DATA ACQUISITION AND RECORDING SYSTEMS

• US 3,783,197 A
• Filed: 08/24/1971
• Issued: 01/01/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: British Aerospace, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Frank Richard Towner
• Inventors: Towner, Frank Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Canney, Vincent P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Eddleman, Alfred H.
• Application Number:
  US05/174,344
• Time in Patent Office: 861 Days
• Field of Search: 179/1.2Z,1.2MD,1.2R 242/197,198,55.19A 274/4C,4D,4E
• US Class Current: 360/90
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2045/0065 Black boxes, devices automatically broadcasting distress signals
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/00 Aircraft indicators or protectors not otherwise provided for camouflage F41H3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 25/06 using web-form record carriers, e.g. tape

Abstract

A compact flight data acquisition and recording system is disclosed in which a recorder unit is detachable from the remainder of the system. The recorder unit comprises a casing in which is mounted a tape deck and drive means for the tape deck is mounted externally of the recorder unit and is disconnectible from the tape deck when the recorder is detached from the system.

Claims

1. A flight data acquisition and recording system for use in aircraft comprising a recorder unit including a substantially sealed casing and a tape deck mounted in said casing, a remaining portion of said system fixed in said aircraft and located externally of said casing of said recorder unit, said recorder unit being detachable from said remaining portion of said system, and drive means for said tape deck including in said remaining portion of said system and located externally of said recorder unit, said drive means being disconnectible from said tape deck when said recorder unit is detached from said remaining portion of said system, said drive means comprising a belt and a motor operable to drive said belt, said recorder unit further including a tape drive shaft extending through said casing to said tape deck and a pulley attached to said drive shaft outside of said casing for engagement with said belt when said recorder unit is correctly positioned in said remaining portion of said system.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein said drive means further includes a plurality of puLleys around which said belt extends, an arm on which one of said pulleys is mounted, said arm being pivoted for motion in one direction on engagement of said pulley on said recorder unit with said belt and in the opposite direction on disengagement thereof, whereby tension is maintained in said belt to prevent it disengaging one or more of said plurality of pulleys.

3. A system according to claim 2 wherein said drive means further includes counterbalancing means on said arm for minimizing spasmodic fluctuations in the drive from said motor.

4. A system according to claim 2 wherein said drive shaft includes a material for expanding at unusually high temperatures thereby sealing said casing of said unit.

5. A system according to claim 1 wherein said recorder unit comprises two rotatable spools mounted on said tape deck coaxially with respect to each other for alternately receiving and relinquishing a recyclable length of magnetic tape, and guide means for guiding said tape from one said spool to the other and vice versa maintaining the plane of the surface of said tape at any point thereof substantially parallel with the axis of rotation of said spools.

6. A system according to claim 5 wherein at least one of said spools has an aperture therein, and said magnetic tape has a member which projects therefrom, said tape being connectible to said spool by said member being inserted in said aperture.

7. A system according to claim 5 further including a coiled spring coupled between said two rotatable spools for maintaining tension in said magnetic tape.

8. A system according to claim 5 wherein said guide means comprises a plurality of rollers mounted on said tape deck for guiding said tape from one said spool to the other said spool, at least two of said rollers being non-cylindrical, the axes of rotation of said non-cylindrical rollers being inclined with respect to the base of said tape deck.

9. A unit according to claim 8 wherein each said non-cylindrical roller is of barrel form having a surface at least part of which is composed of a material of relatively high coefficient of friction and/or low coefficient of thermal conductivity.

10. A unit according to claim 9 wherein said surface of each said barrel roller includes a peripheral recess therein, each said barrel roller including an O-ring composed of said material located in said peripheral recess.