Ejection seat occupant camera system

An occupant camera system for an aircraft ejection assembly may comprise a fixed structure and a camera mounted to the fixed structure. A digital video recorder may be mounted to the fixed structure and electrically coupled to the camera. A switch may be electrically coupled to the digital video recorder, and a battery may be electrically coupled to the switch.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to ejection seats, and more specifically, to a compact occupant camera system for ejection seat testing.

BACKGROUND

Ejection seats are designed to expel pilots from an aircraft. Simulations may be performed to test the ejection seats and ejection systems. Current simulations generally employ cameras to document and record the simulation. These cameras are typically located away from the ejection seat so false weight (i.e., weight which would not be present during an actual emergency ejection) is not added to the ejection seat during the simulation and to avoid creating an interference in the path of the ejection seat. With the cameras located away from the ejection seat, data and/or coverage generated from the seat occupant's point of view is not readily attainable.

SUMMARY

An occupant camera system for an aircraft ejection assembly is disclosed herein. In accordance with various embodiments, the occupant camera system may comprise a fixed structure and a camera mounted to the fixed structure. A digital video recorder may be mounted to the fixed structure and electrically coupled to the camera. A switch may be electrically coupled to the digital video recorder. A battery may be electrically coupled to the switch.

In various embodiments, a pin may be coupled to the switch. A translation of the pin may be configured to actuate the switch between an off-position and an on-position. In various embodiments, the switch may comprise a circuit, and the translation of the pin may be configured to actuate the circuit from an open circuit to a closed circuit. In various embodiments, a pull cord may be attached to the pin.

In various embodiments, the fixed structure may comprise a mannequin. The camera may be mounted to a visor of the mannequin and the digital video recorder may be mounted to at least one of a head of the mannequin or a helmet of the mannequin.

In various embodiments, at least one of the switch or the battery may be mounted to the helmet of the mannequin. In various embodiments, the mannequin may comprise a flight suit, and at least one of the switch or the battery may be located within a pocket of the flight suit.

An aircraft ejection assembly for an ejection simulation is also disclosed herein. In accordance with various embodiments, the ejection assembly may comprise an ejection seat, a mannequin configured to be supported by the ejection seat, and an occupant camera system coupled to at least one of the mannequin or the ejection seat. The occupant camera system may comprise a camera mounted on the at least one of the mannequin or the ejection seat and a digital video recorder mounted on the at least one of the mannequin or the ejection seat. The digital video recorder may be electrically coupled to the camera. The occupant camera system may further comprise a switch electrically coupled to the digital video recorder and a battery electrically coupled to the switch.

In various embodiments, the occupant camera system may further comprise a pin coupled to the switch. A translation of the pin may be configured to actuate the switch between an off-position and an on-position. In various embodiments, the switch may comprise a circuit, and the translation of the pin may be configured to actuate the circuit from an open circuit to a closed circuit.

In various embodiments, the occupant camera system may further comprise a pull cord attached to the pin.

In various embodiments, the mannequin may comprise a helmet and a visor attached to the helmet. The camera may be coupled to the visor and the digital video recorder may be coupled to the helmet. In various embodiments, at least one of the switch or the battery may be coupled to the helmet. In various embodiments, the mannequin may further comprise a flight suit, and at least one of the switch or the battery may be located within a pocket of the flight suit.

A method for recording for an ejection simulation is also disclosed herein. In accordance with various embodiments, the method may comprise coupling an occupant camera system to a mannequin. The occupant camera system may comprise a camera, a digital video recorder electrically coupled to the camera, a switch electrically coupled to the digital video recorder, and a battery electrically coupled to the switch. The method may further comprise translating the switch to an on-position, and initiating an ejection sequence.

In various embodiments, coupling the occupant camera system to the mannequin may comprise mounting the digital video recorder to a helmet of the mannequin and mounting the camera to a visor coupled to the helmet.

In various embodiments, the occupant camera system may further comprise a pin coupled to the switch, and translating the switch to the on-position may comprise translating the pin.

In various embodiments, the occupant camera system may further comprise a pull cord coupled to the pin, and translating the pin may comprise translating the pull cord.

In various embodiments, the switch may comprise a circuit, and translating the switch to the on-position may comprise closing the circuit.

In various embodiments, the method may further comprise translating the switch to an off-position by locating the pin between a first portion the circuit and a second portion of the circuit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments by way of illustration. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosures, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical changes and adaptations in design and construction may be made in accordance with this disclosure and the teachings herein. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation.

The scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the examples described. For example, the steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are not necessarily limited to the order presented. Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step may include a singular embodiment or step. Also, any reference to tacked, attached, fixed, coupled, connected or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full and/or any other possible attachment option. Additionally, any reference to without contact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced contact or minimal contact. Surface shading lines may be used throughout the figures to denote different parts but not necessarily to denote the same or different materials.

With reference toFIG. 1, an aircraft ejection assembly10is shown, in accordance with various embodiments. Aircraft ejection assembly10may be used for ejection sequence simulations. For example, aircraft ejection assembly10may be employed in simulations that mimic an ejection seat being ejected from an aircraft and an occupant of the ejection seat being separated from the ejection seat in response to deployment of a parachute assembly which may be stored, at least partially, within the ejection seat.

Aircraft ejection assembly10may include an ejection seat12and a mannequin14. Aircraft ejection assembly10may include a parachute assembly16configured to deploy from ejection seat12. Mannequin14may be separated from ejection seat12in response to deployment of parachute assembly16. Aircraft ejection assembly10may include a propulsion system18configured to propel ejection seat12and mannequin14away from a ground or other surface20(for example, away from a surface mimicking the floor of a cockpit).

In various embodiments, mannequin14may include a helmet22and a flight suit24. A visor (or eye protector)26may be located over and correspond to a location of the eyes of a person wearing helmet22. Visor26may be attached to helmet22.

In accordance with various embodiments, aircraft ejection assembly10includes an occupant camera system100. Occupant camera system100includes a camera102. Camera102may be a compact, lightweight, high speed/resolution camera. Camera102is mounted to a fixed structure. For example, camera102may be mounted on mannequin14or ejection seat12. In this regard, the fixed structure may be visor26of mannequin14. In various embodiments, the fixed structure may be helmet22or a head or other part of mannequin14. In various embodiments, the fixed structure may be a camera mount attached to visor26, helmet22, or mannequin14. In various embodiments, the fixed structure may comprise a textile component, for example, a skull cap worn by mannequin14. In various embodiments, and as described in further detail below, camera102may be mounted on mannequin14in a location corresponding to the field of view of mannequin14, such that occupant camera system100may record an ejection simulation from the point of view of an ejection seat occupant. For example, occupant camera system100may be employed to record a pilot's point of view from ejection system initiation to ground impact.

Referring now toFIGS. 2A and 2B, and with continued reference toFIG. 1, additional details of occupant camera system100are illustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. Occupant camera system100includes camera102. In various embodiments, camera102may be coupled to visor26of mannequin14. A location of camera102may correspond to a location of the eyes of a person wearing helmet22. WhileFIG. 2Ashows camera102attached to visor26, it is further contemplated and understood that camera102may be attached to other locations on mannequin14and/or on ejection seat12. The location of camera102is selected based on the desired field of view to be recorded.

Camera102includes a lens104and a camera controller106. Camera controller106may include and communicate with one or more processors and one or more tangible, non-transitory memories and may be capable of implementing logic. The processor can be a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or a combination thereof.

In various embodiments, camera102may be a digital camera. In various embodiments, camera102may have any suitable resolution, for example 640×480 pixels, 1024×768 pixels, 1280×720 pixels, 1920×1080 pixels, 3840×2160 pixels, and/or the like. Camera102may have any suitable frame rate, for example 24 frames per second (FPS), 30 FPS, 60 FPS, and/or the like. Camera102may employ any suitable scanning method, for example progressive, interlaced, and/or the like. Camera102is compact and light weight. For example, a weight of camera102may be between 3.5 grams (g) and 8.5 g (0.12 ounces and 0.3 ounces). In various embodiments, a weight of camera102may be 5.5 g (0.19 ounces). Camera102may have a width W1of between 15 millimeters (mm) and 25 mm (0.59 inches and 0.98 inches). In various embodiments, width W1may be 18 mm (0.71 inches). Camera102may have a length L1of between 15 mm and 25 mm (0.59 inches and 0.98 inches). In various embodiments, length L1may be 19 mm (0.75 inches). Camera102may have a height H1of between 15 mm and 25 mm (0.59 inches and 0.98 inches). In various embodiments, height H1may be 19 mm (0.75 inches). In various embodiments, camera102may comprise a digital camera which is available under the trade name RUNCAM®, available from the RunCam Corporation, Hong Kong Flat/RM 4 18/F, 234 Aberdeen Main Road, Hong Kong.

Occupant camera system100further includes a digital video recorder (DVR)108. DVR108may include and communicate with one or more processors and one or more tangible, non-transitory memories and may be capable of implementing logic. The processor can be a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or a combination thereof. DVR108may employ any suitable storage component, for example a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, and/or the like. DVR108is configured to record and store images from camera102. In various embodiments, DVR108may store images from camera102on a removable secure digital (SD) memory card116.

DVR108is compact and light weight. For example, a weight of DVR108may be between 2.5 g and 5.0 g (0.09 ounces and 0.18 ounces). In various embodiments, a weight of DVR108may be 3.5 g (0.12 ounces). DVR108may have a length L2of between 15 mm and 35 mm (0.59 inches and 1.38 inches). In various embodiments, length L2may be 25 mm (0.98 inches). DVR108may have a height H2of between 15 mm and 35 mm (0.59 inches and 1.38 inches). In various embodiments, height H2may be 25 mm (0.98 inches). In various embodiments, DVR108may comprise a mini first person view digital video recorder which is available under the trade name RUNCAM®, available from the RunCam Corporation, Hong Kong Flat/RM 4 18/F, 234 Aberdeen Main Road, Hong Kong.

DVR108is electrically coupled to camera controller106. For example, a wire, or cable,110provides a positive voltage between DVR108and camera102. A wire, or cable,112provides a negative voltage (or ground) between DVR108and camera102. A wire, or cable,114provides a video connection between DVR108and camera102.

In various embodiments, DVR108is coupled to a fixed structure, for example, an interior surface of helmet22, a portion of mannequin14located within helmet22, and/or a DVR mount coupled to helmet22or mannequin14. Locating DVR108within helmet22allows helmet22to protect DVR108during ground impact (i.e., when mannequin14contacts the ground), thereby reducing a likelihood of damage to DVR108. WhileFIG. 2Ashows DVR108attached to helmet22, it is further contemplated and understood that DVR108may be attached to other locations on mannequin14and/or on ejection seat12. For example, in various embodiments, DVR108may be located within a pocket28of flight suit24.

Occupant camera system100may further include a battery120and a switch122. Battery120is configured to supply power (voltage) to occupant camera system100. In various embodiments, battery120may comprise a 5 volt battery. DVR108is electrically coupled to battery120via switch122. Stated differently, switch122is located between DVR108and battery120. A wire, or cable,124provides a positive voltage between DVR108and switch122, and a wire, or cable,126provides a negative voltage (or ground) between DVR108and switch122. A wire, or cable,128provides a positive voltage between battery120and switch122, and a wire, or cable,130provides a negative voltage (or ground) between battery120and switch122. As described in further detail below, switch122is configured to regulate the flow of current from battery120to DVR108and camera102such that when switch122is in an off-position, current does not flow to DVR108and camera102and when switch122is in an on-position, current flows to and powers DVR108and camera102.

In various embodiments, a pin132may configured to actuate switch122between the off-position and the on-position. A pull cord134may be attached to pin132. Pull cord134allows an operator to translate pin132, thereby actuating switch122from the off-position to the on-position. For example, in various embodiments, “pulling,” or otherwise translating, pin132in a direction away from switch122(i.e., in the direction of arrow133inFIG. 3B) may actuate switch122to the on-position.

With reference toFIGS. 3A and 3B, further details of switch122are illustrated. In various embodiments, switch122includes a circuit140.FIG. 3Ashows switch122in the off-position. In the off-position, circuit140is open (i.e., circuit140is an open circuit). In this regard, pin132is located between a first portion142and a second portion144of circuit140. Pin132interrupts the connection between first portion142and second portion144such that current is prevented or blocked from flowing between wires124and128(i.e., between battery120and DVR108). Pin132includes an electrically insulating material. For example, pin132may comprise polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polymer (e.g., polystyrene), resin, wood, or other electrically insulating material.

FIG. 3Bshows switch122in the on-position. In the on-position, circuit140is closed (i.e., circuit140is a closed circuit). In this regard, pin132is removed from between first portion142and second portion144of circuit140. With pin132removed, first portion142contacts second portion144such that current flows between wires124and128(i.e., between battery120and DVR108). In various embodiments, pin132may be removed from circuit140by pulling pull cord134.

With combined reference toFIG. 1andFIG. 2A, in various embodiments, battery120and switch122may be coupled to a fixed structure, for example, an interior surface of helmet22, a portion of mannequin14located within helmet22, or a mount coupled to helmet22or mannequin14. Locating battery120and switch122within helmet22allows helmet22to protect battery120and switch122during ground impact, thereby reducing a likelihood of damage to battery120and switch122. WhileFIG. 2Ashows battery120and switch122attached to helmet22, it is further contemplated and understood that battery120and/or switch122may be attached to other locations on mannequin14and/or on ejection seat12. For example, in various embodiments, battery120and/or switch122may be located within pocket28of flight suit24.

Pull cord134provides a relatively safe and simple way to provide power to camera102and thus begin recording. When a simulation is complete, pin132may be reinstalled in switch122to stop recording (i.e., to interrupt the flow of current between first portion142and second portion144of circuit140inFIG. 3A). Pull cord134may allow occupant camera system100to be safely employed in simulations using explosives and other energetic materials. In this regard, a length of pull cord134may be selected to allow an operator to be located a safe distance away from ejection seat12. For example, recording via occupant camera system100may be initiated by an operator pulling pull cord134while standing 10.0 to 20.0 feet (3.0 meters (m) to 6.1 m) from ejection seat12.

Occupant camera system100may provide a video record from a view point that was previously unachievable. The modularity of the design and the small size of camera102lends itself to multiple locations on mannequin14and/or on ejection seat12. In various embodiments, a total weight of occupant camera system100may be less than 25 g (0.88 ounces). For example, a weight of occupant camera system100may be between 9 g and 21 g. Subsystems of aircraft ejection assembly10, where it was previously impractical to film (e.g., due to weight of the camera or interference between the camera and the ejection systems) may be captured by occupant camera system100. The video captured by occupant camera system100may also be used to train pilots by providing a first person view from initiation of the ejection sequence through parachute deployment and ground impact.

In various embodiments, one or more occupant camera system(s)200(FIG. 1) may be mounted to ejection seat12to film various subsystems of ejection seat12. Occupant camera system200may be similar to occupant camera system100. In this regard, occupant camera system200includes a camera similar to camera102and a DVR similar to DVR108and electrically coupled to the camera. Occupant camera system200further includes a battery configured to provide power to the DVR and the camera, and a switch similar to switch122(i.e., a switch configured to regulate the flow of current from the battery to the DVR and camera of occupant camera system200). The switch of occupant camera system200may be actuated between an off-position and an on-position by translating a pull cord and a pin similar to pull cord134and pin132of occupant camera system100.

FIGS. 4A and 4Bshow a method250for recording for an ejection simulation. In accordance with various embodiments, and with combined reference toFIG. 4AandFIGS. 2A and 2B, method250may comprise coupling occupant camera system100to mannequin14(step252), translating switch122to an on-position (step254), and initiating an ejection sequence (step256).