SBIR-STTR Award

The U.S. Navy (Navy) needs a device that can measure and record rotorcraft dynamics to support objectives for improving crash safety. The recorded data will assist crash investigators to understand the sequence of events in a mishap. Compiled data will support updates to standards that govern the design of aircraft structures and installed safety equipment for crash survival. The same device can trigger active crash safety systems like air bags or restraint pretensioners. Safe, Inc. (Safe) is proposing to develop the Crash Safety Data Recorder to meet these needs. Safes technology benefits from prior experience working in the crash safety field and support from a strategic partner with experience designing and manufacturing affordable data loggers.

Benefit:
Occupants of rotorcraft are the primary beneficiary, as the recorded data and ability to trigger active safety systems will ultimately improve the aircraft subsystems and equipment that help occupants survive a crash. Crash investigators will benefit from using the recorded data to illustrate the motion of the aircraft in the seconds before impact. This information will provide some insight into the final sequence of events, helping to infer causes or contributing factors. Crash data recorded at a high sample rate will indicate sudden changes not otherwise apparent. Investigators will also be able to report the post-impact data more accurately, such as orientation and components of deceleration and velocity change. Engineers will be able to develop accurate statistical compilations of data after the device has been fielded from some time in a fleet. These statistics, like the 95th-percentile velocity change, influence design standards for structures and also for equipment that assists occupant survival, like seats, restraints, energy-absorbing floors, and landing gear. A quantitative understanding of crash conditions will support more effective designs and, ultimately, a better ability to protect occupants. Commercial applications are also apparent for these same reasons. The data would support crash investigation, standards development, and structure and equipment designs that will enhance survivability for occupants of civilian aircraft. Fleets of personal aircraft supporting urban air mobility are seen as an emerging trend that will greatly increase the number of people flying every day. Small civilian aircraft already represent very large fleets where an affordable crash sensor and data recorder could drive a significant improvement in crash outcomes over the long term.

Keywords:
Event Recorder, Event Recorder, Mishap, aircrew, Crash protection, Safety Systems, Crash, Data acquisition, Rotorcraft

The U.S. Navy (Navy) needs a device that can measure and record rotorcraft dynamics to support objectives for improving crash safety. The data must be recorded at a high sample rate to capture crash dynamics that occur over a short time frame. The recorded data will assist investigators to understand the sequence of events in a mishap. Compiled data will support updates to standards that govern the design of aircraft structures and installed safety equipment for crash survival. The same device can trigger active crash safety systems like air bags or restraint pretensioners. Safe, Inc. (Safe) is proposing to develop the Crash Safety Data Recorder to meet these needs. Safes technology benefits from prior experience working in the crash safety field and support from a strategic partner with experience designing and manufacturing affordable data loggers.

Benefit:
Occupants of rotorcraft are the primary beneficiary, as the recorded data and ability to trigger active safety systems will ultimately improve the aircraft subsystems and equipment that help occupants survive a crash. Crash investigators will benefit from using the recorded data to better understand the motion of the aircraft after impact, helping to infer causes or contributing factors, as crash data recorded at a high sample rate will indicate sudden changes not otherwise apparent. Investigators will also be able to report the post-impact data more accurately, like orientation and components of deceleration and velocity change, as required by current investigation reporting procedures. Airframe structure and safety equipment designers will benefit from standards that reflect the more accurate statistical compilations of data that can be made after the device has been fielded from some time in a fleet. These statistics, like the 95th percentile survivable velocity change, influence design standards for structures and equipment that assist occupant survival, like seats, restraints, energy-absorbing floors, mounts and tie-down anchors, and landing gear. A quantitative understanding of crash conditions will support more effective designs and ultimately a better ability to protect occupants. Commercial applications are also apparent for these same reasons. The data would support crash investigation, standards development, and structure and equipment designs that will enhance survivability for occupants of civilian aircraft. Fleets of aircraft supporting urban air mobility will greatly increase the number of people flying every day. Small civilian aircraft already represent very large fleets where an affordable crash sensor and data recorder could drive a significant improvement in crash outcomes over the long term.

Keywords:
crash safety, acceleration, impact kinematics, data recorder, angular rate, Inertial Measurement