TOOL FOR ASSISTING IN THE DESIGN OF AN AIRCRAFT FLIGHT DECK COMPATIBLE WITH A NIGHT VISION SYSTEM

• US 20070218428A1
• Filed: 03/15/2007
• Published: 09/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Airbus France
• Inventors: Taffet, Bruno
• Granted Patent: US 8,337,206 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/41
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 25/02 of industrial processes; of machinery
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/16 Ambient or aircraft conditions simulated or indicated by instrument or alarm
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/32 by projected image G09B9/307, G09B9/36 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/36 Simulation of night or reduced visibility flight

Abstract

The invention relates to a tool (10) for assisting in the design of an aircraft flight deck compatible with a night vision system, comprising a closed chamber (12) functioning as a dark room and containing:

• • a mockup (14) that reproduces the interior of a flight deck and is representative of the visual characteristics of the station, the mockup integrating equipment items that are representative of a flight deck and that are capable of reproducing a plurality of possible illumination configurations of the flight deck on command,
  • a light source (22) capable of reproducing at least one level of darkness in the chamber.

Claims

1. A tool for (10) assisting in the design of an aircraft flight deck compatible with a night vision system, comprising a closed chamber (12) functioning as a dark room and containing:

a mockup (14) that reproduces the interior of a flight deck and is representative of the visual characteristics of the station, the mockup integrating equipment items that are representative of a flight deck and that are capable of reproducing a plurality of possible illumination configurations of the flight deck on command,

a light source (22) capable of reproducing at least one level of darkness in the chamber.

2. A tool according to claim 1, characterized in that it additionally comprises, in the interior of the chamber (12), an apparatus (28) for measuring at least one physical variable relating to the illumination of equipment items of the flight deck that are in a predefined, activated state of illumination.

3. A tool according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is provided with at least one illumination control unit (16) connected to the different equipment items and permitting the illumination of such items to be activated.

4. A tool according to claim 3, characterized in that the said at least one illumination control unit (16) is mounted in the chamber (12).

5. A tool according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the said at least one physical variable to be measured is chosen from among at least one of the following variables:

chromaticity, spectral radiance, luminance, illuminance.

6. A tool according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the measuring apparatus (28) is a spectroradiometer.

7. A tool according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the measuring apparatus (28) is mounted in the mockup (14) of the inside of the flight deck.

8. A tool according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the light source (22) is capable of reproducing a plurality of darkness levels.

9. A tool according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it is provided with at least one attenuating filter associated with the light source for each darkness level.

10. A tool according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it is provided with a resolution pattern (24) mounted opposite the mockup and illuminated by the light source.

11. A tool according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the night vision system comprises night vision goggles.

12. A tool according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the mockup is also representative of the tactile characteristics of the flight deck.

13. A method for implementation of the tool according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it includes the following steps:

measurement of at least one physical variable relating to the illumination generated by one or more equipment items of the flight deck that are in a predefined, activated state of illumination,

comparison of the measurement result with reference data defining compatibility relative to night vision systems,

depending on the result of the comparison, decision as to whether the said at least one physical variable measured for one or more equipment items in the predefined, activated state of illumination is compatible with a night vision system.

14. A method according to claim 13, characterized in that it includes a step of activation of a predefined state of illumination of one or more equipment items.

15. A method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the said at least one physical variable to be measured is chosen from among at least one of the following variables:

chromaticity, spectral radiance, luminance, illuminance.