AIRCRAFT WIRELESS LONG LINE

Abstract

A wireless assembly for use with a long line, an aircraft and a battery is provided, the wireless assembly comprising: a hook, which includes an electro-mechanical actuator; a waterproof housing mounted on the hook; a wireless receiver which includes a microprocessor, is retained in the waterproof housing and is in electrical communication with the electro-mechanical actuator; a wireless transmitter, which includes a microprocessor; and a switch which is in electrical communication with the wireless transmitter, the wireless transmitter and the switch for locating in the aircraft. A method of wirelessly controlling the release of a load from the hook is also provided.

Claims

1. A wireless assembly for use with a long line, an aircraft and a battery, the wireless assembly comprising: a hook, which includes an electro-mechanical actuator; a waterproof housing mounted on the hook; a wireless receiver which includes a microprocessor, is retained in the waterproof housing and is in electrical communication with the electro-mechanical actuator; a wireless transmitter, which includes a microprocessor; and a switch which is in electrical communication with the wireless transmitter, the wireless transmitter and the switch for locating in the aircraft.

2. The wireless assembly of claim 1, further comprising a momentary switch which is in electrical communication with the wireless transmitter.

3. The wireless assembly of claim 2, further comprising an unsheathed cable, the cable releasably attached to the hook.

4. The wireless assembly of claim 3, further comprising the battery, which is retained in the waterproof housing and is in electrical communication with the wireless receiver.

5. The wireless assembly of claim 4, wherein the wireless receiver is a Bluetooth receiver and the wireless transmitter is a Bluetooth transmitter.

6. The wireless assembly of claim 5, wherein the wireless receiver is a WiFi receiver and the wireless transmitter is a WIFi transmitter.

7. The wireless assembly of claim 6, wherein the receiver is a transceiver and the transmitter is a transceiver.

8. A kit for use with a long line hook, the kit comprising: a waterproof housing for mounted on the long line hook; a wireless receiver which includes a microprocessor which is retained in the waterproof housing; an electrical connector which is in electrical communication with the receiver and is for electrical connection with an actuator on the long line hook; a wireless transmitter, which includes a microprocessor; and a switch which is in electrical communication with the wireless transmitter, the wireless transmitter and the switch for locating in an aircraft.

9. The kit of claim 8, further comprising a momentary switch which is in electrical communication with the wireless transmitter.

10. The kit of claim 9, further comprising a momentary switch which is in electrical communication with the wireless transmitter.

11. The kit of claim 10, further comprising the battery, which is retained in the waterproof housing and is in electrical communication with the wireless receiver.

12. A method of wirelessly releasing a load from a hook on a long line attached to a helicopter, the method comprising: selecting a wireless system that actuates an electro-mechanical actuator on the hook; transmitting a release signal from the helicopter with the wireless system; receiving the signal at the hook with the wireless system; and the wireless system actuating the electro-mechanical actuator.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the wireless system comprises a hook transceiver and a helicopter transceiver, the method further comprising the hook transceiver sending a signal to the helicopter transceiver prior to transmitting the release signal from the helicopter.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the helicopter transceiver searches for the signal and identifies the signal prior to transmitting the release signal from the helicopter.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the helicopter transceiver makes a secure connection prior to transmitting the release signal from the helicopter.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the wireless system transmits a Bluetooth signal and receives the Bluetooth signal.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the wireless system transmits a WiFi signal and receives the WiFi signal.

18. A wireless long line system for use with an aircraft and a battery, the wireless long line system comprising: a long line; a hook, which includes an electro-mechanical actuator and is releasably attached to the long line; a waterproof housing mounted on the hook; a wireless receiver which includes a microprocessor, is retained in the waterproof housing and is in electrical communication with the electro-mechanical actuator; a wireless transmitter, which includes a microprocessor; and a switch which is in electrical communication with the wireless transmitter, the wireless transmitter and the switch for locating in the aircraft.

19. The wireless long line system of claim 18, further comprising a momentary switch which is in electrical communication with the wireless transmitter.

20. The wireless long line system of claim 19, further comprising an unsheathed cable, the cable releasably attached to the hook.

Description

FIGURES

[0038] FIG. 1 is a schematic of the wireless long line and hook assembly of the present technology.

[0039] FIG. 2 is a schematic of the hook end of the assembly.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a schematic of the helicopter end of the assembly.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a schematic of an alternative embodiment.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a schematic of another alternative embodiment.

[0043] FIG. 6 is a schematic of another alternative embodiment.

[0044] FIG. 7 is schematic of a kit of the present technology.

DESCRIPTION

[0045] Except as otherwise expressly provided, the following rules of interpretation apply to this specification (written description and claims): (a) all words used herein shall be construed to be of such gender or number (singular or plural) as the circumstances require; (b) the singular terms “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in the specification and the appended claims include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise; (c) the antecedent term “about” applied to a recited range or value denotes an approximation within the deviation in the range or value known or expected in the art from the measurements method; (d) the words “herein”, “hereby”, “hereof”, “hereto”, “hereinbefore”, and “hereinafter”, and words of similar import, refer to this specification in its entirety and not to any particular paragraph, claim or other subdivision, unless otherwise specified; (e) descriptive headings are for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any part of the specification; and (f) “or” and “any” are not exclusive and “include” and “including” are not limiting. Further, the terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted.

[0046] Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. Where a specific range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is included therein. All smaller sub ranges are also included. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges are also included therein, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range.

[0047] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the relevant art. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used, the acceptable methods and materials are now described.

[0048] A wireless long line and hook assembly, generally referred to as 10 is shown in FIG. 1, attached to a sling 12 at the hook 14 and a helicopter 16 at the helicopter belly hook 18. The long line 20 is unsheathed and consists only of a cable—there is no need for an electrical wire or an extension cord and no sheath is required. The hook 14 includes a wireless receiver 22. A wireless transmitter 24 is located within the helicopter 16.

[0049] The details of the assembly at the hook 14 are shown in FIG. 2. The wireless receiver 22 is a Bluetooth receiver or transceiver. It operates on a preprogrammed dedicated channel and is controlled by a microprocessor 26. The microprocessor 26 is in electrical communication with an electro-mechanical linkage 30, which may be, but is not limited to a linear actuator, a worm drive stepper or a servo. The electro-mechanical linkage 30 is in mechanical communication with the hook release 32. The wireless receiver 22 is in electrical communication with a battery 34. The wireless receiver 22, with its microprocessor 26 and the battery 34 are housed in a waterproof, resilient housing 36 which is affixed to the hook 14.

[0050] The details of the assembly at the helicopter 16 are shown in FIG. 3. A toggle switch 40 is mounted to the helicopter control panel 42. It is in electrical communication with the wireless transmitter 24, which is a Bluetooth transmitter or transceiver. The wireless transmitter 24 includes a microprocessor 46 and a momentary button 44.

[0051] In one embodiment, both the hook 14 and the helicopter 16 have transceivers (referred to as the hook transceiver and the helicopter transceiver respectively) rather than a receiver and a transmitter respectively. The hook transceiver 22 emits a signal. The helicopter transceiver 24 is configured to search for a signal from the hook transceiver 22. A secure connection is then made between the helicopter transceiver 24 and the hook transceiver 22 using Bluetooth protocols. Once a secure connection is established the pilot activates a momentary button 44 to test the Bluetooth connection, thus releasing the hook release 32. The pilot or a choker on the ground ensures that the hook release 32 is then closed and the helicopter 16 safely lifts the load. Upon arriving at the drop-off site, the pilot lowers the load and then again activates the momentary button 44, which actuates the electromagnetic linkage 30, which in turn, releases the hook release 32.

[0052] In another embodiment, the hook 14 has a receiver 22 and the helicopter 16 has a transmitter 24. The microprocessors 26, 42 are preprogrammed to a selected, secure channel.

[0053] In yet another embodiment, shown in FIG. 4, communication is via WiFi (IEEE 802.11). The helicopter control panel 42 has a WiFi transceiver 50 with a microprocessor 52. The toggle switch 40 and the momentary switch 44 are the same as for FIG. 3. The hook 14 also has a WiFi transceiver 54 with a microprocessor 56. The battery 34 is the same as for FIG. 2. The hook WiFi transceiver 54 emits a signal. The helicopter WiFi transceiver 52 is configured to search for a signal from the hook WiFi transceiver 54. Once the signal is identified, a secure connection is then made between the helicopter WiFi transceiver 52 and the hook WiFi transceiver 54 using IEEE 802.11 protocols. Once a secure connection is established the pilot activates the momentary button 44 to test the secure WiFi connection, thus releasing the hook release 32. The pilot or a choker on the ground ensures that the hook release 32 is then closed and the helicopter 14 safely lifts the load. Upon arriving at the drop-off site, the pilot lowers the load and then again activates the momentary button 44, which actuates the electro-magnetic linkage 30, which in turn, releases the hook release 32.

[0054] In yet another embodiment, shown in FIG. 5, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is used to communicate between the helicopter 16 and the hook release 32. The helicopter 16 has a radio transmitter 60 with a microprocessor 62 on the control panel 42. Ultra High Frequency (UHF) RFID is used (the frequency is about 300 MHz to about 960 MHz). The toggle switch 40 and the momentary switch 44 are the same as for FIG. 3. The hook 14 has a reader 64 with a microprocessor 56. Once a secure connection is established the pilot activates the momentary button 44 of the radio transmitter 60 to test the secure RFID connection, thus releasing the hook release 32. The pilot or a choker on the ground ensures that the hook release 32 is then closed and the helicopter 14 safely lifts the load. Upon arriving at the drop-off site, the pilot lowers the load and then again activates the momentary button 44 of the radio transmitter 60, which actuates the electro-magnetic linkage 30, which in turn, releases the hook release 32.

[0055] In yet another embodiment, shown in FIG. 6, infrared light is used to communicate between the helicopter 16 and the hook release 32. The helicopter 16 has an infrared light transmitter 70 with a microprocessor 72. The toggle switch 40 and the momentary switch 44 are the same as for FIG. 3. The hook 14 has a reader 74 with a microprocessor 76. The battery 34 is the same as for FIG. 2. Once a secure connection is established the pilot activates the momentary button 44 of the infrared light transmitter 60 to test the secure connection, thus releasing the hook release 32. The pilot or a choker on the ground ensures that the hook release 32 is then closed and the helicopter 14 safely lifts the load. Upon arriving at the drop-off site, the pilot lowers the load and then again activates the momentary button 44 of the infrared light transmitter 70, which actuates the electro-magnetic linkage 30, which in turn, releases the hook release 32.

[0056] In yet another embodiment, a kit, generally referred to as 80 is provided as shown in FIG. 7. The kit 80 allows a user to upgrade existing hooks and long lines. The kit includes a wireless receiver 122 for locating on the hook 14 and a wireless transmitter 124 for locating within the helicopter 16.

[0057] The wireless receiver 122 for the hook 14 is a Bluetooth receiver or transceiver. It operates on a preprogrammed dedicated channel and is controlled by a microprocessor 126. The wireless receiver 122 has an electrical plug 128 for plugging into the female end of the extension cord on the hook 14. A battery 134 is also provided as part of the kit. The wireless receiver 122, with its microprocessor 126 and the battery 134 are housed in a waterproof, resilient housing 136 which is for affixing to the hook 14.

[0058] A toggle switch 140 is in electrical communication with the wireless transmitter 124, is a Bluetooth transmitter or transceiver. The wireless transmitter 124 includes a microprocessor 142 and a momentary button 144. The toggle switch is mounted on the control panel of the aircraft. The wireless transmitter 124 may be mounted or be hand-held. As for the embodiments described above, the hook wireless receiver 122 may be a WiFi transceiver and the helicopter wireless transmitter may be a WiFi transceiver.

[0059] While example embodiments have been described in connection with what is presently considered to be an example of a possible most practical and/or suitable embodiment, it is to be understood that the descriptions are not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the example embodiment. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific example embodiments specifically described herein. For example, the present technology may also be used for short lines. Further, the wireless communication may, in alternative embodiments, include as yet discovered and implemented wireless technologies. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed in the scope of the claims, if appended hereto or subsequently filed.