The Boeing Company

Jon K Robinson

Michael B McGrady

An improved apparatus and method are provided for warning a pilot of life-support system failures wherein the life-support system includes at least a pressurization system and a breathing gas supply system. The breathing gas supply system which is contemplated in the presently preferred embodiment of the invention is the type wherein breathing gas may be supplied to the pilot from a plurality of on-board sources. The apparatus which is the subject of the present invention is responsive to both the operating conditions of the pressurization system and the breathing gas supply system to provide minimum warnings to the pilot thereby to improve the effectiveness of the warnings. The apparatus includes a plurality of indicators which, during normal operation, are substantially invisible to the pilot. The indicators are illuminated under certain variable conditions of the pressurization system and the breathing gas supply system. Further, a portion of the indicators may be illuminated in first and second formats whereby each format is indicative of a different priority emergency.

Apparatus for warning a pilot of life-support system failures

A system and method for alerting a crew member if his anti-G system is not at the proper pressure during a flight. Flight condition sensors and an anti-G suit pressure sensor input data to a computer controller. The controller selects a pressure for protecting the crew member against blackout based on the input and data stored. The controller generates a signal to change the pressure in the anti-G suit to the selected pressure. The controller monitors the pressure status of the anti-G suit and rate of pressure change over time after the signal is generated. If the anti-G suit does not reach the selected pressure within a selected time, an alarm is provided to the crew member. Early warning, caution or failure alarms are generated if the suit does begin to inflate immediately or if it fails to reach a threshold pressure after a threshold time.

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Bellevue, WA, United States of America

Jon K Robinson