Patent ID: 6181989
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: B64D,G05D

Abstract:
An aircraft orientation sensing device comprising:a means for detecting an aircraft's attitude with respect to the Earth's surface;said means for detection comprising at least two horizontal infrared light sensors;each of said at least two horizontal infrared light sensors being mounted to said aircraft;each of said at least two horizontal infrared light sensors including a first horizontal sensor and a second horizontal sensor spatially oriented to detect different fields of view;said first horizontal sensor and said second horizontal sensor each including an infrared light receptor and an electrical output means;each of said horizontal sensor electrical output means generating a horizontal electrical output correlating to the level of infrared light received by said first horizontal sensor and said second horizontal sensor; andhorizontal comparator means for electrically processing said horizontal electrical outputs from said first horizontal sensor and said second horizontal sensor to electrically represent said aircraft's attitude with respect to the Earth's surface.