Aircraft Turbulence Mapping With Aircraft-Specific Normalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for reporting turbulence are subjective, unreliable, and aircraft-dependent, failing to provide accurate and aircraft-independent information about turbulence locations, altitudes, and severity, which affects flight planning and passenger comfort.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilizes airflow reports from multiple aircraft to generate normalized turbulence values, determining effective turbulence levels specific to a target aircraft, and generates maps plotting these levels to assist operators in selecting smoother flight paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If pilots manually report turbulence locations via PIREPs, then turbulence information is collected, but the information is subjective, unreliable, and qualitative
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical reporting system (pilots verbally reporting turbulence) with an automated sensor-based system. Accelerometers and other sensors on aircraft automatically detect and quantify turbulence parameters, eliminating subjective human assessment and providing objective, precise, and quantifiable turbulence data that can be systematically collected and shared.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary automated reporting system that acts as a mediator between turbulence detection and information sharing. This intermediary system standardizes turbulence data collection using consistent measurement protocols and automatically transmits the data through centralized networks, ensuring reliable and comparable information across different aircraft and pilots.
2Loss of information
If PIREPs are used to report turbulence, then turbulence locations are identified, but altitude information is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional automated reporting system that simultaneously collects and reports multiple parameters including turbulence intensity, geographic location, and altitude. This universal system eliminates the need for separate reporting mechanisms and ensures that all critical airflow condition information is captured and transmitted together in a standardized format.
3Loss of information
If turbulence reports are generated based on aircraft physical characteristics, then turbulence severity is reported, but the information is aircraft-dependent and misleading for other aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms turbulence data by normalizing it according to aircraft-specific parameters such as weight, size, and speed. The system adjusts raw turbulence measurements to account for these varying physical characteristics, converting them into standardized, aircraft-independent turbulence severity indices that can be universally applied and reliably interpreted across different aircraft types.
Data Source
AI summary
A turbulence notification system and method are described that include obtaining airflow reports generated by multiple reporting aircraft while in flight. The system and method generate normalized turbulence values based on reported turbulence levels in the airflow reports and at least one of sizes of the reporting aircraft or weights of the reporting aircraft. The system and method determine effective turbulence levels specific to a first aircraft based on the normalized turbulence values and an identifying characteristic of the first aircraft, where the effective turbulence levels predict an effect of atmospheric airflow on the first aircraft. The system and method generate a map that plots a scheduled route of the first aircraft and graphic indicia representing the effective turbulence levels that are determined. The graphic indicia are plotted at locations along vertical and horizontal axes of the map corresponding to the geographic locations of the airflow reports.