Flight recorder having integral reserve power supply within form factor of enclosure and method therefor

• US 8,165,730 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2008
• Issued: 04/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L3 Technologies, Inc. (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Winterhalter, Michael C., Wilson, Glenn C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US12/142,129
• Publication Number:
  US 20090319102A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,405 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 701/3
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers

Abstract

A flight recorder includes an enclosure having a notch formed on one side or corner of the enclosure. An electronic interface is disposed within the enclosure. The electronic interface is coupled for receiving flight data, video data, and audio data. A memory unit is disposed within the enclosure and electrically connected to the electronic interface for storing the data. The memory unit contains a non-volatile memory device. A reserve power supply is physically disposed within the notch of the enclosure. The reserve power supply contains a rechargeable battery. A clamp secures the reserve power supply to the enclosure to make the reserve power supply removable from the enclosure. The reserve power supply has an electrical connector coupled to the enclosure for providing an operating voltage to the electronic interface and memory unit. The reserve power supply and electrical connector physically reside within a form factor of the enclosure.

Claims

1. A flight recorder, comprising:

an enclosure having an inwardly extending notch formed in an outer peripheral surface thereof, said notch sized and shaped to receive at least a reserve power supply;

an electronic interface disposed within the enclosure, the electronic interface being coupled for receiving data;

a memory unit disposed within the enclosure and electrically coupled to the electronic interface for storing the data; and

said reserve power supply physically and removably disposed within the notch and external to the enclosure, the reserve power supply having an electrical connector coupled to a mating electrical connecter of the enclosure for providing an operating voltage to the electronic interface and memory unit, wherein physical dimensions of the reserve power supply and the electrical connector are disposed within a form factor which is pre-defined for said data recorder by an applicable standard.

2. The flight recorder of claim 1, further including a clamp for securing the reserve power supply to the enclosure.

3. The flight recorder of claim 1, wherein the memory unit includes a non-volatile memory device.

4. The flight recorder of claim 1, further including a battery disposed in the reserve power supply.

5. The flight recorder of claim 1, wherein the memory unit stores flight data, audio data, or video data.

6. The flight recorder of claim 1, further including a beacon mounted to the enclosure.

7. A data recorder, comprising:

an enclosure having an inwardly extending notch formed in an outer peripheral surface thereof, said notch sized and shaped to receive at least a reserve power supply;

an electronic interface disposed within the enclosure, the electronic interface being coupled for receiving data;

a memory unit electrically coupled to the electronic interface for storing the data; and

said reserve power supply physically disposed within the notch and external to the enclosure, wherein physical dimensions of the reserve power supply are disposed within a form factor which is pre-defined for said data recorder by an applicable standard, the reserve power supply providing an operating voltage to the electronic interface and memory unit.

8. The data recorder of claim 7, further including a clamp for securing the reserve power supply to the enclosure.

9. The data recorder of claim 7, wherein the reserve power supply is removable from the enclosure.

10. The data recorder of claim 7, further including a battery disposed in the reserve power supply.

11. The data recorder of claim 7, wherein the memory unit stores flight data, audio data, or video data.

12. An aircraft, comprising:

an airframe; and

a flight recorder mounted to the airframe, the flight recorder including

(a) an enclosure having an inwardly extending notch formed in an outer peripheral surface thereof, the notch sized and shaped to receive at least a reserve power supply,

(b) an electronic interface disposed within the enclosure, the electronic interface being coupled for receiving data,

(c) a memory unit electrically coupled to the electronic interface for storing the data, and

(d) said reserve power supply physically disposed within the notch and external to the enclosure, wherein physical dimensions of the reserve power supply are disposed within a form factor which is pre-defined for said data recorder by an applicable standard, the reserve power supply providing an operating voltage to the electronic interface and memory unit.

13. The aircraft of claim 12, further including a clamp for securing the reserve power supply to the enclosure.

14. The aircraft of claim 12, wherein the reserve power supply is removable from the enclosure.

15. The aircraft of claim 12, further including a battery disposed in the reserve power supply.

16. The aircraft of claim 12, wherein the memory unit stores flight data, audio data, or video data.

17. A method of making a data recorder, comprising:

providing an enclosure having an inwardly extending notch formed in an outer peripheral surface thereof, said notch sized and shaped to receive at least a reserve power supply;

disposing an electronic interface within the enclosure;

disposing a memory unit within the enclosure;

electrically connecting the memory unit to the electronic interface; and

disposing said reserve power supply physically within the notch and external to of the enclosure, the reserve power supply being coupled to said data recorder for providing an operating voltage to the electronic interface and memory unit.

18. The method of claim 17, further including securing the reserve power supply to the enclosure.

19. The method of claim 17, further including removing the reserve power supply from the enclosure.

20. The method of claim 17, further including disposing a battery in the reserve power supply.

21. The method of claim 17, further including disposing a non-volatile memory device in the memory unit.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the memory unit stores flight data, audio data, or video data.