Abstract:
A smoke simulator system ( 1 ) for an aircraft simulator cockpit said system ( 1 ) comprising a water tank ( 2 ), an ultrasonic generator ( 3 ), said ultrasonic generator ( 3 ) being inside said water tank ( 2 ), supply means ( 7 ) to said water tank ( 2 ) and outlet means ( 8 ) from said water tank ( 2 ) for smoke. The invention relates as well to a method to operate such a smoke simulator system ( 1 ) for an aircraft simulator cockpit.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to European Patent Application No. 10 400062.5 filed on Dec. 20, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    (1) Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention relates to a smoke simulator system for an aircraft cockpit with the features of the preamble of claim  1  and a method of operating such a system with the features of the preamble of claim  13 . 
         [0004]    (2) Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    A standard emergency situation to be trained by pilots of aircrafts is a fire alarm on board. Up to now real fire simulation inside the cockpit was not possible and any simulation of an on board fire alarm was effected only by warning lights in the aircraft&#39;s cockpit. Any real feeling and the visual conditions inside the cockpit and/or crew rooms, such as view to instruments, emergency exits etc., could not be simulated. 
         [0006]    The document FR 2846562 discloses a fire simulator with a vertical bin simulating flames by strips of a reflective fabric that wave in an air flow created by fans. The lower part of the bin incorporates a liquid smoke container, a pump, an electric motor and a sound source that reproduces the crackling of a fire. The intensity of a simulated fire can be varied according to the way in which fire extinguishers are operated. 
         [0007]    The document FR 2843889 discloses a training system for fire fighters comprising a furnace consisting of a gas burner, which is submerged in water in a tank, means of conveying a combustible gas mixture to said burner and an electrode to ignite the gas at the beginning of a drill. The system is also provided with an ignition system comprising a casing which is positioned close to the aforementioned tank, the inner space thereof being thermally protected, and which is equipped with a heat-resistant tube, the free end of said tube being disposed at a short distance above the surface of the water in the tank. Combustible gas mixtures in combination with a burner imply safety risks. 
         [0008]    The document WO 03063664 A1 discloses an electrical heating apparatus incorporating a smoke effect apparatus having a container for liquid, an ultrasonic transducer submerged in liquid within the container and an apertured bed located above the transducer. When the transducer is actuated, clouds of water vapour resembling smoke are produced. The clouds of water vapour are drawn upwardly in a current of air induced by a fan heater located above the apertured bed, which gives the impression that smoke is originating from the bed in the manner of a fire. 
         [0009]    The document U.S. Pat. No. 6,129,552 A discloses an installation with a screen of large size on which varying images are displayed representing a fire in a sequence under the control of a computer, the person performing the exercise having available modified fire extinguisher devices delivering a virtual jet whose point of impact on the screen can be located, with corresponding information being transmitted to the computer. 
         [0010]    The document US 2007218436 A1 discloses methods and apparatus for use in fire extinguisher training implemented electronically without the need for an open flame. The training apparatus includes a display having a plurality of light sources adapted to display a varying light pattern simulating a dynamic flame; a sensor adapted to detect a stimulus emitted by one of a fire extinguisher and a fire extinguisher simulator and output a signal corresponding to the detected stimulus; and one or more processors adapted to receive the output from the sensor and vary the light pattern simulating the dynamic flame on the display in response to the stimulus detected by the sensor. 
         [0011]    The document GB 2281269 A discloses a transportable safety training apparatus comprising a reinforced shell simulating an aircraft body and fitted at least with doors and internal seating in positions appropriate to that body, the shell having legs, which may be adjustable, for supporting it on the ground in various different attitudes and lifting points for connection to means for lifting it either to change its attitude or onto a transporter. The interior of the shell may be provided with fittings (e.g. bulkheads, instrument panels etc) resembling an actual aircraft, together with systems simulating smoke and fuel leaks. 
         [0012]    The EP1 324 292 A2 discloses a simulator comprising a chamber, visibility-impairing devices connected to the chamber, and orientation devices and rescue devices arranged in the chamber. The visibility-impairing devices include a device for producing smoke, especially a vaporizer for vaporizing a smoke product. This state of the art is used to train users of tunnels, such as car drivers. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a smoke simulator system for an aircraft cockpit and a method of operating such a system. 
         [0014]    The solution is provided with a smoke simulator system for an aircraft cockpit with the features of claim  1  of the invention and a method of operating such a system with the features of claim  13 . Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the subclaims. 
         [0015]    According to the invention a smoke simulator system for an aircraft cockpit, particularly a helicopter cockpit or crew rooms, comprises a water tank and a generator for ultrasonic waves mounted inside said water tank. Supply means for feeding water into said water tank and electrical energy to said generator for ultrasonic waves are provided at the water tank. Outlet means are provided at the water tank to drain smoke produced by the generator for ultrasonic waves from water inside said water tank. The smoke created according to the invention improves simulation by giving a realistic feeling and the visual conditions inside a cockpit and/or crew rooms with respect to instruments emergency exits, etc. in case of a fire on board. Hence a higher training performance for the pilots/crew staff is achieved with the inventive system due to higher level of fire simulation. An advantage of the system according to the invention is that the smoke generated is harmless and heavier than air; thus said smoke remains next to a floor of the cockpit and will therefore most probably not activate any real smoke detectors inside the cockpit/cabin area. Said heavy smoke generated by the system according to the invention can be evacuated fast from the floor and a pilot can train to evacuate the smoke and after this the pilot may go on with further exercises within a relatively short interval. The volume and/or the intensity of the smoke can be regulated easily. The inventive system doesn&#39;t need any warm-up but starts directly after being switched on. 
         [0016]    According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the ultrasonic generator is located at the bottom of the water tank inside a water sump. 
         [0017]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention the ultrasonic generator is driven by low current. 
         [0018]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention the smoke generation is effected by use of a triple head ultrasonic generator for improved transfer of distilled water to smoke. 
         [0019]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention the outlet means are connected to an extension tube with at least one sump drain hole provided at a lowest area of said extension tube to collect condensate resulting from the smoke precipitation inside the extension tube and installed smoke outlet tubes. 
         [0020]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention the sump drain hole is connected via a Venturi T-fitting to an airtube reaching into the water tank above diaphragm discs of the ultrasonic-generator, said air pump being driven by an electric diaphragm pump to provide enough pressure in the airtube to reach a Venturi effect in the Venturi T-fitting for transfer of condensate from the sump at the lowest area of the extension tube to the water tank, said transfer enriching the smoke produced by the diaphragm discs of the ultrasonic-generator to stabilize intensity and density of the smoke. 
         [0021]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the airfilter is fitted to an inlet port of the electric diaphragm pump to reduce noise and to clean the air used inside the system. 
         [0022]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention a fan is installed in a top cover of the water tank to allow—preferably remotely controlled—generation of supplemental pressure to press the smoke from the outlet port further through manifold tubes of a manifold to route the smoke to predetermined locations inside the cockpit. A pre defined rerun of the fan after smoke switch off will dry the outlet tubes and cool down the system. 
         [0023]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention a microcontroller is provided to control the operation of air pump, fan and ultrasonic generator for customized smoke production according to an air volume of the cockpit, and an automatic maintenance program to allow drying, cooling and cleaning of the system. 
         [0024]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention a remote receiver circuit is provided to switch off the system if there is a simulated fire activated inside the cockpit. 
         [0025]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention an original cabin/cockpit fire extinguisher is provided with a remote trigger function to switch off the system with a trigger switch actuated by the agent release handle, said fire extinguisher being equipped with an electronic chamber with a remote module and an output to an antenna to communicate any signal from the trigger switch via the remote module and the antenna. 
         [0026]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention the fire extinguisher comprises a pressure tank and a pressure gage indicating the pressure in the pressure tank. Pressurized air can be delivered from the pressure tank through the nozzle if the handle is actuated to have the original sound of extinguishing. 
         [0027]    According to a preferred embodiment of the invention a method of operating the system is characterized by filling distilled water into the water tank to entirely submerge the ultrasonic-generator, supplying low current electric energy to the ultrasonic-generator, switching on the ultrasonic-generator to produce smoke by means of the submerged diaphragm discs of the ultrasonic-generator and discharging the smoke through the outlet port of the water tank. 
         [0028]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention a fan is actuated inside the top cover of the water tank to produce supplemental pressure inside said water tank to press the smoke from the outlet port further through the manifold tubes of the manifold to route the smoke to predetermined locations inside the cockpit. 
         [0029]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention water condensation is collected next to a sump drain hole in the extension tube and said water condensation is pumped back into the water tank via an airtube using a Venturi effect to submerge the ultrasonic-generator entirely in the water sump of the water tank. 
         [0030]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention the system is switched off with either its remote receiver circuit and/or by the fire extinguisher with its installed remote switch. Improved simulation is achieved when the handle of the fire extinguisher is actuated by the pilot/crew and the air filling compressed in the pressure tank of the fire extinguisher is ejected through the nozzle to stop the smoke in the cockpit like in a real fire fighting process. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]    Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the following description with reference to the attached drawings. 
           [0032]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic view of a smoke simulator system for an aircraft cockpit according to the invention, and 
           [0033]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic view of an element of the smoke simulator system of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    According to  FIG. 1  a smoke simulator system  1  for an aircraft cockpit (not shown) comprises a water tank  2  with the shape of a circular tube. The diameter of said water tank  2  is about 100 mm. The water tank  2  is water tight and made of plastic material. 
         [0035]    An ultrasonic-generator  3  is located inside the water tank  2  on a lower cover  4 . The lower cover  4  is tightened by means of a gasket to the water tank  2 . The ultrasonic-generator  3  is provided with diaphragm discs  5  for generating ultrasonic waves. In operation of the system  1  the ultrasonic-generator  3  is submerged with its diaphragm discs  5  inside a water sump. A fluid sensor  6  is provided to detect the water level above the diaphragm discs  5  of the ultrasonic-generator  3 . A common tuning of the system  1  will be that the water level in the water tank  2  is at least 20 mm above the diaphragm discs  5  of the ultrasonic-generator  3 ; an automatic switch off function (not shown) will be activated by the fluid sensor  6  if the water level goes below said minimum. 
         [0036]    The water tank  2  is provided with supply means  7  such as a cable port pointing upward. Said cable port  7  may be used to refill distilled water a little enriched with special nontoxic fog fluid. Said cable port  7  may be used as well as an inspection hole for the water tank  2 . Outlet means  8  such as an outlet port of the water tank  2  comprise an extension tube  9  and a manifold  10  with four manifold tubes  11  serving as smoke outlet. Said extension tube  9  is pointing up about 45° from the outlet port  8  and has a diameter of approximately 70 mm. 
         [0037]    A sump drain hole  12  is provided at a lowest area of the extension tube  9 . A Venturi T-fitting  13  is installed with its inlet side in the sump drain hole  12 . An airtube  14  is connected to an outlet side of the Venturi T-fitting  13  said airtube  14  reaching into the water tank  2  above the diaphragm discs  5  of the ultrasonic-generator  3 . An air pump  15  driven by an electric diaphragm pump  16  provides enough pressure in airtube  14  to reach a Venturi effect in the Venturi T-fitting  13  for transfer of condensate from the sump at the lowest area of the extension tube  9  to the water tank  2 . An airfilter  17  is fitted on an inlet port  18  of the electric diaphragm pump  16 . 
         [0038]    A fan  19  is installed in a top cover  20  on top of the water tank  2 . 
         [0039]    A microcontroller (not shown) is provided to control the operation of system  1  for customized smoke production according to the situation and any air volume of the cockpit and a predefined maintenance cleaning program. A remote receiver circuit (not shown) is provided to switch off system  1  if there is an input from the simulator extinguisher or a real fire alarm. 
         [0040]    According to  FIG. 2  a fire extinguisher  21  is provided with a remote trigger function to switch off system  1  with a trigger switch (not shown) if a discharge valve of said fire extinguisher  21  is actuated by a handle  22 . The fire extinguisher  21  is equipped with an electronic chamber  23  with a remote module  24  and an output to an antenna  25 . The signal from the trigger switch is communicated via the remote module  24  and the antenna  25 . A battery  26  is provided for supply of the remote module  24 . A charge connector  27  in the casing  28  of the fire extinguisher  21  is connected to the battery  26  for charging. 
         [0041]    The fire extinguisher  21  comprises a pressure tank  29  and a pressure gage  30  indicating the pressure in the pressure tank  29 . Pressurized air can be delivered from the pressure tank  29  through nozzle  31  if handle  22  is actuated. A normal cockpit rotorcraft/aircraft fire extinguisher may be modified to comprise the features described before and marked with a label to be used as “For simulation only”. 
         [0042]    The system  1  comprises a supplemental control via simulation computers (not shown). 
         [0043]    A Method to Operate System  1   
         [0044]    Distilled water is filled into the water tank  2  via the cable port  7  till the ultrasonic-generator  3  is entirely submerged. Low current electric energy is supplied to the ultrasonic-generator  3 . The ultrasonic-generator  3  is switched on and the smoke produced by the submerged diaphragm discs  5  of the ultrasonic-generator  3  is discharged through the outlet port  8  of the water tank  2  by its gravity because the generated smoke is heavier than the ambient air. 
         [0045]    The fan  19  inside the top cover  20  is actuated to produce supplemental pressure to press the smoke from the outlet port  8  further through the manifold tubes  11  of manifold  10  to route the smoke to predetermined locations inside the cockpit. Water condensation in the extension tube  9  due to smoke generation is collected next to a sump drain hole  12  and pumped back via an airtube  14  using a Venturi effect to the water sump submerging the ultrasonic-generator  3 . 
         [0046]    If system  1  is not switched off by means of its remote receiver circuit the special cockpit fire extinguisher  21  may be actuated with its installed remote switch  22 ,  24  and  25 . When the handle  22  of the special cockpit fire extinguisher  21  is actuated the air filling compressed in the pressure tank  29  is ejected through the nozzle  31  to stop the smoke with real discharge sound like in a real fire fighting process. A signal is provided from the trigger switch after actuation of the handle  22  and said signal is sent by means of the remote module  24  and the antenna  25  to switch off system  1 .