Aircraft onboard operational status indicator

• US 4,115,754 A
• Filed: 12/22/1976
• Issued: 09/19/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Grumman Aerospace Corporation (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Grumman Aerospace Corporation (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Inventors: Duzich, John J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell, Sr., John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Groody, James J.
• Application Number:
  US05/753,276
• Time in Patent Office: 636 Days
• Field of Search: 340/27 R, 340/27 AT, 340/52 F, 340/213 R, 340/214, 340/415, 340/324 R, 340/378 R, 340/212, 340/309.1, 73/178 I, 73/179, 73/182
• US Class Current: 340/971
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 23/00 Combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value, e.g. for aircraft; Combined measuring devices for measuring two or more variables of movement, e.g. distance, speed or acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 25/00 Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing instruments or devices referred to in the other groups of this subclass testing, calibrating or compensating compasses G01C17/38

Abstract

An indicator panel on the exterior of an airplane having indicators operatively connected to systems and components with switches interposed to provide on call to an observer outside of the airplane the ability to function of the indicators in checking the airplane'"'"'s previous inflight and post flight operational status of such systems and components of the vehicle with the indicators being grouped on the panel as to the various systems and components.

Claims

1. Means to monitor fluid system characteristics after system operation at a control station on the exterior surface of an airplane employing such fluid system, said means to monitor comprising:

an accessible selector/read-out panel on the exterior surface at the control station;

visual indicators to provide visual information of the system performance characteristics such as temperature, flow, pressure, volume, differential pressure, contamination, and time of operation, said indicators being grouped into several categories of the system on said selector/read-out panel;

means connecting said indicators to signal switch apparatus so as to operate said indicators such that said indicators will provide visual indication of signals from said switch apparatus to inform of a systems previous inflight and postflight operational characteristics, problems and need for maintenance; and

switch means on said panel, said switch means operably connected with said switch apparatus and said indicators to provide system test and a test of the operativeness of the indicators to corroborate said indicators'"'"' ability to provide indication of system characteristics.

2. On an airplane having a plurality of pneumatic and hydraulic systems and components each with some device to monitor operation of same, an indicator panel on a side of the fuselage of the airplane located for visual observation during ground check of the airplane to show malfunctions and potential problems, said indicator panel comprising:

a panel door on the exterior surface of the airplane, said door fairing with the exterior surface in protection of said indicator panel;

a plurality of indicating elements grouped on the indicator panel for various systems and components on the face of the panel to be exposed by opening of the door, said elements being inclusive of light emitting diodes, digital read-outs, color transmitting devices, clock information to provide indications of a systems previous inflight and postflight operation and time elapsed of system operation and condition for resuming operation; and

p1 controls on the panel protected by the door when closed to check operational status of the elements and activate the panel to show system, component status.

3. A checkout panel accessible from outside of a vehicle, said panel comprising:

a plurality of indicators of varied type such as light emitting diodes, digital character readouts, color discs, clock representations, said indicators being grouped to show condition of power generation, control operator/actuator condition, hydraulic source condition and pneumatic source condition, i.e. filter condition, fluid contamination, accumulator pressure, valve operation, said indicators also including an indicator test circuit switch on said panel to corroborate their ability to function; and

means within the vehicle to provide signals for operation of each of said indicators in monitoring various vehicle systems previous and, as desired, present operation.

4. An airplane comprising:

a ground-accessible selector read-out panel on the exterior surface of the airplane;

a plurality of signal generating means connected to components of vital systems of the airplane;

miniature indicators grouped on the selector read-out panel operably connected to said signal generating means of said components;

first switch means on said panel operable to corroborate the ability to function of said indicators in monitoring the operation of said components; and

second switch means on said panel to operate said indicators receiving signals from said signal generating means to indicate postflight readings of inflight operational characteristics of component function and readiness to function.

5. An airplane having the usual pneumatic and hydraulic systems for operation and control thereof said airplane comprising:

a plurality of components in the pneumatic and hydraulic systems;

a plurality of signal generating means to provide signals of malfunction of said components and systems;

an exteriorly located ground-accessible selector read-out panel on the airplane;

indicator means grouped according to components and systems on the face of said panel to be viewable exteriorly of the airplane while on the ground for checking previous inflight and postflight operation of said components and systems, said indicator means being inclusive of fluid power system monitors, of power generation, of power processing, of power transmission, of fluid condition, of fluid source reserve, temperature, density, contamination; and

component operation monitors of valves, of struts, and of actuators,

first switch means on the panel connecting signal generating means and said indicator means to activate said indicator means as are showing previous inflight and postflight component and system status; and

second switch means on said panel to activate said indicator means in testing their ability to function.