| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 340947000 | Land-based landing guidance | 29 |
| 20080272937 | Low Power Airfield Lighting System - An airfield lighting system including an interface device for driving a light emitting diode including an isolation and step down device, a rectifier, and output terminals is provided. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20090058681 | Method and System for the Wireless Remote Control of Marker Lights - A system for wirelessly controlling marker lights comprising a remote controller comprising a transmitter and one or more marker lights. Each of the marker lights comprise a receiver and processing means, and each of the marker lights have a configuration mode in which the processing means is adapted to cause the receiver to wirelessly receive data from the transmitter This data comprises one or more group identifiers to assign one or more groups to the marker light. In addition, the processing means of each of the marker lights is adapted to cause the receiver to wirelessly receive one or more commands from the transmitter for controlling the operation of the marker light. The processing means is adapted to carry out the command when the commands comprise the same one or more group identifiers that correspond to the one or more groups to which the marker light was assigned. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20100109913 | FOREIGN OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system for detection of foreign objects on airport travel surfaces including a plurality of foreign object detector modules mounted on a corresponding plurality of existing aircraft travel surface lighting supports, the plurality of foreign object detector modules providing a corresponding plurality of detection outputs and a high speed detection output analyzer operative to receive at least one of the plurality of detection outputs and to provide a high speed output indication of foreign object presence. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20110074607 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENHANCED AWARENESS OF CLEARANCE FROM CONFLICT FOR SURFACE TRAFFIC OPERATIONS - Systems and methods for improving pilot situational awareness in the airport vicinity. An example method determines if at least one of an aircraft or vehicle in a predefined vicinity of the airport is a conflict based on information about an installation aircraft, information received from the at least one aircraft or vehicle, and a predefined conflict envelope, when the installation aircraft is performing one of an approach to landing, a takeoff operation or a taxi operation at an airport. The method generates and outputs a conflict alert if the installation aircraft determines that the at least one aircraft or vehicle is a conflict. The method generates a clear-of-conflict advisory if the at least one aircraft or vehicle previously determined to be conflicting is determined to no longer be conflicting based on updated information received from the at least one aircraft or vehicle. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20120256767 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INFORMING A PILOT OF AN AIRCRAFT ABOUT A TOPOGRAPHICAL CONDITION - Systems and methods for informing a pilot of an aircraft about a topographical condition of a runway are disclosed herein. The system includes, but is not limited to, an electronic data storage unit configured to store location information and topographical condition information for a plurality of runways, a position determining unit that is configured to determine a geographical location of the aircraft, a display unit that is configured to display a graphical image, and a processor that is operatively coupled with each of the other components. The processor is configured to obtain the geographical location of the aircraft, identify a runway that the aircraft is approaching, obtain a subset of the topographical condition information relating to the runway, and command the display unit to display a vertical profile of the runway including a graphic depiction of the subset of the topographical condition information. | 10-11-2012 |
| 20130127642 | Runway Condition Monitoring - A method and apparatus are present for monitoring a runway. Data is received about the runway from a number of sensors associated with an aircraft while the aircraft performs an operation on the runway. A number of conditions are identified for the runway using the data received from the number of sensors. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130314256 | AEROSPACE GROUND MANEUVER LIGHT - Aerospace ground maneuver light, comprises a reflector ( | 11-28-2013 |
| 20160137309 | LANDING HAZARD AVOIDANCE DISPLAY - Landing hazard avoidance displays can provide rapidly understood visual indications of where it is safe to land a vehicle and where it is unsafe to land a vehicle. Color coded maps can indicate zones in two dimensions relative to the vehicles position where it is safe to land. The map can be simply green (safe) and red (unsafe) areas with an indication of scale or can be a color coding of another map such as a surface map. The color coding can be determined in real time based on topological measurements and safety criteria to thereby adapt to dynamic, unknown, or partially known environments. | 05-19-2016 |
| 340948000 | Aircraft actuation of land-based landing guides | 1 |
| 20130147641 | AUTOMATED AERODROME LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM - Methods and apparatus are provided for automated control of aerodrome lighting. An exemplary system includes a communication radio, an aerodrome lighting data source, and a processor. The communication radio is configured to selectively transmit radio frequency (RF) signals. The aerodrome lighting data source is configured to at least selectively supply aerodrome lighting data representative of light control characteristics of aerodrome lighting associated with individual aerodromes. The processor is in operable communication with the aerodrome lighting data source and the communication radio, and is configured to selectively retrieve, from the aerodrome lighting data source, aerodrome lighting data associated with an individual aerodrome, and selectively command the communication radio to transmit RF signals consistent with the light control characteristics associated with the individual aerodrome. | 06-13-2013 |
| 340949000 | Wind direction | 1 |
| 20140091952 | Runway Digital Wind Indicator System - A runway digital wind indicator system senses wind conditions at multiple locations, aggregates this data, and communicates up-to-date, usable information to pilots. Meteorological information, including wind speed, direction, and change (i.e., gustiness) plus temperature, humidity, barometer, wind shear, etc., can be sensed by three or more sensor pods placed along a runway (at least one at each end and another in the middle of a given runway). Data from these pods is then transferred to a computer receiver that processes the information into a real-time, concise, readable format that can be displayed to air traffic control, sent to runway digital display signs placed in proximity to runways for direct pilot reference, and/or posted to websites/internet locations that can then be used to wirelessly relay the information to any of a plethora of digital devices that can be accessed directly by a pilot. | 04-03-2014 |
| 340951000 | Phased landing guidance (e.g., runway approach, landing, touchdown) | 3 |
| 20100079308 | Method of Monitoring the Landing Phase of an Aircraft - The invention relates to the field of monitoring the landing phase of an aircraft. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100295706 | GAZE-BASED TOUCHDOWN POINT SELECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - Methods and apparatus are provided for selecting a touchdown point for a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. The eye movements of a user are tracked relative to an image being rendered on a display screen. An updated touchdown point location is determined from the tracked eye movements, and an updated touchdown point is rendered at the updated touchdown point location on the display screen. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20110304479 | Perspective Runway System - A method, apparatus, and computer program product for displaying information about runways. A runway for an aircraft is identified when the aircraft is within a selected distance of the runway. A number of graphical indicators are displayed on a display in a flight deck. The number of graphical indicators corresponds to a number of features of the runway present in a field of view for an eye reference point in the flight deck. | 12-15-2011 |
| 340952000 | Particular energy guide source (e.g., sound, electric field, radio) | 16 |
| 20080231471 | Ultraviolet monitoring system - An ultraviolet radiation emission unit includes a housing and an aperture located on the housing. A radiation source includes a light emitting diode configured to emit radiation having a wavelength within a range of about 240 nm and about 280 nm. A radiation reflector is disposed proximate to the radiation source and configured to direct the radiation emitted from the radiation source through the aperture in the housing. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20140070964 | LIGHTING DEVICE FOR IDENTIFYING AND MARKING TRAFFIC AREAS OF AIRPORTS - A lighting device, capable of identifying and marking traffic areas of airports, comprises at least one semiconductor lamp and an electronic control circuit, which is connectable to an electrical AC supply network with constant current feed. For controlling the operation of the semiconductor lamp, the control circuit has a rectifier, which is connectable without a transformer to the electrical AC supply network. It further has an internal power supply, which is connected to the rectifier, for supplying the semiconductor lamp with an electric direct current. Furthermore, the voltage supply device ( | 03-13-2014 |
| 340953000 | Visual source | 14 |
| 20090040071 | Method for the Determination of an Optimal Runway Lighting Intensity - The invention is directed to a method for determining an optimal runway lighting intensity based on the determination of an optimal lighting intensity for a configurable target value of the runway visual range taking into account the runway-specific parameters of the lighting system, the meteorological optical range, and the background brightness. It is the object of the invention to provide a method by which it is possible to significantly reduce the energy consumption of a runway lighting system by specific control of the energy supply from economic and ecological view points and by fully taking into account all safety-related aspects. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090140884 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ALIGNING AN AIRCRAFT - An apparatus for aligning an aircraft with an area on the ground is provided. The apparatus includes an aircraft having an on-board landing system, the on-board landing system configured to record an image of an area on the ground. The apparatus also includes a location marker on the area of the ground, and a stored image showing at least a portion of the area of the recorded image. The on-board landing system is configured to obtain information from the location marker and use the information to align the recorded image with the stored image. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090303084 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING VISIBLE INDICATION OF ELEVATED AIRPORT LIGHT COLOR - Method and apparatus for providing visible indication of elevated airport light color during a non-operation condition. A set of light emitting diodes (LEDs) can be assembled to a housing of an elevated airport light. The housing and the set of LEDs can be covered by a clear glass, wherein the clear glass can be designed to cover some or an entire external region of the housing. Multiple colored tapes can be applied to a vertical portion of the housing such that, for example, a minimum of two-and-half square inches of the tape is visible from different angles. Therefore, the colored tapes can provide a clear visible indication of the elevated airport light color during a non-operation condition without the need for expensive colored glass and/or lens. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20100090866 | Optical Distress Beacon For Use In Space Environments - A beacon system includes emitter devices, driver circuitry configured for controlling the emitter devices, and at least one processor programmed to receive and process one or more inputs and control the driver circuitry to actuate the emitter devices. In an example embodiment, the emitter devices include visible light sources that are oriented to provide omni-directional visibility for the beacon system. In an example embodiment, components of the beacon system including the emitter devices, driver circuitry and at least one processor are configured such that in a space environment heat generated by the beacon system is dissipated sufficiently well to prevent the beacon system from overheating. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20120119924 | ILLUMINATED SIGN FOR DISPLAYING A COMMAND AND/OR NOTICE FOR TAXIING AIRCRAFT TRAFFIC AT AN AIRPORT - The invention relates to a light sign ( | 05-17-2012 |
| 20130021172 | Portable Landing Pad Marker and Method for Using the Same - A portable landing pad marker includes a base, a light source, a light cover, at least two stacking indents, and at least two raised stacking pins. The portable landing pad marker may also include a collapsible traffic cone in the base of the marker and have a portion of the base removed to form a handle to easily transport the markers. The portable landing pad marker may also include a base that is at least partially visible with night vision equipment. | 01-24-2013 |
| 20130234866 | Method for optically mixing visible and infrared lights for airfield landing aids and projecting through a shared aperture - This invention presents a method for mixing visible and infrared light from LED sources so light can be projected for use as landing field approach aids, such as Precision Approach Path Indicators. This method relies on the use of linear arrays of LED's and cylindrical optics. | 09-12-2013 |
| 20130300586 | INFRARED LASER LANDING MARKER - An infrared laser landing marker system provides a capability to mark a boundary line of varying lengths with near infrared lasers, e.g., of the order 8xx nm. This system can be either directly operated or remotely operated via satellite communications and is compatible with currently fielded night vision goggles. Two modules, placed at either end of boundary, self align to each other and then proceed to mark a boundary edge of a landing zone with an infrared laser line. | 11-14-2013 |
| 20130342372 | FURTHER AIRPORT BOUNDARY/EDGE MARKER IMPROVEMENTS - A boundary/edge recognition system for on ground vehicular traffic, especially airport runways and taxiways that uses multiple markers, each marker including an elongated tube with a light source in or near the tube for illuminating one or more slits or a plurality of apertures in the tube. Preferred embodiments include spring mounts and/or means for indicating misalignment. Additional options include a defroster/heater and/or bird roost prevention means. | 12-26-2013 |
| 20140077974 | AIRCRAFT WARNING LIGHT AND AIRCRAFT WARNING LIGHT SYSTEM - According to one embodiment, a control section controls a lighting circuit on the basis of a luminous intensity ratio table of a set rated current type to have a luminous intensity ratio corresponding to a current value detected by a current detecting circuit. The control section switches, according to a switch signal input from a power supply line, the luminous intensity ratio table to a luminous intensity ratio table of a rated current type corresponding to the switching signal. | 03-20-2014 |
| 20140197970 | ADAPTER CIRCUIT - An adapter circuit for connecting a switching circuit of an airport visual aid is equipped with an LED as a light source and a secondary-side coil (secondary side) of a supply transformer, wherein at least one switch element is provided for selectively making or breaking the connection and wherein at least one trigger circuit is provided for actuating the switch element when a specified voltage level is exceeded, wherein the switch element is provided between the trigger, circuit and the secondary side of the supply transformer and/or the trigger circuit is connected to the switch contact and to the switching circuit of the LED airport visual aid. | 07-17-2014 |
| 20150130644 | LIGHTING SYSTEMS FOR LANDING IN A DEGRADED VISUAL ENVIRONMENT - Lighting systems and methods for landing in a degraded visual environment are disclosed. The lighting systems comprise one or more lighting units mounted to an aircraft operable to hover near a landing zone. Each lighting unit is operable to provide adjustable illumination to the landing zone, and has a radiant power output between a minimum and a maximum. The minimum radiant power output is just sufficient to allow a pilot to distinguish features in the landing zone when below a first altitude wherein the downwash from the aircraft rotors, propellers, or engines begins to raise particulates from the landing zone and continues to be just sufficient to allow the pilot to distinguish features as the pilot descends from the first altitude to termination at the landing zone, and the maximum radiant power output is less than about five times the minimum radiant power output. | 05-14-2015 |
| 340955000 | Plural colors | 2 |
| 20080204280 | Methods and systems for airport runway lighting and communications - Systems and methods according to the exemplary embodiments provide techniques for illuminating airport travel paths, e.g., runways, taxiways, ground vehicle access paths, etc., and to use the illumination to communicate with pilots, aircraft and ground personnel. Different colors of light, which may be generated by lasers, are used in various combinations and in reaction to various inputs. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20130141255 | Visual Aid For Landing Helicopters - A visual aid for landing helicopters includes a plurality of weighted bases and a plurality of lights designed such that they can identify a helicopter landing zone during nighttime or during the bright sunlight. The components of the visual aid are designed to provide rapid identification of the landing zone, whether the pilot of the helicopter is flying with his unaided eye or with typical night vision goggles. The weighted bases have a large surface area and are coated with a highly visible fluorescent paint. The lights are designed to emit light having wavelengths, intensities and beam patterns which will not overwhelm night vision goggles but which will be acceptably visible to pilots flying without night vision goggles. The lights and weighted bases are color-coded such that they identify both the perimeter of the landing zone and the wind direction within the landing zone. | 06-06-2013 |
