Patent · US Expired

Crash survivable enclosure for flight recorder

US4944401A · kind A · utility

77Cited by
7References
68Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 28, 1989
Grant dateJul 31, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 28, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S206/811
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A crash survivable enclosure for flight data recorders used in aircraft and other vehicles operating over land and water includes a strong, light-weight metal shell for enclosing and protecting an information storage device having power, signal, and address lines connected thereto. The memory device is supported inside the shell in a wax filler of the type having a high melting temperature and a high heat of fusion to act as a heat sink for absorbing a large quantity of heat to minimize possible damage to the memory device because of excessive heat, flames and/or high temperature. A strong lightweight metal shell is provided to enclose and protect the inner shell and contents against substantial, external mechanical forces commonly occurring in a crash and flames, heat and fire resulting therefrom. A second filler of high efficiency, heat insulating material is provided for physically supporting the inner shell and contents and for providing protection against flame, fire and heat penetration as well as physical impact and shock penetration as would be encountered in a crash of an aircraft or other vehicle carrying the enclosure. The enclosure is especially designed to withstand pr…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.