L-3 Communications Corporation

Loral Fairchild Corporation

Gregory W Purdom

Margaret J Browning

Endre M Berecz

Andrew Zarling

Mart D Dismukes

Charles J Grouse

A hardened voyage data recorder includes two subsystems: a removable non-volatile memory and a base containing electronics and firmware for communicating with data sensing systems and for accessing the memory. According to the invention, the memory is protected in a 'boiler' and the electronics includes an ETHERNET interface for connecting to shipboard data acquisition devices. The firmware is preferably configured via web pages. A communications protocol for communicating with the recorder is also disclosed.

Hardened voyage data recorder

A hardened voyage data recorder includes two subsystems: a removable non-volatile memory and a base containing electronics and firmware for communicating with data sensing systems and for accessing the memory. According to the invention, the memory is protected in a &ldquo;boiler&rdquo; and the electronics includes an ETHERNET interface for connecting to shipboard data acquisition devices. The firmware is preferably configured via web pages. A communications protocol for communicating with the recorder is also disclosed.

The invention provides a back up power supply for avionics equipment that can be installed in existing avionics equipment trays without having to rewire the aircraft. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention (described for illustrative purposes in the context of providing a power supply back up for a cockpit voice recorder (CVR)), the power supply/CVR combination is retrofit in an existing CVR rack. The power supply is modular; removable/replaceable; and is &ldquo;independent&rdquo; relative to the main aircraft power source and wiring. The modular power supply is designed to fit into a conventional CVR tray; and the modular power supply is designed to accept an existing CVR. According to a preferred embodiment, the power supply is &ldquo;plug compatible&rdquo; with the existing electrical connector in the CVR tray and includes circuitry which allows both the power supply and CVR to be tested using the existing CVR test button in the cockpit; and to report faults from either unit using existing aircraft wiring. The power supply includes circuitry which automatically electrically disconnects it from the CVR and exposed pins when the power supply is removed from the CVR tray.

Tray adapted back up power supply for avionics equipment

A stacked memory module having alternating layers of printed circuit boards and spacers. Connections between a given circuit board surface and an adjacent (facing) stacked printed circuit board surface, are made using at least one conductive pad incorporated into the electrical circuitry printed on and within the perimeter of each of the adjacent pair of board surfaces; together with means for interconnecting these conductive pads. The spacers can, for example, take the form of standoffs, spacer boards provided with clearance cutouts for components on the printed circuit boards, etc. The printed circuit boards and spacers are then aligned and fastened together using, for example, one or more alignment rods. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fastened assembly is placed in a hollow memory module housing (e.g., a metal cylinder) to complete the fabrication of the memory module. Other aspects of the invention are directed to flight recorders per se which incorporate the above described memory module; and to processes for fabricating both the above described memory module and flight recorders containing such memory modules.

Stacked memory for flight recorders

An enclosure for protecting a heat sensitive item from high temperatures and shock which includes: (a) an outer housing including an inner cavity for containing at least one heat sensitive item; (b) an aquarium located within the inner cavity including at least one protective compartment within which the at least one heat sensitive item is located; (c) a thermal mass, located within the inner cavity and covering at least a portion of the exterior surface of the aquarium; and (d) a venting mechanism for venting any moisture, that penetrates the aquarium and enters the at least one protective compartment included therein, to the ambient air outside the outer housing. The invention finds particular utility in the Flight Recorder field where heat sensitive components, such as solid state memories, may be subject to fire and shock often resulting from an aircraft crash. The invention also features a corrosion protection capability which is effective when the item being protected is in close proximity to a source of moisture. Further aspects of the invention are directed to processes for fabricating enclosures of then type contemplated by the invention (a Flight Crash Survival Storage Unit (FCSSU) in the Flight Recorder context), and to an aquarium per se for use in a FCSSU of the type contemplated by the invention.

Flight crash survivable storage unit with aquarium container for flight

An enclosure for protecting a heat sensitive item from high temperatures and shock which includes: (a) an outer housing including an inner cavity for containing at least one heat sensitive item; (b) a thermal insulator located within the inner cavity defining at least a portion of a second interior cavity, with the at least one heat sensitive item being located within the second interior cavity; and (c) a boiler located within the second interior cavity including at least one containment compartment for containing a thermal mass and at least one protective compartment within which the at least one heat sensitive item is located. The invention finds particular utility in the Flight Recorder field where heat sensitive components, such as solid state memories, may be subject to fire and shock often resulting from an aircraft crash. The invention also features a corrosion protection capability which is effective when the item being protected is in close proximity to a source of moisture. Further aspects of the invention are directed to processes for fabricating enclosures of then type contemplated by the invention (a Flight Crash Survival Storage Unit (FCSSU) in the Flight Recorder context), and to a boiler per se for use in a FCSSU of the type contemplated by the invention.

Flight crash survivable storage unit with boiler for flight recorder

A thermally activated self-releasing seal for a thermal mass container comprising (a) seal support located on the exterior of, separate and detached from, the container; (b) a fusible seal, attached to the seal support, to form a one piece seal when combined with the seal support; and (c) apparatus for attaching the fusible seal portion of the one piece seal to the container to cover the aperture, wherein the apparatus for attaching is located on the exterior of and is separate from the container. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the apparatus for attaching is an adhesive, such as a room temperature vulcanizing rubber (an RTV), a two part epoxy, or the like; having the property that heat is not required in order to accomplish the attachment of the fusible seal portion of the one piece seal to the container. The invention is particularly useful in sealing smooth walled thermal mass containment vessels, joining fusible seals to containment vessels made of incompatible materials from a bonding point of view, etc. Furthermore, the invention is useful for sealing thermal mass containers incorporated into state of the art flight data recorders, which use the thermal mass to protect sensitive electronic components from fire damage.

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Sarasota, FL, United States of America

Gregory W Purdom