The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 17, 1999
Filed:
Mar. 27, 1998
Geoffrey S Hedrick, Malvern, PA (US);
Innovative Solutions & Support Inc., Malvern, PA (US);
Abstract
A method for calibrating a pressure-sensing altitude sensor of an aircraft while the aircraft is in flight. The method includes the steps of obtaining a set of reference atmospheric pressures as a function of height above a base station by affixing a reference pressure sensor to a balloon. As the balloon is released into the atmosphere, the reference sensor continuously measures the atmospheric pressures and transmits the data back to the base station while a ground-based radar disposed adjacent the base station measures the height of the balloon. An aircraft flying in a vicinity of the base station can calibrate its pressure-sensing altitude sensors by measuring the atmospheric pressure outside the aircraft and its geometric height relative to the base station and then comparing the pressure measurements with corresponding reference pressure values at a geometric height that is substantially that same as the geometric height of the aircraft.