Aircraft Data Retrieval Using Wireless Transmission Through Sealed Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for retrieving data from aircraft require physically accessing and removing sealed panels, leading to increased turnaround and maintenance times, especially in military aircraft where electromagnetic sealing is critical.

Innovation Solution

An aircraft-side data retrieval system that uses a wireless apparatus with an antenna in an electromagnetically sealed bay to transmit data to a ground-side system after landing, eliminating the need for physical panel removal by establishing a wireless link within the aircraft, utilizing frequencies such as 50-70 GHz for secure communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If data is stored in an electromagnetically sealed bay during flight, then electromagnetic integrity is maintained, but data retrieval requires physical panel removal increasing turnaround time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectromagnetic integrityVSAvoidturnaround time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical panel removal with an electromagnetic wireless communication system. The wireless apparatus transmits data through the sealed panel using electromagnetic waves, eliminating the need to mechanically open the panel while maintaining electromagnetic integrity during flight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealed panel itself serves as an intermediary that was previously considered a barrier. The patent introduces wireless communication capability through the panel, allowing it to function both as an electromagnetic shield during flight and as a transmission medium during ground operations, without requiring physical removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If sealed panels are opened for data retrieval, then data access is enabled, but maintenance time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata accessVSAvoidmaintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the mechanical operation of opening and closing sealed panels with an automated wireless communication process. The wireless apparatus automatically transmits data when the aircraft is on the ground, eliminating manual panel operations and reducing maintenance time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs data retrieval automatically without requiring manual intervention to open panels. The wireless apparatus self-activates to transmit data when ground-based receivers detect the aircraft's presence, enabling self-service data retrieval that reduces maintenance workload.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If wireless transmission is enabled through sealed panels, then data retrieval time is reduced, but electromagnetic sealing must be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata retrieval speedVSAvoidelectromagnetic sealing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the wireless transmission capability conditional on the aircraft's operational state. The system dynamically activates wireless transmission only when the aircraft is on the ground and the sealed panel is in its closed position during normal flight, thus maintaining electromagnetic sealing while enabling fast data retrieval when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution reduces maintenance time by allowing data retrieval without compromising the electromagnetic integrity of the aircraft during flight and eliminates the need to open sealed panels, providing secure and efficient data transfer with minimal disruption to the aircraft's sealing.

Implementation Method 1

communicate wirelessly, by means of the antenna, with a ground-side data retrieval system to transmit the stored data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3000191B1Data retrieval system in an aircraft with data stored during a flight and wirelessly transmitted to a ground system after landing using a electromagnetically sealed device which can be open or closed.

Publication Date: 2018.04.25 BAE SYSTEMS PLC

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AI summary

An aircraft-side aircraft data retrieval system and method, comprising: a data storage device (14) located in a first location, for example a bay (8),in a aircraft (2) adapted to, during a flight, store data acquired during the flight; and wireless apparatus (18) comprising an antenna (28), at least the antenna (28) being located in a second location, for example an undercarriage bay,in the aircraft (2) that is different to the first location, the wireless apparatus (18) adapted to wirelessly transmit, after landing, the stored data to a ground-side data retrieval system (6); the second location (10) being a location that can have a closed or open configuration and which will be in the closed configuration for at least a majority of the flight and in the open configuration, for a purpose other than retrieving the stored data, after the aircraft (2) has landed.