Locator Beacon Disposed Internal to an Enclosure of a Flight Data Recorder and Method Therefor
First Claim
1. A flight data recorder, comprising:
- an enclosure;
an electronic interface disposed within the enclosure, the electronic interface being coupled for receiving data;
a crash survivable memory unit disposed within the enclosure, the crash survivable memory unit including a memory module electrically coupled to the electronic interface for storing the data;
a locator beacon disposed within the enclosure;
a battery disposed within the enclosure for providing operating power to the locator beacon; and
a beacon control circuit disposed within the enclosure for monitoring the battery.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A flight data recorder includes an enclosure and electronic interface within the enclosure. The electronic interface is coupled for receiving data. A crash survivable memory unit is disposed within the enclosure. The crash survivable memory unit includes a memory module electrically coupled to the electronic interface for storing the data. A locator beacon is disposed within the enclosure or within the crash survivable memory unit. The locator beacon is an acoustic resonator which emits ultrasonic pulses. A battery is disposed within the enclosure or within the crash survivable memory unit for providing operating power to the locator beacon. The battery is rechargeable. The battery status is stored in the memory module. A beacon control circuit is disposed within the enclosure or within the crash survivable memory unit for monitoring the battery. A beacon activation device detects a crash event and notifies the beacon control circuit to activate the locator beacon.
40 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A flight data recorder, comprising:
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an enclosure; an electronic interface disposed within the enclosure, the electronic interface being coupled for receiving data; a crash survivable memory unit disposed within the enclosure, the crash survivable memory unit including a memory module electrically coupled to the electronic interface for storing the data; a locator beacon disposed within the enclosure; a battery disposed within the enclosure for providing operating power to the locator beacon; and a beacon control circuit disposed within the enclosure for monitoring the battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A data recorder, comprising:
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an enclosure; an electronic interface disposed within the enclosure, the electronic interface being coupled for receiving data; a crash survivable memory unit disposed within the enclosure, the crash survivable memory unit including a memory module electrically coupled to the electronic interface for storing the data; an acoustic resonator disposed within the enclosure for emitting ultrasonic pulses; and a battery disposed within the enclosure for providing operating power to the acoustic resonator. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An aircraft, comprising:
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an airframe; and a flight data recorder mounted to the airframe, the flight data recorder including, (a) an enclosure, (b) an electronic interface disposed within the enclosure, the electronic interface being coupled for receiving data, (c) a crash survivable memory unit disposed within the enclosure, the crash survivable memory unit including a memory module electrically coupled to the electronic interface for storing the data, (d) a locator beacon disposed within the enclosure, and (e) a battery disposed within the enclosure for providing operating power to the locator beacon. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of making a data recorder, comprising:
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providing an enclosure; providing an electronic interface disposed within the enclosure, the electronic interface being coupled for receiving data; providing a crash survivable memory unit disposed within the enclosure, the crash survivable memory unit including a memory module electrically coupled to the electronic interface for storing the data; providing a locator beacon disposed within the enclosure; and providing a battery disposed within the enclosure for providing operating power to the locator beacon. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification