Patent · US Active

Ejectable flight data recorder systems, methods, and devices

US9738398B1 · kind B1 · utility

16Cited by
16References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 28, 2017
Grant dateAug 22, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 28, 2037

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T50/50
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An ejectable flight data recorder for robust retention of flight data and aiding in locating an aircraft after an emergency situation comprises: a buoyant housing comprising an internal cavity, a door for access to at least a portion of the internal cavity, and an aerodynamic outer shape having a longitudinal axis; an energy-dissipating nose cone for reducing an impact load on the housing when the flight data recorder impacts a water surface; a nonvolatile memory configured to store flight data; a position sensor for detecting a geographic position of the flight data recorder; a radio transmitter; an antenna electrically coupled to the radio transmitter; a sustainable power system; and a hydrophone for acoustically tracking a sinking trajectory of the aircraft in a body of water.

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