Data and cockpit voice recorder enclosure
First Claim
1. A crash-survivable enclosure for protecting a data memory unit used in vehicles comprising:
- a shell, having an inner surface and an outer surface, defining an interior cavity for containing a data memory unit; and
a heat absorption composition which lines a given portion of the inner surface, such said that heat absorption composition surrounds the data memory unit;
the composition exhibiting an endothermic phase transition when subjected to a high temperature environment, the phase transition being from a solid phase to a non-solid, flowable phase;
the shell comprising a plurality of vents, the vents sized and positioned to permit heat absorption material to drain from the shell when in the non-solid, flowable phase regardless of the orientation of the shell.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A crash-survivable enclosure (10) for protecting a data memory unit (45) used in vehicles has a shell (15) with an inner surface (22). The shell (15) defines an interior cavity (26) which contains the data memory unit (45). The enclosure (10) has a heat absorption composition (20) which lines a portion of the inner surface (22) and substantially surrounds the data memory unit (45). The composition is capable of exhibiting an endothermic phase transition when subjected to a high temperature environment. The phase transition is typically from a solid phase to a non-solid, flowable phase. The shell can also have a plurality of vents (42). The vents (42) are sized and positioned to permit the heat absorption material (20) to drain from the shell when in the non-solid, flowable phase. The vents (42) can be positioned such that the flowable heat absorption material will drain regardless of the orientation of the shell (15).
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A crash-survivable enclosure for protecting a data memory unit used in vehicles comprising:
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a shell, having an inner surface and an outer surface, defining an interior cavity for containing a data memory unit; and a heat absorption composition which lines a given portion of the inner surface, such said that heat absorption composition surrounds the data memory unit; the composition exhibiting an endothermic phase transition when subjected to a high temperature environment, the phase transition being from a solid phase to a non-solid, flowable phase; the shell comprising a plurality of vents, the vents sized and positioned to permit heat absorption material to drain from the shell when in the non-solid, flowable phase regardless of the orientation of the shell. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A crash-survivable enclosure for protecting a data memory unit used in vehicles comprising:
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a shell, having an inner surface and an outer surface, defining an interior cavity for containing a data memory unit; and a heat absorption composition which lines a given portion of the inner surface such that said heat absorption composition surrounds the data memory unit; the shell comprising a plurality of vents, the vents sized and positioned to provide for pressure equalization between the inner cavity and an outside environment.
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10. A data recorder assembly comprising:
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a crash-survivable enclosure comprising; a shell, having an inner surface and an outer surface, defining an interior cavity for containing a data memory unit; and a heat absorption composition which lines a given portion of the inner surface such that said heat absorption composition surrounds the data memory unit; the composition exhibiting an endothermic phase transition when subjected to a high temperature environment, the phase transition being from a solid phase to a non-solid, flowable phase; and the shell comprising a plurality of vents, the events sized and positioned to permit heat absorption material to drain from the shell when in the non-solid, flowable phase regardless of the orientation of the shell; and a data memory unit comprising; a controller board for digitizing data including operating parameter data and audio inputs; and a solid state electronic memory bank for storing the digitized data, the data to be recovered from the memory bank following exposure of the enclosure to a high temperature environment. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A crash-survivable enclosure for protecting a data memory unit used in vehicles comprising:
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a continuously formed cylindrical shell having plain circular, first and second open ends, and an inner and outer surface, the shell providing an interior cavity for a data memory unit; endcovers covering the first and second open ends positioned to provide a shell substantially free of material extending beyond the plain, circular ends of the shell; and a heat absorption composition which lines a given portion of the inner surface such that said heat absorption composition surrounds the data memory unit, the composition exhibiting an endothermic phase transition when subjected to a high temperature environment, the phase transition being from a solid phase to a non-solid, flowable phase. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A process for protecting a data memory unit used in vehicles in a crash-survivable enclosure, the steps of the process comprising:
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housing a data memory unit in a continuous form shell, the shell having an inner surface defining a cavity; absorbing heat which passes through the shell by the endothermic phase transition of a heat absorption composition said heat absorption composition lining a portion of the inner surface such that said heat absorption composition surrounds the data memory unit, is the phase transition being from a solid phase to a non-solid, flowable phase; and
;permitting the heat absorption material to flow from the shell when in the non-solid, flowable phase using a plurality of vents formed through the shell, the vents sized and positioned to permit the flowable heat absorption material to drain regardless of the orientation of the shell. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A process for protecting a data memory unit used in vehicles in a crash-survivable enclosure, the steps of the process comprising:
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housing a data memory unit in a continuous form shell, the shell having an inner surface defining a cavity; and permitting pressure equalization between the cavity and an outside environment using a plurality of vents formed through the shell.
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Specification