Flight recorder deployment mechanism
First Claim
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1. A release device for a deployable unit, the release device comprising:
- a biasing element for interfacing with the deployable unit; and
an electrical device operationally coupled to the biasing element,wherein the release device is free of an explosive,wherein the deployable unit is a deployable flight recorder, the biasing element is a spring and the electrical device comprises a solenoid, and wherein the release device further comprises;
a piston within the solenoid; and
a pin coupled to the piston,wherein the pin is at least partially surrounded by the spring,wherein the pin comprises a plurality of ridges, and wherein the release device further comprises a plurality of ball bearings in contact with at least one ridge in the plurality of ridges.
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Abstract
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a release device that uses an electro-mechanical mechanism instead of an explosive to deploy a deployable unit such as a flight data recorder. In one embodiment of the invention, a solenoid is activated that causes a piston surrounded by the solenoid to move which moves a pin attached to the piston and allows a spring to decompress and deploy a deployable unit. In some embodiments, a release actuator mechanism, a pneumatic actuator mechanism, a shape memory alloy or a combination thereof may be used to affect deployment of the deployable unit.
31 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A release device for a deployable unit, the release device comprising:
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a biasing element for interfacing with the deployable unit; and an electrical device operationally coupled to the biasing element, wherein the release device is free of an explosive, wherein the deployable unit is a deployable flight recorder, the biasing element is a spring and the electrical device comprises a solenoid, and wherein the release device further comprises; a piston within the solenoid; and a pin coupled to the piston, wherein the pin is at least partially surrounded by the spring, wherein the pin comprises a plurality of ridges, and wherein the release device further comprises a plurality of ball bearings in contact with at least one ridge in the plurality of ridges. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for deploying a deployable unit, the method comprising:
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receiving an electrical activation signal, by an electrical device, in response to an unexpected event; and in response to receiving the electrical activation signal, by the electrical device, activating a biasing element interfacing with the deployable unit to allow the biasing element to expand to an extended configuration from a retracted configuration and deploy the deployable unit without the use of explosives, and wherein the method further comprises; moving a piston operationally coupled to the electrical device; moving a pin coupled to the piston; and withdrawing one or more ball bearings engaged with the pin from apertures in a housing and a catch in the deployable unit. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification