SYSTEM FOR USE IN CONDUCTING AIRCRAFT CHECK LISTS

• US 3,713,090 A
• Filed: 09/03/1970
• Issued: 01/23/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Clarance B. Dickinson
• Original Assignee: Clarance B. Dickinson
• Inventors: Dickinson, Clarance B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Claffy, Kathleen H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kundert, Thomas L.
• Application Number:
  US05/069,254
• Time in Patent Office: 873 Days
• Field of Search: 340/27R,221 179/1.2MD,1.2S,100.1
• US Class Current: 340/945
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 3/00 Registering or indicating the condition or the working of machines or other apparatus, other than vehicles

Abstract

The system is for use in an aircraft, and it includes a number of pre-recorded messages or check lists, either emergency (in which case selection is automatic) or normal operational. Each message includes a number of separate items arranged in sequence. A desired list is selected either manually by the pilot or automatically by an emergency sensor, and a pre-recorded audio signal announces the first item over a speaker. The tape is then shut off, giving the pilot time to check the item. The pilot, when he is satisfied the item is operational, presses a reply bar to proceed with subsequent items. The tap re-winds automatically when the end of a message is reached and shuts down at the start of message position. In the case of an emergency, the system will interrupt a previously selected message if it is also not an emergency check list, return to the start of the proper emergency check list, and transmit an emergency radio signal. Circuitry permits repetition of an item if desired; and the pilot may selectively reset the message in high speed before completing it.

Claims

1. A system for use in performing check lists in an aircraft comprising:

a magnetic tape recorder with a reversible drive motor having high and low speeds and a magnetic tape having a plurality of pre-recorded check lists including normal check lists and emergency check lists, each check list having a plurality of recorded items and an end of item signal after each item, a start of message signal, and an end of tape signal, each emergency check list associated with a pre-determined emergency condition in said aircraft;

an emergency sensor associated with each emergency check list for generating an emergency signal in response to the occurrence thereof;

a selection gate circuit associated with each recorded normal check list and actuatable by an operator to select non-emergency check lists;

first circuit means responsive to the absence of a signal from said emergency sensors for permitting said selection gates to transmit a recorded normal check list only when there is no emergency;

audio circuit means receiving the output signals of said selection gates for playing recorded normal check lists and for generating an end of item signal when detected and an end of tape signal when detected;

second circuit means including a start-reply switch actuatable by the pilot and bistable circuit means for energizing said drive motor when in a first state and for stopping said drive motor when in a second state, actuation of said start-reply switch setting said bistable circuit to said first state in the absence of an emergency signal;

third circuit means responsive to an end of item signal for setting said bistable circuit to said second state to stop said drive motor after each announced item;

fourth circuit means for reversing said drive motor in high speed in response to an end of tape signal while locking out said end of item signals; and

fifth circuit means responsive to an emergency signal for rewinding the tape in high speed if it is not at a start of message position and for selecting and playing an associated emergency check list.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising item repeat circuit means including a switch actuatable by the pilot to selectively reverse said tape one item and to reverse said motor back to a forward drive position in response to a second-detected end of item signal while locking out said item repeat signal from said bistable circuit.

3. The system of claim 2 further comprising a deferred item switch actuatable by a pilot and blinker light means visible to said pilot for indicating that an item on a check list has been deferred.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising emergency transmitter means for broadcasting an emergency radio message in response to an emergency signal from any of said emergency sensors.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said fourth circuit means further comprises means responsIve to said start of message signal for stopping said recorder after returning said tape to said start position.