Method for the calculation of flight paths taking into consideration events of relevance for radiation dose

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9372483-B2
Application number	US-201314430294-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 28, 2013
Priority date	Sep 21, 2012
Publication date	Jun 21, 2016
Grant date	Jun 21, 2016

Abstract

A method for the calculation of flight paths taking into consideration events of relevance for the radiation dose comprises the following steps: a) collection of radiation data for atmospheric radiation ( 10 ); b) examination of the radiation data and conclusion about an event of relevance for radiation dose generating a temporary increase in exposure; c) creation of a model using the radiation data, wherein the model contains at least one estimate of the geographical location of a region with a radiation intensity increased by the event of relevance for radiation dose; d) determination of flight-relevant parameters; e) calculation of a possible flight path in the light of the flight-relevant parameters taking into consideration the model created in step c), wherein the flight path is adjusted in respect of a reduction of exposure to radiation.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for the calculation of flight paths taking into consideration events of relevance for the radiation dose, comprising the following steps: a) collection of radiation data of the atmospheric radiation from measurement stations located on the ground, installed in aircrafts and/or installed in satellites, b) examination of the radiation data and conclusion about an event of relevance for the radiation dose that generates a temporary increase in exposure, c) creation of a model using the radiation data, the model containing at least one estimate of the spatial location of a region with a radiation intensity increased by the event of relevance for the radiation dose, d) determination of flight-relevant parameters, e) calculation of a possible flight path in view of the flight-relevant parameters taking into consideration the model created in step c), the flight path being determined on the basis of a reduction of an exposure to radiation in relation to another flight path prior to flight or in relation to an existing flight path if the aircraft already is in flight, and f) providing the possible flight path for selection.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein, in step d), the flight-relevant parameters are determined before a flight, for calculation of a flight path as an alternative to a conventional flight path in step e).

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein, in step d), the flight-relevant parameters of an aircraft in flight are determined for calculation of a bypass route as an alternative flight path in step e).

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the radiation data are determined by measurement stations, preferably neutron monitors, arranged at different geographic positions, and/or by measurement stations installed in commercial aircraft.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein, in step a), there are additionally determined radiation data from the near-atmospheric region, this detection being performed by satellite-based measurement instruments.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein, in step a), radiation data in the form of data sets are determined at a temporal interval, said data sets including radiation data of a predefined period of time.

7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein, in step b), the radiation data are examined with respect to a threshold value and, when the threshold value is exceeded in a predetermined number of consecutive data sets, a conclusion is drawn on an event of relevance for the radiation dose.

8. The method according to claim 6 , wherein, in step c), the model is created after acquisition of a predetermined number of data sets.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein, after creation of the model in method step c), said method step a) is repeated and the model is continuously adapted on the basis of the additionally included radiation data.

10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein, in method step e), a calculation of further flight paths is performed on the basis of the adapted model.

11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said model is a dynamic model which includes quantitative information about the radiation intensity and its variation over time.

12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein, in step c) in the creating of the model, there is drawn a conclusion from the radiation data to an energy spectrum of the particles of the event of relevance for the radiation dose.

Assignees

• Deutsch Zentr Luft & Raumfahrt
• Deutsches Zentrum Fuer Luft & Raumfahrt Ev

Inventors

• Matthia Daniel
• Meier Matthias
• Wirtz Michael

Classifications

• G01C21/20

  Instruments for performing navigational calculations (G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence) · CPC title

• G08G5/76

  for monitoring atmospheric conditions · CPC title

• G08G5/32

  for flight plan preparation · CPC title

• G08G5/26 Primary

  Transmission of traffic-related information between aircraft and ground stations · CPC title

• G08G5/21

  located onboard the aircraft · CPC title