Back to results
US 5,631,640 AGranted
Threat avoidance system and method for aircraft
AssigneeHoneywell Inc.
InventorsDavid L. Deis, Robert M. Gjullin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A computer-based process for rapidly responding to previously unknown threats to airborne aircraft. The process makes quick, automatic decisions when required for close-range threats, yet provides the aircraft operator an opportunity to choose the appropriate response when time permits.
Claims5
A computerized method for an airborne aircraft to respond to an unknown threat where the aircraft detects a previously unknown threat, comprising the following steps:
- determining a zone of intervisibility for the previously unknown threat;
- determining if an aircraft's planned route intersects the zone of intervisibility with the threat;
- if not, maintaining the aircraft's planned route;
- if intersection of aircraft's planned route with the zone of intervisibility is less than a predetermined distance from the aircraft, automatically executing a lateral route change;
- if intersection of aircraft's planned route with the zone of intervisibility is greater than the predetermined distance from the aircraft, notifying an aircraft operator of the threat and checking the threat against set clearance levels to determine if the aircraft's planned route may be followed at another acceptable set clearance level;
- and
- if another acceptable set clearance level is found, permitting the operator to choose between following the aircraft's planned route at said acceptable set clearance level or choosing the lateral route change.
4 more elements
A system for an airborne aircraft to respond to an unknown threat where the aircraft detects a previously unknown threat, comprising:
- means for determining a zone of intervisibility for the previously unknown threat;
- means for determining if an aircraft's planned route intersects a zone of intervisibility with the threat and for responding as follows:
- if not, maintaining the aircraft's planned route;
- if intersection of aircraft's planned route with the zone of intervisibility is less than a predetermined distance from the aircraft, automatically executing a lateral route change;
- if the intersection is greater than the predetermined distance from the aircraft, notifying an aircraft operator of the threat and checking the threat against set clearance levels to determine if the aircraft's planned route may be followed at another, acceptable set clearance level;
- and
- if an acceptable set clearance level is found, permitting the operator to change between following the aircraft's planned route at said acceptable set clearance level or choosing the lateral route change.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.