Pressure-Difference Warning System

• US 20080088483A1
• Filed: 01/19/2006
• Published: 04/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Inventors: Hellwig, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 8,149,140 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/945
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/14 Windows; Doors; Hatch covers or access panels; Surrounding frame structures; Canopies; Windscreens accessories therefor, e.g. pressure sensors, water deflectors, hinges, seals, handles, latches, windscreen wipersfairings movable in conjunction with undercarriage elements B64C25/16; bomb doors B64D1/06
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 13/04 Automatic control of pressure
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/50 On board measures aiming to increase energy efficiency

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pressure-difference warning system comprising an acoustic signal device, comprising an energy supply device and comprising a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor is designed for measuring a pressure difference between an interior region and an exterior region. The energy supply device is designed for providing energy for operating the warning system. The acoustic signal device is designed for outputting an acoustic signal if the measured pressure difference exceeds a specifiable threshold value.

Claims

1. A pressure-difference warning system to warn of a pressure difference between a first spatial region and a second spatial region, comprising:

an acoustic signal device;

an energy supply device;

a pressure sensor;

wherein the first spatial region can be separated from the second spatial region by a movable door element;

wherein the pressure sensor is adapted to measure a pressure difference between the first spatial region and the second spatial region;

wherein the energy supply device is adapted to provide energy for operating the warning system;

wherein the acoustic signal device is adapted to output an acoustic signal if the measured pressure difference exceeds a specifiable threshold value.

2. The pressure-difference warning system of claim 1, further comprising:

a visual signal device that is adapted such that in addition to the signal output by the acoustic signal device it outputs a visual signal if the measured pressure difference exceeds a specifiable threshold value.

3. The pressure-difference warning system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one additional sensor for acquiring at least one additional parameter;

wherein the acoustic signal device is adapted such that an acoustic signal is generated only if cumulatively each of the at least one additional sensor provides a sensor signal of a corresponding value.

4. The pressure-difference warning system of claim 3;

wherein one of the at least one additional sensors is an evacuation-slide sensor.

5. The pressure-difference warning system of claim 3;

wherein one of the at least one additional sensors is a door opening sensor.

6. The pressure-difference warning system of claim 1;

wherein the warning system is designed as a self-sufficient system.

7. The pressure-difference warning system of claim 1;

wherein the energy supply device is operable independently of a cabin energy supply device.

8. The pressure-difference warning system of claim 1;

wherein the energy supply device is an electrochemical energy supply device.

9. The pressure-difference warning system of claim 1;

wherein the energy supply device is a capacitor.

10. The pressure-difference warning system of claim 1;

wherein the energy supply device is a regenerative energy supply device.

11. The pressure-difference warning system of claim 1,

wherein the acoustic signal device is a piezosiren.

12. The pressure-difference warning system of claim 1, further comprising:

a control device that is coupled to the acoustic signal device and to the pressure sensor and is adapted to drive the acoustic signal device for outputting an acoustic signal if the pressure difference measured by the pressure sensor exceeds a specifiable threshold value.

13. The pressure-difference warning system of claim 12,

wherein the control device is coupled to the additional sensor, of which there is at least one, and is designed such that it drives the acoustic signal device only in those cases, for generating an acoustic signal, when cumulatively each of the additional sensors, of which there is at least one, provides a sensor signal of a corresponding value.

14. The pressure-difference warning system of claim 1,

adapted as one of a group consisting of a cabin-pressure warning system, a freight-door pressure warning system and a service-flap pressure warning system.

15. A door comprising a pressure-difference warning system, the warning system comprising:

an acoustic signal device;

an energy supply device;

a pressure sensor;

wherein the first spatial region can be separated from the second spatial region by a movable door element;

wherein the pressure sensor is adapted to measure a pressure difference between the first spatial region and the second spatial region;

wherein the energy supply device is adapted to provide energy for operating the warning system;

wherein the acoustic signal device is adapted to output an acoustic signal if the measured pressure difference exceeds a specifiable threshold value.

16. An aircraft comprising a pressure-difference warning system, the warning system comprising:

an acoustic signal device;

an energy supply device;

a pressure sensor;

wherein the first spatial region can be separated from the second spatial region by a movable door element;

wherein the pressure sensor is adapted to measure a pressure difference between the first spatial region and the second spatial region;

wherein the energy supply device is adapted to provide energy for operating the warning system;

wherein the acoustic signal device is adapted to output an acoustic signal if the measured pressure difference exceeds a specifiable threshold value.

17. A method for generating an acoustic signal as a pressure-difference warning signal, comprising:

providing energy for measuring a pressure difference between an interior region and an exterior region and for generating an acoustic signal;

measuring a pressure difference between the interior region and the exterior region; and

outputting an acoustic signal if the measured pressure difference exceeds a specifiable threshold value.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the method further comprises:

outputting a visual signal if the measured pressure difference exceeds a specifiable threshold value.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the method further comprises:

measuring at least one additional sensor signal;

outputting an acoustic signal only if cumulatively each of the at least one additional sensor signals has a corresponding value.

20. A computer-readable storage medium in which a program for generating an acoustic signal as a pressure-difference warning signal is stored, which when executed by a computer, controls the computer to:

provide energy for measuring a pressure difference between an interior region and an exterior region and generate an acoustic signal;

measure a pressure difference between the interior region and the exterior region;

output an acoustic signal if the measured pressure difference exceeds a specifiable threshold value.

21. (canceled)