초록 ▼

The takeoff weight of an aircraft is computed from measures of the thrust of the engines and the forward acceleration of the aircraft detected over a time period when such acceleration is at a maximum following brake release on the runway. A major variable that must be considered is the coefficient

The takeoff weight of an aircraft is computed from measures of the thrust of the engines and the forward acceleration of the aircraft detected over a time period when such acceleration is at a maximum following brake release on the runway. A major variable that must be considered is the coefficient of rolling friction of the landing gear of the particular aircraft involved and other factors inducing ground roll drag. The present invention calculated this variable as a function of engine thrust and manifest weight for each takeoff of the aircraft and updates weighted filter values thereof for use during subsequent takeoffs. For each takeoff, therefore, and average value of rolling friction is used to calculate takeoff weight, which average value becomes more nearly the actual value for the existing condition of the landing gear.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for providing a measure of actual takeoff weight of an aircraft, comprising: means for providing a measure of engine thrust of said aircraft, means for providing a measure of longitudinal acceleration of said aircraft, means for providing a measure of rolling friction of said aircraft, whi

Apparatus for providing a measure of actual takeoff weight of an aircraft, comprising: means for providing a measure of engine thrust of said aircraft, means for providing a measure of longitudinal acceleration of said aircraft, means for providing a measure of rolling friction of said aircraft, which measure is an average value of a plurality of rolling friction measures obtained over a plurality of prior aircraft takeoffs, and means responsive to said measures of thrust, acceleration and friction for providing an output measure of said takeoff weight of said aircraft as a predetermined function of said thrust, acceleration and friction measures.