Emergency mechanical and communication systems and methods for aircraft
First Claim
1. A system for rapid separation of a flight data recorder from an aircraft, the system comprising:
- a flight data recorder, said flight data recorder comprising a wireless communication hardware configured to communicate flight information to a remote device;
an emergency detection system comprising a plurality of sensors for detecting flight parameters and at least one computer processor for analyzing the flight parameters and determining, based on the analysis, that an emergency event is occurring;
a rapid ejection system, said rapid ejection system comprising a housing for storing the flight data recorder and a pneumatic system configured to eject the flight data recorder out of an opening in the housing and through the skin of the aircraft when the emergency detection system determines that the emergency event is occurring; and
a soft landing system, said soft landing system being attached to the flight data recorder and configured to reduce force of impact upon landing and increase buoyancy of the flight data recorder;
wherein the soft landing system comprises one or more inflatable airbags configured to be positioned about the flight data recorder when inflated;
wherein the one or more inflatable airbags comprise at least;
a first airbag configured to be annularly shaped when inflated;
a second airbag configured to be annularly shaped when inflated; and
a third airbag configured to be annularly shaped when inflated, the third airbag positioned between the first and second airbags; and
wherein the flight data recorder is configured to be separated from the aircraft and configured to receive and transmit flight information and images of the aircraft to the remote device immediately after the emergency event.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for rapid separation of a flight data recorder from an aircraft comprises a flight data recorder; an emergency detection system comprising a plurality of sensors for detecting flight parameters and at least one computer processor for analyzing the flight parameters and determining, based on the analysis, that an emergency event is occurring; a rapid ejection system comprising a pneumatic system configured to eject the flight data recorder out of an opening in a housing and through the skin of the aircraft when the emergency detection system determines that the emergency event is occurring; and a soft landing system, said soft landing system being attached to the flight data recorder and configured to reduce force of impact upon landing and increase buoyancy of the flight data recorder.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A system for rapid separation of a flight data recorder from an aircraft, the system comprising:
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a flight data recorder, said flight data recorder comprising a wireless communication hardware configured to communicate flight information to a remote device; an emergency detection system comprising a plurality of sensors for detecting flight parameters and at least one computer processor for analyzing the flight parameters and determining, based on the analysis, that an emergency event is occurring; a rapid ejection system, said rapid ejection system comprising a housing for storing the flight data recorder and a pneumatic system configured to eject the flight data recorder out of an opening in the housing and through the skin of the aircraft when the emergency detection system determines that the emergency event is occurring; and a soft landing system, said soft landing system being attached to the flight data recorder and configured to reduce force of impact upon landing and increase buoyancy of the flight data recorder; wherein the soft landing system comprises one or more inflatable airbags configured to be positioned about the flight data recorder when inflated; wherein the one or more inflatable airbags comprise at least; a first airbag configured to be annularly shaped when inflated; a second airbag configured to be annularly shaped when inflated; and a third airbag configured to be annularly shaped when inflated, the third airbag positioned between the first and second airbags; and wherein the flight data recorder is configured to be separated from the aircraft and configured to receive and transmit flight information and images of the aircraft to the remote device immediately after the emergency event. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for rapid separation of a flight data recorder from an aircraft, the system comprising:
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a housing comprising an internal cavity and an opening; a flight data recorder positioned within the internal cavity of the housing and configured to be ejectable from the housing through the opening of the housing; a pressurized gas source comprising a pressurized gas; an ejector slidably positioned internal to the housing; a valve configured to selectively fluidly couple the pressurized gas source to the ejector, wherein the valve comprises an open position and a close position, wherein the valve in the close position separates the pressurized gas from the ejector, and wherein the valve in the open position allows the pressurized gas to apply a force on the ejector to rapidly eject the flight data recorder from the housing; the flight data recorder adapted to cause the valve to move from the close position to the open position when the flight data recorder detects an emergency event; a landing mechanism coupled to the flight data recorder, the landing mechanism adapted to reduce impact forces during landing of the flight data recorder; wherein the landing mechanism comprises an airbag system adapted to be inflated and to prevent the flight data recorder from sinking in water or to reduce the impact forces during landing; wherein the airbag system comprises one or more inflatable airbags, the one or more inflatable airbags comprising at least; a first annular shaped airbag positioned at a first end of the airbag system; a second annular shaped airbag positioned at a second end of the airbag system; and a third annular shaped airbag positioned between the first and second annular shaped airbags; and a wireless communication system adapted to transmit data from the flight data recorder to at least one of a satellite, a second aircraft, and a base station. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification