Vacuum-protected flight recorder memory

Abstract

Various systems can benefit from appropriate thermal protection. For example, various flight recorder systems can benefit from a vacuum-protected flight recorder memory. The system can include a memory core of the flight recorder. The system can also include a lumen that houses the memory core. The system can further include an outer cavity that houses the lumen, with a vacuum between the inner and outer cavities. The system can additionally include a signal path from the avionics through the outer and inner cavities to the memory core. The system can also include a power path for the memory core that passes through the outer and inner cavities.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with the application date of October 26, 2018, application number "201880070216.1", and invention name "Vacuum-Protected Flight Recorder Memory". Background Art: Technical Field:

[0002] Various systems can benefit from appropriate thermal protection. For example, various flight recorder systems can benefit from a vacuum-protected flight recorder memory.

[0003] Description of Related Art:

[0004] When an aircraft crashes, a very crucial source of information about the crash is the flight recorder. Therefore, in order to be valuable, the flight recorder is designed to have a crash-survivable memory.

[0005] The industry demand is trending towards a demand for a larger crash-survivable memory capacity to support multiple long-duration voice and video channels and other data. At the same time, when large-sized commercial memories are tested, it is difficult to meet the temperature test requirements. Brief Description of the Drawings:

[0006] To correctly understand the present invention, reference should be made to the drawings, in which:

[0007] Figure 1 Illustrates an embodiment of a vacuum-protected memory according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 2 Illustrates a further embodiment of a vacuum-protected memory according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 3 Illustrates additional embodiments of a vacuum-protected memory according to certain embodiments of the present invention. Summary of the Invention:

[0010] According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a system may include a memory core of a flight recorder. The system may further include an inner cavity that houses the memory core. The system may further include an outer cavity that houses the inner cavity, with a vacuum between the inner cavity and the outer cavity. The system may further include a signal path from the avionics through the outer cavity and the inner cavity to the memory core. The system may additionally include a power path for the memory core through the outer cavity and the inner cavity. Detailed Description:

[0011] Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to flight recorders that can be preserved under regulatory required temperature tests. An example of such regulations is EUROCAE ED-112A, "Minimum Operational Performance Requirements for Crash Protected Airborne Recorder Systems".

[0012] For example, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to a flight recorder memory concept that can use a vacuum as an isolation medium to provide memory protection from extreme temperature conditions. Thus, certain embodiments of the present invention may allow the use of higher capacity memory technologies that are not currently survivable under the desired fire tests. Such higher capacity memory technologies include, but are not limited to, the following: non-volatile memories (such as NVRAM), which may be examples of flash memory, solid state storage; read-only memories (ROM) (such as EPROM, EEPROM, mask ROM, and PROM); and volatile memories (such as SRAM and DRAM). Even if these memories are not the actual chips storing the flight data, they can all be protected. Sometimes other integrated circuits and memories are included in a crash survivable memory unit (CSMU) that is part of the overall circuit for storing data.

[0013] The core of the recorder memory architecture can use any desired vacuum bottle, such as a Dewar flask or Dewar bottle named after Sir James Dewar who invented them in 1892. Using this method, heat conduction and convection can be almost eliminated. Radiant heat can be reduced by using additional techniques such as silver plating, other reflective techniques, or any other desired techniques.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the memory electronics can be housed in the inner core. The inner core can be surrounded by an outer core, with a vacuum separating the two cores. This vacuum separation can be achieved in various ways.

[0015] For example, the memory electronics that can be housed in the inner core can be inserted into another pressure vessel with a larger diameter and sealed. The space between the inner core and the outer vessel can have the air evacuated therefrom. Another method can provide concentric vessels (such as cylindrical vessels or any other desired shape), which can be sealed at the ends and have the air pumped out between them through a valve. In a further implementation, concentric vessels (such as cylindrical vessels or any other desired shape) can be welded at the open ends of the vacuum space using electron beam welders, thus trapping a vacuum between the cylinders. The vessels do not need to be cylindrical, and thus, various shapes can be used to meet application specific requirements.

[0016] Signal communication to the memory core can be electrically conducted through traditional copper wiring. Alternatively, fiber optic cables can be used to eliminate copper intrusion into the memory core. Power supply to the memory core can be provided through traditional wiring, and thermal conduction isolation techniques can be employed, such thermal conduction isolation techniques including but not limited to power transfer via magnetic fields or electric fields. Some specific examples include electromagnetic induction, electrokinetic induction, electrostatic induction, inductive coupling, magnetic resonance induction, microwave power, radio frequency power, and optical or laser power.

[0017] Figure 1 The figure shows a vacuum-protected memory according to certain embodiments of the present invention. As Figure 1 shown, a circuit card with a memory integrated circuit (IC) can be installed inside an inner pressure vessel. In this particular figure, the inner pressure vessel is made of stainless steel, but other materials are also allowed. Optionally, the inner pressure vessel can be made of a thermal insulation material, such thermal insulation materials including but not limited to ceramic insulation materials, which can be covered by an airtight (vacuum-resistant) covering such as glass or metal. The memory can be equipped with a heat sink, which can also be located inside the inner pressure vessel.

[0018] The inner pressure vessel can be housed inside an outer pressure vessel, which is shown in the figure as being made of stainless steel, but other materials are also allowed. One or more sealed relays can operate in the vacuum between the inner pressure vessel and the outer pressure vessel. The (multiple) relays can provide thermal flow path isolation. The outer pressure vessel can include data and power input ports and a pressure port. The pressure port can be used to remove air from between the vessels, thereby creating a vacuum between the inner pressure vessel and the outer pressure vessel.

[0019] The data and power lines are not shown, but can be connected from the data and power input ends to the internal data / power ports of the inner pressure vessel. As described above, one or more sealed relays can be used to provide thermal flow path isolation for, for example, power lines.

[0020] An underwater positioning beacon can be attached to one end of the outer pressure vessel. In this example, the underwater locator beacon is located at the other end of the outer pressure vessel opposite the data and power inputs, but the underwater locator beacon can be set at the same end, or at any other desired location on the outer pressure vessel, or indeed at Figure 1 any other part of the overall architecture of the vacuum-protected memory depicted in

[0021] Figure 2 The figure shows a further embodiment of a vacuum-protected memory according to certain embodiments of the present invention. As Figure 2 shown, the device can include a vacuum-protected memory, which can be constructed as shown and described, for example, as Figure 1 shown.

[0022] Similarly Figure 2 As shown, the device may further include a ballistic housing having a distal port. The distal port may provide the same connectivity as the data and power input ports of the outer container.

[0023] The ballistic housing may be designed to further protect the vacuum-protected memory from impact and penetration forces. For example, the ballistic housing may encapsulate the vacuum-protected memory module with any desired structure (such as an aluminum honeycomb sandwich) to provide ballistic penetration resistance.

[0024] Using such a ballistic housing may conform to the concept of progressive protection. For example, the outer housing may provide kinetic energy absorption, and subsequently, techniques (such as an established vacuum zone) that are combined for flame protection and high residual heat protection may be employed.

[0025] According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the system may include a memory core for a flight recorder. As Figure 1 and 2 illustrated, the memory core may include any desired memory, such as a memory integrated circuit.

[0026] The system may further include a lumen that houses the memory core. For example, the lumen may be the inner pressure vessel described above. Any desired heat sink may be provided for the memory core. The heat sink may be disposed within the lumen. The heat sink may be designed to transfer heat to the lumen wall.

[0027] The system may further include an outer cavity that houses the lumen, with a vacuum between the lumen and the outer cavity. The outer cavity may be, for example, the outer pressure vessel described above.

[0028] The lumen and the outer cavity may be cylinders. Other form factors are also allowed. For example, the form factor may be other three-dimensional concentric shapes, such as concentric boxes (e.g., rectangular, triangular, or square), or even concentric spheres. Embodiments of the present invention may not require the shape of the lumen to match the shape of the outer cavity. For example, a square box lumen may be housed by a rectangular box outer cavity.

[0029] The lumen may be separated from the outer cavity by one or more insulating supports. These insulating supports may be, for example, insulating washers or other supports (such as annular supports) that separate the wall of the lumen from the wall of the outer cavity such that there is no direct physical contact between these walls.

[0030] The lumen and the outer cavity may each be made of stainless steel, titanium, other similar materials, or any other desired material. Alternatively, the lumen may be made of a different material than the outer cavity. In both cases, materials with good structural strength may be selected.

[0031] The inner surface of the outer cavity may be coated with a material that absorbs radiant heat better than the material of the outer cavity, such as a black material or any other material with desired heat-absorbing properties. In contrast, the outer surface of the inner cavity may be coated with a material that reflects radiant heat better than the material of the inner cavity, such as a silver surface, a mirror surface, or any other material with desired heat-related properties.

[0032] The system may also include a signal path from the avionics through the outer cavity and the inner cavity to the memory core.

[0033] The system may further include a power path for the memory core through the outer cavity and the inner cavity.

[0034] As described above, an underwater locator beacon may be provided at one end of the outer cavity. As Figure 2 illustrated, a ballistic sheath may be provided around the outer core. The ballistic sheath may have an aluminum honeycomb structure, or any other similar force-absorbing structure. The ballistic sheath may be made of a fireproof material or impregnated with a fireproof material, which is designed to prevent the ballistic sheath from burning.

[0035] Figure 3 illustrates additional embodiments of a vacuum-protected memory according to certain embodiments of the present invention. As Figure 3 shown, while maintaining the vacuum, additional reinforcements may also be applied to further enhance the anti-penetration and anti-compressive cracking properties of the vacuum-protected memory.

[0036] As Figure 3 illustrated, the inner vacuum container may be composed of two concentric stainless steel tubes. As described above, other materials (such as titanium) are also allowed, and other shapes besides tubes are allowed. The radius difference between the outside of the inner tube and the inside of the outer tube may serve as the vacuum zone. One or more thermal insulation gaskets may establish a balance between the two tubes.

[0037] The larger tube may be necked down or rolled onto the inner tube, and the getter material can be welded in the vacuum space. The so-called getter material may be included in the vacuum zone to further improve the vacuum quality. As described above, the outer surface of the inner container may be reflective, silver-plated, or otherwise configured to reflect radiant heat.

[0038] The circuit card of the memory may be inserted into the inner space of the vacuum container, and a stopper made of a high-temperature insulating material (such as ceramic, high-temperature polymer) or a Dewar stopper made of metal (with a cavity in the middle, which is a vacuum space) may be used to plug the container. The circuit card may be mounted on a heat sink for dissipating the heat generated by the circuit. (Multiple) signal and power cables may be led outwards from the stopper and arranged downward along one side of the vacuum container.

[0039] The stainless steel outer container can be made of stainless steel tubes and filled with a ceramic insulating material made of thermal or advanced ceramics. The shape of the ceramic insulating material can match that of the vacuum container.

[0040] The vacuum container can be inserted into the outer container, with the stopper inserted first. In this arrangement, the payload can be farthest from the stopper, and the stopper side can be farthest from the outer container end cap side. The signal cable can be routed outwards from the outer container end cap.

[0041] In this arrangement, the outer container can be subjected to penetration and fracture tests, and the ceramic insulator can somehow provide a backup in case of loss of vacuum. Another option is to fill (or partially fill) the vacuum container with gelatin. Filling the vacuum container with a material such as thermal grease or added heat sinks can also be a further (not shown) option.

[0042] Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the present invention as described above can be implemented with steps in a different order and / or with hardware elements in a configuration different from the disclosed configuration. Thus, although the present invention has been described based on these disclosed embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative structures will be apparent while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for a thermal protection memory core, the method comprising: accommodating the memory core within an inner cavity; accommodating the inner cavity having the memory core within an outer cavity; coating an outer surface of the inner cavity with a material configured to reflect radiant heat; providing a vacuum between the inner cavity and the outer cavity; and providing a first relay within the outer cavity, the first relay being configured to connect power from outside the outer cavity to the memory core and disconnect from the memory core.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: providing an optical fiber signal path from outside the outer cavity to the memory core.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: providing a second relay within the outer cavity, wherein the second relay is configured to selectively connect a signal path from outside the outer cavity to the memory core and disconnect from the memory core.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: providing a heat sink within the inner cavity.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the inner cavity and the outer cavity are a cylinder, concentric boxes, or concentric spheres.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the inner cavity is arranged to be separated from the outer cavity by one or more insulating supports.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the outer cavity comprises stainless steel or titanium.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: coating an inner surface of the outer cavity with a material configured to absorb radiant heat.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the inner cavity comprises stainless steel or titanium.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: providing a ballistic sheath around the outer cavity.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the ballistic sheath comprises an aluminum honeycomb structure.

12. A method for communicating with a memory core, the method comprising: selectively connecting and disconnecting a power source to and from the memory core, the selectively connecting and disconnecting comprising: passing a signal from the power source through the outer cavity, through the vacuum provided within the outer cavity, through the inner cavity, and to the memory core provided within the inner cavity, wherein an outer surface of the inner cavity is coated with a material configured to reflect radiant heat.

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