IP Library › Granted Patent US 6,883,754
Granted Patent B2
US 6,883,754 · App. 10/222,494 · Granted Apr 26, 2005

Remediation of fan source production of smoke in an aircraft cabin

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,883,754
App. No.
10/222,494
Granted
Apr 26, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

The method of remediating fan source production of smoke in an aircraft cabin, that includes detecting excessive vibration of the fan housing or frame produced in conjunction with fan rotor interference with the frame or housing causing smoke production, and effecting shut-down of fan rotor rotation in response to such detecting.

Claims (22)

1. The method of remediating ventilation fan source production of smoke in an aircraft cabin, the fan having an air discharge into the cabin, that includes,

a) detecting excessive vibration of the fan housing or frame produced prior to or in conjunction with fan rotor interference with the frame or housing causing smoke production, the fan having a rotating impeller with a bearing and rotating blade tip structure engageable with the housing or frame in response to bearing deterioration,

b) and effecting shut-down or slowing of fan rotor rotation in response to such detecting,

c) and including providing a vibration detector apparatus, positioning said detector apparatus on said housing or frame near the fan, and operating said detector apparatus to provide said detecting, thereby producing a signal effecting said shut-down or slowing.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said interference is produced by rotor blade tip engagement with the housing or frame, leading to melting of plastic material associated with the housing or frame.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the vibration level to be detected by said detector apparatus is predetermined so as to effect fan shut-down or slowing prior to significant smoke formation resulting from rotor blade tip engagement with the housing or frame, leading to melting of plastic material associated with the housing or frame.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said positioning of said apparatus includes attaching said apparatus to the fan housing or frame.

5. The method of remediating ventilation fan source production of smoke in a vehicle cabin or passenger compartment that includes

a) detecting excessive vibration of the fan housing or frame produced in conjunction with fan rotor interference with the frame or housing at a level causing smoke production,

b) and effecting shut-down or slowing of fan rotor rotation in response to such detecting.

6. The method of claim 5 including providing a vibration detector apparatus, positioning and operating said detector apparatus to provide said detecting, thereby producing a signal effecting said shut-down or slowing.

7. The method of claim 6 including providing and operating a latch in the form of a relay at said detector apparatus to effect said shut-down.

8. Equipment for remediating fan source production of smoke in an aircraft cabin, comprising in combination:

a) first means for detecting excessive vibration of the fan housing or frame produced in conjunction with fan rotor interference with the frame or housing causing smoke production, the fan having an air discharge into the cabin,

b) and second means for effecting shut-down or slowing of fan rotor rotation in response to such detecting,

c) said first means including vibration detector apparatus positioned on said housing or frame and operating to provide said detecting, thereby producing a signal effecting said shut-down or slowing.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein the fan has a rotating impeller with a bearing and rotating blade tip structure engageable with the housing or frame in response to bearing deterioration.

10. Equipment for remediating fan source production of smoke in a vehicle cabin or passenger compartment, comprising in combination

a) first means for detecting excessive vibration of the fan housing or frame produced in conjunction with fan rotor interference with the frame or housing causing smoke production the fan having an air discharge into the cabin

b) and second means for effecting shut-down or slowing of fan rotor rotation in response to such detecting,

c) said first means including vibration detector apparatus positioned on said housing or frame and operating to provide said detecting, thereby producing a signal effecting said shut-down or slowing,

d) said detector apparatus having external connection to the frame or housing.

Assignments (11)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 23, 2025
From: HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
To: ASTRONICS CONNECTIVITY SYSTEMS & CERTIFICATION CORP.; ASTRONICS AEROSAT CORPORATION; ASTRONICS CORPORATION; PECO, INC.; ASTRONICS ADVANCED ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS CORP.; ASTRONICS TEST SYSTEMS INC.; DIAGNOSYS INC.; LUMINESCENT SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 073227/0325 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 4, 2024
From: HSBC BANK USA, N.A., AS AGENT
To: ASTRONICS CORPORATION; ASTRONICS ADVANCED ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS CORP.; ASTRONICS AEROSAT CORPORATION; ASTRONICS TEST SYSTEMS INC.; LUMINESCENT SYSTEMS, INC.; ASTRONICS CONNECTIVITY SYSTEMS & CERTIFICATION CORP.; PECO, INC.; DIAGNOSYS INC.
Reel/Frame 069491/0184 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 12, 2024
From: GREAT ROCK CAPITAL PARTNERS MANAGEMENT, LLC
To: ASTRONICS AEROSAT CORPORATION; ASTRONICS CONNECTIVITY SYSTEMS & CERTIFICATION CORP.; PECO, INC.; ASTRONICS ADVANCED ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS CORP.; ASTRONICS CORPORATION; ASTRONICS TEST SYSTEMS INC.; DIAGNOSYS INC.; LUMINESCENT SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 067977/0291 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 12, 2024
From: GREAT ROCK CAPITAL PARTNERS MANAGEMENT, LLC
To: ASTRONICS AEROSAT CORPORATION; ASTRONICS CONNECTIVITY SYSTEMS & CERTIFICATION CORP.; PECO, INC.; ASTRONICS ADVANCED ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS CORP.; ASTRONICS CORPORATION; ASTRONICS TEST SYSTEMS INC.; DIAGNOSYS INC.; LUMINESCENT SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 068311/0938 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 11, 2024
From: ASTRONICS CORPORATION; ASTRONICS ADVANCED ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS CORP.; ASTRONICS AEROSAT CORPORATION; ASTRONIC TEST SYSTEMS INC.; LUMINESCENT SYTEMS, INC.; ASTRONICS CONNECTIVITY SYSTEMS & CERTIFICATION CORP.; PECO, INC.; DIAGNOSYS INC.
To: HSBC BANK USA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 068283/0900 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 20, 2023
From: ASTRONICS CUSTOM CONTROL CONCEPTS INC.; ASTRONICS DME LLC; ASTRONICS CORPORATION; LUMINESCENT SYSTEMS, INC.; ASTRONICS TEST SYSTEMS INC.; ASTRONICS ADVANCED ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS CORP.; ASTRONICS CONNECTIVITY SYSTEMS & CERTIFICATION CORP.; ASTRONICS AEROSAT CORPORATION; PECO, INC.; DIAGNOSYS INC.
To: GREAT ROCK CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
Reel/Frame 062444/0836 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 20, 2023
From: ASTRONICS AEROSTAT CORPORATION; ASTRONICS CONNECTIVITY SYSTEMS & CERTIFICATION CORP.; ASTRONICS CORPORATION; PECO, INC.; ASTRONICS ADVANCED ELECTRONICS SYSTEMS CORP.; ASTRONICS TEST SYSTEMS INC.; DIAGNOSYS INC.; LUMINESCENT SYSTEMS, INC.
To: HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 062445/0342 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE CORRECT ASSIGNEE AND ASSIGNOR PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 052469 FRAME: 0276. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Apr 24, 2020
From: INFLIGHT WARNING SYSTEMS, INC.
To: BALLARD TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Reel/Frame 052489/0146 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 22, 2020
From: BALLARD TECHNOLOGY, INC.
To: INFLIGHT WARNING SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 052469/0276 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 30, 2015
From: INFLIGHT WARNING SYSTEMS, LLC
To: INFLIGHT WARNING SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 036040/0765 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 15, 2002
From: EHRICK, STEPHEN D.
To: INFLIGHT WARNING SYSTEMS, LLC
Reel/Frame 013210/0042 →