Aircraft Laser Wing Edge Collision Detection System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Private aircraft operators face challenges in detecting obstacles during ground operations due to limited visibility of the aircraft's wing edges, leading to potential collisions and significant repair costs.
Innovation Solution
A laser-based anti-collision system that uses light emitters and detectors to detect objects near the wing edges, with a processor generating alerts based on the time of light pulse transmission and reflection, providing visual and audible warnings to the crew.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the aircraft operator relies on visual detection from the cockpit, then the operator can detect obstacles using sight, but the operator cannot detect obstacles in blind spots near the wing edges due to limited field of view and large wing sweep angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light emitters and light detectors as intermediary devices mounted on the aircraft to detect obstacles in blind spots. The light emitters transmit light pulses toward potential obstacles, and the light detectors receive reflected light, enabling the system to sense objects that are not visible to the operator from the cockpit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual detection system (operator sight) with an optical sensing system (light emitters and detectors). This substitution allows the aircraft to detect obstacles in areas that are mechanically inaccessible to the operator's direct line of sight, particularly near the wing edges.
2Reliability
If the aircraft is equipped with comprehensive obstacle detection systems, then obstacle detection capability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and processing systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the light emitter and detector system to serve multiple functions: detecting obstacles near wing edges, determining distance to obstacles, and providing timing information for collision risk assessment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized sensors for each detection task.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses changes in light pulse timing parameters (transmission time and reflection detection time) to determine distance to obstacles. By measuring the time delay between light emission and reflection detection, the system can calculate obstacle distance without requiring complex ranging hardware.
3Loss of time
If the aircraft operator detects obstacles late during ground operations, then the aircraft may avoid some collisions through operator reaction, but collision detection is too late to take evasive action when obstacles are in blind spots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary detection by positioning light emitters and detectors to scan areas in advance of the aircraft's path, particularly near wing edges where blind spots exist. The system detects obstacles before the aircraft reaches a point where evasive action would be too late, providing early warning to the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback loop where light detectors continuously monitor for reflected light from obstacles and provide real-time information to the aircraft system. This feedback enables the operator to be alerted to obstacles in blind spots before the aircraft reaches a critical distance where collision would be unavoidable.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances the detection of proximate objects, reducing the risk of collisions and associated costs by providing timely warnings to aircraft operators during ground operations.
Implementation Method 1
a first light detector, adapted to be mounted to the aircraft, the first light detector being configured to detect a reflection of the first light pulse
Implementation Method 2
providing a first time indicative of the transmitting of the light pulse... providing a second time indicative of the detection of the reflection of the light pulse... to determine a possible contact occurrence between the first object and the wing edge based, at least in part, on the first time and the second time
Data Source
AI summary
Aircraft anti-collision systems, anti-collision methods, and aircraft with anti-collision systems and methods are provided. A method including transmitting, by a light emitter, a first light pulse proximate to a wing edge at a first time, detecting, by a light detector, a reflection of the first light pulse at a second time, determining, by a processor, a distance from a first object to the wing edge in response to the first time and the second time, calculating, by the processor, a possible contact occurrence in response to the distance and an aircraft velocity, and controlling a user interface with the processor to generate a user alert in response to the possible contact occurrence.