Rockwell Collins, Inc.

Rockwell International Corporation

Roy E Robertson

Daniel L Woodell

Jeffery A Finley

Gregory J Koenigs

Charles J Dickerson

Kevin Michael Kronfeld

Venkata A Sishtla

Hubert C Dyche

Nathanael A Meyer

Bryan L Jurgensen

Peter A Olander

Mark C Fersdahl

Roger A Dana

Robert J Weber

Steve Paramore

Steven Sperling

Edward A St John

Ying Cho Lai

Robert J Richard

Louis P Nicoli

A method for indicating a weather threat to an aircraft is provided. The method includes inferring a weather threat to an aircraft and causing an image to be displayed on an aviation display in response to a determination by aircraft processing electronics that the inferred weather threat to the aircraft is greater than a measured weather threat to the aircraft.

Aviation display depiction of weather threats

A weather radar control system includes a processor configured to acquire first weather data for a first area extending from an aircraft from a weather radar system onboard the aircraft. The first weather data includes a first location of a weather event in the first area. The processor is further configured to receive second weather data for a second area with respect to the aircraft via the communication system from an external location where the second weather data includes a second location of a weather event in the second area, and correlate the first weather data and the second weather data. The processor is further configured to generate display data for display based on the correlated weather data where the display data is for a display area at least partially defined by the first and second areas, and provide the display data to a display system onboard the aircraft.

Enhancement of airborne weather radar performance using external weather data

The hazard warning system that included processing system for detecting a high altitude ice crystal (HAIC) or HAIC cloud (HAIC) condition. The aircraft warning system can use an inferred detected process or a non-inferred detection process. Warnings of high altitude ice crystal conditions can allow an aircraft to avoid threats posed by HAIC or HAICconditions including damage to aircraft equipment and engines.

Weather radar system and method for detecting a high altitude crystal cloud condition

A hazard warning or weather radar system or method can be utilized to determine a location of ice. The system and method can be used in an aircraft. The aircraft weather radar system can include a radar antenna and an electronic processor. The radar antenna receives radar returns. The processor determines levels of icing conditions and causes the levels to be displayed on an electronic display.

System and method for ice detection

A hazard warning or weather radar system or method can be utilized to determine a location of ice. The system and method can be used in an aircraft. The aircraft weather radar system can include a radar antenna and a processor. The radar antenna receives radar returns. The processor can: 1. identify on a display a region of potential ice associated with a blow off region in response to the radar returns, temperature data, and wind data; 2. identify on a display a region of potential ice associated with a stratiform region in response to radar returns, temperature data, and a history of convective cells in the stratiform region; or 3. perform both 1 and 2.

A method and system can display images associated with core threats, associated threats, and/or predictive overflight threats. The images of the weather can be displayed using at least a first color, a second color, and a third color associated with a respective first precipitation rate range, a second respective precipitation rate range, and a third respective precipitation rate range. The first precipitation rate range is less than the second precipitation rate range and the third precipitation rate range is more than the second precipitation rate range. The core threats, associated threats and predictive overflight threats can be displayed using the first, second and third colors, speckled areas, and wedge-shaped symbols.

Weather radar threat depiction system and method

A hazard warning system can be utilized in an aircraft. The hazard warning system can include a processing system for determining an icing condition and causing an indication of the icing condition to be provided to an engine control, such as a full authority digital engine control (FADEC). The engine can be operated in a mode in response to the indication. The mode can be a lower efficiency mode.

Engine system and method using a mode for icing conditions

A method for computing and displaying a weather hazard threat level for a weather radar system of an aircraft includes receiving weather radar returns from a radar antenna of the weather radar system. The weather radar returns include at least one of horizontal scans and vertical scans. Radar reflectivity may be determined from the weather radar returns, and, for at least one of the horizontal scan data and the vertical scan data, areas of radar reflectivity and a temperature associated with the areas of radar reflectivity may be determined. A lightning flash rate may be estimated using the radar reflectivity, areas of radar reflectivity, and temperature associated with the areas of radar reflectivity. Weather radar information may then be displayed, wherein the weather radar information is adjusted on the display based on the lightning flash rate.

Weather hazard threat level computation and display

Methods, systems, and computer-readable media relating to providing weather data generated by a weather radar system of an aircraft are provided. A method comprises transmitting scan status data indicating that a weather cell is currently being scanned by the weather radar system to a display device. The display device is configured to display an indication that the weather cell is currently being scanned after receiving the scan status data.

System and method for providing weather radar status

A radar system has an antenna. The system includes electronics configured to facilitate communication using radar returns received and transmitted by the antenna. The electronics is configured to extract communications data from a received radar return. The electronics is further configured to provide communications data with an outgoing radar pulse for data transmission.

System and method for aircraft communications

A method of detecting weather on an aircraft uses a weather radar system. The method adapts the weather radar system in accordance with a time-of-year parameter, a time-of-day parameter, and/or a location parameter to remove ground clutter reflectivity. The method includes determining the particular parameter and automatically adjusting the weather radar system to display the weather in response to the parameter. The system can be implemented in hardware and/or software and can advantageously predict and identify weather and/or weather hazards more precisely.

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Marion, IA, United States of America

Roy E Robertson