US 12,269,610 B2
Systems and methods for providing safe landing assistance for an aerial vehicle
Jayasenthilnathan Balasubramanian, Phoenix, AZ (US); Byron Birkedahl, Phoenix, AZ (US); Kalimulla Khan, Karnataka (IN); and Srihari Jayathirtha, Atlanta, GA (US)
Assigned to Honeywell International Inc., Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed by Honeywell International Inc., Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed on Jan. 7, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/570,834.
Claims priority of application No. 202111052281 (IN), filed on Nov. 15, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0150690 A1, May 18, 2023
Int. Cl. B64D 43/00 (2006.01); B64D 43/02 (2006.01); B64D 45/04 (2006.01); B64D 45/08 (2006.01); G01C 23/00 (2006.01)
CPC B64D 45/08 (2013.01) [B64D 43/02 (2013.01); G01C 23/005 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for providing a safe landing for a vehicle, the method comprising:
displaying, on one or more displays, a vehicle, an intended landing zone, and a real-time flight path of the vehicle as the vehicle approaches the intended landing zone;
receiving, by one or more processors, data related to one or more of the vehicle, the flight path of the vehicle, the intended landing zone, a vertical speed, and an obstacle;
determining, by the one or more processors, the proximity of the vehicle relative to a center of the intended landing zone based on the received data;
causing, by the one or more processors, the one or more displays to display the proximity of the vehicle relative to the center of the intended landing zone;
causing, by the one or more processors, the one or more displays to display the obstacle when present;
causing, by the one or more processors, the one or more displays to display a first alert when the vehicle deviates in proximity to the center of the intended landing zone and/or approaches the obstacle;
causing, by the one or more processors, the one or more displays to display a scale comprising time intervals relative to a touchdown of the vehicle at the intended landing zone, an abort point indicated on the scale, and a vehicle symbol representing the vehicle adjacent to the scale, wherein the abort point represents a point at which there is insufficient time to achieve a correct orientation of the vehicle for safe landing;
causing, by the one or more processors, the one or more displays to display the vehicle symbol moving relative to the scale in a vertical direction;
causing, by the one or more processors, the one or more displays to display a second alert when the vehicle symbol reaches the abort point on the scale, wherein:
the vehicle symbol displays a first indicator when the vertical speed as the vehicle approaches the abort point is within a nominal range;
the vehicle symbol displays a second indicator when the vertical speed as the vehicle approaches the abort point increases; and
the vehicle symbol displays a third indicator when the vertical speed as the vehicle approaches the abort point increases beyond tolerance for a safe landing;
upon determining a failure to respond to the first alert or the second alert, by the one or more processors, compute flight controls to modify landing; and
controlling the vehicle based on the computed modified flight controls, wherein controlling the vehicle comprises transmitting, from the one or more processors, one or more control instructions configured to control actuators of the vehicle to modify the landing to cause the vehicle to perform a maneuver to one of a holding area and alternative landing zone.