Communications: electrical – Aircraft alarm or indicating systems – Nonalarm flight indicator
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-24
2001-01-30
Wu, Daniel J. (Department: 2736)
Communications: electrical
Aircraft alarm or indicating systems
Nonalarm flight indicator
C340S933000, C342S029000, C342S036000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06181261
ABSTRACT:
THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is generally directed to a method and device for detecting hazards on and around airfields. More specifically, the method and device detect a hazard, verify the hazard and then output the results so that any potential damage to airfield operations may be averted.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Each year the Federal Aviation Administration records many accidents that result in millions of dollars in damage to aircraft and uncounted costs to airfield operations. These accidents are often caused by wildlife that wandered onto the flight line, manmade objects forgotten on the flight line, or other objects blown onto the flight line.
Traditional methods of detecting these hazards have been time consuming and prone to large margins of error as both false positives and complete misses resulting in airfield hazards. Historically, even in sophisticated operations, an air traffic controller (ATC) would monitor a low resolution radar system. Based on the output from the system, the ATC would make a judgment whether the radar had detected a hazard. Often the hazards would be misinterpreted or altogether missed. The ATC would frequently also stop time sensitive flight line operations to manually verify that the flight line was clear of all airfield hazards.
There are at least two problems with this system. First, the radar is not a very precise instrument for detecting hazards. The radar typically has a very low resolution. Secondly, even if the radar does identify an airfield hazard, because of human error and interpretation it may not be verified and corrected.
As such, a need currently exists for an improved method and device for detecting hazards to airfield operations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention recognizes and addresses the foregoing disadvantages, and other prior art methods. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method for automated detection of hazards to airfield operations. It is another object of the invention to provide a device for an airfield hazard automated detection system which allows the operator to passively detect airfield operation hazards.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by providing a system for an airfield hazard automated detection system. The system includes a radar system and a directed verification system in operative communication with the radar system. The radar system scans an area and detects potential hazards to airfield operations. Upon detecting a hazard, it indicates that a potential hazard exists and communicates that to the directed infrared verification system that is in operative communication with the radar system. The directed verification system scans at least the indicated potential hazard and gives an output corresponding to the scan.
In another embodiment of the invention a multi-runway airfield hazard automated detection system includes a plurality of radar systems and a plurality of thermal imaging systems in operative communication with the radar systems. The radar systems scan an area to detect potential hazards to airfield operations. It compares a scan to radar signatures of known airfield hazards and then indicates whether the scan conformed to a known airfield hazard. Upon indication from at least one radar system, the thermal imaging system scans the airfield hazard and outputs a first result.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, a method for detecting airfield hazards is disclosed. The method includes scanning the airfield with a radar, comparing the results of the radar scan to known hazardous radar signatures, indicating the results to a directed verification system, verifying the results with the directed imaging system, signaling the results.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention are set forth in the detailed description herein, or will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Also it should be appreciated that modifications and variations to the specifically illustrated and discussed steps and devices may be practiced in various uses and embodiments of this invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, by virtue of present reference thereto. Such variations may include but are not limited to, substitution of equivalent steps or features for those shown or discussed, the reversal of various steps, and the grouping of separate components into one component, or the like.
Other objects, features and aspects of the present invention are discussed in greater detail below.
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patent: 5448243 (1995-09-01), Bethke et al.
patent: 5495249 (1996-02-01), Chazelle
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patent: 5999116 (1999-12-01), Evers
Miles, Jr. James R.
Monroe Robert L.
Bashore Alain L.
Holford John E.
Lee Milton W.
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of
Tweel , Jr. John
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