Onboard Thermal Infrared Volcanic Ash Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting volcanic ash plumes are inadequate, especially when they are embedded in water vapor clouds, leading to potential engine malfunctions and damage to aircraft, as existing sensors struggle to detect ash particles camouflaged by precipitate particles, resulting in delayed or missed warnings for aircraft.
Innovation Solution
An onboard detection system using infrared sensors positioned to face downstream along the jet engine exhaust, which measures thermal infrared emission to discriminate ash emissions from normal exhaust emissions, generating a detection signal when an anomalous rise exceeds a user-specified threshold, allowing for early detection and alerting the pilot to avoid volcanic ash.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If visual observation or standard infrared sensors are used to detect volcanic plumes, then detection is possible under clear weather conditions, but detection fails when ash particles are embedded in precipitate particles during nighttime or overcast conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from visible light/optical backscatter to thermal infrared emission measurement. This allows detection of volcanic ash particles regardless of whether they are embedded in precipitate particles, and works during nighttime and overcast conditions when visual observation fails. The thermal infrared signature of ash particles at temperatures above -40°C provides a reliable detection signal independent of optical conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces visual observation methods and standard infrared sensors with a specialized thermal infrared detection system. This substitution enables detection based on thermal radiation properties rather than optical reflection or emission, overcoming the camouflage effect of precipitate particles and enabling reliable detection in previously impossible conditions.
2Reliability
If ground-based sensors or satellite observations are used to detect volcanic plumes, then detection capability is provided, but response time is delayed due to processing and distribution mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service detection by equipping aircraft with onboard thermal infrared sensors that autonomously detect volcanic ash plumes. The system performs its own detection and provides immediate alerts to pilots without requiring ground-based sensor data, satellite observations, or external processing and distribution mechanisms, thereby eliminating all delays associated with external detection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables preliminary detection of volcanic ash plumes by aircraft before encountering them. The onboard system continuously monitors thermal infrared emissions in the aircraft's flight path, providing advance warning that allows pilots to take corrective action before entering dangerous ash concentrations, thus preventing engine damage rather than responding after detection.
3Productivity
If aircraft fly through volcanic ash plumes to maintain schedule, then productivity is maintained, but engine damage and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where onboard thermal infrared sensors continuously monitor for volcanic ash plumes and provide real-time alerts to pilots. This feedback loop enables aircraft to detect and avoid ash plumes proactively, allowing schedule adjustments to be made before engine damage occurs, rather than reacting to damage after flight through ash.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by detecting volcanic ash plumes before the aircraft encounters them and alerting pilots in advance. This allows corrective action (route changes, altitude adjustments) to be taken before entering ash-containing regions, preventing engine damage and the subsequent maintenance downtime that would affect productivity.
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 detects volcanic ash embedded in water vapor clouds, preventing engine failure and reducing maintenance costs by allowing pilots to take corrective action before substantial damage occurs, thereby enhancing aircraft safety and reducing downtime.
Implementation Method 1
measuring infrared emissions of exhaust emitted from a jet engine; and generating a detection signal when an intensity of infrared emissions at or near a spectral peak wavelength of blackbody radiation associated with the jet engine exhaust exceeds a threshold
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Onboard systems and methods for early detection that an aircraft (100) has flown into a volcanic ash plume (104) embedded within a water vapor cloud (102) having a concentration of a volcanic ash (104) which would be dangerous to an aircraft (100). The detection method generally comprises the steps of measuring the infrared emission characteristics of exhaust (318) emissions of a jet engine (316) and generating a detection signal when the intensity of thermal infrared emissions, ie. blackbody radiation, at or near a spectral peak wavelength exceeds a threshold (616,618).