US 9,002,660 B2 · Device and method for determining and indicating climate-relevant effects of a contrail produced by an airplane

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for determining and indicating, on board of an airplane, climate-relevant effects of a contrail produced by the airplane. The method for determining and indicating, on board of an airplane, climate-relevant effects of a contrail produced by the airplane includes determining radiation data of short-wave and long-wave atmospheric radiation directed upwards in the earth atmosphere at location of the airplane, determining an air temperature and air humidity at the location of the airplane, determining a zenith angle of the sun at the location of the airplane, determining a radiative forcing value produced by the contrail based on the determined radiation data, the air temperature and air humidity, and the zenith angle, and indicating at least one of the radiative forcing value and variables derived therefrom.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A device for determining and indicating, on board an airplane, climate-relevant effects of a contrail produced by the airplane, the device comprising:

a first sensor means for determining radiation data of short-wave and long-wave atmospheric radiation directed upwards in the earth atmosphere at a location of the airplane;
a second sensor means for determining an air temperature and air humidity at the location of the airplane;
a zenith means for determining a zenith angle of the sun at the location of the airplane;
an evaluation means for determining a radiative forcing value produced by the contrail based on the determined radiation data, the air temperature and air humidity, and the zenith angle of the sun;
and
an indication means for indicating at least one of the radiative forcing value and variables derived therefrom.

3 more elements

A method of determining and indicating, on board an airplane, climate-relevant effects of a contrail produced by the airplane, the method comprising:

determining, using a first sensor means, radiation data of short-wave and long-wave atmospheric radiation directed upwards in the earth atmosphere at location of the airplane;
determining, using a second sensor means, an air temperature and air humidity at the location of the airplane;
determining, using a zenith means, a zenith angle of the sun at the location of the airplane;
determining, using an evaluation means, a radiative forcing value produced by the contrail based on the determined radiation data, air temperature and air humidity, and the zenith angle;
and
indicating, using an indication means, at least one of the radiative forcing value and variables derived therefrom.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Device and method for determining and indicating climate-relevant effects of a contrail produced by an airplane

Life of this patent

Device and method for determining and indicating climate-relevant effects of a contrail produced by an airplane

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14