Garmin At, Inc.

Other

Craig R Bowers

Robert M Grove

Steve Horvath

Bob Hilb

Steven Horvath

A system and method for filtering various targets (such as ground vehicles, stationary objects, and aircraft) from display on a display screen within the cockpit of an 'Own Ship' aircraft. The system and method withhold from display any non-exempt targets that have an altitude that is either: (1) greater than an upper-threshold altitude; or (2) less than a lower-threshold altitude. The upper-threshold altitude and the lower-threshold altitude may be set to user-specified, customized values as desired to accommodate current flying conditions. In addition, the system and method may also be configured to operate in a plurality of operating modes, each of which features a different upper threshold altitude/lower threshold altitude combination. The system and method are preferably configured to reset certain threshold altitudes to pre-defined default altitudes in response to the aircraft landing.

Altitude range filter for cockpit traffic display

Pilot-programmable altitude range filter for cockpit traffic display

A system for graphically displaying on a cockpit display an indication of closure (i.e. a 'closure indictor') with a selected target aircraft. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system only displays a closure indicator if: (1) the selected target aircraft is within a pre-determined monitoring zone; and (2) the track of the selected target aircraft is within a pre-determined variation angle of the track of the Own Ship aircraft. If the rate of closure between the selected target aircraft and the Own Ship aircraft is within a predetermined range of values, the closure indicator includes a closing/receding indicia (such as an upwardly or downwardly directed arrow) that indicates whether the Own Ship aircraft is closing in on or receding from the selected target aircraft. The system preferably removes the closure indicator from display when the Own Ship aircraft or the selected target aircraft ceases to be airborne.

Graphic closure indicator for cockpit traffic display

A system for graphically displaying on a cockpit display an indication of closure (i.e. a &ldquo;closure indictor&rdquo;) with a selected target aircraft. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system only displays a closure indicator if: (1) the selected target aircraft is within a predetermined monitoring zone; and (2) the track of the selected target aircraft is within a pre-determined variation angle of the track of the Own Ship aircraft. If the rate of closure between the selected target aircraft and the Own Ship aircraft is within a predetermined range of values, the closure indicator includes a closing/receding indicia (such as an upwardly or downwardly directed arrow) that indicates whether the Own Ship aircraft is closing in on or receding from the selected target aircraft. The system preferably removes the closure indicator from display when the Own Ship aircraft or the selected target aircraft ceases to be airborne.

A method for performing nuclear depth density tests in coal stockpiles and a special thin wall housing for the probe used in the tests. A drilling rig employs continuous flight augers to drill an access hole through the entire depth of the coal stockpiles. The nuclear density probe is inserted into the special housing. The housing is then screwed onto an initial section of drill pipe and an electrical cable extending from the probe is threaded through the drill pipe section. The winch line of the drilling rig is used to progressively lower the housing into the access hole. As the housing and probe are lowered, additional sections of drill pipe are added to the drill string and the electrical cable is fed through each added pipe section. When the housing reaches the bottom of the access hole, the cable is plugged into a scaler instrument located at the surface. Tests are performed at two foot intervals as the probe is progressively raised in the access hole by the winch line. The drill pipe sections are detached as they are raised out of the access hole, and the cable is pulled back through each detached pipe section and then reconnected to the scaler instrument.

Growing community of inventors

Kirksville, MO, United States of America

Craig R Bowers