Aircraft Evacuation Slide Readiness Sensor with Self-Calibrating Tilt Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for determining if an aircraft evacuation slide is ready for use are not flexible and require high installation and maintenance efforts, particularly due to the need for central pitch angle sensors, which add cost and weight to the door controllers.
Innovation Solution
A device incorporating a tilt sensor and inertial sensors to measure the aircraft's pitch angle and slide deployment, allowing for self-calibration and reducing the need for central sensors, with a control unit determining the slide's readiness for use based on these measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If central pitch angle sensors are installed to determine aircraft orientation for slide deployment control, then the slide deployment accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and installation maintenance effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pitch angle measurement function from a separate central sensor system and integrates it into the door controller unit. The door controller now contains both the tilt sensor and the control logic, eliminating the need for separate central pitch angle sensors and their complex cable connections to individual doors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into the door controller: the tilt sensor for pitch angle detection, the slide deployment control logic, and the readiness signal generation. This merging of sensing and control functions into a single integrated unit simplifies the overall system architecture.
2Reliability
If central pitch angle sensors with cable connections are used for each door, then the slide deployment control is improved, but the installation and maintenance effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pitch angle measurement function to be performed independently at each door location rather than using a centralized sensor system. Each door controller is a self-contained unit with its own tilt sensor, eliminating the need for extensive cable wiring from a central location to multiple doors.
Solution Approach 2:
The door controller performs self-calibration by detecting when the aircraft is in a level position and automatically adjusting its reference frame. This eliminates the need for manual calibration during installation and maintenance, making the system more ease-of-manufacture.
3Reliability
If the aircraft is in a nose-up position after emergency landing, then the evacuation slide may not reach the ground, but increasing slide length for all configurations increases weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the slide deployment dynamic by adjusting the deployment length based on the measured pitch angle. The door controller calculates the required slide length based on the aircraft's orientation and commands the slide to deploy to that specific length, rather than using a fixed maximum length for all conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the slide system by using variable deployment length controlled by the door controller. The system measures the pitch angle and adjusts the slide extension parameter accordingly, allowing the slide to reach the ground in nose-up positions without permanently increasing slide weight.
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 simplifies the installation and maintenance of the system, reduces weight and cost by eliminating the need for central pitch angle sensors, and allows for flexible deployment of the slide, ensuring it is ready for use in various orientations.
Implementation Method 1
a tilt sensor which is adapted to measure a tilt angle of the entire device about a predetermined axis extending in a reference plane with respect to the reference plane
Implementation Method 2
at least one inertial sensor which is adapted to detect an acceleration of the entire device and to provide a measurement signal which is characteristic or indicative of the detected acceleration
Data Source
AI summary
A device providing a signal indicating whether a deployed aircraft evacuation slide is ready for use. A tilt sensor measures tilt angle about a predetermined axis and a tilt sensor measurement signal is provided. An inertial sensor detects acceleration and provides an inertial sensor measurement signal. A slide signal input terminal receives a slide signal indicating deployment of an evacuation slide and of a deployment length. A tilt angle signal output terminal at which a tilt angle signal is provided, and a slide status output terminal and a control unit to determine, based on the detected acceleration, a moment when the device is at rest with respect to earth and to set orientation of the reference plane to a predetermined orientation. The control unit stores data depending on position of a door, and can determine a slide length. A slide status signal is provided at the slide status output terminal.