Portable, externally mounted device for aircraft to provide user selected readings of airspeed, pressure, temperature, orientation, heading, acceleration, and angular rate

• US 9,834,316 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2017
• Issued: 12/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2016
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alexander Rolinski, Brandon Marsell
• Original Assignee: Alexander Rolinski, Brandon Marsell
• Inventors: Rolinski, Alexander, Marsell, Brandon
• Primary Examiner(s): Marc, McDieunel
• Application Number:
  US15/617,088
• Publication Number:
  US 20170267373A1
• Time in Patent Office: 180 Days
• Field of Search: 701 14
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 43/00 Arrangements or adaptations of instruments arrangements of cameras B64D47/08; aeronautical measuring instruments per se G01C
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 43/02 for indicating aircraft speed or stalling conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 23/00 Combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value, e.g. for aircraft; Combined measuring devices for measuring two or more variables of movement, e.g. distance, speed or acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0008 with other aircraft

Abstract

A portable, externally mounted device for aircraft used to provide user selectable readings of airspeed, pressure, temperature, orientation, heading, acceleration, and angular rate is disclosed. The device is self-contained and wireless and is portable from aircraft to aircraft. The device is externally mounted on the aircraft.

Claims

1. A data sensing and collection device comprising:

a) an aerodynamically configured housing mounted to a stalk adjustable in at least one axis wherein the stalk is adhesively affixed to an exterior aspect of a flying machine and the housing is not attached to the exterior aspect of the flying machine;

b) wherein said housing contains an electronic device comprising;

a) a battery;

b) a differential pressure sensor and attached pitot tube;

c) a barometric altimeter (pressure sensor);

d) a temperature sensor;

e) a gyroscope;

f) an accelerometer;

g) a magnetometer;

h) a microcontroller and storage facility; and

i) a radio transceiver.

2. A data sensing and collection device of claim 1 wherein said battery is rechargeable and further comprises a battery recharging port.

3. A data sensing and collection device of claim 1 wherein said radio transceiver supports the Bluetooth transmission protocol.

4. A data sensing and collection device of claim 1 wherein said radio transceiver supports the Wi-Fi transmission protocol.

5. A data sensing and collection device of claim 1 further comprising a GPS receiver.

6. A data sensing and collection device of claim 1 further comprising a digital compass.

15. A data sensing and collection device of claim 1 further comprising a second differential pressure sensor with two atmospherically connected input tubes terminating outside the housing.

16. A data sensing and collection device of claim 1 further comprising an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) receiver.

17. A data sensing and collection device of claim 1 further comprising an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) transmitter.

7. A method of monitoring flight data comprising the steps of:

a) affixing the stalk attached to a data sensing and collection device to the exterior surface of a flying machine;

b) aligning the stalk such that the pitot tube extending from the data sensing and collection device is aligned parallel to the direction of flight;

c) activating a software application running on a cellular telephone or tablet computer; and

d) selecting the type of data to be collected from the data sensing and collection device and displayed on the cellular telephone or tablet computer.

8. A method of monitoring flight data of claim 7 wherein said data comprises airspeed.

9. A method of monitoring flight data of claim 7 wherein said data comprises altitude.

10. A method of monitoring flight data of claim 7 wherein said data comprises temperature.

11. A method of monitoring flight data of claim 7 wherein said data comprises orientation.

12. A method of monitoring flight data of claim 7 wherein said data comprises heading.

13. A method of monitoring flight data of claim 7 wherein said data comprises acceleration.

14. A method of monitoring flight data of claim 7 wherein said data comprises angular rate.