Patent Description:
Certain aircraft may include ejection systems designed to eject a member of the flight crew from the aircraft in certain situations. These ejection systems typically include an ejection seat in which the member of the flight crew is located during flight. The ejection seat may have various adjustable settings which are desirable to adjust based on parameters and preferences of the ejection seat and/or flight crew member. For example, the ejection seat may have settings related to timing of ejection, deployment of parachutes, adjustments to dimensions (e.g., lumbar support, seat height, headrest position), or the like. Currently, these settings are manually input during a pre-flight check. However, this is a time-consuming process as each setting is adjusted manually and separate from many other settings. These settings may include adjustments to various settings of the seat such as a height of a bucket portion of the seat. <CIT> describes an active damping system. Ru <NUM><NUM><NUM> C1 describes a parachute system. <CIT> discloses a programmable crew member emergency ejection system which will eject the crew member expeditiously from a disabled aircraft, while at the same time assuring that the crew member will not be subjected to forces that are beyond crew member tolerance. This is accomplished by a control system involving sensors having signals that are processed and used to vary ejection thrust and acceleration onset rate.

Disclosed herein and defined in claim <NUM> is a system for automatic adjustment of an ejection system for an aircraft.

The system may further include a seat having a bucket portion, wherein the sensor includes at least one pressure sensor coupled to the bucket portion and configured to detect a pressure applied to the bucket portion of the seat.

Any of the foregoing embodiments may further include a seat having a bucket portion, wherein the sensor includes an actuator configured to exert a force to adjust a height of the bucket portion.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, the weight data includes an amount of force required to cause the height of the bucket portion to remain unchanged.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, the controller is further configured to calculate the weight of the user based on the amount of force required to cause the height of the bucket portion to remain unchanged.

Any of the foregoing embodiments may further include an input device configured to receive a desired adjustment to the height of the bucket portion, wherein the controller is configured to select the amount of force at a time at which the height of the bucket portion remains unchanged during an adjusting process of the height of the bucket portion.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the ejection system includes an interseat electronic sequencer coupled to the ejection system and the controller and configured to receive the weight data from the controller and adjust at least one of the plurality of the adjustable settings including an interseat timing between ejection of the seat and separation of at least one of a hatch or canopy based on the weight data.

Also disclosed is a method as defined in claim <NUM>.

In the above method, detecting the weight data includes detecting a pressure applied to a bucket portion of a seat by a pressure sensor.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, detecting the weight data includes detecting the weight data by an actuator that exerts a force to adjust a height of a bucket portion of a seat.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, detecting the weight data includes detecting an amount of force required to cause the height of the bucket portion to remain unchanged.

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 exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, 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, as long as they are within the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not limitation.

Also, any reference to attached, fixed, connected or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full and/or any other possible attachment option. Surface shading lines may be used throughout the figures to denote different parts but not necessarily to denote the same or different materials.

Referring now to <FIG>, an aircraft <NUM> may include a fuselage <NUM>. The fuselage <NUM> may define or include a cockpit <NUM> in which one or more member of a flight crew may be located. The fuselage <NUM> may further define or include a second cockpit <NUM> in which one or more member of a flight crew may be located. In various embodiments, the cockpit <NUM> may include one or more ejection system to facilitate ejection of one or more member of the flight crew. In that regard, the first cockpit <NUM> may include a hatch or canopy <NUM> that separates from or moves relative to the first cockpit <NUM> to allow the member or members of the flight crew in the first cockpit <NUM> to eject from the fuselage <NUM>. The second cockpit <NUM> may further include a hatch or canopy <NUM> that separates from or moves relative to the second cockpit <NUM> to allow the member or members of the flight crew in the second cockpit <NUM> to eject from the fuselage <NUM>. The aircraft <NUM> may be a passenger aircraft, a cargo aircraft, a military aircraft, or the like.

Referring now to <FIG>, an exemplary ejection system <NUM> may be included in the cockpit <NUM>. The ejection system <NUM> includes a seat <NUM> on which a user <NUM> may sit or otherwise rest and a helmet <NUM> which may be supported on a head of the user <NUM>. The seat <NUM> may include various components of the ejection system <NUM> such as a main parachute <NUM> and a drogue <NUM>. The seat <NUM> may further include a catapult or rocket that ejects the seat <NUM> and any occupant thereof from the cockpit <NUM>. The drogue <NUM> may be a parachute that initially deploys after ejection of the seat <NUM> and may reduce a velocity of the seat <NUM> as it travels towards a ground surface. The main parachute <NUM> may deploy after the drogue <NUM> and may provide further reduction of the velocity of at least one of the seat <NUM> or the user <NUM> as it travels towards the ground surface.

The seat <NUM> may include a bucket portion <NUM> on which a user sits and which supports a bulk of the weight of the user <NUM>. The bucket portion <NUM> may have any shape on which a user may sit such as a flat shape, a curved shape, or the like.

Referring now to <FIG>, <FIG>, a system <NUM> may automatically adjust features of the ejection system <NUM> based on received user input. The system <NUM> includes a controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may include one or more logic devices such as one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or the like. In various embodiments, the controller <NUM> may further include any non-transitory memory known in the art. The memory may store instructions usable by the logic device to perform operations.

The system <NUM> may further include a database or remote memory <NUM>. The database <NUM> may be located on a same aircraft as the system <NUM> or may be located remote from the system <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may communicate with the database <NUM> via any wired or wireless protocol. In that regard, the controller <NUM> may access data stored in the database <NUM>. The database <NUM> may store any information as requested by the controller <NUM>, as discussed further below. In various embodiments, the memory of the controller <NUM> may be used in place of the database <NUM>.

The system <NUM> further includes a weight sensor <NUM>. The weight sensor <NUM> may include any sensor capable of detecting data corresponding to a weight of the user <NUM>. Where used herein, "weight" may refer to weight, mass, or another value that corresponds to the weight or mass of the user. In various embodiments, the weight sensor <NUM> may be coupled to the bucket portion <NUM> and detect data corresponding to a weight or pressure applied to the bucket portion <NUM>. The weight sensor <NUM> detects data corresponding to a weight applied to the entire seat <NUM>. For example, the weight sensor <NUM> may detect a weight or mass of the user <NUM> directly. In various embodiments, the weight sensor <NUM> may include an actuator, as further described below. In various embodiments, the weight or mass of the user <NUM> or the data corresponding to the weight or mass of the user <NUM> may be stored in the database <NUM>. The weight sensor <NUM> may include, for example, a strain gauge sensor, a capacitance sensor, a hydraulic sensor, a pneumatic sensor, or any other sensor capable of detecting data corresponding to a weight of the user <NUM>.

The system <NUM> may further include an input device <NUM>. The input device <NUM> may include any input device such as a button, a knob, a dial, a lever, or the like. The input device <NUM> may receive input from the user <NUM> or from another individual corresponding to a desired position, orientation, height, or other setting of the seat <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may control various actuators of the seat <NUM> based on the received input. For example, the input device <NUM> may receive input corresponding to a desired height <NUM> of the bucket portion <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may control a seat height actuator, or actuator, <NUM> to adjust the height <NUM> of the bucket portion <NUM>. In various embodiments, the actuator <NUM> may include a motor, engine, linear actuator, rotary actuator, or other actuator capable of adjusting the height <NUM>.

In various embodiments, the actuator <NUM> may determine an amount of force required to cause the bucket portion <NUM> to remain at a same height <NUM>, or to change the height <NUM> by a predetermined amount. For example, after the input device <NUM> ceases receiving user input to change the height <NUM>, the actuator <NUM> may continue applying force to cause the bucket portion <NUM> to remain at the same height <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> or the controller <NUM> may record or store the amount of force to keep the bucket portion <NUM> at the same height <NUM>, and the controller <NUM> may determine or calculate the weight or mass of the user <NUM> based on the determined amount of force.

The amount of force to keep the bucket portion <NUM> at the same height <NUM> may vary based on a temperature at which the actuator <NUM> is exposed. In that regard, the system <NUM> may further include a temperature sensor <NUM> designed to detect a temperature of the environment of the actuator <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may receive the temperature and may adjust the calculation of the weight or mass of the user <NUM> based on the detected temperature.

The controller <NUM> is configured to adjust the various settings of the ejection system <NUM> based on the weight of the user <NUM>. In particular, the controller <NUM> may directly control the various settings of the ejection system <NUM>, or may provide instructions to components of the ejection system <NUM> and those components may adjust the settings. The ejection system <NUM> includes seat electronic sequencer <NUM>, and may further include a seat electronic position controller <NUM>, an interseat electronic sequencer <NUM>, and the like. Each of the seat electronic sequencer <NUM>, the seat electronic position controller <NUM>, and the interseat electronic sequencer <NUM> may include one or more logic devices such as one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or the like. In various embodiments, these elements may further include any non-transitory memory known in the art. The seat electronic sequencer <NUM> is coupled to the controller and configured to receive the weight data from the controller. Furthermore, the seat electronic position controller <NUM>, and the interseat electronic sequencer <NUM> may be coupled to the controller <NUM> and may receive the weight of the user determined or calculated by the controller <NUM>, or may receive instructions regarding adjustments of components of the ejection system <NUM> from the controller <NUM>.

The seat electronic sequencer <NUM> is configured to make adjustments to components of the ejection system <NUM> that alter a sequence or timing of ejection events such as settings associated with the drogue <NUM>, the main parachute <NUM>, and a thrust angle of the seat <NUM> during ejection. For example, the seat electronic sequencer <NUM> may set a parachute deployment timing corresponding to a delay between ejection and deployment of the main parachute <NUM>. The seat electronic sequencer <NUM> may further set a drogue deployment timing corresponding to a delay between ejection and deployment of the drogue <NUM>. The seat electronic sequencer <NUM> may further adjust the angle of the seat <NUM> relative to the fuselage <NUM> of <FIG> during ejection of the seat <NUM> from the cockpit <NUM>.

The seat electronic position controller <NUM> may make adjustments to components of the ejection system <NUM> that affect a position of a user within the system <NUM> such as positions of various elements of the seat <NUM>. For example, the seat electronic position controller <NUM> may adjust a position of a headrest <NUM> (e.g., in any two or more directions corresponding to a front of an aircraft, a rear of an aircraft, closer to a floor surface <NUM>, farther from the floor surface <NUM>, towards a starboard side, and towards a port side). The seat electronic position controller <NUM> may further control the seat height actuator <NUM> to adjust the height <NUM> of the bucket portion <NUM> of the seat <NUM> (e.g., to increase or decrease the seat height <NUM>). The seat electronic position controller <NUM> may further adjust a rail angle <NUM> corresponding to an angle between seat rails <NUM> and the floor surface <NUM>. The seat electronic position controller <NUM> may further adjust a lumbar support <NUM> to extend closer to or farther from a surface <NUM> of a backrest <NUM>. In various embodiments, the controller <NUM> may avoid controlling settings of the seat electronic position controller <NUM> based on the weight of the user <NUM> as the weight of the user <NUM> may be less applicable to the settings controlled by the seat electronic position controller <NUM>.

The interseat electronic sequencer <NUM> may make adjustments to components of the ejection system <NUM> that affect an interseat timing between components. For example, the interseat electronic sequencer <NUM> may adjust a timing or delay between ejection of the seat <NUM> and separation of at least one of a hatch or canopy (e.g., the hatch or canopy <NUM>, <NUM> of <FIG>) from the respective fuselage, or adjust a delay between ejection of two or more cockpits (e.g., between the first cockpit <NUM> and the second cockpit <NUM> of <FIG>). For example, it may be desirable for a different timing to be used for a heavier user relative to a lighter user. The interseat electronic sequencer <NUM> may select an order of ejection between two or more cockpits based on the weight of two or more users. As another example, it may be desirable for a different timing to be used for a heavier user relative to a lighter user. In that regard, the interseat electronic sequencer <NUM> may select a timing for a user to eject relative to separation of a hatch or canopy from a fuselage based on the weight of the user.

As alluded to above, the various adjustable settings of the ejection system <NUM> may vary based on the weight of the user <NUM> (e.g., as detected by the weight sensor <NUM>). The controller <NUM> or one or more of the seat electronic sequencer <NUM>, the seat electronic position controller <NUM>, or the interseat electronic sequencer <NUM> may select values for the various adjustable settings based on the weight of the user <NUM>. In various embodiments, specific settings controlled by the seat electronic sequencer <NUM>, the seat electronic position controller <NUM>, or the interseat electronic sequencer <NUM> may be stored in the database <NUM> as being associated with the weight of the user <NUM> or a weight range in which the weight of the user <NUM> falls.

Due to the fact that a weight detected by weight sensor <NUM> (or by the actuator <NUM>) may vary in response to various flight patterns, the weight sensor <NUM> or the actuator <NUM> may detect the weight of the user <NUM> while the aircraft is located on a ground surface. In various embodiments, the weight sensor <NUM> (or the actuator <NUM>) may only detect the weight while the aircraft is on the ground and not moving. In various embodiments, the weight sensor <NUM> (or the actuator <NUM>) may continuously or periodically detect the weight, but the controller <NUM> may only adjust the various adjustable settings of the ejection system <NUM> based on a weight detected while at least one of the aircraft is on the ground or the aircraft is on the ground and not moving.

Referring now to <FIG>, a flowchart illustrates a method <NUM> for automatic adjustment of an ejection system based on a detected weight of a user. The method <NUM> may be performed by components of a system similar to the system <NUM> of <FIG>, <FIG>. The method <NUM> may begin in block <NUM> where data corresponding to a weight of the user is detected. As discussed above, the weight sensor may include a weight or pressure sensor configured to detect a weight or pressure applied to a seat of the ejection system by the user, an actuator, or the like.

In block <NUM>, a controller of the system may determine the weight of the user based on the detected weight data. For example, the controller may analyze a voltage signal received from the weight sensor and may calculate the weight of the user based on the voltage signal. As another example, the controller may determine an amount of pressure applied to a pressure sensor and may determine the weight of the user based on the amount of pressure.

In block <NUM>, the controller may adjust at least one of a plurality of adjustable settings (e.g., those described above with reference to the seat electronic sequencer, the seat electronic position controller, and the interseat electronic sequencer) based on the specific settings retrieved from the database. As mentioned above and in various embodiments, the controller may only adjust settings corresponding to the seat electronic sequencer or the interseat electronic sequencer.

Referring now to <FIG>, a flowchart illustrates a method <NUM> for automatic adjustment of an ejection system based on a weight of a user. The method <NUM> is not within the scope of the claims, however it may be performed by components of a system similar to the system <NUM> of <FIG>, <FIG>. The method <NUM> may begin in block <NUM> where an input device of the system may receive user input corresponding to a request to adjust a height of a seat of the ejection system. For example, the input may correspond to a request to adjust a height of a bucket portion of the seat. In response to receiving the input, an actuator of the seat may actuate to adjust the height of the seat.

In block <NUM>, a controller of the system or the actuator may determine an amount of force used to cause the height of the seat to remain unchanged. For example, the actuator may continue to apply force for a period of time after the input device ceases receiving the input. The controller or the actuator may determine the amount of force applied during this time that causes the height of the seat to remain unchanged.

In block <NUM>, the controller may calculate a weight of the user based on the amount of force determined in block <NUM>. In various embodiments, the controller may further receive a detected temperature corresponding to the environment of the actuator, and the controller may adjust or compensate the calculated weight based on the detected temperature.

In block <NUM>, the controller may adjust at least one of a plurality of adjustable settings (e.g., those described above with reference to the seat electronic sequencer, the seat electronic position controller, and the interseat electronic sequencer) based on the weight calculated in block <NUM>.

Benefits and other advantages have been described herein with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, and any elements that may cause any benefit or advantage to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of the disclosure.

In the detailed description herein, references to "various embodiments", "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "an example embodiment", etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic.

Claim 1:
A system (<NUM>) for automatic adjustment of an ejection system for an aircraft, the system (<NUM>) comprising:
an ejection system having a plurality of adjustable settings and a seat;
a sensor (<NUM>) configured to detect weight data corresponding to a weight of a user applied to the seat; and
a controller (<NUM>) coupled to the ejection system and to the sensor and configured to adjust at least one of the plurality of the adjustable settings of the ejection system based on the weight data, and characterized in that the ejection system includes a seat electronic sequencer (<NUM>), which is coupled to the ejection system and to the controller and configured to receive the weight data from the controller and adjust at least one of the plurality of the adjustable settings including at least one of a parachute deployment timing, a drogue deployment timing, or a thrust angle alignment based on the weight data.