Avionic door lock system

• US 8,398,025 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2005
• Issued: 03/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Piorkowski, Mitchell J, Bandy, Paul W, Gaston, Darrell W Jr., Truong, Binh C, Schaeffer, Dwight R, Kupfer, Shannon J, Flickinger, Steven D, Shinn, Julie M, Johnson, James J, Wehr, Steven L, Smith, Mark E
• Primary Examiner(s): DINH, TIEN QUANG
• Application Number:
  US11/041,616
• Publication Number:
  US 20050178907A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,976 Days
• Field of Search: 244/118.5, 244/129.4, 244/129.5, 49/21, 454 70- 74, 292/32, 292/33, 292/9
• US Class Current: 244/129.5
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/1469 Doors between cockpit and cabin
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 2001/009 comprising decompression panels or valves for pressure equalisation in fuselages or floors
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/0029 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/0069 actuated in a predetermined sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/33 by means of a password

Abstract

A security system adapted for use on an aircraft to prevent unauthorized access into a cockpit area of the aircraft via a cockpit door. The system includes a keypad accessible by individuals in a cabin area of the aircraft. A logic system is in communication with the keypad and also with a switch disposed inside the cockpit. Occupants of the cockpit, via the switch, have the ability to manually unlock the cockpit door, to deny the request for entry, or to do nothing, in which case the door will be automatically unlocked after the expiration of a predetermined time interval. A pressure sensor in communication with the controller allows the electronic door locking member to be automatically overridden, and the door immediately opened, in the event of a decompression condition occurring in the cockpit.

Claims

1. A system for sensing a decompression event within an interior area of a pressurized structure, wherein the interior area is partitioned into at least two compartments by a wall having a door, wherein the door is movable between an open position and a closed position, and held in said closed position in either an unlocked or a locked condition, the system comprising:

an electronic locking mechanism disposed adjacent said door for allowing said door to be maintained in said locked and unlocked conditions when positioned in said closed position, the electronic locking mechanism including;

a control device within one of the two compartments;

a controller responsive to said control device to maintain said door in said locked and unlocked positions;

a pressure sensor for sensing a decompression event, the pressure sensor generating an output that electrically inhibits the electronic locking mechanism, substantially instantaneously, from holding the door in a closed position, thus allowing the door to open substantially simultaneously in response to said decompression event;

a user keypad operably associated with said electronic locking mechanism for enabling a user in a first one of said compartments to request from an individual in a second one of said compartments that said door be unlocked, independently of operation of said pressure sensor; and

said control device signals said controller to automatically unlock said door after a predetermined time delay period has expired, said predetermined time delay period including at least a first predetermined delay interval which commences when a user requests that said door be unlocked and the user enters a correct input to the user keypad after which said controller produces at least one short duration audible signal during said first predetermined delay interval that indicates to the individual that a request to unlock said door has been made, a second predetermined delay interval during which said controller produces a second audible signal and a continuous visual indicator to the individual that said controller will automatically unlock said door at an expiration of said predetermined time delay, and a third predetermined delay interval in which said controller produces a continuous audible signal and a continuously flashing visual indicator that is continuous throughout the third predetermined delay interval that indicates to the individual that said controller will automatically unlock said door at the expiration of said predetermined time delay period.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said electronic locking mechanism includes a solenoid, and wherein the solenoid includes a plunger to assist in holding the door in said closed position.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said output of said pressure sensor de-energizes said solenoid to inhibit operation of said locking mechanism and allowing said door to be opened.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said controller is responsive to said output of said pressure sensor.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising at least one of a visual indicator and an audible indicator located in said first compartment for providing a signal to an individual in said first compartment that an individual in said second compartment has requested that said door be unlocked.

6. A system for sensing a decompression event within a pressurized interior area of a mobile platform, wherein the interior area is partitioned into at least two compartments by a wall having a door, and wherein the door is moveable between an open position and a closed position, the system comprising:

an electronic locking mechanism for allowing said door to be held, when in said closed position, in locked and unlocked conditions, said electronic locking mechanism including;

a control device within one of the two compartments;

a controller responsive to said control device to maintain said door in said locked and unlocked positions;

a pressure sensor for sensing a decompression event within at least one of said compartments;

the pressure sensor generating an electrical output that electrically inhibits the electronic locking mechanism to thus allow the door to open substantially simultaneously in response to said decompression event, and without user intervention;

a keypad in communication with said controller for enabling an individual to request that said door lock mechanism be placed in said unlocked condition;

said control device signals said controller to automatically unlock said door after a predetermined time delay period has expired, said predetermined time delay period including at least a first predetermined delay interval which commences when a user requests that said door be unlocked in which said controller produces a first signal to the individual that a request to unlock said door has been made, and a second predetermined delay interval during which said controller produces a second signal to the individual that said controller will automatically unlock said door at an expiration of said predetermined time delay; and

said controller includes a program key that enables access code associated with requesting said door be unlocked to be programmed, via said keypad.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said electronic locking mechanism includes a solenoid having a plunger for assisting in operation of said locking mechanism;

and

wherein the solenoid is responsive to said output from said pressure sensor.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein said controller is responsive to said output of said pressure sensor for monitoring operation of said door locking mechanism.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising using a visual indicator in communication with said controller to provide a visual signal to a first individual within one of said compartments that a request to unlock said door has been made by a second individual in the other one of said compartments.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein said predetermined time delay further comprises a third predetermined delay interval in which said controller substantially continuously produces an audible signal and a visual indicator to the individual that said controller will automatically unlock said door at the expiration of said predetermined time delay.

11. The system of claim 6, wherein said predetermined time delay period is programmable.

12. A system for sensing a decompression event within an interior area of a pressurized structure, wherein the interior area is partitioned into at least two compartments by a wall having a door, wherein the door is movable between an open position and a closed position, and held in said closed position in either an unlocked or a locked condition, the system comprising:

an electronic locking mechanism disposed adjacent said door for allowing said door to be maintained in said locked and unlocked conditions when positioned in said closed position, the electronic locking mechanism including;

a control device within one of the two compartments;

a controller responsive to said control device to maintain said door in said locked and unlocked positions;

a pressure sensor for sensing a decompression event, the pressure sensor generating an output that electrically inhibits the electronic locking mechanism, substantially instantaneously, from holding the door in a closed position, thus allowing the door to open substantially simultaneously in response to said decompression event;

a user keypad operably associated with said electronic locking mechanism for enabling a user in a first one of said compartments to request from an individual in a second one of said compartments that said door be unlocked, independently of operation of said pressure sensor; and

said control device signals said controller to automatically unlock said door after a predetermined time delay period has expired, said predetermined time delay period including at least a first predetermined delay interval which commences when a user requests that said door be unlocked in which said controller produces a first signal to the individual within said second one of said compartments that a request to unlock said door has been made, a second predetermined delay interval during which said controller produces a second signal to the individual within said second one of said compartments that said controller will automatically unlock said door at an expiration of said predetermined time delay, and a third predetermined delay interval in which said controller continuously produces a third signal to the individual within said second one of said compartments throughout the third predetermined delay interval that said controller will automatically unlock said door at the expiration of said predetermined time delay.