Wind shear warning system
OwnerJesse H. Tannerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Wind conditions along the projected flight path of an aircraft are measured and displayed. Wind velocity and direction at the aircraft and at the projected touchdown or takeoff point of the aircraft are compared and the existence of a wind gradient or wind shear line along the flight path is predicted. The possible presence of a wind shear line and the velocity differential there across is used, in cooperation with altitude and airspeed information and the performance characteristics of the aircraft, to determine whether the planned maneuver may be successfully completed under the instantaneously existing wind conditions.
Claims12
A method of determining wind conditions along the projected flight path of an aircraft comprising the steps of:
- measuring the in-line wind velocity and determining its direction at the threshold of a runway;
- measuring the in-line wind velocity and determining its direction at the aircraft;
- comparing the measured in-line wind directions to determine if a wind shear zone as indicated by oppositely moving wind currents will be crossed if the aircraft continues on the projected flight path;
- calculating the velocity differential between the oppositely moving wind currents when a shear zone is determined to be present along the aircraft flight path;
- and
- comparing the calculated velocity differential with known aircraft operating characteristics for various wind shear velocity differentials to determine if the aircraft can safely pass through the shear zone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.