Non-Contact Sensor for Ejection Seat Sequence Initiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ejection seat systems face challenges in ensuring consistent and reliable sequence initiation across varying aircraft speeds, altitudes, and occupant weights, as mechanical systems can be prone to variability and inconsistency.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft ejection seat sequence system incorporating a non-contact sensor and sequence controller, which uses a sensor target to generate a reference control signal for initiating a sequence of ejection events, reducing mechanical components and enhancing consistency through proximity sensing technologies like RFID readers or capacitive sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical system is used to initiate ejection seat sequences, then the system can be simpler in structure, but the sequence initiation becomes prone to variability and inconsistency across varying aircraft speeds, altitudes, and occupant weights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical sensing systems with non-contact sensors that detect the ejection seat's position and status electronically. This substitution eliminates mechanical contact points and moving parts that caused variability, providing consistent electrical signals for sequence initiation regardless of aircraft speed, altitude, or occupant weight variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces non-contact sensors as intermediaries between the ejection seat mechanical system and the control system. These sensors provide a stable interface that translates mechanical position into consistent electrical signals, acting as a mediator that ensures reliable sequence initiation without direct mechanical coupling.
2Measurement precision
If non-contact sensors are used to detect sensor targets during ejection events, then measurement precision and reference point consistency are improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensing components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical position detection methods with non-contact sensing technologies. This substitution provides precise measurement of the ejection seat's position and status without mechanical contact, achieving high measurement precision while the electronic nature of the sensors keeps the overall system complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses non-contact sensors to create an electrical copy or representation of the mechanical state. Instead of directly measuring mechanical position, the sensors generate electrical signals that replicate the position information, providing precise measurement while adding minimal complexity through the sensing interface.
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
The system provides a more consistent and reliable reference point for ejection sequences, improving accuracy and reducing component variability, leading to a more efficient and dependable ejection process.
Implementation Method 1
a non-contact sensor configured to transmit a reference control signal to the sequence controller in response to sensing the sensor target
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft ejection seat sequence may comprise: a sequence controller; a sensor target; and a non-contact sensor in electrical communication with the sequence controller, the non-contact sensor configured to transmit a reference control signal to the sequence controller in response to sensing the sensor target.