Communications: electrical – Aircraft alarm or indicating systems – Potential collision with other aircraft
Patent
1992-05-06
1994-06-07
Swarthout, Brent
Communications: electrical
Aircraft alarm or indicating systems
Potential collision with other aircraft
340963, 362 62, G08G 504
Patent
active
053193679
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to a process for the avoidance of airplane collisions wherein light flashes are generated in periodic intervals from a light flash warning apparatus on an airplane comprising at least one light source, and to an apparatus for the avoidance of airplane collisions including the light flash warning apparatus on the airplane comprising the at least one light source and generating the light flashes in periodic intervals.
With an increase of air traffic in all areas near-collision incidents are increasing. In order to warn off other airplane approaches, light flash warning apparatus on airplanes are used, comprising at least one light source, which generate light flashes in periodic intervals. The light flashes increase visibility of approaching airplanes whereby early course corrections can be initiated in order to avoid airplane collisions.
In apparatus and processes for the avoidance of airplane collisions of the prior art in which light flash warning apparatus are used, it has proven to be disadvantageous for light flashes to be generated only in periodic intervals, that is with a constant frequency, whereby these light flash warning apparatus draw only limited attention from other pilots, thereby decreasing warning effectiveness of such light flash warning apparatus and leading to operation of an airplane with insufficient safety, particularly in congested areas.
An apparatus of this kind is known from U.S. Pat. No. 3,903,501 wherein light flashes are generated in periodic intervals. To increase warning effectiveness a light source generates light flashes which are dephased from other light flashes by a fixed value. Also, in this case, it proves to be disadvantageous that a habit-forming effect is achieved.
It is an object of the invention to provide a process and an apparatus for the avoidance of airplane collisions wherein the warning effectiveness, the ability to localize, and, thereby, the safety are increased during operation of the airplane.
SUMMARY
The object of the invention is achieved by a process whereby light flashes with a constant frequency are emitted from a first light source and light flashes with a variable frequency are emitted from a second light source.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a simplified, block circuit diagram of an apparatus according to this invention; and
FIG. 2 is a diagram depicting, as an example, a phase difference of two flashes as a function of time.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 shows one embodiment, in the form of a block circuit diagram, of apparatus for the avoidance of airplane collisions comprising a control apparatus ST. A voltage supply of the control apparatus ST is not shown. The control apparatus ST comprises in this embodiment two outputs, a first output being linked electrically-conductively to a first ignition device Z1 and a second output being linked electrically-conductively to a second ignition device Z2. The first ignition device Z1 is linked to an ignition anode ZA of a first light source L1. The second ignition device Z2 is linked to an ignition anode ZA of a second light source L2. The light sources L1, L2 in this embodiment are discharge lamps and generate light flashes due to signals from the first ignition device Z1 and the second ignition device Z2. The power supplies for the light sources L1, L2 are not shown. Each light source L1, L2 may have a separate power supply. Both light sources L1, L2 can also be hooked up to only one power supply.
In another embodiment an increase of system safety may be achieved by arranging the first ignition device Z1 and the second ignition device Z2 with separate control apparatus ST which may be linked to one another for synchronization of the light flashes to be generated.
The at least one control apparatus comprises a pulse generator which determines a constant frequency for generation of light flashes. These light flashes with constant frequency may be emitted, for example, by the first light source L1. Furth
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patent: 4011541 (1977-03-01), Fabry et al.
patent: 4227174 (1980-10-01), Belcher et al.
patent: 4346430 (1982-08-01), Holland
patent: 4736907 (1988-04-01), Steffen
Schmees Siegfried
Schulte Peter
Hella KG & Hueck Co.
Swarthout Brent
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