IP Library Granted Patent US 8,040,257
Granted Patent B2
US 8,040,257 · App. 11/965,203 · Granted Oct 18, 2011

Apparatus for interconnecting a pilot station to at least one other aircraft zone, cockpit and aircraft equipped with such an apparatus

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,040,257
App. No.
11/965,203
Granted
Oct 18, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

An interconnecting apparatus for interconnecting a pilot station of an aircraft to at least one aircraft zone includes a device for communicating between the pilot station and the aircraft zone. The aircraft zone includes a device permitting a person present in the aircraft zone to identify themselves and a display device indicating a functional status of the aircraft. The pilot station includes a display device indicating a location of each person being identified in the aircraft zone.

Claims (29)

1. An interconnecting apparatus to interconnect a pilot station zone of an aircraft to at least one additional aircraft zone including a private lavatory zone, a pilot rest zone, and a cabin zone, the interconnecting apparatus comprising:

a communication device that communicates between the pilot station zone and the at least one additional aircraft zone;

an identification device disposed in each aircraft zone that permits a person in the aircraft zone to identify themselves;

a first display disposed in each aircraft zone that displays a functional status of the aircraft; and

a second display disposed in the pilot station zone that displays a location of each person being identified in each of the at least one additional aircraft zone, wherein

the functional status of the aircraft indicates an existence of problems with the aircraft encountered during flight, and

the problems include at least one of a low or fast depressurization condition, a presence of smoke, an engine failure, and an electrical failure.

2. The interconnecting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the pilot station zone further includes a device that recognizes a distress situation and the first display that displays the functional status of the aircraft.

3. The interconnecting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the interconnecting apparatus connects the pilot station zone to several aircraft zones.

4. An aircraft cockpit, comprising an interconnecting apparatus according to claim 1 .

5. The aircraft cockpit according to claim 4 , further comprising a pilot station and a private lavatory, wherein the interconnecting apparatus connects the pilot station to the private lavatory.

6. The aircraft cockpit according to claim 4 , further comprising a pilot station and a pilot rest zone, wherein the interconnecting apparatus connects the pilot station to the pilot rest zone.

7. The cockpit according to claim 4 , wherein the cockpit is separated from an aircraft cabin by a secured, armor-plated door, and the cabin includes an identification device that permits a person in the cabin to identify themselves and the first display that displays the functional status of the aircraft.

8. The cockpit according to claim 7 , further comprising an unlocking device that unlocks the secured door, wherein the unlocking device is controlled from the pilot station and is automatically controllable in certain predetermined emergency situations.

9. An aircraft, comprising a pilot station and an interconnecting apparatus according to claim 1 .

10. The aircraft cockpit according to claim 5 , wherein an access to the lavatory is provided only from an interior of the cockpit.

11. The aircraft cockpit according to claim 6 , wherein an access to the rest zone is provided only from an interior of the cockpit.

12. An aircraft, comprising:

a cockpit including a pilot station zone, a lavatory zone, and a pilot rest zone;

a cabin zone including a space for passengers of the aircraft; and

an interconnecting apparatus comprising:

a communication device that communicates between the pilot station zone and at least one of the other zones;

an identification device disposed in each of the aircraft zones that permits a person in the aircraft zone to identify themselves;

a first display disposed in each of the aircraft zones that displays a functional status of the aircraft; and

a second display disposed in the pilot station zone that displays a location of each person being identified in each of the aircraft zones, wherein

the functional status of the aircraft indicates an existence of problems with the aircraft encountered during flight, and

the problems include at least one of a low or fast depressurization condition, a presence of smoke, an engine failure, and an electrical failure.

13. The aircraft according to claim 12 , wherein an access to the lavatory zone is provided only from an interior of the cockpit.

14. The aircraft according to claim 12 , wherein an access to the pilot rest zone is provided only from an interior of the cockpit.

Assignments (2)
MERGER Recorded May 18, 2011
From: AIRBUS FRANCE
To: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS
Reel/Frame 026298/0269 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 13, 2008
From: FERRO, DANIEL; LAUTRIDOU, VINCENT
To: AIRBUS
Reel/Frame 020648/0369 →