Apparatus for detecting turbulence

An unmanned aircraft, comprising an apparatus for detecting turbulence, the apparatus comprising:

• a first sensor configured for acquiring and outputting a first measured value, which is indicative of a movement of the aircraft relative to the earth;
• a second sensor configured for acquiring and outputting a second measured value, which is indicative of a movement of the aircraft relative to the air;
• a computing system which is in communicative connection with the first sensor and with the second sensor and which is configured to receive the first measured value and the second measured value;
• wherein the computing system is further configured to:
• determine a difference between the first measured value and the second measured value;
• determine a wind strength based on the difference between the movement of the aircraft relative to the earth and the movement of the aircraft relative to the air;
• determine a turbulence intensity based on the difference between the first measured value and the second measured value and additionally based on a variation of the wind strength over time in terms of amplitude and direction;
• compare the second measured value with a predefined value range for the second measured value;
• detect an angle of incidence defining an angle between the direction of an oncoming fluid and an aerofoil of the aircraft, and detect an angle of yaw defining a drift angle between a longitudinal axis of the aircraft and the direction of the oncoming flow, and determine a variation of the oncoming flow at the aerofoil of the aircraft based on the angle of yaw and the angle of incidence;
• and
• classify instances of turbulence when the second measured value lies outside the predefined value range and additionally based on the variation of the oncoming flow at the aerofoil of the aircraft and to determine a frequency of occurrence of such classified turbulences;
• and
• detect a turbulent flight state on a basis of the determined turbulence intensity and the frequency of occurrence of the classified turbulences and to transmit information indicative of the turbulent flight state to a remote operator terminal for controlling operation of the aircraft;
• wherein the apparatus is coupled with a drive unit of the aircraft;
• wherein the computing system is configured to generate and output a control command for the drive unit when a turbulent flight state has been detected, and to change a speed of the aircraft by means of the control command to thereby adapt an angle of incidence of the aircraft.