US 12,183,211 B2Granted

Method and system for initiating and managing required time of arrival constraints for an aircraft for all phases of flight

AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.

InventorsSteven Curtis Crouch, Santosh Mathan, Matthew Joseph, Bradley Bootz, Richard Snyder

Life of this patent

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Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for performing determinations and actions as to a required time of arrival (RTA) for an aircraft during flight. In exemplary embodiments, data is received as to the RTA for the aircraft during flight. Also in exemplary embodiments, determinations are made, via a processor, as to one or more RTA limits for the aircraft based on the RTA. Also in exemplary embodiments, the RTA limits comprise one or both of the following: one or more limits for aircraft speed based on the RTA; and one or more limits for aircraft arrival time based on the RTA.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method comprising:

receiving data as to a required time of arrival (RTA) for an aircraft during flight, including during climbing, cruise, and descent of the aircraft;
determining, via a processor, RTA limits for the aircraft based on the RTA, wherein the RTA limits comprise both of the following:
limits for aircraft speed based on the RTA, wherein the limits for the aircraft speed comprise both:
a minimum limit comprising an envelope speed for the aircraft;
and
a maximum limit comprising a maximum allowable speed for the aircraft;
a plurality of limits for aircraft arrival time based on the RTA, including an earliest possible time of arrival, a latest possible time of arrival, and a predetermined time accuracy tolerance for the aircraft arrival time during the climbing, cruise, and descent of the aircraft;
displaying, via a display device in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, a request for an RTA constraint for the aircraft;
determining, via the processor, a recommended speed for the aircraft for compliance with the RTA constraint;
determining, via the processor, whether the aircraft is early, on time, or late with respect to the RTA constraint, based on the recommended speed in addition to the envelope speed for the aircraft, the maximum allowable speed for the aircraft, and the plurality of limits for aircraft arrival time based on the RTA, including the earliest possible time of arrival, the latest possible time of arrival, and the predetermined time accuracy tolerance for the aircraft arrival time during the climbing, cruise, and descent of the aircraft;
displaying, via the display device in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, the recommended speed for the aircraft for compliance with the RTA constraint;
and
displaying, via the display device in accordance with instructions provided by the processor:
a direct color-coded status as to whether the aircraft is early, on time, or late with respect to the RTA constraint, with respect to each particular waypoint of a plurality of waypoints of a flight path of the aircraft to reach its destination;
the RTA;
the limits for aircraft speed based on the RTA, including both the minimum limit and the maximum limit for the aircraft speed based on the RTA;
and
the plurality of limits for aircraft arrival time based on the RTA, including the earliest possible time of arrival, the latest possible time of arrival, and the predetermined time accuracy tolerance for the aircraft arrival time during the climbing, cruise, and descent of the aircraft.

15 more elements

A program product comprising:

a non-transitory computer readable storage media configured to store a program that is configured to at least facilitate:
receiving data as to a required time of arrival (RTA) for an aircraft during flight, including during climbing, cruise, and descent of the aircraft;
determining RTA limits for the aircraft based on the RTA, wherein the RTA limits comprise both of the following:
limits for aircraft speed based on the RTA, wherein the limits for the aircraft speed comprise both:
a minimum limit comprising an envelope speed for the aircraft;
and
a maximum limit comprising a maximum allowable speed for the aircraft;
and
a plurality of limits for aircraft arrival time based on the RTA, including an earliest possible time of arrival, a latest possible time of arrival, and a predetermined time accuracy tolerance for the aircraft arrival time during the climbing, cruise, and descent of the aircraft;
displaying, via a display device in accordance with instructions provided by the program, a request for an RTA constraint for the aircraft;
determining a recommended speed for the aircraft for compliance with the RTA constraint;
determining whether the aircraft is early, on time, or late with respect to the RTA constraint, based on the recommended speed in addition to the envelope speed for the aircraft, the maximum allowable speed for the aircraft, and the plurality of limits for aircraft arrival time based on the RTA, including the earliest possible time of arrival, the latest possible time of arrival, and the predetermined time accuracy tolerance for the aircraft arrival time during the climbing, cruise, and descent of the aircraft;
displaying, via the display device in accordance with instructions provided by the program, recommended speed for the aircraft for compliance with the RTA constraint;
and
displaying, via the display device in accordance with instructions provided by the processor:
a direct color-coded status as to whether the aircraft is early, on time, or late with respect to the RTA constraint, with respect to each particular waypoint of a plurality of waypoints of a flight path of the aircraft to reach its destination;
the RTA;
the limits for aircraft speed based on the RTA;
and
the plurality of limits for aircraft arrival time based on the RTA, including the earliest possible time of arrival, the latest possible time of arrival, and the predetermined time accuracy tolerance for the aircraft arrival time during the climbing, cruise, and descent of the aircraft;
and
a processor coupled to the non-transitory computer readable storage media a configured to execute the program.

19 more elements

An aircraft comprising:

a body;
a propulsion system configured to move the body;
and
a control system configured to control the propulsion system, the control system comprising:
a non-transitory computer readable storage media configured to store a program that is configured to at least facilitate:
receiving data as to a required time of arrival (RTA) for the aircraft during flight, including during climbing, cruise, and descent of the aircraft;
determining RTA limits for the aircraft based on the RTA, wherein the RTA limits comprise both of the following:
limits for aircraft speed based on the RTA;
and
a plurality of limits for aircraft arrival time based on the RTA, including an earliest possible time of arrival, a latest possible time of arrival, and a predetermined time accuracy tolerance for the aircraft arrival time during the climbing, cruise, and descent of the aircraft;
displaying, via a display device in accordance with instructions provided by the program, a request for an RTA constraint for the aircraft;
determining a recommended speed for the aircraft for compliance with the RTA constraint;
determining, via the processor, whether the aircraft is early, on time, or late with respect to the RTA constraint, based on the recommended speed in addition to the envelope speed for the aircraft, the maximum allowable speed for the aircraft, and the plurality of limits for aircraft arrival time based on the RTA, including the earliest possible time of arrival, the latest possible time of arrival, and the predetermined time accuracy tolerance for the aircraft arrival time during the climbing, cruise, and descent of the aircraft;
displaying, via the display device in accordance with instructions provided by the program, recommended speed for the aircraft for compliance with the RTA constraint;
and
displaying, via the display device in accordance with instructions provided by the processor:
a direct color-coded status as to whether the aircraft is early, on time, or late with respect to the RTA constraint, with respect to each particular waypoint of a plurality of waypoints of a flight path of the aircraft to reach its destination;
the RTA;
the limits for aircraft speed based on the RTA;
and
the plurality of limits for aircraft arrival time based on the RTA, including the earliest possible time of arrival, the latest possible time of arrival, and the predetermined time accuracy tolerance for the aircraft arrival time during the climbing, cruise, and descent of the aircraft;
and
a processor coupled to the non-transitory computer readable storage media a configured to execute the program.

20 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/398,733Filed 10 Aug 2021 · us provisional application
Priority: 14 Aug 2020
Published: US 2022/0051573 A117 Feb 2022
Granted: 31 Dec 2024
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

G08G 5/21
Arrangements for acquiring, generating, sharing or displaying traffic information: located onboard the aircraft
G08G 5/34
Flight plan management: for flight plan modification
G01C 21/20
Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C19/00: instruments for performing navigational calculations
G08G 5/26
Arrangements for acquiring, generating, sharing or displaying traffic information: transmission of traffic-related information between aircraft…

Family

Application63/065,934Us provisional application · filed 14 Aug 2020
US 2022/0051573 A1Pre-grant publication · published 17 Feb 2022
US 12,183,211 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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