Aeronautics and astronautics – Landing field arrangement
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-08
2001-02-27
Swiatek, Robert P. (Department: 3643)
Aeronautics and astronautics
Landing field arrangement
C340S953000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193190
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The weather condition known as fog causes a severe reduction in the visibility for pilots operating aircraft. Fog often restricts a pilot from flying a helicopter due to a reduced visibility and the potential inability for the pilot to identify a suitable location to land the helicopter. Fog does not restrict the mechanical operation of a helicopter, but rather the operational considerations of determining where the pilot can land the helicopter without crashing into adjacent trees or structures. The present invention incorporates laser beams to aid in the identification of an unobstructed landing site for a helicopter. The laser beam is normally invisible to the human eye unless suspended particles are present in the air, for the laser beam to reflect from. Fog, which can form above ground, is composed of suspended particles of moisture in the air. Fog makes visible the previously invisible laser beams, which are used to identify an unobstructed landing site. This lighting feature aids pilots in determining the location of an unobstructed landing, which had become obscured in the fog.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a suitable, unobstructed landing site identification lighting system that is more effective than existing landing pad lighting systems.
The present invention provides a method of guiding a vertical lift aircraft to a landing zone. A pattern of focused light beams is projected from the landing zone skyward. Skyward of the landing zone, the aircraft is positioned within the pattern. Part of the aircraft is illuminated with the pattern so as to form a visual cue as to the position of the aircraft relative to the landing zone.
In one aspect of the present invention, the focused light beams can be either beams of coherent or incoherent light. The focused light beams can comprise beams of visible light or invisible light, wherein the invisible light becomes visible when it strikes an object.
In another aspect of the invention, the landing zone has a predetermined shape and the pattern of the focused light beams has a shape that corresponds to the landing zone shape. In particular, the pattern of focused light beams can form a cylinder as it is projected skyward.
In another aspect of the present invention, the pattern of focused light beams can project vertically from the landing zone or at an angle to the vertical.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the aircraft is descended to the landing zone using the visual cue.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the aircraft comprises a helicopter having rotor blades. Parts of the rotor blades are illuminated with the pattern, wherein the visual cue appears on the rotor blades, readily visible to a pilot of the helicopter.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the approach of the aircraft to a position above the landing zone is detected. When detected, the pattern of focused light beams is then projected from the landing zone skyward. Detecting the approach of the aircraft can be accomplished by receiving a radio transmission from the aircraft.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, spotlights are provided at the landing zone before the step of projecting the pattern of focused light beams so as to direct the helicopter to the general area of the landing zone. Alternatively, diverging laser beams are used to direct the helicopter to the general area of the landing zone.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the light beams comprise a first color. A second color of light, being a different color than the light forming the cylinder is projected into a crossing pattern of focused light beams at a first altitude. A third color of light being a different color than the light forming the cylinder is projected into a crossing pattern of focused light beams at a second altitude. Thus, as the helicopter descends to the landing zone in the cylinder pattern of light, visual cues as to the altitude of the aircraft relative to the landing zone are provided by the different colors of crossing light.
The present invention also provides a system of guiding a vertical lift aircraft to a landing zone. The system includes an unobstructed area. A plurality of laser beam emitters are deployed in the area, with the emitters being arranged so as to project a pattern of light beams skyward.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the system also includes a controller connected to the emitters. The controller includes a detector that detects the approach of the aircraft to the landing zone. The controller also includes a switch for operating the emitters upon the detection of the approach of the aircraft.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the emitters are first emitters and the light beams comprise a first color. The system also includes second and third emitters. The second emitters project a second color of light into a crossing pattern of light beams at a first altitude above the landing zone, while the third emitter project a third color of light into a crossing pattern of light beams at a second altitude.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2023708 (1935-12-01), Spring
patent: 2206036 (1940-07-01), Herson
patent: 2497427 (1950-02-01), Weiss
patent: 3843263 (1974-10-01), Snead
patent: 4196346 (1980-04-01), McElhannon
patent: 4700912 (1987-10-01), Corbett
Mantooth Geoffrey A.
Swiatek Robert P.
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