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US 5,859,597 AGranted
Helicopter electronic system for detecting electric power lines during landing
OwnerC. Joseph Cornelio, Kenneth Nevin Crockerinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention is an electronic system for warning helicopter pilots of the presence of electric power lines during landing. The system detects electromagnetic fields created by electricity flowing through the power lines. When the helicopter is closer than a predetermined distance from the power line, visual and audio alarms alert the pilot of the danger. When the helicopter is a safe distance from the power line, the alarms reset.
Claims14
A power line detection system forewarning aircraft pilots of close proximity to power lines, comprising:
- a plurality of Hall effect sensors attached to the aircraft for detecting an electromagnetic field emanating from an electric power line;
- means for providing an alarm reference voltage level representing a hazardous distance from the electric power line;
- means for providing a reset reference voltage level representing a safe distance from the electric power line;
- a first electronic circuit for producing an electromagnetic signal which is related to the electromagnetic field detected by the Hall effect sensors, for comparing the electromagnetic signal to the alarm reference voltage level, and for activating the visual alarm if a first predetermined condition is met;
- a second electronic circuit for comparing the electromagnetic signal to the reset reference voltage level and for deactivating the visual alarm if a second predetermined condition is met;
- and
- wherein the visual alarm comprises indication for each direction represented by the Hall effect sensors;
- an audio alarm for indicating that power lines are below.
5 more elements
A power line detection system for use in aviation comprising:
- a plurality of Hall effect sensors for detecting an electromagnetic field emanating from the power line;
- an electronic circuit for each of the sensors for determining the amplitude of the field, and for triggering an alarm when the amplitude of the field is greater than a first reference voltage;
- an electronic circuit for each of the sensors for resetting the alarm when the amplitude of the field is less than a second reference voltage;
- a visual display for indicating when the power line is near;
- and
- an audio alarm for indicating when the power line is near.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.