System for detecting / measuring the emissions of an aircraft, and corresponding method

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (1) for detecting / measuring the emissions of an aircraft present in an aerodrome. The system comprises: - a viewing means (18) for providing viewing images, - a measuring means (16) for providing spectral images, and - a means (20) for receiving information relating to the aircraft. The viewing means (18) and measuring means (16) have at least one common field of view (19). The system comprises a processing unit (22) receiving the viewing images, the spectral images and the information on the aircraft. The processing unit comprises a tracking means (24) configured to isolate the aircraft in the viewing images and to determine its positioning / movement data, and a computing means (26) configured to determine emissions / durations of use of the emission sources of the aircraft.

Description

Aircraft emission detection / measurement system, and corresponding method

[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.

[0002] It is known to measure the gases emitted by a device to verify its compliance with given standards, particularly environmental ones. The gases emitted are most often pollutants, and their measurement generally requires a specific system.

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

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

[0008] The present invention aims to solve the various technical problems described above. In particular, the present invention aims to provide a more flexible detection and / or measurement system enabling 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 regulations 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 includes: - at least one visualization means, for example day and / or night, 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 for 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 visualization means and the measurement means have at least one common field of view, and this common field of view is oriented 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 visualization images, spectral images, and information from said aircraft. The processing unit includes a tracking means configured to isolate said aircraft in the visualization 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 emission sources of said aircraft from spectral images and positioning and / or displacement data.

[0011] Thus, the device according to the invention allows for the monitoring of 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 within which the aircraft or aircraft may move, and the system includes identification means (visible camera, transponder) enabling the determination of the aircraft responsible for the emissions detected and / or measured by the system's other sensors. 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 them the corresponding measurements taken by the sensors measuring one or more spectral bands of electromagnetic radiation.For example, the system can be configured to determine the usage schedule for 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 captured by the display system, particularly the registration number marked on the aircraft. The processing unit is configured to identify such a registration number and to assign to that registration 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 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 and measures all emissions from a given aircraft, but can also distinguish each source of emissions from the aircraft and attribute them to their corresponding emissions. In particular, the system can quantify emissions from an aircraft's engines, for example, throughout its movements and parking at the airfield, as well as emissions from the APU (Air Power Unit).

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

[0017] To perform data processing, and potentially 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, independent 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, re-analyzed, 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 system is to provide visualization data within 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 within said field of view.

[0022] Preferably, the measurement means includes one or more infrared sensors, including 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 measurement method is to provide spectral or multispectral data within the corresponding field of view. Such data can be acquired in various ways, provided that they enable the detection and / or measurement of the desired emissions within said field of view.

[0024] Preferably, the system also includes a means of identifying operations, said means of identifying operations 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 aircraft while they are at the aerodrome, particularly ground operations. Such operations include the various procedures implemented by the aerodrome and / or the pilot when an aircraft arrives at a parking position, during passenger disembarkation, passenger boarding, or aircraft departure. For each of these operations, the use of the aircraft's engines or APU can 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 specified values, in particular during the aircraft's parking time and / or during the aircraft's movement on the aerodrome.

[0027] The system's purpose is not solely to measure and record emissions from various aircraft; it also provides alerts when measured values ​​exceed permitted thresholds. An alert system can send notifications to specific recipients, potentially including relevant data, to inform them of defined threshold breaches. 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.

[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 includes: - a step of acquiring and providing visualization images, for example daytime and / or nighttime, in the visible and possibly near-infrared or near-ultraviolet, of at least one portion of traffic configured to allow the movement, and possibly the landing and / or takeoff, of an aircraft and of at least one parking portion configured to allow the parking of an aircraft, preferably several aircraft, - a step of measuring one or more spectral bands of electromagnetic radiation, and of providing spectral images, of said at least one portion of traffic and of said at least one parking portion, and - a step of receiving data emitted by said aircraft and / or by an aerodrome installation, for example a control tower.

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

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

[0031] This represents a schematic view of the detection and / or measurement system; and

[0032] Lare represents a flowchart of a detection and / or measurement process according to the present invention.

[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] Aircraft 2 may have several sources of emission, in this case one or more engines 6 mounted, for example, on the wings of aircraft 2, and one or more auxiliary power units (APUs) 8 generally located on the tail of aircraft 2. The APU(s) 8 are generally turbogenerators 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 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 conserve fuel.

[0035] However, 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 sources of emissions 10.

[0036] Furthermore, once on the ground, and in particular when stopped on a parking area, aircraft 2 can connect to an energy source at the aerodrome 4, in order to continue to electrically power 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 the emissions of an aircraft 2, in order to know the operating state (on / off) of the emission sources 10 of said aircraft 2. In particular, the 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, areas designated as taxiways 12, such as the runway(s) and taxiways, and areas designated as parking areas 14 connected to the runway(s) by the taxiways. The taxiways and parking areas 14 can thus form the apron of Aerodrome 4.

[0039] The purpose of system 1 is 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. 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 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. To enable identification of the detected and / or measured gases, 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 device 16 has a field of view oriented to cover at least part of the tarmac and possibly also at least part of the runway(s). In particular, the field of view of the measuring device 16 can be designed to cover the various positions of an aircraft 2 during its movements and parking on the aerodrome 4. Furthermore, the field of view of the measuring device 16 can be designed, where applicable, to cover an area in which several aircraft 2 may be located simultaneously.

[0043] System 1 also includes a display means 18 configured to detect electromagnetic emissions and 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 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 daytime and, optionally, nighttime display images. In particular, the display images provided by the display means 18 are intended, among other things, to enable the identification of the aircraft 2 whose emissions are detected and / or measured by System 1.Thus, from the visualization images provided by the visualization means 18, it is possible to distinguish and isolate each aircraft 2 visible on the images, and to identify said aircraft 2 or aircraft 2 from the registration elements 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 device 18 has a field of view oriented to cover at least part of the tarmac and possibly also at least part of the runway(s). In particular, the field of view of the viewing device 18 can be designed to cover the various positions of an aircraft 2 during its movements and parking on the aerodrome 4. Furthermore, the field of view of the viewing device 18 can be designed, where applicable, to cover an area in which several aircraft 2 may be located simultaneously.

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

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

[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, and 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 movement 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 taxiway 12 to go towards a parking area 14 or is stopped waiting for a parking area 14 to become available. The movement data, for its part, makes it possible to know whether an aircraft 2 is still moving on the aerodrome 4, or is stopped.Thus, from location and / or movement data, it is possible to know the status (stationary, parked, moving, etc.) of aircraft 2 in aerodrome 4, and therefore to deduce the possible applicable regulations for determining emissions and corresponding thresholds.

[0051] The tracking means 24 may be software stored on a medium and implemented by a computer. The tracking means 24 may include, in particular, an image analysis means based on artificial intelligence, specifically for recognizing and isolating different aircraft 2 in the visualization images. The tracking means 24 may thus include a machine learning-based model, including a trained or automatic model, and possibly 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. 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. 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, 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 calculation method 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, one can access the quantity of fuel consumed per operating time, 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 from that engine.

[0054] The emissions and / or usage times determined by the calculation means 26 can then be matched 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 calculation means 26, to distinguish the emissions and / or usage times 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 recorded 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 within 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, notably for recognizing the registration numbers of the different aircraft 2 in the visualization images. The identification means 28 may thus include a machine learning model, in particular a trained or automatic model, and possibly 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 parking area 14. For example, the operations identification means 30 is configured to identify whether the aircraft 2 is disembarking its passengers or, conversely, boarding them, refueling, emptying or filling the baggage hold, etc. The operations identification means 30 thus makes it possible to track the chronology, and possibly the duration, of each operation implemented by the aircraft 2 while it is on the ground at the aerodrome 4.In particular, the means of identifying operations 30 is configured to provide a timing diagram of each ground operation that can be identified by said means of identifying operations 30. It is thus possible to determine, for each of the successive steps implemented by aircraft 2 during its immobilization on aerodrome 4, the necessity or not of using the emission sources, and in particular the APU, and therefore to deduce whether or not aircraft 2 is complying with the constraints related to these ground operations.

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

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

[0063] The ground operations identification means 30 may be software stored on a medium and run by a computer. The ground operations identification means 30 may include, in particular, an image analysis means based on artificial intelligence, specifically for recognizing the various operations taking place around aircraft 2 in the visualization images. The ground operations identification means 30 may thus include a machine learning-based model, including a trained or automatic model, and possibly 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 a 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, operations and corresponding emissions of aircraft 2, during its presence 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, one 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 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 data reception 20. Such a frame can, for example, be permanently positioned at a specific location on the aerodrome 4, for example, at an elevated position providing an overview of the 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 to the rear of the aircraft 2 when they are 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(s) being tracked.

[0071] Alternatively, the processing unit 22 can be located on a remote server. In this case, the data from the various acquisition methods must then be transmitted to said remote server 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 to the different algorithms of the processing unit 2.

[0073] Figure 4 illustrates an example of a flowchart for a method of implementing the invention. More specifically, Figure 5 illustrates a flowchart for 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 step 46, 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, process 40 includes a step 48 of aircraft identification and ground operations of said aircraft.

[0077] In 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 step 52.

[0078] Finally, in a possible final step 54, 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

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 viewing means (18), for example day and / or night, configured to capture visible waves, and possibly near-infrared or near-ultraviolet, and to provide viewing images, - at least one measuring means (16) for 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 receiving means (20) for 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, wherein said display means (18) and said measuring means (16) have at least one common field of view (19), and wherein said common field of view is oriented so as to cover at least one taxiing portion (12) of the aerodrome configured to permit the movement, and possibly the landing and / or takeoff, of an aircraft and at least one parking portion (14) of the aerodrome configured to permit the parking of an aircraft, preferably several aircraft, wherein the system (1) includes a processing unit (22) receiving the display images, spectral images and information from said aircraft,and wherein the processing unit (22) comprises 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 comprises a computing means (26) configured to determine emissions and / or usage times of the emission sources of said aircraft from the spectral images and the positioning and / or displacement data. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 successively acquire values ​​corresponding to successive portions of said spectral images. 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. 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 time the aircraft is parked and / or during the time the aircraft is moving on the aerodrome. 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 traffic area 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 portion of the taxiway and of said at least one portion of the parking area, and - a step (48) of receiving data emitted by said aircraft and / or by an aerodrome facility, for example a control tower, wherein the method also includes a step of processing visible images, infrared and / or spectrometric images and aircraft information, and wherein, during the processing step: - said aircraft is isolated in the viewing images, and its positioning and / or displacement data are determined (44), and - emissions and / or durations of use of the emission sources of said aircraft are calculated (46) from the spectral images and the positioning and / or displacement data.

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