Emergency beacon

• US 7,916,084 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2008
• Issued: 03/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
• Original Assignee: Eurocopter
• Inventors: Dutruc, Hervé
• Primary Examiner(s): BLOUNT, ERIC
• Application Number:
  US12/171,310
• Publication Number:
  US 20090027269A1
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• Field of Search: 340/981, 340/945, 342/385
• US Class Current: 342/385
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 1/68 Marker, boundary, call-sign, or like beacons transmitting signals not carrying directional information
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0231 Emergency, distress or locator beacons
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00

Abstract

An emergency beacon includes a housing fitted with a connector for connecting the beacon to an antenna that is external to the housing. Inside the housing, the beacon includes an incident sensor, a transmitter, a detection and control member connected to the sensor and transmitter and arranged to trigger operation of the transmitter when an incident is detected. The beacon further includes, inside the housing, an incorporated antenna, a changeover switch interposed between the transmitter and the connector and also interposed between the transmitter and the incorporated antenna, and a sensitive member sensitive to the electromagnetic power conveyed towards the connector and to the electromagnetic power returned by the connector. The sensitive member is connected to the control member which is connected to the changeover switch and is programmed to deliver the signals from the transmitter to the external or incorporated antenna, depending on the state of the sensitive member.

Claims

1. An emergency beacon (10) for a rotorcraft, the beacon comprising a housing (11) fitted with a connector (12) for connecting the beacon to an antenna (13, 14) external to the housing, the beacon (10) being portable for recovering in the event of a crash comprising, inside the housing, a power supply device for the beacon, an incident sensor (15), a transmitter (16), and a detection and control member (18) that is connected to the sensor (15) and to the transmitter (16) and that is arranged to trigger operation of the transmitter in the event of an incident being detected, the beacon further including, inside the housing:

an incorporated antenna (19);

a changeover switch (20) inserted between the transmitter and the connector, and also between the transmitter and the incorporated antenna; and

a sensitive member (21) that is sensitive to the electromagnetic power Pi conveyed to the connector and the electromagnetic power Pr returned from the connector, which sensitive member (21) is connected to or incorporated in the detection and control member (18);

and wherein the detection and control member (18) is connected to the changeover switch and is arranged to cause the signals provided by the transmitter to be delivered to the external antenna or else to the incorporated antenna, depending on the state of the sensitive member (21);

said detection and control member (18) being programmed to monitor the state of the sensitive member (21) at regular time intervals after an incident has been detected, said sensitive member (21) measuring the voltage standing wave ratio VSWR in a transmission line connecting an outlet of the changeover switch to the connector.

2. A beacon (10) according to claim 1, in which the detection and control member (18) is arranged to compare the standing wave ratio VSWR with a determined value at regular intervals after detecting an incident.

3. A beacon (10) according to claim 1, in which the detection and control member (18) is arranged to keep the state or the position (pos1, pos2) of the changeover switch unchanged for a determined duration (time1, time2).

4. A beacon (10) according to claim 1, in which the incorporated antenna is a slot antenna.

5. A beacon (10) according to claim 1, in which the transmitter is arranged to transmit signals at least two or three frequencies.

6. A beacon (10) according to claim 1, in which the transmitter is arranged to transmit signals at least one of the following frequencies:

121.5 MHz;

243 MHz; and

406.025 MHz.