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US 6,549,161 B1Granted
Multiple altitude radar system
AssigneeRockwell Collins, Inc.
InventorDaniel L. Woodell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A multiple altitude radar system for an aircraft performs a main radar sweep at an altitude of the aircraft and at least one secondary radar sweep at an angle from the altitude of the aircraft to a ground altitude.
Claims19
A method of detecting and displaying weather patterns at multiple altitudes from an aircraft, the method comprising:
- performing a main radar sweep at an altitude of the aircraft;
- detecting a weather pattern at the altitude of the aircraft;
- displaying the weather pattern at the altitude of the aircraft;
- performing at least one secondary radar sweep at an angle from the altitude of the aircraft to a ground altitude;
- detecting a weather pattern at an altitude below the altitude of the aircraft;
- and
- displaying the weather pattern at the altitude below the aircraft at a display density lower than a display density of the weather pattern at the altitude of the aircraft.
4 more elements
A method of detecting weather patterns at multiple altitudes from an aircraft, the method comprising:
- performing a main radar sweep at an altitude of the aircraft;
- performing at least one secondary radar sweep at an angle from the altitude of the aircraft to a ground altitude;
- repeatedly performing the main radar sweep and the at least one secondary radar sweep;
- detecting a weather pattern during a first performance of one of the primary radar sweep and the at least one secondary radar sweep;
- calculating a first angle measured from a flight path of the aircraft to the weather pattern;
- detecting the weather pattern during a second performance of one of the primary sweep and the at least one secondary radar sweep, wherein the first and second performance are separated by a predetermined time;
- calculating a second angle measured from the flight path to the weather pattern;
- and
- predicting a growth rate of a weather pattern into the flight path using the first and second angles and the predetermined time.
6 more elements
A multiple altitude radar system for an aircraft, comprising:
- at least one radar antenna for emitting at least one radar beam in a main radar sweep at an altitude of the aircraft and in at least one secondary sweep at an angle from the altitude of the aircraft to a ground altitude;
- a processor operatively coupled to the at least one radar antenna, the processor being operable to formulate weather information from data obtained by the at least one radar beam in the main radar sweep and in the at least one secondary radar sweep;
- and
- a display system operatively coupled to the processor for displaying the weather information wherein the display system is operable to display weather pattern growth rate information associated with weather information formulated by the processor.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.