Detection device

Details Detection device Detection device

1999-05-17

2001-02-20

Pope, Daryl (Department: 2736)

Communications: electrical

Condition responsive indicating system

With particular system function

C340S506000, C340S512000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06191689

ABSTRACT:

The present invention relates to a detection device.
More precisely, it relates to a detection device which includes means comprising in particular a sensor and which are able to measure the value of a parameter, for example a pressure, a force or a speed.
Although not exclusively, said detection device is applied more particularly to an aircraft and especially to a helicopter. By way of example, it may in particular be intended to measure the hydraulic pressure in the vicinity of the main gearbox of a helicopter.
In a known manner, such a detection device converts the measured value into a delivered value, for example in volts (V), which is situated within a measurement range defined between two lower and upper limit values, for example between 0 and 10 V.
Such a known detection device nevertheless has a major drawback. This is because it delivers a value equal to said lower limit value, in the aforesaid example 0V, in two different situations:
on the one hand, when the measured value does indeed correspond to this limit value; but also
on the other hand, when said detection device exhibits an operating defect, for example when it is not energized or when it is faulty.
Consequently, for such a measurement it is impossible to ascertain which of the two above situations holds, this being a great impediment in particular for maintenance reasons and moreover possibly being very dangerous. For example, in flight when a detection device of an aircraft which is measuring an important parameter signals a lower limit value (0V) of this kind, the latter may lead to the belief that it represents a value actually measured, whereas in reality said device is faulty or simply not energized.
A similar situation may occur for a delivered value corresponding to the upper limit value since, in this case, said value may arise either from an actual measurement, or from a short-circuit in said detection device.
The present invention relates to a detection device whose object is to remedy these drawbacks.
For this purpose, according to the invention, said detection device comprising means able to measure the value of a parameter, said device being able to deliver values lying within a first measurement range which is limited at least by a first limit value, is noteworthy in that it furthermore comprises means for modifying before delivery thereof any measured value so as to deliver a corresponding value which is defined in a second measurement range, said second measurement range being limited by at least a first limitation value which is different from said first limit value and which forms part of said first measurement range.
Thus, by virtue of the invention, it may be ascertained that:
any value delivered which lies within said second measurement range corresponds to an actual measurement; whereas
any value delivered which lies within said first measurement range, but not within said second measurement range, for example a value which is equal to said first limit value, is representative of the malfunctioning of said detection device, which may be due in particular to a fault or to a defect with the latter's energy supply, this making it possible to remedy the aforesaid drawbacks.
Moreover, advantageously, said first measurement range comprises a second limit value, one of said first and second limit values being the minimum value and the other the maximum value of said first measurement range, and said second measurement range comprises a second limitation value, said first and second limitation values being different from said second limit value.
Thus, the protection in accordance with the invention is provided in respect of both limit values (upper and lower) of the measurement range of said detection device.
Furthermore, preferably, said first limit value is zero and corresponds to the minimum value of said first measurement range.
Additionally, in a particularly advantageous embodiment, the device in accordance with the invention furthermore comprises means for detecting any value lying within said first measurement range, but not lying within said second measurement range.
In case of detection of such a value, said means may in particular:
trigger an alarm, for example visual or audible, so as to warn an operator, in particular a pilot of an aircraft, of the malfunctioning of said device, so that he may take adequate measures, for example energize or replace said device or signal this incident to a qualified person; and/or
record said value so as to retrieve it subsequently, in particular for a maintenance operator intended to repair or replace said detection device.
Moreover, advantageously, the detection device in accordance with the invention furthermore comprises means able to indicate the absence of or a fault in at least one of the aforesaid means of said detection device.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5444431 (1995-08-01), Kenny
patent: 5969604 (1999-10-01), Tice
patent: 0658771 (1995-06-01), None
French Search Report date Feb. 5, 1999.
Patent Abstracts of Japan, vol. 96, No. 6, Jun. 28, 1996 and JP 08 043441A (Yazaki Corp.) Feb. 16, 1996.
Patent Abstracts of Japan, vol. 98, No. 9, Jul. 31, 1998, and JP 10 096650A (Nippon Seiki Co Ltd), Apr. 14, 1998.

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