Method of facilitating the approach to a platform

a platform and platform technology, applied in the direction of vehicle position/course/altitude control, process and machine control, instruments, etc., can solve the problems of temporary loss of visual acquisition of landing target, error in interpretation, and inability to reach the platform in the most practical way

Active Publication Date: 2015-12-31
EUROCOPTER
View PDF2 Cites 9 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a method that makes it easy for a pilot to prepare a path for their aircraft. This method also helps prevent the aircraft from flying directly towards a target platform, which could cause damage or injury. The method suggests default options for the pilot, which they can either accept or modify. Overall, this method improves safety and accuracy for the pilot and reduces the risk of injury or damage.

Problems solved by technology

During adverse weather conditions, an instrument approach is likely to stress the crew, who must pilot the aircraft manually in order to guide it towards a zone in which visual acquisition of the platform can be obtained.
This manner of approaching a platform is therefore not the most practical and may sometimes create errors in interpretation, for example in the presence of fog causing visual acquisition of the landing target to be lost temporarily.
At present, certain platforms are fitted with a device, referred to as a “Non Directional Beacon” (NDB), that is used by the crew via the navigation computer as means for assisting navigation and for correlating the position of the aircraft with relative accuracy, but these means do not enable an approach flight plan to be constructed.
However, the navigation computer does not segment the various stages of the approach towards the platform in order to servo-control the autopilot on the guidance data (horizontal or vertical deviation, speed setpoint).

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0161]FIG. 1 presents an aircraft 1, and in particular a rotary wing aircraft that is suitable for landing on a platform at sea.

[0162]This aircraft 1 is provided with a navigation assistance system 7 including an onboard database 5 communicating with a parameter-setting module 10.

[0163]By way of example, the parameter-setting module 10 includes a visual display unit, data entry means that are operable by a crew, a memory, and a computing member of the processor type, e.g. executing stored instructions.

[0164]In addition, the navigation assistance system includes a navigation module 15 that is suitable for being connected both to the database 5 and to the parameter-setting module 10. As a function of the elements transmitted by the database 5 as well as by the parameter-setting module 10 and possibly by stored elements, the navigation module 15 automatically prepares an approach path.

[0165]By way of example, the navigation module 15 includes a visual display unit, data entry means tha...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to view more

PUM

No PUM Login to view more

Abstract

A method of facilitating the approach to a platform by an aircraft, the method comprising a step of constructing a database, including for each stored platform at least one identifier of the platform, coordinates of a geometrical center of the platform, a height of the geometrical center, and the radius (OR) of a circle in which the platform lies. During a parameter-setting step, the target platform to be reached, a course to be followed, and a height parameter relative to a minimum decision altitude are determined. During a path construction step, the positions of an initial approach fix (IAF), of a final approach fix (FAF), and of a decision point (MAP) are determined by placing them in a plane that is offset relative to the platform.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority to French patent application No. FR 14 01431 filed on Jun. 26, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002](1) Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to a method of facilitating the approach to a platform by an aircraft, and in particular a short landing aircraft, such as an aircraft provided with a rotary wing, for example.[0004]The invention is thus situated in the technical field of systems for providing assistance in piloting an aircraft, and in particular automated systems for providing rotorcraft with assistance in approaching installations at sea.[0005](2) Description of Related Art[0006]Such an installation at sea is provided with a landing zone on which an aircraft is able to land. Thus, the installation at sea may be a mobile platform, a fixed platform, a ship, or even a barge.[0007]For convenience, an instal...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to view more

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to view more
Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): B64D45/04G05D1/06
CPCG08G5/025B64D45/04G05D1/0684G05D1/0676G08G5/0034
Inventor CANALE, NICOLASIRAUDO, LIONEL
Owner EUROCOPTER
Who we serve
  • R&D Engineer
  • R&D Manager
  • IP Professional
Why Eureka
  • Industry Leading Data Capabilities
  • Powerful AI technology
  • Patent DNA Extraction
Social media
Try Eureka
PatSnap group products

Browse by: Latest US Patents, China's latest patents, Technical Efficacy Thesaurus, Application Domain, Technology Topic.

© 2024 PatSnap. All rights reserved.Legal|Privacy policy|Modern Slavery Act Transparency Statement|Sitemap