Chemical application and flight guidance control system and method
AssigneeAdapco, Inc.
InventorsLarry D. Heller, William H. Reynolds, E. Doug Jones
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A chemical distribution such as a mosquito control guidance system is operable for controlling the distribution of airborne product via an aircraft passing over a target field. The system includes a weather station carried by a helium balloon positioned at aircraft altitude which communicates with a ground weather station positioned at or near the target field for transmitting weather data in real time to a central communications station and the aircraft for providing guidance in accurately, safely and effectively distributing chemicals onto the target field.
Claims20
A method for applying chemicals to a ground target from an aircraft, the method comprising:
- carrying a first weather station by an aerostat for providing altitude area weather data therefrom;
- tethering the aerostat to a selected aerostat altitude environmentally coupled to a ground target upon which chemicals are to be applied;
- positioning a second weather station at a ground location environmentally coupled the ground target for providing ground area weather data therefrom;
- controlling an aircraft having chemicals stored therein for distributing the chemicals to the ground target from an aircraft altitude;
- adjusting the aerostat altitude to conform with the aircraft altitude;
- communicating altitude area and ground area weather data to the aircraft;
- and
- distributing the chemicals from the aircraft operating at the aircraft altitude based on a prescribed delivery pattern as modified by the altitude area and ground area weather data.
A method for applying chemicals to a ground target from an aircraft, the method comprising:
- carrying a first weather station by an aerostat for providing altitude area weather data therefrom;
- positioning a second weather station at a ground location environmentally coupled the ground target for providing ground area weather data therefrom;
- receiving altitude and ground weather data transmitted from the first and second weather stations at a central communications station;
- tethering the aerostat to a first aerostat altitude environmentally coupled to a ground target upon which chemicals are to be applied;
- communicating altitude area and ground area weather data to the central communications station:
- tethering the aerostat to a second aerostat altitude environmentally coupled to a ground target upon which chemicals are to be applied;
- repeating the tethering and communicating steps;
- communicating altitude area and ground area weather data to the aircraft;
- adjusting the aircraft altitude to the aerostat altitude;
- controlling an aircraft for distributing chemicals stored thereby to the ground target;
- distributing the chemicals from the aircraft operating based on a prescribed delivery pattern as modified by the altitude area and ground area weather data.
A chemical application and aircraft guidance system comprising:
- a first weather station positioned at a preselected altitude;
- a second weather station positioned generally at ground level;
- a central communications station communicating altitude and ground weather data with the first and second weather stations;
- and
- a controller operable with an aircraft for controlling distribution of chemicals therefrom in response to the weather data transmitted thereto.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.