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US4652122A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gust detection system
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1985-06-26
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Granted: 1987-03-24
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Expires: 2005-06-26
Abstract
Abstract Air turbulence ahead of an aircraft is determined by scanning the beam of a variable focal distance laser airspeed unit close-in to the aircraft to determine aircraft airspeed and angle of attack, and scanning the beam at distances farther out from the aircraft and measuring airspeed. Discrepancies between the close-in measurement and the farther out measurement are quantifiably indicative of air turbulence.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Zincone
- 👤 Evan A. Fradenburgh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:29
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S17/00; G01S17/88; G01S17/95; G05; G05D; G05D1/00; G05D1/04; G05D1/06; G05D1/0607; G05D1/0615; G01W; G01W1/00; G01W2001/003; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A90/00; Y02A90/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of detecting air turbulence in the flight path of an aircraft comprising: providing a variable focal distance laser airspeed unit in the aircraft to project a beam ahead of the aircraft at various focal distances; measuring the airspeed close to the aircraft at at least two points to determine the velocity and angle of angle of attack of the aircraft relative to still air; measuring the airspeed at a distance approximately one second's flight time ahead of the aircraft at at least two points to determine the velocity and angle of attack of the aircraft relative to still air; and determining that there is air turbulence at the distance further ahead of the aircraft based on a discrepancy between the measured airspeed close to the aircraft and the measured airspeed ahead of the aircraft.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of detecting air turbulence in the flight path of an aircraft comprising: providing a variable focal distance laser airspeed unit in the aircraft to project a beam ahead of the aircraft at various focal distances; measuring the airspeed close to the aircraft at at least two points to determine the velocity and angle of angle of attack of the aircraft relative to still air; measuring the airspeed at a distance approximately one second's flight time ahead of the aircraft at at least two points to determine the velocity and angle of attack of the aircraft relative to still air; and determining that there is air turbulence at the distance further ahead of the aircraft based on a discrepancy between the measured airspeed close to the aircraft and the measured airspeed ahead of the aircraft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising scanning the beam in a circular pattern ahead of the aircraft to measure the airspeed, wherein the diameter of the circles increases with the distance from the aircraft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising scanning the beam in a circular pattern ahead of the aircraft to measure the airspeed, wherein the diameter of the circles remains the same with the distance from the aircraft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising scanning the beam in elevation only to measure the airspeed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising scanning the beam in azimuth only to measure the airspeed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising scanning the beam in a cruciform pattern ahead of the aircraft to measure the airspeed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-03-23 | 1990-09-22 | 1991-03-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-03-23 | 1994-09-22 | 1995-03-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-03-23 | 1998-09-22 | 1999-03-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |