Aircraft flight and voice data recorder system and method
First Claim
1. A system for recording flight data from an aircraft during flight, comprising:
- means onboard an aircraft for monitoring a plurality of flight parameters and detecting a predetermined exceedence indicative of a potential problem;
RF means for transmitting signals carrying flight data representative of the flight parameters upon the detection of the predetermined exceedence; and
means remote from the aircraft for receiving the transmitted signals and recording the flight data for analysis.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An onboard portion of the system is located on an aircraft for monitoring a plurality of flight parameters and detecting a predetermined exceedence indicative of a potential problem. With regard to flight data, predetermined exceedences could include abnormal attitude, control surface actuator failure, low hydraulic fluid pressure, low fuel, near stall speed, excessive engine RPM, engine failure, cabin pressure loss, and so forth. With regard to voice data, predetermined exceedences could include excessive decibel levels, excessive static, overly long periods of silence, and other audible conditions indicative of cockpit intrusion. Flight data representative of the flight parameters is transmitted via RF signals upon the detection of the predetermined exceedence. A remote portion of the system receives the transmitted RF signals carrying the flight data and records the flight data for analysis.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for recording flight data from an aircraft during flight, comprising:
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means onboard an aircraft for monitoring a plurality of flight parameters and detecting a predetermined exceedence indicative of a potential problem;
RF means for transmitting signals carrying flight data representative of the flight parameters upon the detection of the predetermined exceedence; and
means remote from the aircraft for receiving the transmitted signals and recording the flight data for analysis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for recording flight data from an aircraft during flight, comprising the steps of:
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monitoring a plurality of flight parameters onboard an aircraft and detecting a predetermined exceedence indicative of a potential problem;
transmitting via RF signals flight data representative of the flight parameters upon the detection of the predetermined exceedence; and
receiving the transmitted RF signals remote from the aircraft and recording the flight data for analysis. The method of claim 11 wherein the predetermined exceedence is selected from the group consisting of abnormal attitude, control surface actuator failure, low hydraulic fluid pressure, low fuel, near stall speed, engine failure and cabin pressure loss. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for recording flight data from an aircraft during flight, comprising:
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means onboard an aircraft for monitoring a plurality of flight parameters and detecting a predetermined exceedence indicative of a potential problem;
RF means for transmitting signals carrying flight data representative of the flight parameters and voice data representative of voice communications and other audible noise in the aircraft cockpit upon the detection of the predetermined exceedence, the RF means including a multiplexer interposed between a first existing RF output and an RF transmitter; and
means remote from the aircraft for receiving the transmitted signals and recording the flight data and the voice data for analysis, including a demultiplexer interposed between an RF receiver and a second existing RF output and a signal analyzer that converts the flight data and the voice data into a conventional flight data format and a conventional voice data format, and an FDR and a VDR that record the converted flight data and voice data.
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Specification