Helicopter obstacle warning system
US5371581A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 8, 1993 |
| Grant date | Dec 6, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 8, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S17/933
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A helicopter hazardous ground object warning system has a horizontally rotating beam from a laser rangefinder which detects and measures the distance to ground objects which may present a hazard to a helicopter during hover, takeoff and landing. The rotating laser beam from the rangefinder is positioned on the fuselage of a helicopter to create a quasi-horizontal (planar) scan pattern parallel to the earth's surface. The maximum and minimum ranges which can be measured by the rangefinder to objects and to ground personnel are preset. The minimum range can be used for blanking range measurements as a function of angle from helicopter parts, such as landing skids or wheel structures. A pilot warning system for hazardous objects may include an audible or visual alarm which may include a screen positioning all objects relative to the helicopter rotors and an external audible personnel warning system alerting ground personnel in the hazardous zone.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.