Patent · US Active

Method and device for automatic guidance of an aircraft, for a flight at least in part at low altitude

US7400951B2 · kind B2 · utility

9Cited by
9References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 4, 2005
Grant dateJul 15, 2008
Priority date—
Expiry dateDec 7, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG05D1/0646
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method of automatically guiding an aircraft for flight at low altitude determines an LLF (low level flight) trajectory section for following terrain to be overflown by the aircraft. The LLF trajectory section takes account of predictions of the aircraft's mass and speed and climb and descent performance. The LLF trajectory section includes an entry point and an exit point. The LLF trajectory section is integrated between a first trajectory part corresponding to a first phase of flight and a second trajectory part corresponding to a second phase of flight, by providing respectively first and second transition phases. The aircraft is automatically guided so that it successively captures, follows, and leaves the LLF trajectory section.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.