Remote Imaging Collision Avoidance for Towed Aircraft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preventing airplane collisions during towing are inefficient and costly, relying on human intervention like wing walkers, which face challenges in communication and accuracy due to noise and line of sight issues, especially when multiple airplanes are being moved in close proximity.
Innovation Solution
A collision avoidance system that uses remotely located sensing devices to capture image data of the airplane and objects, determining the positions of features and generating a bounding box to assess the proximity of objects to the airplane, thereby determining if they are within a predetermined distance, and providing a method for the processing device to determine if an object is close enough to trigger warnings or prevent movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple wing walkers are deployed to monitor different portions of the airplane, then collision detection coverage is improved, but operational cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses imaging devices (cameras) to create visual copies of the airplane and surrounding environment, allowing remote monitoring of multiple portions simultaneously. The imaging devices capture images that are processed to generate representations of the airplane's position and orientation, eliminating the need for multiple physical observers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of human wing walkers with an automated imaging and processing system. Imaging devices mounted on the tug or airport infrastructure capture images, and a processing system analyzes these images to detect potential collisions, substituting human labor with automated optical and computational systems.
2Ease of operation
If wing walkers communicate using whistles or physical motions, then communication is possible in noisy environments, but communication reliability deteriorates due to noise interference and line of sight limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication system that uses visual signals transmitted through the imaging system. Instead of direct audio or visual communication between wing walkers and the tug operator, the imaging devices capture and transmit visual information about the airplane's position and potential hazards, serving as a reliable intermediary that is not affected by noise or line-of-sight limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous visual feedback to the tug operator through the imaging system, showing the real-time position of the airplane and surrounding objects. This feedback loop allows the operator to monitor the situation and make informed decisions without relying on intermittent whistle signals or physical gestures.
3Ease of operation
If personnel are positioned at ground level to monitor the airplane, then accessibility is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to accurately judge relative height
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional ground-level observation to three-dimensional imaging by mounting cameras on the tug or elevated airport infrastructure. This dimensional change allows the imaging system to capture the vertical position and orientation of the airplane's wings and tail relative to the ground, providing accurate height information that ground-level personnel cannot visually assess.
Data Source
AI summary
A collision avoidance system for an airplane under tow may include a sensing device configured to capture image data of at least a portion of the airplane and an object while the airplane is being towed. The sensing device may be located remotely to both the airplane and the object. Positions of two or more features of the airplane may be determined based on the image data. A bounding box encompassing the airplane may be generated based, at least in part, on the positions of the two or more features. Additionally, based on a comparison of the position of an object relative to the bounding box, it may be determined whether the object is within a predetermined distance from the airplane.