Patents Assigned to DRS C3 & Aviation Company
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Publication number: 20160159478Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a release device that uses an electro-mechanical mechanism instead of an explosive to deploy a deployable unit such as a flight data recorder. In one embodiment of the invention, a solenoid is activated that causes a piston surrounded by the solenoid to move which moves a pin attached to the piston and allows a spring to decompress and deploy a deployable unit. In some embodiments, a release actuator mechanism, a pneumatic actuator mechanism, a shape memory alloy or a combination thereof may be used to affect deployment of the deployable unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2016Publication date: June 9, 2016Applicant: DRS C3 & Aviation CompanyInventors: Blake van den Heuvel, Ari Kaufmann, Mark Woozley, Peter Sterrantino
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Patent number: 9296489Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a release device that uses an electro-mechanical mechanism instead of an explosive to deploy a deployable unit such as a flight data recorder. In one embodiment of the invention, a solenoid is activated that causes a piston surrounded by the solenoid to move which moves a pin attached to the piston and allows a spring to decompress and deploy a deployable unit. In some embodiments, a release actuator mechanism, a pneumatic actuator mechanism, a shape memory alloy or a combination thereof may be used to affect deployment of the deployable unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: DRS C3 & Aviation CompanyInventors: Blake van den Heuvel, Ari Kaufmann, Mark Woozley, Peter Sterrantino
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Patent number: 8880283Abstract: A deployable airfoil unit is disclosed. It has a housing comprising a front surface and a rear surface joined by a top surface, two opposing side surfaces, and a bottom surface. The top surface and the front surface form an acute angle, and the top surface is larger than the bottom surface. A memory is configured to store flight data or cockpit voice data. A center of mass in the unit is configurable.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: DRS C3 & Aviation CompanyInventors: Ari Kaufmann, Blake van den Heuvel, Mark Woozley
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Publication number: 20140277923Abstract: A deployable airfoil unit is disclosed. It has a housing comprising a front surface and a rear surface joined by a top surface, two opposing side surfaces, and a bottom surface. The top surface and the front surface form an acute angle, and the top surface is larger than the bottom surface. A memory is configured to store flight data or cockpit voice data. A center of mass in the unit is configurable.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: DRS C3 & Aviation CompanyInventors: Ari Kaufmann, Blake Vandenheuel, Mark Woozley
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Publication number: 20140263839Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a release device that uses an electro-mechanical mechanism instead of an explosive to deploy a deployable unit such as a flight data recorder. In one embodiment of the invention, a solenoid is activated that causes a piston surrounded by the solenoid to move which moves a pin attached to the piston and allows a spring to decompress and deploy a deployable unit. In some embodiments, a release actuator mechanism, a pneumatic actuator mechanism, a shape memory alloy or a combination thereof may be used to affect deployment of the deployable unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: DRS C3 & Aviation CompanyInventors: Blake van den Heuvel, Ari Kaufmann, Mark Woozley, Peter Sterrantino
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Publication number: 20140277924Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provides an automatic deployable flight recorder (ADFR) system that includes a deployable fight recorder, a plurality of crash sensors, and a recorder release unit. The recorder release unit is communicatively coupled to the deployable fight recorder and the plurality of crash sensors, and is configured to initiate deployment of the deployable flight data recorder from an aircraft when a deployment criteria that is adjusted based on a flight condition of the aircraft is satisfied.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: DRS C3 & AVIATION COMPANYInventors: Blake van den Heuvel, Ari Kaufmann, Vincent James O'Hara
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Patent number: 8706357Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provides an automatic deployable flight recorder (ADFR) system that includes a deployable fight recorder, a plurality of crash sensors, and a recorder release unit. The recorder release unit is communicatively coupled to the deployable fight recorder and the plurality of crash sensors, and is configured to initiate deployment of the deployable flight data recorder from an aircraft when a deployment criteria that is adjusted based on a flight condition of the aircraft is satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: DRS C3 & Aviation CompanyInventors: Blake van den Heuvel, Ari Kaufmann, Vincent James O'Hara
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Patent number: 8510061Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for wireless crack detection and monitoring are disclosed. According to one system, a crack detector is affixed to a surface of a material for detecting a crack in the material. In response to detecting a crack, a crack indicator is generated, indicating the existence of the crack. A mote wirelessly communicates the crack indicator to an external device. The mote may also store multiple crack indicators in local memory before being downloaded to the external device. In other embodiments, the mote may time-stamp the crack indicator for indicating a time when the crack was detected. Additionally, the mote may associate other information with the crack indicator such as temperature and acceleration information.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2009Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignees: North Carolina State University, DRS C3 & Aviation CompanyInventors: Edward Grant, Matthew David Craver, Carey Merritt, Kyle Luthy, Jonathan Simmons, Kyle Roberts, Norman V. Scurria, Jr., Robert C. Roth, Roger C. Sanwald, John S. Strenkowski, Leonardo Serra Mattos
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Patent number: D701207Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: DRS C3 & Aviation CompanyInventors: Blake van den Heuvel, Ari Kaufmann, Mark Woozley