Systems and methods for monitoring low speed of a rotorcraft
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsGary A. Ostrum, Yasuo Ishihara, Steve C. Johnson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods to provide alerts when a rotorcraft is in a low airspeed condition. During takeoff or go-around, an aural alert is provided to the pilot before the aircraft slows to less than the effective translational lift speed. The aural, visual, and/or tactile alert gets the pilot's attention to manage the aircraft's airspeed before it is too late in this critical flight phase.
Claims19
A method comprising:
- determining engine torque information with an engine sensor;
- determining vehicle position and airspeed information of a vehicle with an air data computer;
- receiving, at a processing device, the engine torque information, the vehicle position, and the airspeed information;
- determining, at the processing device, if operation intent of vehicle meets at least one predefined criterion based on the received engine torque information, vehicle position, and airspeed information, the at least one predefined criterion being a take-off or a go-around condition;
- if the intent meets the at least one predefined criterion, generating, at the processing device, a first low-speed alert with an output device if airspeed is less than a best rate-of-climb speed (Vbroc) by a threshold amount and an acceleration value based on the airspeed is between a first acceleration value and a second acceleration value;
- and
- providing the first low-speed alert to an operator with an output device.
A system for monitoring a condition of a rotorcraft, the system located in the rotorcraft, the system comprising:
- an engine sensor configured to determine engine torque information of an engine of the rotorcraft;
- an air data computer configured to determine position and airspeed information of the rotorcraft;
- a processing device configured to receive the engine torque information, the position, and the airspeed information associated with the rotorcraft,
- the processing device configured to determine, based on the received torque, position, and airspeed information, when the rotorcraft is in a take-off condition or when the rotorcraft is in a go-around condition;
- the processing device configured to generate a first low-speed alert when the rotorcraft is in the take-off condition or when the rotorcraft is in the go-around condition, and if :
- (a) airspeed is less than a predetermined speed by a threshold amount and
- (b) an acceleration value is between a first and second acceleration value, the acceleration value being a rate of change of the airspeed;
- and
- an output device configured to present the first low-speed alert to an operator of the rotorcraft.
A system for monitoring a condition of a vehicle, the system located in the vehicle, the system comprising:
- a position and speed sensor configured to determine vehicle position and airspeed information;
- a processing device configured to
- determine if operation intent of the vehicle meets at least one predefined criterion based on the determined vehicle position and airspeed information, operation intent comprising a take-off condition or a go-around condition;
- and
- if the operation intent meets the at least one predefined criterion, generate:
- a first low-speed alert if
- (a) airspeed is less than a predetermined speed by a threshold amount and
- (b) an acceleration value based on the airspeed is between a first acceleration value and a second acceleration value;
- and
- an output device configured to present the first low-speed alert to an operator of the vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.