Patent ID: 8255101
Filing Date: 2012-08-28
Classification: G01P

Abstract:
1. A method for automatically estimating aboard an aircraft (AC) at least one wind characteristic existing outside said aircraft (AC), such a method wherein, upon said aircraft (AC) flying, the following automated operations are performed via a processor: a) a first piece of speed information is received relating to the speed of the aircraft (AC) in a terrestrial reference system, being expressed in a first point (G) of the aircraft (AC); b) a second piece of speed information ({right arrow over (Vair)}) is received relating to the speed of the aircraft (AC) in the air, being expressed in a second point (A) of the aircraft; and c) from at least said first and second speed information, said wind characteristic is determined in said terrestrial reference system, such a wind characteristic being determined taking into account a corrective term being representative of an apparent wind, wherein said corrective term TC is calculated using the following expression: wherein in step c), there is calculated, as a wind characteristic, a speed vector {right arrow over (Vv)} of said wind, using the following expression: wherein: {right arrow over (Vgs)} represents said first piece of speed information; {right arrow over (Vair)} represents said second piece of speed information; ^ represents the vector product; {right arrow over (Ω)} represents the rotation rate of the aircraft (AC) in an inertial reference system; G represents a reference point of the aircraft (AC), corresponding to said first point; and A represents the position on the aircraft (AC) of at least one anemometric probe, the measurements thereof being used for determining said second piece of speed information, such a position A corresponding to said second point.