AU2017100330A4 - Secondary Data Recorder SDR In the event of an Aircraft crash, this unit will eject from the aircraft to preserve data a safe distance from the crash site, there by not being damaged in the impact or in any fire that may follow. If the SDR is ejected over water it will float, sending a clear unobstructed ELB Signal, and has it’s own dedicated power supply removing the aircrew’s ability to disable the SDR under duress. - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A flight data recorder installed in an aircraft wherein in the event of a crash, said data recorder is capable of being ejected from the plane and floating upon a body of water. Drawings Figure 1 Figure 2

Description

ι 2017100330 21 Mar 2017

TITLE

Secondary Data Recorder (SDR)

FI ELD

[0001] Aviation, Search and Rescue

ACRONYM KEY APU Auxiliary Power Unit CVR Cockpit Voice Recorder ELB Emergency Locator Beacon FDR Flight Data Recorder GPS Global Positioning System HF High Frequency PVVR Passenger Voice and Video Recorder SDR Secondary Data Recorder UHF Ultra High Frequency ULB Underwater Locator Beacon

Sum mary

Problem [0002] In the event of an Aircraft missing in a remote area or in an unknown area of the ocean, it can take a lot of time and valuable resources to locate the crash site.

[0003] To add to this task if the disappearance from radar is the result of a hijacking event and the Transponder has been turned off, the location of the crash site is even more difficult.

[0004] Current technology relies on an underwater locator beacon (ULB) or underwater acoustic beacon that if submerged in deep ocean can be difficult and time consuming to locate. 2 2017100330 21 Mar 2017

Solution to Problem [0005] In the event of a crash, this unit will eject from the aircraft to preserve data a safe distance from the crash site, there by not being damaged in the impact or in any fire that may follow.

[0006] The SDR is located outside the aircraft pressure hull and has it’s own dedicated power supply removing the aircrew’s ability to disable the SDR under duress.

[0007] If the SDR is ejected over water it will float, sending a clear unobstructed ELB Signal.

Advantageous Effects of Invention [0008] The internationally agreed Australian Search and Rescue Region covers 52.8 million square kilometres - over one-tenth of the earth's surface. With the installation of this device the search will commence in the immediate area, not only resulting in enormous cost saving for search and rescue, but also vital time saving as the conventional underwater acoustic beacon has a limited battery life for the pinger.

[0009] This will enable the search for a missing Aircraft (such as MH 370) to be conducted in the immediate area, dramatically reducing the time Aircraft are searching in the wrong area.

[0010] It can not be tampered with, or turned off by Crew or Hijacker's as has been in the past.

Description of Drawings

Figure 1 Alternate Aircraft Installation Points

Figure 2 SDR Storage and Launch Platform installed in Aircraft.

Figure 3 Cut Away View of SDR Module Internals.

Figure 4 SDR Module Exterior. 3 2017100330 21 Mar 2017

Figure 5 SDR Transformation from Stored position to Flight Configuration.

Figure 6 Over Flead View of SDR in decent mode with gyro blades deployed.

Figure 7 Hard Surface Landing.

Figure 8 Water Landing.

Description of Embodiments

Drawing Reference Index 1 Aircraft SDR Installation point 2 All Gyro Blades Deployed in Operational Position

3 Alternate Air Craft Installation point depending on size and location of APU 4 Auto Disconnect Data Plugs 5 Battery Pack 6 Crumple Zone 7 Cut Away View 8 Ejection Mechanism 9 ELB Transmission Aerial I 0 Flotation II Gyro Blade Deployed 12 Gyro Blade in Stored Position 1 3 HF Aerial 14 Hi Vis Reflective Tape 1 5 Electronics Bay 16 Power supply and charger Bin 17 SDR Launch Platform 1 8 SDR Module 1 9 Solar Panel 20 Stand by aerial in event of inverted landing 21 Strobe Light 22 UHF Aerial 23 Linder Water Mechanical launch Diaphragm at approx. 4 Meters 4 2017100330 21 Mar 2017

[0011 ] The SDR Backs Up the Information from the Flight Data Recorder FDR, Cockpit Voice Recorder CVR, Passenger Cabin Voice and Video Recorder PVVR and the Global Positioning System GPS

[0012] The SDR is a Back Up of the FDR and CVR Memory.

[0013] In the event of a crash, this unit will eject from the aircraft to preserve data a distance from the crash site and avoiding the risk of destruction in the impact and or fire.

[0014] In the event of a crash at sea [ Figure 8 ]the SDR will float and transmit a ELB Signal This signal will be easy to detect as the transmitter will be on the surface, and the signal easily received by search aircraft, In the event of a soft water landing, a pressure diaphragm will release the SDR at a depth of approx 4 Meters so it will not sink with the Aircraft.

[0015] When recovered the saved GPS Record will give the location of the aircraft’s last position before the crash and the GPS track will show the exact point of the aircraft break up. The underwater search can then commence in a very small area.

[0016] The CVR will have extended memory capability to record for an entire flight, to save any incidents that occurred in the early stages that will have an influence on a later outcome.

[0017] The SDR will be programmed to eject under a set of varying conditions such as; excessive readings from G-force sensors strategically placed around the airframe; rapid descent from cruise altitude to sea level; dramatic shockwave though the airframe; airframe break up; catastrophic depressurisation; and so on. 5 2017100330 21 Mar 2017 [0018] The SDR is powered up from start up. The aircraft then supplies power to charge the SDR battery pack. The SDR runs on continuous power supply from the battery pack to ensure an uninterrupted power supply. No crucial information will be lost at the critical time of an incident. The battery is on continuous recharge from the aircraft for the entire flight, so the SDR it is only solely relying on the battery if the aircraft power supply is cut.

This will remove the aircrew’s ability to disable the SDR voluntarily or under duress.

[0019] Passenger Voice and Video Recorder PVVR

[0020] The PVVR will be a pinhole camera directed toward the flight deck door, from the Passenger Cabin. This will show if a member of the flight deck has been locked out or if there has been any passenger interference with the cabin crew. Again this cannot be turned off during the flight and will not record over itself after an extended time. And even with total destruction of the aircraft the SDR will be ejected clear.

[0021] The PVVR will have extended memory capability to record for an entire flight, to save any incidents that occurred in the early stages that will have an influence on a later out come. SDR Construction [0022] The SDR will be a high-density high impact poly plastic inside a high-grade aluminium cylinder [Figure 3/4], with a crumple zone in the base to absorb impact forces.

[0023] Batteries and HDD or Memory Chips will be in the base of the unit, and foam on the top, to retain air space for up right flotation.

[0024] The sides will comprise of 4 aerodynamic vanes that will deploy when the SDR is ejected from it’s mounting in the aircraft. This will auto 2017100330 21 Mar 2017 6 gyro to the ground at a survivable speed, this eliminates the complexity of a parachute and the risk of a tangled deployment. The blades will be triggered in to position automatically by springs at the time of ejection eliminating more electronics.

[0025] At the same time the ELB Aerial will swing up [Figure 5] from it’s stored position parallel to the Gyro Blades and continue to a vertical position and automatically trigger transmission.

[0026] When the SDR is ejected from the Aircraft [Figure 1], a protective cover is released exposing a solar array, and an aircraft strobe light.

[0027] If the SDR lands in water [Figure 8] it will float with the aerial in an upright position and if it lands on flat ground [ Figure 7]the gyro blades will help to stop it from laying flat so the aerial will be slightly raise of the ground to aid in transmission. And the base will have a built in crumple zone to help absorb ground impact.

[0028] The SDR will have a primary ejection system comprising of an Air Bag for rapid deployment with a coil spring as a back up.

Claims (6)

1. CLAI MS 1 The Secondary Data Recorder SDR is a Back Up for the Flight Data Recorder FDR, and the Cockpit Voice Recorder CVR.
2. 2 In the event of a crash, this unit will eject from the aircraft to preserve data a safe distance from the crash site.
3. 3 In the event of a crash at sea the SDR will float and transmit an ELB Signal this signal will be easy to detect, as the transmitter will be on the surface, and the signal easily received by search aircraft.
4. 4 When recovered the saved GPS Record will give the location of the aircraft’s last position before the crash.
5. 5 The GPS track will show the exact point of the aircraft break up.
6. 6 The under water search can then commence in a very small area.