The present object refers to an aeronautical safety device coupled to the aircraft black box, which will be activated when the equipment submerges to a certain depth, after an air accident occurring on oceans, rivers or lakes. The device has an inflatable bag developed in watertight material such as nylon and the like; when it reaches a certain depth, the equipment is automatically activated and the bag inflates, causing the black box to float on the water.

The present object is intended to allow the aircraft black box to be rescued in case of air accidents occurring on oceans, rivers or lakes, where the aircraft tends to sink, taking with it the most important equipment to be analyzed after an accident.

The black box is a mandatory device used in aircrafts worldwide to record messages sent and received to the tower, airplane conditions, conversations inside the cabin, speed variation, acceleration, altitude and power. It is made of stainless steel and titanium, having state-of-the-art technology, resistant to major impacts, temperatures that reach 2012°F (1100°C) during one hour and 6,000-meter depth, where the pressure is approximately 20,000 feet.

In cases of accidents on oceans, for instance, where the depth is huge, we may observe the difficulty of experts in locating the black box, which sinks with other aircraft components. For this reason, the object in question was developed, combining practicality, efficiency, low cost and large industrial feasibility.

The device is automatic, that is, when the aircraft falls on the ocean and the black box submerges to a certain depth, the device is automatically activated. A depth meter with a sensor delivers a sign to the control unit. When it recognizes the message, the inflation system is activated so that the bag is inflated. Its operation may be through decomposition of sodium azide, releasing nitrogen responsible for inflating the bag, similar to an airbag used in vehicles, and also through a small high-pressure noncombustible gas cylinder, similar to lifeguard vests used in aircrafts. At the time the bag inflates completely, it will be responsible for the floating of the aircraft black box. After the bag is filled up, it will not be emptied, so that the black box continues floating on the water.

The safety device is inserted and fixed to a compartment developed in stainless steel and the like, with a lid in its upper part; this compartment is fixed to the outer part of the black box through screws and the like. By being activated, the compartment opens and releases only the inflatable bag, connected to the nylon belts that secure the bag to the entire compartment with the device. Upon reaching the surface, the black box, together with the compartment, will float; therefore, the compartment must be developed in light and resistant material.

Since the device is coupled to the outer part of the black box, it is not necessary to touch its original shield or even change its shape or mechanisms. The device in question may be coupled to conventional black boxes, already used nowadays by aircrafts.

For a perfect view and understanding of the "SAFETY DEVICE COUPLED TO AIRCRAFTS BLACK BOXES", in question, below are the illustrative drawings where:

Fig. 1 - Presents a perspective view of the object in question fixed to the black box, with a close on the compartment with the device in question, showing its inner part;

Fig. 2 - Presents an upper transparent view of the object in question, with inflation system of the bag through decomposition of sodium azide; 1 Fig. 3 - Presents an illustrative view of the object in question after

2 it is activated, with the bag already inflated.

3 Fig. 4 - Presents an upper transparent view of the object in

4 question with the bag inflation system through a small high-pressure

5 noncombustible gas cylinder.

6 According to the illustration and in its details, the "SAFETY i DEVICE COUPLED TO AIRCRAFTS BLACK BOX", is characterized for a δ compartment developed in stainless steel and the like (1) with a lid on its

9 upper part (2) fixed to a conventional aircraft black box (3) through screws0 and the like (6), having a depth meter (5) and a safety device (4) inside it,1 which will be automatically activated when the equipment submerges to a2 certain depth, after an air accident occurring on oceans, rivers or lakes; the3 safety device (4) has further a control unit (7) which recognizes the signal4 sent by the depth meter (5) and delivers a signal to the inflation system (8)5 so that the bag (9) is inflated; the inflatable bag (9) continues secured to 6 the compartment (1 ) through belts of nylon and the like (10).

7 The bag inflating system (8) works through decomposition ofs sodium azide (11), releasing nitrogen responsible for inflating the bag (9). 9 The bag inflating system (8) may also work through a small high- o pressure noncombustible gas cylinder (12).

1 The depth meter (5), the control unit (7) and the inflation system2 (8) are interconnected through wiring (13).

3 For the advantages it offers and for possessing truly innovative4 features, the "SAFETY DEVICE COUPLED TO AIRCRAFTS BLACK5 BOX' gathers all necessary conditions for earning the Utility Model Patent.6