Avionic door lock system

• US 20050178907A1
• Filed: 01/24/2005
• Published: 08/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Smith, Mark E., Johnson, James J., Shinn, Julie M., Gaston, Darrell W. Jr., Piorkowski, Mitchell J., Wehr, Steven L., Flickinger, Steven D., Truong, Binh C., Bandy, Paul W., Kupfer, Shannon J., Schaeffer, Dwight R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,398,025 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/118.500
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/1469 Doors between cockpit and cabin
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 2001/009 comprising decompression panels or valves for pressure equalisation in fuselages or floors
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/0029 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/0069 actuated in a predetermined sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/33 by means of a password

Abstract

A security system adapted for use on an aircraft to prevent unauthorized access into a cockpit area of the aircraft via a cockpit door. The system includes a keypad accessible by individuals in a cabin area of the aircraft. A logic system is in communication with the keypad and also with a switch disposed inside the cockpit. Occupants of the cockpit, via the switch, have the ability to manually unlock the cockpit door, to deny the request for entry, or to do nothing, in which case the door will be automatically unlocked after the expiration of a predetermined time interval. A pressure sensor in communication with the controller allows the electronic door locking member to be automatically overridden, and the door immediately opened, in the event of a decompression condition occurring in the cockpit.

Claims

1. A system for sensing a decompression event within an interior area of a pressurized structure, wherein the interior area is partitioned into at least two compartments by a wall having a door, wherein the door is movable between an open position and a closed position, and held in said closed position in either an unlocked or a locked condition, the system comprising:

an electronic locking mechanism disposed adjacent said door for allowing said door to be maintained in said locked and unlocked conditions when positioned in said closed position; and

a pressure sensor for sensing a decompression event, the pressure sensor generating an output that electrically inhibits the electronic locking mechanism, substantially instantaneously, from holding the door in a closed position, thus allowing the door to open substantially simultaneously in response to said decompression event.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said electronic locking mechanism includes a solenoid, and wherein the solenoid includes a plunger to assist in holding the door in said closed position.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said output of said pressure sensor de-energizes said solenoid to inhibit operation of said locking mechanism and allowing said door to be opened.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a controller operably associated with said electronic locking mechanism, said controller being responsive to said output of said pressure sensor.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a user keypad operably associated with said electronic locking mechanism for enabling a user in a first one of said compartments to request from an individual in a second one of said compartments that said door be unlocked, independently of operation of said pressure sensor.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising at least one of a visual indicator and an audible indicator located in said first compartment for providing a signal to an individual in said first compartment that an individual in said second compartment has requested that said door be unlocked.

7. A system for sensing a decompression event within a pressurized interior area of a mobile platform, wherein the interior area is partitioned into at least two compartments by a wall having a door, and wherein the door is moveable between an open position and a closed position, the system comprising:

an electronic locking mechanism for allowing said door to be held, when in said closed position, in locked and unlocked conditions; and

a pressure sensor for sensing a decompression event within at least one of said compartments;

the pressure sensor generating an electrical output that electrically inhibits the electronic locking mechanism to thus allow the door to open substantially simultaneously in response to said decompression event, and without user intervention.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said electronic locking mechanism includes a solenoid having a plunger for assisting in operation of said locking mechanism;

and

wherein the solenoid is responsive to said output from said pressure sensor.

9. The system of claim 7, further comprising a controller responsive to said output of said pressure sensor for monitoring operation of said door locking mechanism.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising using a keypad in communication with said controller for enabling an individual to request that said door lock mechanism be placed in said unlocked condition.

11. The system of claim 9, further comprising using a visual indicator in communication with said controller to provide a visual signal to a first individual within one of said compartments that a request to unlock said door has been made by a second individual in the other one of said compartments.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein said controller implements a time delay before unlocking said door in response to said request made by said individual at said keypad.

13. A method for sensing a decompression event within a mobile platform, wherein the mobile platform has a door separating an interior area into first and second compartments, the door having open and closed positions, the method comprising:

using an electronic locking mechanism for holding said door in locked and unlocked conditions when said door is in said closed position;

sensing a decompression event within said mobile platform; and

upon said sensed decompression event, causing said electronic locking mechanism to release said door from said closed position, regardless if said electronic locking mechanism is holding said door in said unlocked condition or said locked condition.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising generating an electrical signal to said electronic locking mechanism upon the occurrence of said decompression event.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising using a controller to monitor and interface with said electronic locking mechanism.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

using a controller to interface with said electronic locking mechanism;

using a keypad to interface with said controller; and

wherein said keypad enables an individual in said second compartment to initiate a request to an individual in said first compartment to unlock said door when no decompression event is occurring.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

providing at least one of a visual signal and an audible signal to said individual in said first compartment when said keypad has been used to make a request to unlock said door.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein a time delay is implemented by said controller after a request to unlock said door has been made from said keypad.