot to make adjustments for the wind and the deviation of magnetic north from true north. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that it enables a pilot to make adjustments for the bearing of a VOR or NDB.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,736,096, issued on Feb. 28, 1956, to Clarence K. Greene, discloses a radio plotter, having pivotally connected members, that a pilot may use in plotting a flight course using omnidirectional radio charts. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that it gives the VOR or NDB bearing at which a pilot should turn inbound at the end of an outbound leg of a holding pattern.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,609,299, issued on Sep. 28, 1971, to Jerauld G. Wright, discloses an aerial navigation computer, having pivotally connected disks and cursors, that can be used to perform calculations involving wind speed and direction, pressure, altitude, temperature, time and distance. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that it includes inputs and outputs of VOR or NDB bearings.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,654,436, issued on Apr. 4, 1972, to Richard A. Sansom, Jr., discloses an air navigation computer for windage problems. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that it calculates a VOR or NDB bearing.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,835,299, issued on Sep. 10, 1974, to Peter Baldwin Turney, discloses a navigational computer for solving windage problems, including a plurality of rotatable disks. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that it gives the VOR or NDB bearing for the end of an outbound leg of a holding pattern.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,855,706, issued on Dec. 24, 1974, to Richard J. Price, discloses a radio navigation plotter, including three pivotally connected discs and a slide rule. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that only it gives the VOR or NDB bearing at which to turn in a holding pattern.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,134,006, issued on Jan. 9, 1979, to Willard F. Gordon, discloses a navigational wind effect computer for aircraft, including three rotatable discs, for calculating wind and ground speed corrections. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that it calculates VOR or NDB bearings.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,499,665, issued on Feb. 19, 1985, to Randall C. Davis, discloses a course correction calculator, comprising a single sheet of transparent material, giving heading and speed corrections. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that it calculates VOR or NDB bearings.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,652,728, issued on Mar. 24, 1987, to Patrick Galiana, discloses a wind and course calculator for navigation, having two disks and a pointer that are rotatably connected, with a sliding element on the pointer. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that it performs calculations involving VOR or NDB bearings.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,214,855, issued on Jun. 1, 1993, to Charles W. Gibbs, discloses an instrument flight navigational apparatus and method, including a board, two disks and a pointer that are rotatably connected, and can be used to determine holding pattern entry procedures at VOR stations. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that only it allows the point at which a plane should turn at the end of the linear outbound portion of a holding pattern to be determined by a VOR or NDB bearing, without the pilot having to refer to a clock or other timing device.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,387, issued on Sep. 10, 1996, to John H. Newcomb, discloses an aircraft holding pattern wind compensator, being a circular slide rule with three disks that are pivotally connected at their centers. The device is used to calculate the length of time that a pilot should fly before turning inbound on the outward leg of a holding pattern. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that it gives the pilot the bearing of a VOR or NDB at which the pilot should turn, so that the pilot does not have to keep track of the time.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 377,942, issued on Feb. 11, 1997, to John K. McCloy, discloses a design for a multilayer rotary holding pattern calculator, with no indication of VOR or NDB bearings. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that it includes the use of VOR or NDB bearings.
Swedish Patent No. 113 277, published on Feb. 20, 1945, issued to O. Dahlberg, discloses an instrument for making astronomical calculations, having two disks and a pointing arm connected at a common pivot. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that it may be used for calculating holding patterns independently of latitude and time of year.
Australian Patent No. 135,602, complete specification accepted on Jan. 15, 1948, issued to Philip John May, discloses improvements in navigational apparatus for use on aircraft. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that it enables calculations to be made involving VOR or NDB bearings.
French Patent No. 1.090.442, published on Mar. 30, 1955, issued to Marc-Maurice Sauzay and Albert-Pierre Sauzay, discloses a navigational instrument for use with navigational charts, having rotatably connected parts. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that it makes use of VOR or NDB bearings.
Italian Patent No. 601 756, issued on Feb. 8, 1960, to Bruno Rossi, discloses a circular protractor with a pivotally attached ruler, particularly adapted for aerial navigation. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that it makes use of VOR or NDB bearings.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a device for computing the heading of an airplane in the outbound leg of a holding pattern, and the bearing to a VOR or NDB station at which the airplane should begin turning inbound at the end of the outbound leg, given the bearing of the outbound leg, the speed and bearing of the wind, and the true airspeed of the plane, but without requiring the user to keep track of the time. In the first embodiment, the invention comprises a slide rule with upper, middle and lower disks attached at their centers by a pivot, and a straight rule movably retained in a groove in an upper disk. There is a logarithmic scale for true ai
Wilder Bruce Gary
Wilke Otto Charles
Fernandez Maria
Gutierrez Diego
Swift Stephen Christopher
Swift Law Office
LandOfFree
Aeronautical holding pattern calculator does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Aeronautical holding pattern calculator, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Aeronautical holding pattern calculator will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2534780