Invention:
This invention is a method and system that uses flow-field imaging techniques to predict rotorcraft motion and rotor state interference. By extracting and analyzing the aerodynamic wake and flow structures generated by rotor systems in a computational framework, the system can estimate and forecast the trajectory and control state of rotorcraft. This has application in defense, aerospace, and autonomous surveillance for passive and predictive estimation of rotorcraft intent, enabling improved interception, classification, and traffic management.
Background:
Conventional rotorcraft tracking systems rely on positional and kinematic data derived from radar, optical, or acoustic sensors. These systems observe the consequences of rotor control inputs (i.e., the resulting motion) rather than the inputs themselves. However, changes in rotor thrust, torque, and pitch angle produce immediate and measurable effects in the surrounding flow field—manifested in vortex patterns, wake geometry, and shock structures. These flow features contain predictive information regarding future motion and maneuvering. Optical imaging techniques provide the means to visualize these fluid structures non-invasively. To date, no known system integrates flow-field imaging with a computational framework to infer rotor kinematics and forecast motion states in real-time or near real-time.
Applications:
- Aerospace
- Defense
- Autonomous surveillance
- Air traffic management
Advantages:
- Real-time / near real-time motion state evaluation
- Predictive capabilities via forecasting
- Examines rotor input controls directly
- Non-invasive visualization of fluid structures
