Aircraft Towing Collision Avoidance Using Laser Radar Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft ground travel poses a risk of collisions due to limited visibility for drivers and towing vehicle operators, leading to potential scrapes and security hazards as they navigate around other aircraft and objects.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a sensing module on a towing vehicle that uses laser radar and inertial navigation to monitor the surrounding environment, determine the security of objects based on contour features and travel features of the aircraft, and implement collision avoidance measures such as early-warning signals or velocity reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the aircraft travels on the ground using thrust from engine and/or traction from towing vehicle, then the aircraft can be moved to different positions (pushout from stand, migration between stands, warehousing for maintenance), but the limited sight of driver in aircraft or towing vehicle together with large volume of aircraft itself causes inaccurate knowledge of specific position of each portion of aircraft, leading to potential scrapes and collisions with objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of sensors, processors, and communication devices that mediate between the aircraft's movement and the driver's awareness. This intermediary system captures spatial information through sensors, processes it to determine aircraft contour positions, and communicates warnings to the driver, thereby bridging the gap between the driver's limited direct observation capability and the need for accurate collision avoidance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical/visual method of collision avoidance (relying on driver's direct sight and experience-based estimation) with an electronic and computational system. Sensors electronically capture spatial data, processors computationally determine aircraft contour positions and detect potential collisions, and communication devices electronically transmit warnings, substituting the mechanical limitation of human vision with electronic detection and processing capabilities
2Productivity
If the driver estimates external contour position of aircraft through experience, then the driver can operate the aircraft ground travel, but this estimation method causes scrapes and collisions with objects such as other aircrafts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where sensors continuously monitor the environment, processors analyze the spatial data to determine aircraft contour positions, and communication devices provide real-time feedback warnings to the driver when potential collisions are detected. This closed-loop feedback system replaces the open-loop experience-based estimation with continuous monitoring and real-time corrective information
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by proactively detecting potential collision risks before they materialize. The system continuously calculates aircraft contour positions and identifies objects that may be struck, issuing warnings in advance to allow the driver to take preventive action, rather than reacting after a collision has occurred or relying on post-hoc experience
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for ground travel collision avoidance of an aircraft, comprising: sensing, by a sensing module mounted on a towing vehicle for the aircraft, an object in a surrounding environment of the aircraft; determining whether the object is secure based on a contour feature of the aircraft and a relative position relation between the object and the aircraft; and implementing a collision avoidance measure in response to determining that the object is insecure. The present disclosure also relates to a system and a device for ground travel collision avoidance of an aircraft.