Modular altimeter

• US 6,584,839 B1
• Filed: 03/02/2001
• Issued: 07/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Innovative Solutions and Support Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Innovative Solutions and Support Incorporated
• Inventors: Hedrick, Geoffrey S. M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jenkins, Jermaine
• Application Number:
  US09/798,228
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 733/84, 733/86, 733/67, 737/01, 732/44, 731/79, 702/144, 702/138-140, 702/85, 702/98, 702/104
• US Class Current: 73/384
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 25/005 initial alignment, calibration or starting-up of inertial devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 5/005 altimeters for aircraft G01C5/02, G01C5/06 take precedence

Abstract

An altimeter which contains within it means for storing the Static Source Error Correction (SSEC) for the aircraft. The altimeter includes means for downloading the SSEC and for transferring it to a new altimeter which may then be used in place of the original altimeter without losing the information built up over time or having to re-calibrate the new altimeter based on new tests. The altimeter also includes means for uploading a known SSEC thereto.

Claims

1. An altimeter for use in an aircraft, comprising:

a housing;

means for receiving static air pressure data relating to the air pressure outside the aircraft;

means for receiving a static source error correction;

means coupled to said means for receiving a static source error correction for storing the received static source error correction within said housing;

means coupled to said means for receiving said static air pressure data and to said storing means for calculating an altitude as a function of said received static air pressure data and said received static source error correction; and

means coupled to said calculating means for displaying the calculated altitude.

2. The altimeter of claim 1, wherein said means for storing is an EPROM.

3. The altimeter of claim 1, wherein said altimeter further includes means for downloading said static source error correction from said altimeter.

4. The altimeter of claim 3, wherein said means for downloading is operable to download said static source error correction from said altimeter to an exterior means separate from said altimeter for storing said static source error correction when said altimeter is removed from the aircraft.

5. The altimeter of claim 1, wherein said means for storing is removable from the altimeter.

6. An altimeter for use in an aircraft, comprising:

a housing;

means for receiving static air pressure data relating to the air pressure outside the aircraft;

means for receiving a static source error correction;

means in said housing and coupled to said means for receiving a static source error correction for storing the received static source error correction;

means coupled to said means for receiving said air pressure data and to said storing means for calculating an altitude as a function of said static air pressure data and said static source error correction;

means for downloading said static source error correction from said altimeter to an exterior means separate from said altimeter for storing said static source error correction when said altimeter is removed from the aircraft; and

means coupled to said calculating means for displaying the calculated altitude.

7. The altimeter of claim 6, wherein said means for storing is an EEPROM.

8. The altimeter of claim 6, wherein said means for storing is removable from the altimeter.