Aircraft emission detection / measurement system, and corresponding method

Abstract

Aircraft Emission Detection / Measurement System and Corresponding Method. The invention relates to a system (1) for detecting and measuring emissions from an aircraft present at an aerodrome. The system comprises: - a viewing means (18) for providing viewing images, - a measurement means (16) for providing spectral images, and - a means (20) for receiving information relating to said aircraft. Said viewing means (18) and said measurement means (16) have at least one common field of view (19). The system comprises a processing unit (22) for receiving the viewing images, spectral images, and information from said aircraft. The processing unit comprises a tracking means (24) configured to isolate said aircraft in the viewing images and to determine its positioning / movement data, and a computing means (26) configured to determine the emissions / duration of use of the emission sources of said aircraft.Figure for the summary: Fig. 2.

Description

Title of the invention: Aircraft emission detection / measurement system, and corresponding method technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of aircraft emission measurement devices, and more particularly to devices for measuring emissions or the use of aircraft engines or auxiliary power units. Prior art

[0002] It is known to measure the gases emitted by an emitting device in order to verify its conformity to given standards, particularly environmental ones. The gases emitted are, most of the time, polluting gases, and their measurement generally requires a specific system.

[0003] It is known to have fixed measurement systems configured to measure the emissions of mobile emitting devices, such as motor vehicles. Each mobile emitting device must therefore be brought individually to the location of the measurement system in order to monitor its gas emissions.

[0004] It is also known to provide a measurement system disposed over a passage area of ​​mobile emitting devices, in order to allow the measurement of emissions during the successive passage of said mobile emitting devices over the passage area.

[0005] Document CN 104280126 describes a system for detecting gas emissions from an aircraft, the system being permanently mounted at the front of an aircraft parking area. The system is designed to visualize the light emitted from the gas plume exiting, in particular, the auxiliary power unit.

[0006] However, such measurement systems do not give complete satisfaction because their use, and therefore the data they provide, are linked to particular and limited measurement conditions either in time or in space.

[0007] The measurement data are therefore at best incomplete, at worst not representative of the emissions in nominal operation of the emitting device. Description of the invention

[0008] The present invention aims to solve the various technical problems stated above. In particular, the present invention aims to provide a more flexible detection and / or measurement system allowing for more comprehensive and reliable monitoring of emissions from an aircraft present at an aerodrome. More specifically, the present invention aims to provide a detection and / or measurement system that allows for real-time verification of compliance with rules imposed on the aircraft while it is present at the aerodrome.

[0009] Thus, according to one aspect, a system is proposed for detecting and / or measuring emissions from at least one aircraft, preferably several aircraft, present at an aerodrome, said aircraft having several sources of gas and / or particle emissions, for example one or more engines and one or more auxiliary power units (APUs). The system comprises: - at least one visualization device, for example daytime and / or nighttime, configured to capture visible light, and possibly near-infrared or near-ultraviolet, and to provide visualization images, - at least one means for measuring one or more spectral bands of electromagnetic radiation, for example a means for acquiring an infrared band and / or a multispectral acquisition means, configured to provide spectral images, and - at least one means of receiving information relating to said aircraft, for example a transponder, configured to receive data emitted by said aircraft and / or by an aerodrome facility, for example a control tower.

[0010] The viewing means and the measuring means have at least one common field of view, and this common field of view is oriented so as to cover: at least one portion of the aerodrome traffic area configured to allow the movement, and possibly the landing and / or takeoff, of an aircraft, and at least one portion of the aerodrome parking area configured to allow the parking of an aircraft, preferably several aircraft. The system includes a processing unit that receives the viewing images, spectral images, and information from said aircraft. The processing unit includes a tracking means configured to isolate said aircraft in the viewing images and to determine its positioning and / or movement data.The processing unit also includes a computing means configured to determine emissions and / or usage times of the emission sources of said aircraft from spectral images and positioning and / or displacement data.

[0011] Thus, the device according to the invention makes it possible to monitor one or more aircraft present at the aerodrome, including during their movements. More specifically, the system's field of view is configured to cover a wide area in which the aircraft or aircraft may move, and the system includes identification means (visible camera, transponder) for determining the aircraft responsible for the emissions detected and / or measured by the other sensors of the system. The system therefore makes it possible to detect and / or measure the emissions of different aircraft during their time spent at the aerodrome and to attribute the detected and / or measured values ​​to each of the aircraft concerned. The system is thus configured to track the aircraft present at the aerodrome and to assign the measurements to them. corresponding measurements taken by sensors measuring one or more spectral bands of electromagnetic radiation. For example, the system can be configured to determine the usage schedule of each source for each aircraft present in the common field of view.

[0012] Preferably, said aircraft includes an identification, for example a registration, and the processing unit also includes an identification means receiving the viewing images and / or information of said aircraft, and configured to determine the identification of said aircraft.

[0013] The processing unit can thus identify the aircraft whose emissions are being measured, based on the information visible in the images taken by the display device, in particular the registration number marked on the aircraft. The processing unit is therefore configured to identify such a registration number and to assign to this registration number the measurements taken by the sensors measuring one or more spectral bands of electromagnetic radiation. Furthermore, in addition to the registration number, the processing unit can also use the data provided by the transponder to identify an aircraft present at the aerodrome.

[0014] Preferably, the computing means is also configured to isolate the different emission sources of said aircraft, and to determine emissions and / or usage times of each emission source of said aircraft from spectral images and positioning and / or displacement data.

[0015] Thus, the system not only detects / measures all emissions from a given aircraft, but can also distinguish each source of the aircraft and attribute the corresponding emissions to each. In particular, the system can quantify emissions from an aircraft's engines, for example, throughout its movements and parking at the aerodrome, as well as emissions from the APU.

[0016] Preferably, the processing unit is integrated into a local server, into a remote server, or partly into a local server and partly into a remote server.

[0017] In order to perform data processing, and possibly data storage and / or transmission, the processing unit can be either integrated into a local server or located on a remote server. A local processing unit allows data processing directly near the measurement point, independently of access to a data transmission network. Conversely, a remote processing unit allows processing resources to be shared between different systems. Furthermore, it is easier to adjust or update the algorithms of the remote processing unit.

[0018] Preferably, the processing unit also includes an association means configured to associate the data relating to said aircraft determined by the processing unit, a memory to store said associated data, and optionally a transmission means to provide said data to other devices.

[0019] In order to enable the monitoring of emissions from each aircraft, the processing unit is configured, via an association means, to assign the measured values ​​to an identified aircraft and to associate them together so that they can be processed or reanalyzed or provided later.

[0020] Preferably, the viewing means includes one or more optical sensors, such as a camera, configured to provide said viewing images and / or one or more scanning means, such as a rotating support or a scanning mirror, configured to successively acquire values ​​corresponding to successive portions of said viewing images.

[0021] The purpose of the visualization means is to provide visualization data in the corresponding field of view. Such data can be acquired in various ways, provided that it allows for the tracking and identification of the different aircraft present in said field of view.

[0022] Preferably, the measurement means comprises one or more infrared sensors, in particular near and / or mid and / or far infrared, and / or multispectral sensors configured to provide said spectral images, and / or one or more scanning means, such as a rotating support or a scanning mirror, configured to successively acquire values ​​corresponding to successive portions of said spectral images.

[0023] The purpose of the measuring means is to provide spectral or multispectral data in the corresponding field of view. Such data can be acquired in various ways, provided that they allow the detection and / or measurement of the desired emissions in said field of view.

[0024] Preferably, the system also includes an operations identification means, said operations identification means being configured to, from the visualization images, identify and time a succession of interactions between said aircraft and the aerodrome or the pilot.

[0025] In addition to tracking aircraft movements and emissions, the system can also be configured to identify operations performed by said aircraft while they are present at the aerodrome, and in particular ground operations. Such operations include the various procedures implemented by the aerodrome and / or the pilot upon an aircraft's arrival at a parking position, during passenger disembarkation, passenger boarding, or departure. of the aircraft. For each such operation, the use of the aircraft's engines or APU may be regulated to limit emissions. The means of identifying these operations therefore allows the system to verify that the aircraft's emissions during such operations comply with the imposed conditions.

[0026] Preferably, the processing unit also includes an alerting means configured to provide an alert, preferably electronic and / or computer-based and for example in real time, to a receiving means separate from the system, when emissions and / or the duration of use of the or each emission source of said aircraft exceed predetermined values, in particular during the aircraft's parking time and / or during the aircraft's movement time on the aerodrome.

[0027] The system is not only intended to measure and store emissions from different aircraft; it also provides alerts when measured values ​​exceed permitted thresholds. An alerting device can thus send notifications to specific recipients, possibly with the corresponding data, to inform them of the exceeding of defined thresholds. For example, an alert can be sent to the pilot to inform them that their engines are running during a ground operation that does not require them to be running.

[0028] According to another aspect, a method for detecting and / or measuring emissions from at least one aircraft, preferably several aircraft, present at an aerodrome, said aircraft having several sources of gas and / or particle emissions, for example one or more engines and one or more auxiliary power units (APUs). The method comprises: - a step of acquiring and providing visualization images, for example daytime and / or nighttime, in the visible and possibly near-infrared or near-ultraviolet spectrum, of at least one portion of a traffic area configured to allow the movement, and possibly the landing and / or takeoff, of an aircraft and at least one portion of a parking area configured to allow the parking of an aircraft, preferably several aircraft, - a step involving the measurement of one or more spectral bands of electromagnetic radiation, and the provision of spectral images of said at least one traffic section and of said at least one parking section, and - a stage of receiving data emitted by said aircraft and / or by an aerodrome facility, for example a control tower.

[0029] The method also includes a step of processing visible images, infrared and / or spectrometric images and aircraft information, and, during the processing step: - the aircraft is isolated in the visualization images, and its positioning and / or movement data is determined, and - Emissions and / or usage times of the emission sources of said aircraft are calculated from spectral images and positioning and / or displacement data. Brief description of the drawings

[0030] [Fig. 1] The [Fig.1] represents a schematic view of part of an aerodrome comprising a detection and / or measurement system according to the invention;

[0031] [Fig.2] Fig.2 represents a schematic view of the detection and / or measurement of [Fig. 1]; and

[0032] [Fig.3] Fig.3 represents a flowchart of a detection and / or measurement method according to the present invention. Description of the implementation methods

[0033] Figures 1 and 2 schematically illustrate an example of a detection and / or measurement system 1 according to the invention. The purpose of the detection and / or measurement system 1 is to enable the monitoring, preferably in real time, of emissions from one or more aircraft 2 present at an aerodrome 4.

[0034] The aircraft 2 may have several emission sources, in this case one or more engines 6 mounted, for example, on the wings of the aircraft 2, and one or more auxiliary power units (APUs) 8 generally located on the tail of the aircraft 2. The auxiliary power unit(s) 8 are generally a turbogenerator and their function is to produce power on board the aircraft when the engines 6 are not running. The APU(s) are thus mainly used when the aircraft 2 is on the ground, at the airfield 4, to continue powering the various onboard systems, such as electrical power, pneumatic and hydraulic pressures, and air conditioning, when the engines are shut down in order to save fuel.

[0035] However, and as with reactors 6, APUs 8 also consume fuel and release combustion products (“emissions”), such as gases and / or particles, which must be limited, particularly in aerodromes 4. Reactors 6 and APUs 8 therefore constitute emission sources 10.

[0036] Furthermore, once on the ground, and in particular when stopped on a parking area, the aircraft 2 can connect to an energy source at the aerodrome 4, in order to continue to electrically supply the various on-board systems without having to use its engines 6 or its APU(s) 8.

[0037] The system 1 according to the present invention is intended to detect emissions from an aircraft 2, in order to determine the operating status (on / off) of the sources of emission 10 of said aircraft 2. In particular, system 1 also makes it possible to measure such emissions, in order to verify that they comply with the regulations imposed on aircraft 2 when they are present on the aerodrome 4.

[0038] Aerodrome 4 includes, in particular, so-called taxiing areas 12, for example the runway(s) and taxiways, and so-called parking areas 14 connected to the runway(s) by said taxiways. The taxiways and the parking areas 14 can thus form the apron of aerodrome 4.

[0039] The system 1 is intended to detect and / or measure emissions when aircraft 2 is present in a parking area 14 of aerodrome 4, but also, preferably, when aircraft 2 is moving on a taxiway, or even on the runway, i.e. when aircraft 2 is present in a taxiway 12 of aerodrome 4. The system 1 can therefore follow an aircraft 2, and determine its emissions when it is parked (on a parking area 14), when it is present on the tarmac (on a parking area 14 and on the taxiways), or even when it is present on aerodrome 4 (on a parking area 14, on the taxiways and on the runway).

[0040] To this end, the system 1 includes a measuring means 16 configured to detect emissions and to provide corresponding spectral images. More specifically, the measuring means 16 is configured to capture the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the plume exiting the emission sources 10 of the aircraft 2, for example in the infrared, visible, and / or ultraviolet ranges. In order to allow identification of the gases detected and / or measured, or to select the gases to be detected and / or measured, the measuring means 16 is configured to measure electromagnetic emissions in one or more wavelength ranges, or spectral bands, corresponding to the compounds to be detected and / or measured. The measuring means 16 may, for example, be a multispectral camera configured to measure radiation in several spectral bands corresponding to different compounds, and configured to provide the corresponding spectral images.

[0041] The measuring means 16 may include one or more sensors for a spectral band (for example, in the near, mid, or far infrared), or one or more multispectral sensors. Alternatively or in addition, the measuring means 16 may include one or more scanning means, for example, a rotating support or a scanning mirror, configured to successively acquire the values ​​forming successive portions of the spectral image.

[0042] The measuring means 16 notably has a field of vision oriented so as to cover at least a part of the tarmac and even at least a part of the or take-off / landing runways. In particular, the field of vision of the measuring means 16 can be designed to cover the different positions of an aircraft 2 during its movements and parking on the aerodrome 4. Furthermore, the field of vision of the measuring means 16 can be designed, where appropriate, to cover an area in which several aircraft 2 may be located simultaneously.

[0043] The system 1 also includes a display means 18 configured to detect electromagnetic emissions and to provide corresponding display images. More specifically, the display means 18 is configured to capture the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the aircraft 2 when it is present on the parking area 14 or on the taxiway 12. The display means 18 is configured primarily to capture radiation in the visible spectrum, but optionally in the near-infrared and / or near-ultraviolet. The display means 18 is thus configured to provide display images during the day and optionally at night. In particular, the display images provided by the display means 18 are intended, among other things, to allow identification of the aircraft 2 whose emissions are detected and / or measured by the system 1.Thus, from the visualization images provided by the visualization means 18, it is possible to distinguish and isolate each aircraft 2 visible in the images, and to identify said aircraft 2 or aircraft 2 from the registration details indicated on them.

[0044] The viewing means 18 may include one or more visible cameras. The viewing means 18 may also include night vision means. Alternatively or in addition, the viewing means 18 may include one or more scanning means, for example a rotating mount or a scanning mirror, configured to successively acquire the values ​​forming successive portions of the viewing image.

[0045] The viewing means 18 has, in particular, a field of vision oriented so as to cover at least a portion of the tarmac and possibly also at least a portion of the runway(s). Specifically, the field of vision of the viewing means 18 can be designed to cover the various positions of an aircraft 2 during its movements and parking at the aerodrome 4. Furthermore, the field of vision of the viewing means 18 can be designed, where appropriate, to cover an area in which several aircraft 2 may be located simultaneously.

[0046] The fields of vision of the measuring means 16 and the visualization means 18 are configured to have at least one common part 19 (or common field of vision), so as to both cover at least a part of the tarmac and also at least a part of the runway(s). In particular, the common field of vision 19 can be provided so as to cover the different positions of an aircraft 2 during its movements and parking on the aerodrome 4. Furthermore, the common field of vision 19 can in particular be provided to, where appropriate, cover an area in which several aircraft 2 may be simultaneously located.

[0047] System 1 also includes a means 20 for receiving information relating to said aircraft. The information receiving means 20 is, for example, a transponder. The information receiving means 20 makes it possible to retrieve the data exchanged between aircraft 2 and the aerodrome 4, in particular the control tower. Such data may, for example, contain information related to the identification, positioning, and planning of ground operations related to aircraft 2, and can therefore be used by system 1 to improve the detection and / or measurement of emissions from aircraft 2 in question.

[0048] The spectral images provided by the measuring means 16, the visualization images provided by the visualization means 18 and the information provided by the receiving means 20 are received by a processing unit 22 configured to provide, from such information, data related to the durations / emissions of the or each source of the aircraft 2, or even alerts where appropriate, as described below.

[0049] The processing unit 22 performs various processing operations on the information provided by the measuring means 16, the visualization means 18 and the receiving means 20, in order to obtain in particular the durations of use and / or the emissions of the source(s) of the different aircraft 2 present on the aerodrome 4.

[0050] The processing unit 22 thus includes a tracking means 24. The tracking means 24 receives the visualization images provided by the visualization means 18 and is configured to recognize and isolate, on said visualization images, the aircraft 2 present. In particular, the tracking means 24 makes it possible to differentiate the different aircraft 2 that may be present simultaneously in the common field of view 19 of the system 1, in order to allow the emissions determined by the system 1 to be attributed to the corresponding aircraft 2. Furthermore, once the different aircraft 2 present in the common field of view have been recognized and isolated, the tracking means 24 is also configured to determine positioning and / or displacement data for said aircraft 2.The tracking means 24 thus makes it possible to provide the other means of the processing unit 22 with the positioning and / or movement data of each aircraft 2 visible on the visualization images, in the common field of view 19. In particular, the location data can make it possible to determine whether an aircraft 2 is on a parking area 14, for ground operations, passenger disembarkation or boarding, etc., or is on a taxiing area 12 to go towards a section of. Parking 14 or stationary while awaiting the release of a parking area 14. Movement data, on the other hand, allows us to determine whether an aircraft 2 is still moving on aerodrome 4, or stationary. Thus, from the location and / or movement data, it is possible to determine the status (stationary, parked, moving, etc.) of aircraft 2 on aerodrome 4, and therefore to deduce the applicable regulations for determining emissions and the corresponding thresholds.

[0051] The tracking means 24 may be software stored on a medium and implemented by a computer. The tracking means 24 may, in particular, include an image analysis means based on artificial intelligence for recognizing and isolating the different aircraft 2 in the visualization images. The tracking means 24 may thus include a machine learning-based model, in particular a trained or automatic model, and optionally data used for training said model. For example, the tracking means 24 may include a neural network system such as a convolutional neural network.

[0052] The processing unit 22 also includes a computing means 26. The computing means 26 receives, in particular, the spectral images provided by the measuring means 16, and the positioning / displacement data determined by the tracking means 24. The computing means 26 is configured to determine the emissions and / or operating times of the emission sources of said aircraft 2 present in the common field of view 19, based on the spectral images. In particular, the computing means 26 is configured to estimate emissions from the intensities measured at certain given wavelengths (or spectral bands) and / or is configured to estimate operating times based on the exceedance of predetermined thresholds by the intensities measured at certain given wavelengths (or spectral bands).

[0053] In particular, emissions can be determined by the calculation means 26 from the operating times of each source 10, and from technical data, such as charts, and possibly other known parameters (e.g., aircraft type, APU type, engine type, etc.). For example, for a given engine, the quantity of fuel consumed per operating time can be accessed, as well as the quantity of emissions per quantity of fuel consumed, so that, knowing the operating time, it is then possible to deduce the quantity of emissions of said engine.

[0054] The emissions and / or usage times determined by the calculation means 26 can then be correlated with the aircraft 2 present in the common field of vision 19, in particular thanks to the positioning and / or displacement data provided by the tracking means 24. It is then possible, for the means to calculation 26, to distinguish the emissions and / or durations of use of each aircraft 2 present in the common field of vision 19.

[0055] Advantageously, the calculation means 26 is also configured to identify, for each aircraft 2 in the common field of vision 19, the different emission sources 10 and to assign emission values ​​and / or usage times to each of the emission sources 10 of the aircraft 2. The identification of the different sources of each aircraft 2 can in particular be obtained from the maxima of certain intensity values ​​measured by the measuring means 16.

[0056] The calculation means 26 thus provides emission values ​​and / or usage times for each aircraft 2 present in the common field of vision 19, or for each emission source 10 of each aircraft 2 present in the common field of vision 19.

[0057] The computing means 26 can be software stored on a medium and implemented by a computer.

[0058] The processing unit 22 may also include an identification means 28 for the aircraft 2 present in the common field of view 19. The identification means 28 allows, in particular, the assignment of a unique identifier, such as a registration number, to the different aircraft 2 isolated in the field of view 19. The identification means 28 may, in particular, receive the visualization images provided by the visualization means 18, and / or the information provided by the information reception means 20. For example, the identification means 28 may be configured to recognize the registration number displayed on the aircraft 2 present in the common field of view 19, and visible in the visualization images, and / or to identify the aircraft 2 whose registration number has been exchanged with the aerodrome 4 and received by the information reception means 20.

[0059] The identification means 28 may be software stored on a medium and implemented by a computer. The identification means 28 may, in particular, include an image analysis means based on artificial intelligence for recognizing the registration numbers of the different aircraft 2 in the visualization images. The identification means 28 may thus include a machine learning-based model, in particular a trained or automatic model, and optionally data used for training said model. For example, the identification means 28 may include a neural network system such as a convolutional neural network.

[0060] The processing unit 22 may also include a ground operations identification means 30. The ground operations identification means 30 is configured to identify the implementation of the various management steps of an aircraft 2 when it is present at an aerodrome 4, and in particular on a portion Parking 14. For example, the operations identification means 30 is configured to identify whether aircraft 2 is disembarking or boarding passengers, refueling, emptying or filling the baggage hold, etc. The operations identification means 30 thus makes it possible to track the sequence, and potentially the duration, of each operation performed by aircraft 2 while it is on the ground at aerodrome 4. In particular, the operations identification means 30 is configured to provide a chronogram of each ground operation that can be identified by said operations identification means 30.It is thus possible to determine, for each of the successive steps implemented by aircraft 2 during its immobilization at aerodrome 4, whether or not it is necessary to use the emission sources, and in particular the APU, and therefore to deduce whether or not aircraft 2 complies with the constraints related to these ground operations.

[0061] The ground operations identification means 30 can thus provide the chronology of the ground operations, with the corresponding durations, and / or a timing diagram for each ground operation.

[0062] It should be noted that, for the ignition or extinction of each motor and / or APU, a similar timing diagram can be provided by the calculation means 26.

[0063] The ground operations identification means 30 may be software stored on a medium and implemented by a computer. The ground operations identification means 30 may, in particular, include an image analysis means based on artificial intelligence for recognizing the various operations taking place around the aircraft 2 in the visualization images. The ground operations identification means 30 may thus include a machine learning-based model, in particular a trained or automatic model, and optionally data used for training said model. For example, the ground operations identification means 30 may include a neural network system such as a convolutional neural network.

[0064] The processing unit 2 finally includes an association means 32. The association means 32 receives in particular the data provided by the computing means 26, the tracking means 24, the operations identification means 30 and the identification means 28, namely, respectively: the emissions and / or durations of use of the or each source of the aircraft 2, the positioning and / or displacement data of the aircraft 2, the identification of the aircraft 2 and the chronology of ground operations.

[0065] The association means 32 allows these data relating to the same aircraft 2 to be associated together, in order to allow the grouping of the different information captured by the system during the presence of said aircraft 2 on the aerodrome 4. From all such data, it is possible to track the movement, the operations and corresponding emissions of aircraft 2, while it is present on the aerodrome.

[0066] The association means 32 thus provides associated data as output.

[0067] The associated data can then be recorded in a memory 34, for example in the processing unit 22, and / or transmitted to other devices via a transmission means 36, for example included in the processing unit 22.

[0068] Alternatively, or in addition, the associated data can be provided to an alerting means 38, for example, included in the processing unit 22. The alerting means 38 can thus be configured to issue an alert, for example in the form of a message that may include, in particular, all or part of the associated data, when the data provided by the association means 32 leads to the conclusion that the emissions of an aircraft 2 are above predetermined thresholds. Alerts can be sent in real time, as soon as an abnormal state or an exceedance of a predetermined threshold is detected. For example, an alert can be sent to the pilot if the engines are still running during a ground operation that does not require their use.

[0069] The processing unit 22 can be integrated into a local server, for example, mounted in the same frame as the measuring means 16, display 18, or information reception means 20. Such a frame can, for example, be permanently positioned at a specific location on the aerodrome 4, for example, at a height providing an overall view of said aerodrome 4 and the aircraft present there. For example, the frame can be positioned at a height greater than that of the aircraft 2 operating on the aerodrome 4. Similarly, the frame can be positioned on the rear side of the aircraft 2 when they are positioned in a parking area 14.

[0070] Alternatively, such a frame can be mobile, and configured to move in accordance with or according to the movements of the aircraft 2 being tracked.

[0071] Alternatively, the processing unit 22 may be located on a remote server. In this case, the data from the various acquisition means must then be transmitted to said remote server in order to enable analysis.

[0072] Finally, the processing unit 22 can also be partly in a local server and partly in a remote server, for example to limit the amount of data to be transmitted to the remote server, while facilitating possible updates of the different algorithms of the processing unit 2.

[0073] Figure 3 illustrates an example of a flowchart of a method for implementing the invention. More specifically, Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method 40 for detecting and / or measuring emissions from an aircraft.

[0074] The method 40 thus comprises a first step 42 of acquiring visualization images and spectral, or even multispectral, images. In a second step 44, which may be subsequent, prior to, or simultaneous with the first step 42, the method 40 comprises determining displacement and / or positioning data.

[0075] In a step 46, the process 40 calculates, from the results of steps 42 and 44, emissions and / or emission durations.

[0076] In parallel with, or subsequently to, the steps previously described, the method 40 includes a step 48 of identification of the aircraft and of the ground operations of said aircraft.

[0077] In a step 50, the emissions and / or durations calculated in step 46 are associated with said aircraft identified in step 48, and then the associated data are stored during a step 52.

[0078] Finally, in a possible final step 54, the process 40 may provide for sending an alert in the event of exceeding a determined threshold.

[0079] Thus, thanks to the system according to the present invention, it becomes possible and easy to monitor the emissions of one or more aircraft present at an aerodrome. In particular, it becomes possible to know the different times during which the aircraft or aircraft have emitted more gas and / or particles than expected, and to issue an alert if necessary.

Claims

1. Demands System (1) for detecting and / or measuring emissions from at least one aircraft, preferably several aircraft, present at an aerodrome, said aircraft (2) having several sources (10) of gas and / or particle emissions, for example one or more engines (6) and one or more auxiliary power units (8), the system (1) comprising: - at least one visualization means (18), for example daytime and / or nighttime, configured to capture visible waves, and possibly near-infrared or near-ultraviolet, and to provide visualization images, - at least one means for measuring one or more spectral bands of electromagnetic radiation, for example an infrared band acquisition means and / or a multispectral acquisition means, configured to provide spectral images, and - at least one means (20) for receiving information relating to said aircraft, for example a transponder, configured to receive data transmitted by said aircraft and / or by an aerodrome facility, for example a control tower, in which said viewing means (18) and said measuring means (16) have at least one common field of view (19), and in which said common field of view is oriented so as to cover at least one portion of the aerodrome traffic area (12) configured to permit the movement, and possibly the landing and / or takeoff, of an aircraft and at least one portion of the aerodrome parking area (14) configured to permit the parking of an aircraft, preferably several aircraft, in which the system (1) includes a processing unit (22) receiving the viewing images, spectral images and information from said aircraft,and wherein the processing unit (22) includes a tracking means (24) configured to isolate said aircraft in the visualization images and to determine its positioning and / or displacement data, and wherein the processing unit includes a computing means (26) configured to determine emissions and / or usage times of, emission sources of said aircraft from spectral images and positioning and / or displacement data.

2. System (1) according to claim 1, wherein said aircraft (2) includes an identification, for example a registration, and wherein the processing unit (22) also includes an identification means (28) receiving the viewing images and / or information of said aircraft, and configured to determine the identification of said aircraft.

3. System (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the computing means (26) is also configured to isolate the different emission sources of said aircraft, and to determine emissions and / or usage times of each emission source of said aircraft from spectral images and positioning and / or displacement data.

4. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing unit (22) is integrated into a local server, into a remote server, or partly into a local server and partly into a remote server.

5. System (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the processing unit (22) also includes an association means (32) configured to associate the data relating to said aircraft determined by the processing unit, a memory (34) for storing said associated data, and optionally a transmission means (36) for providing said data to other devices.

6. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the viewing means (18) comprises one or more optical sensors, such as a camera, configured to provide said viewing images and / or one or more scanning means, such as a rotating support or a scanning mirror, configured to successively acquire values ​​corresponding to successive portions of said viewing images.

7. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring means (16) comprises one or more infrared sensors, in particular near and / or mid and / or far infrared, and / or multispectral sensors configured to provide said spectral images, and / or one or more scanning means, such as a rotating support or a scanning mirror, configured to acquire successively values ​​corresponding to successive portions of said spectral images.

8. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, also comprising an operation identification means (30), wherein said operation identification means (30) is configured to, from the viewing images, identify and time a succession of interactions between said aircraft and the aerodrome.

9. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing unit (22) also includes an alerting means (38) configured to provide an alert, preferably electronic and / or computer-based and for example in real time, to a receiving means separate from the system, when emissions and / or the duration of use of the or each emission source of said aircraft exceed specified values, in particular during the aircraft's parking time and / or during the aircraft's movement on the aerodrome.

10. A method (40) for detecting and / or measuring emissions from at least one aircraft, preferably several aircraft, present at an aerodrome, said aircraft having several sources of gas and / or particle emissions, for example one or more engines and one or more auxiliary power units (APUs), the method (40) comprising: - a step (42) of acquiring and providing visualization images, for example daytime and / or nighttime, in the visible and optionally near-infrared or near-ultraviolet, of at least one portion of a taxiway configured to allow the movement, and optionally the landing and / or takeoff, of an aircraft and at least one portion of a parking area configured to allow the parking of an aircraft, preferably several aircraft, - a step (42) of measuring one or more spectral bands of electromagnetic radiation, and providing spectral images,of said at least one taxiing portion and of said at least one parking portion, and - a step (48) for receiving data transmitted by said aircraft and / or by an aerodrome facility, for example a control tower, wherein the process also includes a step of processing visible images, infrared and / or spectrometric images and aircraft information, and wherein, during the processing step: - the said aircraft is isolated in the visualization images, and its positioning and / or displacement data are determined (44), and - we calculate (46) emissions and / or durations of use of emission sources of said aircraft from spectral images and positioning and / or displacement data.

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