Aircraft Landing Wind Estimation Using 3D Surrounding-Region Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for estimating wind conditions at a landing point, such as those using past flight data, often result in low prediction accuracy, which can lead to unsafe landing conditions for aircraft due to unexpected wind changes, especially in complex environments like near buildings or on ship decks.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft landing assist system that includes an image obtaining unit, a shape obtaining unit, a measuring unit, and a calculating unit to obtain and calculate wind direction and velocity at the landing point by analyzing images of the surrounding region and using topographic or ship information databases, or creating models to simulate wind conditions through computational fluid dynamics analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If past flight data is used to estimate wind conditions at landing point, then the system is simple to operate, but the prediction accuracy is low
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by obtaining images of the surrounding region and creating 3D shape models before landing. Wind condition estimation is performed in advance based on these pre-obtained geometric models and measured wind data, rather than relying solely on past flight data. This preliminary modeling enables more accurate predictions while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - a 3D shape model of the surrounding region - that mediates between the simple measurement of above-air wind conditions and the accurate prediction of landing-point wind conditions. This intermediate model acts as a bridge, transforming simple wind measurements into accurate landing wind predictions through computational fluid dynamics analysis.
2Measurement precision
If complex computational models are used to improve wind estimation accuracy, then prediction precision improves, but calculation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The 3D shape model of the surrounding region is created in advance before the landing process. This preliminary action allows the complex geometric representation to be ready for rapid wind flow simulations when needed, reducing the overall calculation time during critical landing phases while maintaining high estimation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy - a 3D digital model - of the physical surrounding region. This copied geometric representation can be used repeatedly for wind flow calculations without requiring repeated physical measurements or complex real-time processing of the actual environment, significantly reducing calculation time while preserving accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If real-time image processing and CFD analysis are performed, then wind condition accuracy at landing point is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by using the aircraft's own imaging devices and onboard processors to capture images, create 3D models, and execute wind flow simulations. This eliminates the need for complex external infrastructure or ground-based processing systems, achieving high accuracy wind estimates while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through self-contained operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging and processing system serves multiple functions: it captures images for navigation, creates 3D models of the surrounding region, and performs wind flow simulations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each task, thereby maintaining device complexity at acceptable levels while achieving accurate wind condition estimation.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft landing assist apparatus includes an image obtaining unit, a shape obtaining unit, a measuring unit, and a calculating unit. The image obtaining unit is configured to obtain an image of a surrounding region of a landing point on which an aircraft is to land. The shape obtaining unit is configured to obtain a shape of the surrounding region of the landing point on the basis of the obtained image. The measuring unit is configured to measure an above-air wind direction and an above-air wind velocity. The calculating unit is configured to calculate a landing-point wind direction and a landing-point wind velocity on the basis of the obtained shape of the surrounding region of the landing point, the measured above-air wind direction, and the measured above-air wind velocity.