Sensor Network for Aircraft Hangar Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft collisions with hangar walls during towing operations are common, leading to significant damage and costly insurance claims, due to obstructed views and difficulty in depth perception for tug operators.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses a network of sensors to create virtual monitored planes around the aircraft, providing both visual and aural warnings to ground crew members when a collision with a facility structure is imminent, by defining monitored areas relative to the edges of openings or doorways and activating alarms upon intrusion detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aircraft tug operators manually tow aircraft within hangars, then operational flexibility and direct control are maintained, but collision risk increases due to obstructed views and poor depth perception
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection system consisting of sensors, processors, and display devices that mediate between the aircraft and the operator. This system provides real-time spatial information about the aircraft's position relative to hangar structures, compensating for the operator's obstructed view and improving collision prevention without interfering with manual towing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring the aircraft's position using sensors and providing real-time visual feedback through display devices mounted on the tug. This feedback loop allows the operator to see the aircraft's location and adjust towing actions to avoid collisions, directly addressing the visibility problem while maintaining operational control.
2Reliability
If sensors are installed to detect aircraft position and provide warnings, then collision detection capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs ultrasonic sensors that serve multiple functions: detecting the aircraft's position, determining its speed, and calculating distance to hangar structures. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate detection systems and minimizes overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability for collision detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the aircraft's own movement and existing infrastructure (hangar walls as reference points) to generate detection data. The sensors detect changes in position relative to fixed structures, and the system automatically processes this information without requiring additional active components on the aircraft, thereby reducing system complexity.
3Reliability
If real-time monitoring and warning systems are implemented, then safety is improved, but energy consumption and operational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs detection and monitoring at periodic intervals rather than continuously, updating the aircraft's position and warning the operator at appropriate frequencies. This periodic operation maintains safety by providing timely information while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring systems.
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
The system effectively prevents collisions by providing advanced notice to operators, reducing damage to aircraft and facilities, and minimizing insurance claims through early detection and warning of potential impacts.
Implementation Method 1
Each sensor is configured to rotate about a rotation axis and obtain a plurality of measurements, each measurement corresponding to a distance between the measurement module and an object impeding a beam transmitted by the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A method of protecting against impact between a vehicle and a physical structure of a facility having an opening for the vehicle to pass through includes defining a monitored plane relative to an edge of the opening, the monitored plane defined by a plurality of baseline measurements, wherein each of the plurality of baseline measurements: 1) corresponds to a distance between a sensor spaced apart from the edge and one of a plurality of virtual ends of the monitored plane, and 2) is identified by an angle parameter. The method also includes obtaining a subsequent measurement; evaluating the subsequent measurement relative to a corresponding baseline measurement to determine if a criterion indicative of an intrusion of the monitored plane is satisfied; and activating an alarm when the criterion is satisfied.