Systems, methods, and apparatus for monitoring life vests on aircraft
A system for monitoring a presence of a life vest on an aircraft is disclosed. The system may comprise a sensor configured to output a first signal when the sensor detects the life vest and to output a second signal when the sensor fails to detect the life vest. The system may also comprise a first visual indicator in communication with the sensor. The first visual indicator may be activated based on the first signal. Further, the system may also comprise a second visual indicator in communication with the sensor. The second visual indication may be activated based on the second signal.
1 . A system for monitoring a presence of a life vest underneath a seat on an aircraft comprising:
a container attached underneath the seat and configured to contain the life vest;
a sensor positioned on the container to contact the life vest, the sensor configured to output a first signal when the sensor detects contact with the life vest and to output a second signal when the sensor fails to detect contact with the life vest;
a console unit mounted above the seat and wired to the sensor, the console unit comprising:
vents, a reading light, and an attendant request button;
a first visual indicator in wired communication with the sensor, wherein the first visual indicator is activated based on the first signal;
a second visual indicator in wired communication with the sensor, wherein the second visual indicator is activated based on the second signal;
a monitoring unit positioned in a crew area of the aircraft away from the seat and configured to receive signals from the sensor, the monitoring unit comprising:
a display screen;
a graphical user interface that displays a time when the life vest is removed from the seat:
wherein one of the first visual indicator and the second visual indicator is configured to indicate an expiration status of the life vest; and
wherein the expiration status of the life vest is determined without the sensor;
wherein the monitoring unit generates reports comprising a list of all of the life vests detected on the aircraft and a list of the seats on the aircraft where a life vest is not detected.
2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a housing comprises an enclosure for holding the life vest, and wherein the sensor is coupled to the enclosure.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the housing is mounted to a bottom of a seat of the aircraft and elevated above a floor of the aircraft.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first signal is outputted on a first output of the sensor, and wherein the second signal is outputted on a second output of the sensor.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes a switch movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the switch is in the first position when the sensor detects the life vest, and wherein the switch is in the second position when the sensor fails to detect the life vest.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor detects the life vest when the life vest is within a first distance from the sensor.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to provide the first and second signals based on a proximity of the life vest relative to the sensor.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes a switch actuator extending from the sensor, and wherein the sensor detects the life vest when said switch actuator is depressed against the life vest.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is configured to be attached to the life vest, wherein the second portion is operatively coupled to the first portion, and wherein the life vest is detected based on a proximity of the first portion relative to the second portion.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to detect the life vest based on a magnetic field generated by a magnet attached to the life vest.
11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a magnetic sensor, a limit switch sensor, a proximity sensor, or a motion sensor.
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first visual indicator comprises a first light source configured to illuminate with a first color, and wherein the second visual indicator comprises a second light source configured to illuminate with a second color.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the first light source is configured to be illuminated when the life vest is positioned in a stowed or installed state, and wherein the second light source is configured to be illuminated when the life vest has been removed or tampered with.
14 . The system of claim 12 , further comprising a relay device configured to activate the first visual indicator or the second visual indicator based on the first signal or the second signal of the sensor.
15 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising an alarm, wherein the alarm is configured to alert an authorized person that the life vest has been removed or tampered with.
16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the alarm is activated based on an output of the second visual indicator.
17 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a tag, wherein the tag is coupled to the life vest, wherein the sensor is configured to wirelessly receive information from the tag, and wherein the information includes a seat number, the expiration status, or a stowed or installation status of the life vest.
18 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the graphical user interface includes a representation of a flight deck, the crew area, and a passenger compartment of the aircraft.
19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the graphical user interface displays a stowed status of each of the life vests.
20 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the graphical user interface displays a tamper status of each of the life vests.