Communications: electrical – Aircraft alarm or indicating systems – Land-based landing guidance
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-20
2001-11-20
Swarthout, Brent A. (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Aircraft alarm or indicating systems
Land-based landing guidance
C340S947000, C340S952000, C340S954000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06320516
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to airport safety and the lighting of runways. More particularly this invention relates to a method of illuminating runways so that their visibility from the air remains adequate even in adverse weather conditions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FAA regulations mandate that a pilot, at set altitudes while descending to land, must have sufficient visibility to first see the airport, and then the runway. If at the predetermined altitudes the pilot is unable to either see the airport or the runway he is required to abort landing. When about one thousand feet from the runway, about one hundred feet up, and while travelling at about one hundred and eighty mph the pilot has about seven seconds to commit to landing.
On January 26'th of this year eleven people were killed and 89 injured on American Airlines flight 1420. About 5 minutes before touchdown Captain Richard Buschman said he hated droning around without having some clue where he was. Heavy rain had reduced visibility to less than a mile. Captain Richard Buschman exclaimed “Were off course” when the plane was several hundred feet from the runway—moments before he died. The plane touched down with its main landing gear to the right of the runway and its nose pointing to the left.
The FAA also mandates that a pilot have at least 600 feet of runway centerline clearly visible prior to and during take-off. In snow, fog, or heavy rain this is not possible. Although airborne conditions may be fine, runway visibility may keep planes grounded, or airborne when they want to land. Improving runway visibility in adverse weather could save millions of dollars a day at busy airports. It would also reduce delays, improve flight reliability, and enhance customer relations.
Rerouting due to poor visibility due to adverse weather is a particularly acute problem when airports are operating near full capacity. Delays are compounded.
Visibility is even more critical in the military. When landing on an aircraft carrier, the runway is short and narrow. The pilots must precisely position their plane and snag a rope to decelerate rapidly. Visibility is frequently poor. And there is no other place to land. Visibility is also sometimes a problem at NASA. If Cape Canaveral is overcast shuttles must continue in orbit, or alternatively, land in California and be air transported back to Cape Canaveral.
A better method of illuminating airports and runways is needed. The system of illumination which is needed must be able to penetrate rain, fog, and snow, so that visibility is extended in adverse weather conditions.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to disclose an improved method of illuminating airports and runways. A method is disclosed using laser light which is much better able to be seen penetrating through particulates than conventional lighting. It is an object of this invention to disclose a method of illumination which will improve visibility in adverse weather conditions. It is yet a further object of this invention to disclose a method of illumination which will allow a pilot to ascertain the slope of his descent to a runway without feedback from the ground. It is yet a further object of this invention to disclose a system of runway lighting which will have particular application on aircraft carriers, where precise positioning on a small target runway in adverse weather conditions is frequently necessary. It is yet a further application of this invention to disclose a system of runway lighting which will have application for NASA where extended visibility would also prove to be advantageous. It is a final object of this invention to disclose a system of illumination which will simplify the task of landing. A system that will allow a pilot merely to fly into a funnel—which would indicate his relative position and orientation relative to a runway—and then be channeled into the runway which might not otherwise be visible.
One aspect of this invention discloses a method of illuminating an aircraft landing location to facilitate identification and aircraft guidance thereto comprising the following steps: projecting a laser beam upwardly from the location so that an aircraft may be better able to target the landing location particularly in conditions of poor visibility.
A preferred aspect of this invention provides for a method as above wherein the landing location comprises a runway and wherein the laser beam is projected upwardly from the runway and in a direction of the approach to the runway so that aircraft wanting to land can be guided to the runway. Most preferably the beam oscillates up and down so that generally a triangular wall of light is projected. With two beams, each projected from an opposite side of the runway and each projecting upwardly, towards the approach to the runway, and slightly away from a centerline of the runway side portions of a funnel indicating an approach to the runway may be projected.
Another preferred aspect of this invention provides for illuminating the perimeter of the runway with a laser beam so that a pilot is better able to see the runway when taking off in poor weather.
Various other objects, advantages and features of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3940060 (1976-02-01), Viets
patent: 4196346 (1980-04-01), McElhannon
patent: 4249158 (1981-02-01), Basov et al.
patent: 4309746 (1982-01-01), Rushworth
patent: 5043726 (1991-08-01), Shifrin
patent: 5287104 (1994-02-01), Shemwell
patent: 6028535 (2000-02-01), Rizkin
patent: 6193190 (2001-02-01), Nance
Popular Science, “Slope Lights Funnel Planes In”, p. 161, mar. 1949.
Gallinger G. F.
Swarthout Brent A.
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