Formation Flight Anticollision Monitoring via RF Power Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing formation flying aircraft lack redundancy in anticollision monitoring systems, particularly when flying close to one another, necessitating a solution to ensure safety by preventing collisions.
Innovation Solution
An anticollision monitoring system integrated into an avionics computer that monitors radiofrequency signal power levels from a leading aircraft, determining collision risks based on power level differences, and issuing alerts and disengagement commands when thresholds are exceeded, optionally combining with satellite positioning for redundant collision detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If aircraft fly close to one another in formation flight to reduce fuel consumption, then fuel efficiency is improved, but collision risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring radiofrequency signal power levels and comparing them against stored initial values to detect potential collision risks before they materialize. The electronic circuitry calculates power level differences and determines collision risks in advance, allowing pilots to take preventive action while maintaining formation flight benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously receiving radiofrequency signals from the leading aircraft, comparing current power levels with initial stored values, and providing real-time collision risk information to the following aircraft. This closed-loop feedback enables dynamic adjustment of flight parameters to maintain safety while preserving fuel efficiency.
2Device complexity
If a single TCAS system is used for collision avoidance in formation flight, then system complexity is reduced, but reliability of collision detection is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the functions of the existing TCAS with an additional anticollision monitoring system that uses radiofrequency signal power level comparison. By combining these two systems, the patent achieves redundant collision detection capability without completely redesigning the existing TCAS architecture, thus improving reliability while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic circuitry performs multiple functions: it monitors radiofrequency signal power levels, stores initial power values, calculates power level differences, determines collision risks, and provides alerts. This multi-functional approach consolidates several monitoring tasks into a single integrated system, improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.
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
Provides redundant collision detection and prevention by alerting and disengaging aircraft from formation flight when unsafe proximity is detected, ensuring safety through multiple layers of collision avoidance.
Implementation Method 1
receiving information relating to the power level of a radiofrequency signal received from the leading aircraft by the following aircraft
Data Source
AI summary
An anticollision monitoring system of a following aircraft includes electronic circuitry to store an initial power value of a radiofrequency signal received from a leading aircraft and to repeatedly carry out steps of receiving information relating to the power level of the radiofrequency signal received from the leading aircraft, storing a value of the power level, referred to as the current power level value; calculating a difference between the current power value and the initial power value, determining a first risk of collision between the following aircraft and the leading aircraft if the calculated difference is greater than a power threshold, and if the first collision risk is determined, ordering the issue of an alert in the cockpit of the following aircraft and ordering a disengagement of the participation of the following aircraft in the formation flight.