Rotorcraft tie-down detector system
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsArtur Zolich, Vaclav Mares, Miroslav Smid
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method is provided for alerting a crew member of a rotorcraft that at least one tie-down device is still attached to the rotorcraft is provided. The system includes or cooperates with at least one source of tie-down sensor data. A processor is operationally coupled to the source of tie-down sensor data and to a source of rotorcraft data and causes a warning to be generated if at least one attached tie-down device is sensed.
Claims17
A method for detecting the attachment of a rotorcraft tie-down device coupled to a rotorcraft, the method comprising:
- detecting, with a sensor, attachment of the rotorcraft tie-down device;
- receiving, by a processor coupled to the sensor, the detected attachment of the rotorcraft tie-down device;
- and
- in response to the detected attachment of the rotorcraft tie-down device, (1) generating a warning indicative of the attachment of the tie-down device, and (2) preventing an engine system of the rotorcraft from starting.
A processor implemented method for enhancing rotorcraft safety, the method comprising:
- monitoring, by the processor, a sensor device associated with a rotorcraft tie down device on the rotorcraft;
- determining, by the processor, based on input from the sensor device, that the rotorcraft tie-down device is attached;
- and
- in response to determining that the rotorcraft tie-down device is attached, (1) generating a warning that the rotorcraft tie-down device is attached, and (2) preventing an engine system of the rotorcraft from starting.
A system for detecting the attachment of at least one rotorcraft tie-down device coupled to a rotorcraft, comprising:
- a first sensor coupled to the at least one rotorcraft tie-down device for detecting if the tie-down device is coupled to a fastener;
- and
- a processor coupled to the first sensor and to an engine system of the rotorcraft, the processor configured to determine when the tie-down device is coupled to the fastener, and
- when it is determined that the tie-down device is coupled to the fastener
- (1) initiate an alert that the tie-down device is attached to the fastener, and
- (2) prevent the engine system of the rotorcraft from starting.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.