Detachable detection and warning system for an aircraft

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9701424-B2
Application number	US-201514674916-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 31, 2015
Priority date	Mar 31, 2015
Publication date	Jul 11, 2017
Grant date	Jul 11, 2017

Abstract

A system is provided that includes a detachable mounting apparatus. The detachable mounting apparatus is configured to be secured on an aircraft. The detachable mounting apparatus includes a detection system and a warning system. The detection system can detect objects in proximity to the aircraft and generate a detection signal when an object is detected in proximity to the aircraft. The warning system can generate at least one alarm signal that is perceptible outside the aircraft.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system, comprising:
a detachable mounting apparatus that is configured to be secured on an aircraft, comprising:
a belt that is configured to wrap around a portion of the aircraft, wherein the belt comprises: protection material to prevent damage to the portion of the aircraft that the belt is wrapped around, and a locking mechanism that locks the belt on the aircraft to prevent the belt from being removed from the aircraft until the locking mechanism is unlocked;
a battery that is configured to supply electrical power for the system;
solar cells integrated within the belt and configured to generate electrical energy to supply at least part of the electrical power;
a detection system configured to detect objects in proximity to the aircraft and to generate a detection signal when an object is detected in proximity to the aircraft;
an imaging device configured to capture and record at least one image of the object that is in proximity to the aircraft; and
a warning system configured to generate at least one alarm signal that is perceptible outside the aircraft.

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the warning system comprises:
visual alarm equipment configured to generate a visual alarm signal that is perceptible outside the aircraft.

3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the warning system comprises:
audio alarm equipment configured to generate an audible alarm signal that is perceptible outside the aircraft.

4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the detection system comprises:
a sensor that is configured to detect objects in proximity to the aircraft.

5. The system according to claim 4 , wherein the sensor comprises:
a proximity sensor that is configured to detect objects in proximity to the aircraft.

6. The system according to claim 4 , wherein the sensor comprises:
a motion detection sensor that is configured to detect movement of objects in proximity to the aircraft.

7. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the detachable mounting apparatus further comprises:
a wireless communication interface that is configured to transmit and receive communication signals.

8. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the detachable mounting apparatus further comprises:
a processor that is configured to receive the detection signal from the detection system and to generate control signals that control the warning system and cause the warning system to generate an alarm signal that is perceptible outside the aircraft.

9. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the portion of the aircraft is a wing of the aircraft.

10. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the portion of the aircraft is a winglet of the aircraft.

11. A detachable detection and warning system, comprising:
a mounting apparatus that is configured to be secured on an aircraft, the mounting apparatus comprising:
a belt that is configured to wrap around a portion of the aircraft, wherein the belt comprises: protection material to prevent damage to the portion of the aircraft that the belt is wrapped around, and a locking mechanism that locks the belt on the aircraft to prevent the belt from being removed from the aircraft until the locking mechanism is unlocked;
a sensor that is configured to detect objects in proximity to the aircraft and to generate a detection signal when an object is detected in proximity to the aircraft; and
a processor that is configured to receive the detection signal from the sensor and to generate control signals;
a warning system configured to generate, in response to at least one of the control signals, at least one alarm signal that is perceptible outside the aircraft;
a power source configured to supply electrical power for the sensor, the processor, and the warning system;
solar cells integrated within the mounting apparatus and configured to generate electrical energy to supply at least part of the electrical power to the power source;
an imaging device configured to capture and record at least one image of the object that is in proximity to the aircraft; and
a wireless communication interface that is configured to transmit and receive communication signals.

12. The detachable detection and warning system according to claim 11 , wherein the wireless communication interface is configured to receive an activation signal or a deactivation signal from another device, wherein the activation signal controls the processor to arm the detachable detection and warning system and place the detachable detection and warning system in monitoring mode, and wherein the deactivation signal controls the processor to disarm the detachable detection and warning system.

13. The detachable detection and warning system according to claim 11 , wherein the processor further comprises:
a video recorder configured to store the at least one image in a temporary buffer.

14. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication interface is configured to receive an activation signal or a deactivation signal from another device, wherein the activation signal controls the processor to arm the detachable detection and warning system and place the detachable detection and warning system in monitoring mode, and wherein the deactivation signal controls the processor to disarm the detachable detection and warning system.

15. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the processor further comprises:
a video recorder configured to store the at least one image in a temporary buffer.

Assignees

• Gulfstream Aerospace Corp

Inventors

• Hausmann Jeffrey
• Manochio Frank
• Meade Jason
• O'Dell Robert
• Hancock Jr Jimmy Lee

Classifications

• B64D45/00

  Aircraft indicators or protectors not otherwise provided for · CPC title

• B64D47/02 Primary

  Arrangements or adaptations of signal or lighting devices · CPC title

• B64F1/005

  Protective coverings for aircraft not in use · CPC title