WO2018044243A1

WO2018044243A1 - An automatic system to separate, and, thrust the plane's black box away from the fuselage in case of drowning

Info

Publication number: WO2018044243A1
Application number: PCT/TN2016/000005
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mervat MAHMOUD HASSAN ELSAYED HAMAN
Original assignee: Mahmoud Hassan Elsayed Haman Mervat
Priority date: 2016-08-29
Filing date: 2016-11-28
Publication date: 2018-03-08
Also published as: WO2018044243A8; EP3515824A1

Abstract

This invention is system designed in particular to separate the plane's black box (data recording box) in case of being exposed to an accident that causes its drowning in the sea, ocean, or, elsewhere waters, yet in a following step to the accident the system would separate, and, thrust the black box away from the fuselage by the use of a motive charge (similar to those used in warplanes to thrust the pilot in case of being shot down), thus the invention would carry out the last step by blowing air, or, a gas into a fixed balloon to inflate it to help floating, and, buoying the black box facilitate being identified, and, located, and, thus being caught, so this invention is composed of the following summarized, and, described systems: 1st. System: Which is a electromechanical one, responsible for Sensing the plane's drowning, along with its black box, then it Separates the black box from the fuselage through releasing, or, unlocking the mechanical fixtures with the fuselage, where we have indicated in the detailed explanation that, yet this system is called ( System A1 ). 2nd, System: Which is responsible for thrusting the black box away from the fuselage by the use of electro-motivated charge, after separation of the black box from the fuselage. Yet this system is called ( System A2 ). 3rd, System: Which is responsible for filling a rubber balloon, attached to the black box to help it float, and, buoy near water surface, or, close to it, to facilitate locating, identifying, and, catching it, whereas thrusting the box away from the fuselage causes the separation of the electric cable, or, socket responsible for feeding the box with both data, and, electricity from the plane, so such separation results in starting the work of filling the balloon system with air, or, gas to elevate the box close to the sea level, yet this system is called (System B ). Such invention could be used in all types of planes including warplanes, and, as well it may cause the discarding of the old types of black boxes, which are still in use, or, could be left as they are, and, connected in parallel with the new ones, which will record all the same data, recorded by the old ones at the same time, whereas it's preferred to fix the new one under the plane's belly bellow the tail piece, and, becomes a part of the outer fuselage, to facilitate separation, and, elevation of it up to the sea level, or, close to it, case of an accident.

Description

The Invention Full Description

- TITLE OF INVENTION : " An Automatic System To Separate, And, Thrust The Plane's Black Box Away From The Fuselage In Case Of Drowning " .

- The invention Full description involves both the old system . which could be required to improve if existed to avoid the present deficiency, and, problems of the old systems in use, along with the new inputs in the new invention, plus the invention's full description,, and, modus operandi , operation methods , as follows :

1 - the Present System :

There are two Black Boxes on board of each aero plane, in its tail piece, which are called " The Data Recorder ", or, " The Plane Information Box ", where one of them is specialized in recording the flight data, e.g. the flight speed, the plane flight course, the flight course coordinates, taken from the G.P.S systems, the altitude, the plane meters readings, including the fuel reserve, and, the engines performance, etc .

While the other box is recording the vocal calls, and, conversations within the cockpit .

In case of an accident, the black boxes are searched, and, on finding them, they are picked up from the ground surface, or, from under water of rivers, or, seabeds, where the recorded data are being evacuated, and, analyzed, to reach out to the reasons, facts, and, causes of the accident, how did it happen, and, who was responsible for it whether natural, or, legal (incorporate) personality, to be charged for compensating both the victimized passengers, and, the plane owner, and, yet as well, those who are responsible should be prosecuted by the judiciary both locally, and, internationally .

2 - Problems With The Existent System :

On the falling of the plane in deep sea waters, or, oceans, as a result of accidents, it would be difficult to extract the black boxes from the plane wreckage in the depth which may reach some thousand meters (Kilometers sometimes), where ships, and, global rescue firms are delegated to participate in such efforts to extract those black boxes, after defining their positions, and, depth, a matter that costs both time, and, finance, shouldered by the aviation companies, and, their states, that's in order to reach out to the causes, and, the truth behind the accident, through evacuating, and, analyzing the data, while summing up the problem with the present system (in use) in the following:

2.1 - The high costs of extracting the black boxes from dark depths of seas, and, oceans, and, because of the use of specialized ships, and, global companies in the operation, of search, and, rescue .

2.2 - The long time needed for such extract, after position definition by sonars (Ultra Sonic Sonars) on board of such ships, whereas the boxes emit sound waves that work as guiding beacon, where the time span of their battery life should be kept in mind where it almost is thirty days to operate the sound transmitters.

2.3 - Difficulty to work in dark water depth, of great measures, along with high water pressure in the deep, that may cause the destruction of the two boxes, while the great depth may lead to the non-extractability. - What's New in This Invention :

This novelty could be summed up in two items, as follows :

3.1 - A design system of separating the black box (or boxes) in the aero plane from The Fuselage ( For all aero plane type, and Military type ) automatically, and, without the interference of a human factor, in case of accident, or, disaster in the air, and, falling into water of sea, ocean, river, or, lakes, that may cause its drowning, in addition to its black box, that's to say sinking under the water level .

3.2 - Designing a helping system for the black box (or boxes) to keep it floating until being elevated to the water surface, without the interference of any human factor, after being separated from the plane ( Fuselage ), through the use of the aforementioned system .

The use of both abovementioned systems would lead to the non drowning of the black boxes in the deep sea, and, ocean waters, which will prevent damage, or, the non- extract ability from the deep sea, and, ocean waters, which may chance to have deep rifts ( deep slot in the seabed ) that prevents the extract ability of the black box in case of falling into it, consequently the abovementioned new systems would help into the easy reach out to the black box, and, yet there wouldn't be any harm to the plane in the very rare case of the non operability of the aforementioned systems, while the old technology of extraction systems could be resumed in case of such breakdown, and, the existence of the black boxes on thousands of meters below the sea level .

( N.B : Both systems could be mingled together into one system that separates the black box, and, helps it to float on the water surface at once ) . - Detailed Description of the Invention :

This invention is composed of two system designs, the first of which would be called the " A " , while the other would be called the " B ", and, will be fixed into the new black box in all the plane types including the warplanes. thus the " A " system will separate, and, liberate the black box from the plane hull automatically without any human factor, in case of being exposed to an accident, or, falling, and, drowning into sea, ocean, river, or, lake water, on the spot, or, on starting to drown after the air disaster, i.e. its submergence under water .

while the " B " system will help the black box to float ( elevation, and, buoyancy ) above water level spontaneously without any human interference , after using the " A " system into separating the black box, and, yet the new black box is preferably fixed under the plane hull, towards the tail piece ( as shown in details on figure 1 / 9 ) .

As follows an explanation of the system designs, and, their modus operandi, along with proposed modifications on the old systems, and, the preferable place to attach the new one in the plane hull :

4.1 - Explanation of The Systems (The Invention), and, Their Components :

4.1.1 - The system " A " is composed of two sub systems " A1 ", and, " A2 ", where " A1 " is a system of freeing, or, separating (releasing) the black box from the plane hull once it touches the water, and, the subsystem " A2 " which is thrusting the black box away from the hull after separation, and, as follows is to explain the modus operandi of each subsystem .

4.1.1.1 - The subsystem " A1 " is responsible for releasing the black box from the hull, once the black box touches the water surface, and, start of the plane and the black box, drowning . yet the system could be designed to fix inside the black box, or, out of it, i.e. under the hull, where it's composed of two open plastic pipes in order to be electrically insulated, and, being fixed on both inside of the black box, and, inside both pipes there are electric connection points, connected to electric/electronic circuit to sense the entry of water to the pipes in the box sides fixed in an upright angle position ( Vertical ) , and, open ended ( as shown in figures 2 / 9 , 3 / 9 , 4 1 9 ), and, upon the entrance of water it causes a change in the electric resistance value between the electric connection points, inside the pipes, leading to an electric/electronic sensing circuit, and, thus releases the black box clutch from the hull, i.e. the electric circuit would releases the black box fixture from the hull through electric feed to a solenoid, or, electric motors , or, electromechanical locks, that separate the box from the hull ( liberate it ) . ( the " A1 " system as shown in figure 5 / 9 )

4.1.1.2 - The subsystem " A2 " is responsible for thrusting the black box away from the hull, after being liberated by the subsystem "A1", in case of drowning, and, which is composed of an explosive motive charge, similar to that beneath the pilot thrusting seat in war planes, where it's useful in thrusting the pilot from the cockpit, if the plane was hit in air dogfights, and, as well the subsystem " A2 " is similar to the safety air bags in the car driving wheels, which inflates in case of crashing, whereas the subsystem " A2 " could be as well composed of a mechanical method to thrust the black box instead of the explosive motive charge, yet in that situation the subsystem "A2" would be a compressed mechanical spring, that would move the black box away from the plane fuselage( hull ), directly after separating it by the subsystem " A1 ", and, yet in case of using motive charges in subsystem " A2 " , it's controlled electrically, and, is connected to the water sensing circuit inside, the aforementioned plastic pipes of the " A1 " system . yet this motive charge, or, the mechanical spring, could be fixed between the black box upper cover, and, the fuselage . ( the subsystem " A2 " as shown in figure 6 / 9 ) - The " B " system is a buoyancy system (elevating to the sea surface level) for the black box, after being separated from the fuselage, where it's fixed inside the black box, and, is composed of electronic control circuit, and, a balloon, that's inflated to float, or, buoy over the water, for it senses the box's secession from (unplug) the electric feed, and, the data cable, coming from the fuselage, as a result of the decabling, and, its connection to an electric circuit, a matter that leads to system " B " to inflate the balloon by a compressed gas cylinder (carbon dioxide = Co2 ), or, by generating gas through chemical reaction similar to those existing in the car driving wheel safety balloons ( air bags ), where we should bear in mind that the balloon's volume is big enough to bear, or carry the black box weight, or, buoy it near the water surface, and, should be waterproof , and, can endure it for several days without damage, and, should be protected by a suitable thermo proof metal shield, and, that shield, or, shields should be cast away from the black box, after The subsystem " A2 " was thrusting the black box away from the hull (fuselage) . ( the " B " system as shown in figures 7/9 , 8/9) Modus Operandi of The Aforementioned System (The Invention) :

Which is composed of " A1 " , " A2 " , and , " B " systems, as follows:.2.1 - Upon the falling of the plane into the sea, or, the ocean, and, its start to drown, such drowning causes water to intrude into the open ended plastic pipes, fixed inside the black box, and, which contain electrodes connected to an electric circuit that measures the water electric resistance value, which differs upon the water intrusion to the pipes, and, which works as a means of sensing the plane submergence with water, along with its black box fixed underneath the fuselage, yet this sense of submergence causes the " A " system electric circuit to work,( which separates the black box, and, cast it away from the fuselage) , while the " A1 " subsystem works the electromechanical systems, responsible for fixing the black box to the fuselage, thus the black box, the electric feeding cable, and, the data socket are both are separated from the fuselage.

.2.2 - After unlocking the box fixture from the fuselage, the electronic circuit of the " A " system works the " A2 " subsystem which casts the black box away from the fuselage, ( connects electric current to the motive charge which thrusts the black box away from the plane / fuselage ) .

.2.3 - After casting the black box away by the " A2 " subsystem, and, disconnecting the data electro cable from the black box, this would lead the " B " system to work, which inflates the balloon fixed into the black box with air, or, gas . that would float, and, buoy the box near the water surface, then the vocal generator begins working by emitting sonic pulses for guiding the search . 4.3 - Proposed Modification On The Old Systems:

4.3.1 - The two black boxes ( presently in use ) would be mingled together in one black box, which is equipped with the new invention, that separates, casts away, and, buoys the black box in case of drowning, and, thus the modified box would be fixed into the proposed position, beneath the fuselage, in the tail piece, and, as a component of the outer hull.

4.3.2 - The present old systems of black boxes could be left in their old positions ( locations ) of the fuselage, and, a third one ( the new invention ) could be added to the plane, after being provided with a copy of the data recorded by the old ones, i.e. the third box could be connected in parallel with the other two boxes, to acquire the data, and, electric feed at the same time.

4.4 - Location Required, and, Preferred for Fixing the Invention :

It's preferable to fix it beneath the fuselage in the tail piece, as a part of the outer hull, as shown in figure ( 1/9 ). which would ease its separation from the fuselage in case of falling into water

N.B : ( The attached figures are 9 figures, and, are complementary to the explanation, and, should be reviewed ) .

Explanation of the Figures ( Numbered ) - Figure ( 1 / 9 )

The plane's tail piece, marked with proposed location of fixing the new black box beneath the fuselage, along with a cross section inside the box, along with points of fixture, as follows :

1 - Zoomed fixture location, beneath the tail piece, along with fixing (bolting) points.

2 - Connecting cable extending from the fuselage to the, electric, and, data feeding socket in the black box.

3 - Black box fixing bolt (screw), along with a nut in top of it.

4 - A groove for guiding bolt (screw), particular for the truncate cone shaped black box ( review figure 3 / 9 ).

5 - Electric, and, data feeding socket (connecting point) in the black box (connected to the electric, and, data feeding cable).

6 - Black box groove for the fixing bolt (screw) with the fuselage.

7 - Fuselage with a location of fixing the black box.

8 - The black box after being dislocate a little from the fuselage to clear up the connection points.

- Figure ( 2 / 9 )

Showing the 3D black box image, in cubic shape (not in equal cubic measures = parallelepipeds) to facilitate its release, and, thrust away (by the use of explosive charge, or, by a compressed spring) from the Fuselage in case of drowning, detailed in numbers as follows :

1 - Black box groove for the fixing bolt (screw) with the fuselage.

2 - Electric, and, data feeding socket (connecting point) in the black box (connected to the electric, and, data feeding cable).

3 - A groove for guiding bolt (screw), particular for the truncate cone shaped black box ( review figure 3 / 9 ).

4 - Two open ended plastic pipes containing electric/electronic sensors (circuit) of water electric resistance value, in case of water intrusion between the electric connection points ( review figure 4 / 9 for more details ).

5 - Hideout of the buoyancy balloon, beyond a thermo metallic insulation shield (review figure 7 / 9 for more details).

6 - 3D cubic graph of the black box

- Figure ( 3 / 9 )

3D black box, differently designed from that in figure ( 2 / 9 ) : truncated cone, to facilitate thrusting the box away by the use of an explosive charge, or, compressed spring from the fuselage in case of drowning, shown in number as follows:

1 - 3D truncated conical black box for the facilitation of thrusting away.

2 - Electric, and, data feeding ( contact ) socket between the box, and, the fuselage.

3 - Black box groove for the fixing bolt (screw) with the fuselage.

4 - A groove for guiding bolt (screw), particular for the truncated cone shaped black box, to prevent spinning of the box, and, to avoid damaging the contact socket .

5 - Two open ended plastic pipes containing electric/electronic sensors of water resistance value in case of water intrusion between the electric connection points, ( a drowning sensor system, review figure 4 / 9 for more details).

6 - Hideout of the buoyancy balloon, beyond a thermo metallic insulation shield (review figure 7 / 9 for more details).

7 - Pipe's aperture through which water intrudes ( Same No.5 on the Figure).

- Figure ( 4 / 9 )

A black box cross section, a drowning sensor system, and, a part of the box separation system A1 , along with electric connection lining graph for the drowning sensor, in details as follows :

1 - The black box with its drowning sensor system.

2 - Two electric connection points in Two open ended plastic pipes containing with electronic circuit sensors .

3 - Two open ended plastic pipes containing electric/electronic sensors, and, spots measuring of water resistance value in case of water intrusion between the electric connection points .

4 - Same No.3 on the figure .

5 - Electronic circuit sensors, measure electric resistance between Two electric connection points in Two open ended plastic pipes .

6 - Black box operating battery to start the electric/electronic circuit (No.5 on the figure), along with the rest of the box systems.

7 - Same No.2 on the figure .

8 - Connecting cable between Two electric connection points ( No.2 or No.7 on the figure ), and, the, electric/electronic circuit (No.5 on the figure ), in the black box.

9 - Same No.5 on the figure.

10 - An electric wire that extends from the electric/electronic circuit to the separation system of the box in case of drowning.

11 - Same, No.6 on the figure. - Figure ( 5 / 9 )

Means of fixing systenn the black box in the fuselage cross section, and, the means of release system (unlocking the fixture), or a part of the box separation system A1 , in details as follows:

1 - The fuselage cross section , metal plate , fixing the black box it .

2 - Black box fixing bolt (screw), along with a nut in top of it.

3 - Fixing nut.

4 - Guiding bolt (screw), particular for the truncated cone shaped black box

(review figure 3 / 9 ), to prevent spinning of the box, and, to avoid damaging the contact socket.

5 - The black box cross section , metal plate , fixing the fuselage it.

6 - Black box fixing bolt (screw) in the fuselage, and, the bolt part inside the black box.

7 - A cotter pin of fixing the black box that connects to the fixing bolt in the fuselage.

8 - Black box groove for the fixing bolt (screw) with the fuselage.

9 - Electric motor, or, solenoid drawing the cotter pin from the bolt in case of releasing the black box .

10 - Electronic circuit sensors, measure electric resistance between Two electric connection points in Two open ended plastic pipes .

11 - A minimized section in the black box, where the release motor appears ( No.9 on the Figure ).

- Figure ( 6 / 9 )

Appears a cross section of the black box fixing system which releases the black box in case of drowning, and, the figure shows the box thrusting system ( A2 ), and, in the figure bottom appears a minimized 3D drawing of the black box , in details as follows the figure parts numeration :

1 - The fuselage part where the black box is attached, and, fixed.

2 - Guiding bolt (screw) groove particular for the truncated cone shaped black box to facilitate thrusting away, and, to prevent spinning of the box, and, to avoid damaging the socket, (review figure 3 / 9 ) .

3 - An explosive charge that thrust the black box away from the fuselage in case of drowning, after release of the black box by the " A1 " subsystem, where the charge is located between the box surface, and, the fuselage.

4 - Black box fixing bolt (screw), the bolt part inside the black box .

5 - Black box casing , metal plate, a thermo metallic shield .

6 - A cotter pin of fixing the black box that connects to the fixing bolt in the fuselage, and, which would be pulled by the motor( No.7 on the Figure ).

7 - Motor, or, solenoid drawing the cotter pin from the bolt in case of releasing the box on drowning.

8 - Black box groove for the fixing bolt (screw) with the fuselage.

9 - A minimized 3D figure of the black box, where the explosive thrusting system appears.

- Figure ( 7 / 9 ) "

Appears a cross section showing the floating/buoying system, in case of drowning, with a zoom of the part containing the floating/buoying balloon ( B system ), and, as follows numerate explanation of the parts:

1 - The black box with hideout of the buoying balloon, containing the floating/buoying balloon ( B system ) .

2 - Electric, and, data feeding socket between the black box, and, the fuselage.

3 - Black box groove for the fixing bolt (screw) with the fuselage.

4 - An electric wire that connect from the Electric, and, data feeding socket to the electric/electronic circuit ( No.8 on the Figure ), sensing the Black box release from fuselage .

5 - Hideout of the buoyancy balloon, beyond a thermo metallic shield .

6 - An electric wire that connect from the electric/electronic circuit to floating/buoying system ( inflates the balloon ).

7 - A black box balloon for floating/buoyancy system, and, attached to it an inflating means, electrically controlled .

8 - An electrical/electronic circuit for sensing the Black box release from fuselage, and, operating the floating/buoyancy system .

9 - Same No.6 on the figure

10 - The rope, connecting between balloon and Black box, which extends after inflating the balloon.

11 - The buoyancy balloon top, with an inflating means ( whether pre compressed gas, or, generated gas ) which is worked by an electric/electronic circuit ( No.8 on the Figure ) .

12 - A thermo metallic shield, in front of the balloon .

13 - The pre inflating balloon . - Figure ( 8 / 9 ) "

Appears the floating/buoyancy balloon, and zoomed to see inflating components with gas ( C02 gas Small Slender ), and, as follows numerate explanation of the parts :

1 - The post inflating balloon (air/gas) .

2 - The buoyancy balloon top (rubber/metal), with an inflating means (whether pre compressed, or, generated) which is worked by an electric/electronic circuit ( No.8 on the Figure 7 1 9 ), after thrusting the black box from fuselage .

3 - The rope, connecting between balloon and Black box, which extends after inflating the balloon.

4 - An electric wire that connect from the electric/electronic circuit to floating/buoying system ( inflates the balloon ).

5 - The buoyancy balloon top, with an inflating means .

6 - A drill bit to pierce the gas slender .

7 - A gas slender.

8 - A spring to drive the slender to the drill bit.

9 - Electricity feed wire to motor .

10 - The balloon top rope connecting ring, and, electric feed wire.

1 1 - Drill motor .

12 - Gas slender fixing points.

13 - Air/Gas release aperture of the balloon top into the balloon, and ( pressure regulator ) . - Figure ( 9 / 9 )

The balloon floating over water surface, and, the Black box under water surface, it near the water surface, , in details as follows :

1 - The post inflating balloon (air/gas) .

2 - An electric wire that connect from the electric/electronic circuit to floating/buoying system ( after inflates the balloon ).

4 - The black box under water surface, it near the water surface, while emitting vocal, ( sonic pulses ) for guiding the search .

Claims

Elements of Novelty - A system, or, a means, or, a tools, to separate, and, thrusting the black box away from the plane's fuselage, in case of being dropped into water (sea, or oceans, or elsewhere ), and, along with another system to help floating, and, buoying the black box near water surface in case of drowning. - A system, or, a means, or, a tools, to separate, and, thrusting the black box away from the plane's fuselage, and help to floating, and, buoying the black box near water surface in case of drowning , after it being dropped into water ( sea, or oceans or elsewhere ) . - A automatic system, or, a means, or, a tools, to separate, and, thrusting the black box away from the plane's fuselage, in case of being dropped into water ( sea, or oceans or elsewhere ) . - A automatic system, or, a means, or, a tools, to help floating, and, buoying the black box near water surface in case of drowning in water, after it being dropped into water ( sea, or oceans or elsewhere ) . - A system of thrusting the black box, away from the fuselage, by use of an explosive charge in case of drowning in water ( sea, or oceans or elsewhere ) . - A system to help floating, and, buoying the black box ( for all types of planes, including the war planes) by use inflating balloon, filling it with air, or, gas in case of drowning in water.