CA2292878C - Aircraft black box having airbag - Google Patents
Aircraft black box having airbag Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2292878C CA2292878C CA002292878A CA2292878A CA2292878C CA 2292878 C CA2292878 C CA 2292878C CA 002292878 A CA002292878 A CA 002292878A CA 2292878 A CA2292878 A CA 2292878A CA 2292878 C CA2292878 C CA 2292878C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- recorder
- assembly
- airbag
- black box
- recorder assembly
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D45/00—Aircraft indicators or protectors not otherwise provided for
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K5/00—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus
- H05K5/02—Details
- H05K5/0209—Thermal insulation, e.g. for fire protection or for fire containment or for high temperature environments
- H05K5/021—Thermal insulation, e.g. for fire protection or for fire containment or for high temperature environments specially adapted for data recorders, e.g. for flight recorders
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D45/00—Aircraft indicators or protectors not otherwise provided for
- B64D2045/0065—Black boxes, devices automatically broadcasting distress signals
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D2201/00—Airbags mounted in aircraft for any use
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
- Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
- Air Bags (AREA)
- Time Recorders, Dirve Recorders, Access Control (AREA)
Abstract
.cndot. An aircraft black box comprises a recorder assembly and at least one airbag assembly mounted on the side of the recorder assembly.
The recorder assembly comprises a memory unit, and a power unit. The airbag assembly comprises an inflatable airbag, means for inflating the inflatable airbag when an actuation signal is received, and a sensor detecting an impact and transmitting an actuation signal to the means for inflating the inflatable airbag. The inflatable airbag upon impact rapidly inflates around the recorder assembly in order to absorb the energy of the crash and also to provide buoyancy when the black box is submerged in water. This invention relates to aircraft black boxes, and the principal use of the invention is for protecting aircraft black boxes in case of a crash.
The recorder assembly comprises a memory unit, and a power unit. The airbag assembly comprises an inflatable airbag, means for inflating the inflatable airbag when an actuation signal is received, and a sensor detecting an impact and transmitting an actuation signal to the means for inflating the inflatable airbag. The inflatable airbag upon impact rapidly inflates around the recorder assembly in order to absorb the energy of the crash and also to provide buoyancy when the black box is submerged in water. This invention relates to aircraft black boxes, and the principal use of the invention is for protecting aircraft black boxes in case of a crash.
Description
Description Title . Aircraft Slack Box having Airbag Technical Field ~ This invention relates to aircraft black boxes, more particularly to an aircraft black box having at least one airbag.
Background Art . There are many instances where it would be desirable to be able to protect aircraft black boxes in the event of a crash, and to easily locate and recover them after the crash.
~ A number of patents disclose aircraft black boxes with different configurations for protection from a crash.
~ Canadian Patent 1 239 695 discloses "CRASH
SURVIVABLE SOLID STATE MEMORY FOR AIRCRAFT
FLIGHT DATA RECORDER SYSTEMS".
~ Canadian Patent 2 024 549 discloses "CRASH
SURVIVABLE ENCLOSURE FOR FLIGHT RECORDER".
~ U.s. Patent 5 859 765 discloses "Device fox recording flight data" with housing having thermal insulation in a hollow sphere.
. These prior art arrangements use passive means of protection against crash impact and heat from fire, such as a protective enclosure and a parachute. In the mean time, active means of crash protection has been successfully deployed in an automobile for protecting its passengers by airbags at relatively low cost.
Description of the Invention ~ It is a primary object of the invention to provide an aircraft black box having active means of protection in order to absorb the energy of the impact of a crash.
~ It is another object of the invention to provide an aircraft black box which is easy to locate and recover after a crash.
~ It is another object of the invention to provide an aircraft black box which floats in the case of a crash in the water.
~ An aircraft black box comprises a recorder assembly and at least one airbag assembly mounted on the side of the recorder assembly.
The recorder assembly comprises a memory unit, and a power unit. The airbag assembly comprises an inflatable airbag, means for inflating the inflatable airbag when an actuation signal is received, and a sensor detecting an impact and transmitting an actuation signal to the means for inflating the inflatable airbag. The inflatable airbag upon impact rapidly inflates around the recorder assembly in order to absorb the energy of the crash and also to provide buoyancy when the black box is submerged in water.
Brief Description of the Figures in the Drawings ~ In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention:
Figure 1 marked "Prior Art" is a perspective view of a conventional aircraft black box;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an aircraft black box according to the invention;
Figure 3 is a sectional view of the invention along line I-I of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an aircraft black box with its airbags inflated according to the invention; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an aircraft black box with its airbags inflated in water according to the invention.
Modes for Carrying Out the Invention ~ Many aircraft carry so-called black boxes which consist of a flight data recorder and a cockpit voice recorder. In the event of a crash, the data recorded in the black boxes help identify the cause of the crash.
~ In one conventional aircraft black box shown in Figure 1 marked "Prior Art", a recorder assembly 1-0 is securely positioned on a floor.
The recorder assembly 1-0 is operably connected to a cable 3-0 for supplying data signals and electrical power to the recorder assembly.
~ Passive protection against impact and heat from fire may be built into the housing of the recorder assembly 1-0 of the conventional aircraft black box. In the case of a crash, however, the passive protection may not be sufficient to fully protect the sensitive electronic equipment inside the aircraft black box. Moreover, it is very difficult to locate and recover the black box after the crash, especially when the crash occurs in the water.
~ In one embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 2, an aircraft black box comprises a recorder assembly 1-0 having a planar side, and at least one airbag assembly 2-0 mounted on the side of the recorder assembly 1-0. The example shown in the figures has 2 airbag assemblies attached to 2 sides of the recorder assembly.
The aircraft black box is securely positioned on a floor.
~ Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the aircraft black box along line I-I of Figure 2. The recorder assembly 1-0 comprises a protective housing 1-1 having a data input and output port or an opening for supplying data signals and electrical power to the recorder assembly 1-0, a memory unit 1-2 for processing and storing data securely attached to the protective housing 1-1, and a power unit 1-3 for supplying electrical power to the memory unit 1-2 securely attached to the protective housing 1-1. The airbag assembly 2-0 comprises a housing 2-1, an inflatable airbag 2-2 securely attached to the side of the recorder assembly 1-0 and folded inside the housing 2-1, means for inflating the inflatable airbag 2-3 when an actuation signal is received, and a sensor 2-4 detecting an impact and transmitting an actuation signal to the means for inflating the inflatable airbag 2-3. The sensor 2-4 may be securely attached to the recorder assembly 1-0, as shown in the figure. The recorder assembly 1-0 is operably connected to a cable 3-0 for supplying data signals and electrical power to the recorder assembly 1-0 and to the airbag assembly 2-0.
~ In the event of a crash, the inflatable airbag 2-1 upon impact rapidly inflates around the recorder assembly 1-0 breaking apart the housing 2-1 which detaches or disintegrates, in order to absorb the energy of the crash, as shown in Figure 4. The inflated airbag facilitates the search for black boxes at the crash site. The inflatable airbag 2-1, which stays inflated, also provides buoyancy when the black box is submerged in water, as shown in Figure 5.
~ The recorder assembly 1-0 may be of any shape, including cubic and spherical. When inflated, the inflatable airbag 2-1 may be spherical, ellipsoidal or toroidal in shape. The airbag assembly 2-0 may be retrofitted to existing recorder assemblies.
~ The black box may not be a flight data recorder or a cockpit voice recorder. It can be any portable item in the aircraft. Thus, the invention may be used for actively protecting a piece of valuable art, for example.
Background Art . There are many instances where it would be desirable to be able to protect aircraft black boxes in the event of a crash, and to easily locate and recover them after the crash.
~ A number of patents disclose aircraft black boxes with different configurations for protection from a crash.
~ Canadian Patent 1 239 695 discloses "CRASH
SURVIVABLE SOLID STATE MEMORY FOR AIRCRAFT
FLIGHT DATA RECORDER SYSTEMS".
~ Canadian Patent 2 024 549 discloses "CRASH
SURVIVABLE ENCLOSURE FOR FLIGHT RECORDER".
~ U.s. Patent 5 859 765 discloses "Device fox recording flight data" with housing having thermal insulation in a hollow sphere.
. These prior art arrangements use passive means of protection against crash impact and heat from fire, such as a protective enclosure and a parachute. In the mean time, active means of crash protection has been successfully deployed in an automobile for protecting its passengers by airbags at relatively low cost.
Description of the Invention ~ It is a primary object of the invention to provide an aircraft black box having active means of protection in order to absorb the energy of the impact of a crash.
~ It is another object of the invention to provide an aircraft black box which is easy to locate and recover after a crash.
~ It is another object of the invention to provide an aircraft black box which floats in the case of a crash in the water.
~ An aircraft black box comprises a recorder assembly and at least one airbag assembly mounted on the side of the recorder assembly.
The recorder assembly comprises a memory unit, and a power unit. The airbag assembly comprises an inflatable airbag, means for inflating the inflatable airbag when an actuation signal is received, and a sensor detecting an impact and transmitting an actuation signal to the means for inflating the inflatable airbag. The inflatable airbag upon impact rapidly inflates around the recorder assembly in order to absorb the energy of the crash and also to provide buoyancy when the black box is submerged in water.
Brief Description of the Figures in the Drawings ~ In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention:
Figure 1 marked "Prior Art" is a perspective view of a conventional aircraft black box;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an aircraft black box according to the invention;
Figure 3 is a sectional view of the invention along line I-I of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an aircraft black box with its airbags inflated according to the invention; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an aircraft black box with its airbags inflated in water according to the invention.
Modes for Carrying Out the Invention ~ Many aircraft carry so-called black boxes which consist of a flight data recorder and a cockpit voice recorder. In the event of a crash, the data recorded in the black boxes help identify the cause of the crash.
~ In one conventional aircraft black box shown in Figure 1 marked "Prior Art", a recorder assembly 1-0 is securely positioned on a floor.
The recorder assembly 1-0 is operably connected to a cable 3-0 for supplying data signals and electrical power to the recorder assembly.
~ Passive protection against impact and heat from fire may be built into the housing of the recorder assembly 1-0 of the conventional aircraft black box. In the case of a crash, however, the passive protection may not be sufficient to fully protect the sensitive electronic equipment inside the aircraft black box. Moreover, it is very difficult to locate and recover the black box after the crash, especially when the crash occurs in the water.
~ In one embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 2, an aircraft black box comprises a recorder assembly 1-0 having a planar side, and at least one airbag assembly 2-0 mounted on the side of the recorder assembly 1-0. The example shown in the figures has 2 airbag assemblies attached to 2 sides of the recorder assembly.
The aircraft black box is securely positioned on a floor.
~ Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the aircraft black box along line I-I of Figure 2. The recorder assembly 1-0 comprises a protective housing 1-1 having a data input and output port or an opening for supplying data signals and electrical power to the recorder assembly 1-0, a memory unit 1-2 for processing and storing data securely attached to the protective housing 1-1, and a power unit 1-3 for supplying electrical power to the memory unit 1-2 securely attached to the protective housing 1-1. The airbag assembly 2-0 comprises a housing 2-1, an inflatable airbag 2-2 securely attached to the side of the recorder assembly 1-0 and folded inside the housing 2-1, means for inflating the inflatable airbag 2-3 when an actuation signal is received, and a sensor 2-4 detecting an impact and transmitting an actuation signal to the means for inflating the inflatable airbag 2-3. The sensor 2-4 may be securely attached to the recorder assembly 1-0, as shown in the figure. The recorder assembly 1-0 is operably connected to a cable 3-0 for supplying data signals and electrical power to the recorder assembly 1-0 and to the airbag assembly 2-0.
~ In the event of a crash, the inflatable airbag 2-1 upon impact rapidly inflates around the recorder assembly 1-0 breaking apart the housing 2-1 which detaches or disintegrates, in order to absorb the energy of the crash, as shown in Figure 4. The inflated airbag facilitates the search for black boxes at the crash site. The inflatable airbag 2-1, which stays inflated, also provides buoyancy when the black box is submerged in water, as shown in Figure 5.
~ The recorder assembly 1-0 may be of any shape, including cubic and spherical. When inflated, the inflatable airbag 2-1 may be spherical, ellipsoidal or toroidal in shape. The airbag assembly 2-0 may be retrofitted to existing recorder assemblies.
~ The black box may not be a flight data recorder or a cockpit voice recorder. It can be any portable item in the aircraft. Thus, the invention may be used for actively protecting a piece of valuable art, for example.
Claims (3)
1. An aircraft black box, comprising:
a recorder assembly having a planar side, comprising:
a protective housing having a data input and output port or an opening for supplying data signals and electrical power to the recorder assembly;
a memory unit for processing and storing data securely attached to the protective housing; and a power unit for supplying electrical power to the memory unit securely attached to the protective housing;
at least one airbag assembly mounted on the side of the recorder assembly comprising:
a housing;
an inflatable airbag securely attached to the side of the recorder assembly;
means for inflating the inflatable airbag when an actuation signal is received; and a sensor detecting an impact and transmitting an actuation signal to the means for inflating the inflatable airbag; and a cable for supplying data signals and electrical power to the recorder assembly and to the airbag assembly;
the inflatable airbag upon impact rapidly inflating around the recorder assembly in order to absorb the energy of the crash and also to provide buoyancy when the black box is submerged in water.
a recorder assembly having a planar side, comprising:
a protective housing having a data input and output port or an opening for supplying data signals and electrical power to the recorder assembly;
a memory unit for processing and storing data securely attached to the protective housing; and a power unit for supplying electrical power to the memory unit securely attached to the protective housing;
at least one airbag assembly mounted on the side of the recorder assembly comprising:
a housing;
an inflatable airbag securely attached to the side of the recorder assembly;
means for inflating the inflatable airbag when an actuation signal is received; and a sensor detecting an impact and transmitting an actuation signal to the means for inflating the inflatable airbag; and a cable for supplying data signals and electrical power to the recorder assembly and to the airbag assembly;
the inflatable airbag upon impact rapidly inflating around the recorder assembly in order to absorb the energy of the crash and also to provide buoyancy when the black box is submerged in water.
2. An aircraft black box as defined in claim 1, in which the recorder assembly is a flight data recorder.
3. An aircraft black box as defined in claim 1, in which the recorder assembly is a cockpit voice recorder.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002292878A CA2292878C (en) | 1999-12-21 | 1999-12-21 | Aircraft black box having airbag |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002292878A CA2292878C (en) | 1999-12-21 | 1999-12-21 | Aircraft black box having airbag |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2292878A1 CA2292878A1 (en) | 2001-06-21 |
| CA2292878C true CA2292878C (en) | 2004-05-18 |
Family
ID=4164924
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002292878A Expired - Fee Related CA2292878C (en) | 1999-12-21 | 1999-12-21 | Aircraft black box having airbag |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2292878C (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102015014602B3 (en) * | 2015-11-13 | 2017-05-11 | Münir Alatas | Flight recorder device |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2946321B1 (en) * | 2009-06-08 | 2011-05-20 | Pierre Bansard | DEVICE FOR FLOTATION OF BLACK BOXES IN CASE OF CRASH OF AERODYNE AT SEA |
| CN101767655B (en) * | 2010-02-01 | 2013-03-27 | 上海东方久乐汽车安全气囊有限公司 | Black box protective device |
| BRMU9000503Y1 (en) * | 2010-04-01 | 2018-08-28 | Ferreira Alves Anderson | aircraft black box coupled safety device |
-
1999
- 1999-12-21 CA CA002292878A patent/CA2292878C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102015014602B3 (en) * | 2015-11-13 | 2017-05-11 | Münir Alatas | Flight recorder device |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2292878A1 (en) | 2001-06-21 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |