Emergency door actuation

Abstract

An emergency actuation device for opening a door is provided, the emergency actuation device comprising: at least one pressurized gas supply; an actuator comprising: an actuator chamber; an actuator piston movable between a retracted position and a fully extended position to open the door; a vent for venting the actuator chamber when the actuator piston is in its extended position. The emergency actuation device further comprises a percussion device comprising a percussion piston movable between a storage position, in which the pressurized gas supply is isolated from the actuator, and an activated position, in which the pressurized gas supply is coupled to the actuator, upon activation of the percussion device. The actuator is coupled to the percussion device; and the actuator is configured such that movement of the actuator piston towards its activated position resets the percussion piston.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to devices for actuating emergency doors, particularly devices for aircraft doors. Background Technology

[0002] Aircraft doors commonly feature actuators designed for emergency use. These emergency actuators are intended to cause the door to open rapidly in an emergency. For example, in civil and military aircraft, these devices are installed on evacuation doors and are designed for the rapid evacuation of personnel from the aircraft in an emergency. Emergency actuators are installed on aircraft doors, typically serving as boarding / disembarking doors for passengers, crew, and / or logistical personnel, and also as emergency doors. In this application, emergency actuators must be used to cause the door to open in an emergency, but they should not interfere with the normal operation of the door (i.e., opening and closing in non-emergency situations).

[0003] Known emergency actuation devices for doors typically include a cylinder having a piston and a chamber. The cylinder is connected to the door's opening mechanism. In an emergency, the chamber is supplied with pressurized gas, which acts on the piston to push it to the extended position, thereby opening the door. Normally, during normal operation, the chamber is open to the atmosphere to allow the door to operate properly.

[0004] Known emergency door actuation devices typically include an impact device with a diaphragm that prevents pressurized gas from flowing from, for example, a gas supply from a canister or pyrotechnic gas generator to a cylinder. Upon manual activation, for example using an emergency control lever or button, the diaphragm is punctured, allowing pressurized gas to flow from the gas supply into the chamber.

[0005] After operating the emergency door actuator, the supplied gas must be allowed to escape from the system or forced out of the system in order to close the door again. In known systems, it is necessary to wait until all pressurized gas released to the various components of the device and gas from the pressurized gas supply itself has escaped. In some cases, rapid door closure is often important. Waiting for gas to completely escape from the actuation system can cause unacceptable delays when reclosing the door.

[0006] Therefore, it is necessary to improve the existing emergency actuation device of the door. Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, an emergency actuation device for opening a door is provided, the emergency actuation device comprising: at least one pressurized gas supply; an actuator including: an actuator chamber; an actuator piston movable between a retracted position and a fully extended position to open the door; and an exhaust port for venting the actuator chamber when the actuator piston is in its extended position. The emergency actuation device further includes an impact device including an impact piston movable between a stored position and an activated position when the impact device is activated, in which the pressurized gas supply is isolated from the actuator, and in the activated position, the pressurized gas supply is coupled to the actuator. The actuator is coupled to the impact device; and the actuator is configured such that movement of the actuator piston toward its activated position resets the impact piston.

[0008] The emergency actuator uses only the pressurized gas required to operate the actuator. No excess gas is wasted because the flow of pressurized gas into the system is stopped (cut off) after the actuator is operated. Furthermore, because a limited amount of pressurized gas is discharged from the device, the time required for venting is less than with conventional devices. This means the actuator returns to atmospheric pressure more quickly, allowing the door to close again in a shorter time after activation.

[0009] Before the emergency actuator is activated, energy is stored as compressed gas. Upon activation, the energy is released and transferred to the actuator to open the door. The emergency actuator only consumes the required energy.

[0010] The actuator can be configured such that the movement of the actuator piston through the intermediate position causes the impact piston to return to its stored position.

[0011] The emergency actuation device may include a pressure quick-release valve disposed between the impact device and the actuator. The pressure quick-release valve is operable to move the impact piston to its rest position;

[0012] The actuator can be configured to operate a pressure-relieving valve. The actuator can be configured to move the piston of the pressure-relieving valve from its non-operating position.

[0013] The actuation chamber may include an outlet in fluid communication with a pressure quick-release valve. The outlet may be positioned such that pressurized gas flows to the pressure quick-release valve when the actuator piston has passed its intermediate position.

[0014] The actuator chamber can be coupled to a pressure quick-release valve, such that when the actuator piston passes through the intermediate position, the actuator chamber is in fluid communication with the pressure quick-release valve to operate the pressure quick-release valve.

[0015] The impact device may include an inlet in fluid communication with a pressurized gas supplier. The impact device may include an outlet in fluid communication with an actuator. The impact device may be configured such that a seal is located between the inlet and the outlet when the impact piston is in its stored position. The impact device may be configured such that the inlet and the outlet are in fluid communication when the impact piston is in its activated position.

[0016] The pressurized gas supply unit may be at least one gas storage tank. The pressurized gas supply unit may be at least one pyrotechnic gas generator. The pressurized gas may be nitrogen.

[0017] The impact device can be integrally formed with the pressure quick-release valve. The impact device can be coupled to the pressure quick-release valve, such that movement of the pressure quick-release valve piston causes the impact device to reset. In other words, movement of the pressure quick-release valve causes the impact piston to return to its stored position.

[0018] The emergency actuation device may include a resilient member. The resilient member may bias the impact piston to its stored position. The resilient member may bias the pressure quick-release valve piston to an inactive position. The resilient member may be a spring. The resilient member may be a coil spring.

[0019] The piston of the pressure quick-release valve can be configured to return to its inactive position after the impact device is reset.

[0020] The emergency actuation device may also include a trigger. The trigger is operatively coupled to the impact device to activate it.

[0021] The actuator vent port may be configured for atmospheric discharge. The actuator may include two or more vent ports, each configured to discharge the actuator chamber when the actuator piston is in its extended position.

[0022] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a door is provided, the door including an emergency actuation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator includes an actuator body, and wherein one of the actuator body and the piston is coupled to the door, and the other of the actuator body and the piston is coupled to the door frame.

[0023] The door can be an airplane door. The door can be an aircraft evacuation door. The door can be installed in a building.

[0024] The features described with respect to the first aspect of this disclosure are of course applicable to other aspects, and vice versa. Generally, features of any instance described herein can be applied, where appropriate, to any other instance described herein. When referring to different instances or sets of instances, it should be understood that these are not necessarily different, but rather can overlap. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Some examples of this disclosure will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an emergency actuator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in a non-operating position is shown;

[0027] Figure 2 Showing the first operating position Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an emergency actuator;

[0028] Figure 3 Showing the second operating position Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an emergency actuator;

[0029] Figure 4 Showing the third operating position Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an emergency actuator;

[0030] Figure 5 Showing the fourth operating position Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the emergency actuation device; and

[0031] Figure 6 Shown after the operation Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the emergency actuation device.

[0032] Figure 1 An emergency actuation device 1 is shown, which includes a pressurized gas supply 2, an impact device 10, a user interface 22, an actuator 30, and a pressure quick release valve (PQRV) 40.

[0033] exist Figure 1 In the example shown, the impact device 10 is integrally formed with the pressure quick-release valve (PQRV) 40. In other examples, these components may be formed separately and coupled together.

[0034] The pressurized gas supply 2 is any suitable device or arrangement for providing a pressurized gas supply, such as a gas cylinder or a pyrotechnic gas generator. It should be understood that the pressurized gas supply 2 may include two or more gas cylinders or two or more pyrotechnic gas generators.

[0035] A pressurized gas supply 2 is fluidly coupled to the inlet 11 of the impact device 10 via a first conduit 52. The impact device 10 includes a chamber 12 having a chamber wall 12a and an impact piston 14 movable within the chamber 12. A spring 20 biases the impact piston 14 such that the impact piston is pushed into a first position in the proximal portion 12p of the chamber 12. The inlet 11 leads to an annular chamber 16, which is formed between a circumferential notch 14a in the impact piston 14 and the chamber wall 12a. For example, two O-ring seals 18a, 18b are provided on the impact piston 14 to provide a seal with the chamber wall 12a, thereby... Figure 1 In the indicated position, the annular chamber 16 is not in fluid communication with the proximal portion 12p and the distal portion 12d of the chamber 12. A trigger (or user interface) 22 is coupled to the impact device 10 in some way such that when the trigger 22 is activated, a downward force acts on the impact piston 14. The trigger 22 may be mechanically coupled to the impact piston 14; for example, the trigger 22 may be a control lever or button mechanically connected to the impact piston 14. Alternatively, the trigger 22 may be electronically or wirelessly coupled to the impact piston 14; for example, the trigger 22 may be an electrical switch that powers a small electric actuator that actuates the impact piston 14.

[0036] The outlet 24 of the impact device 10 is fluidly coupled to the inlet 36 of the actuator 30 via a second conduit 54. The actuator 30 is a cylinder having a body 31, a variable volume chamber 32, and an actuator piston 34. The actuator piston 34 is movable from a retracted position to an extended position. The actuator 30 includes an exhaust port 38 for atmospheric discharge and an outlet 37. The exhaust port 38 extends further along the piston stroke than the outlet 37.

[0037] As schematically shown in this example, actuator piston 34 is coupled to door 70, and cylinder 31 is coupled to door frame 72 of door 70. However, it should be understood that actuator piston 34 may be coupled to door frame 72, and cylinder 31 may be coupled to door 70.

[0038] The outlet 37 of actuator 30 is fluidly coupled via a third conduit 56 to the inlet 41 of pressure quick-release valve (PQRV) 40. PQRV 40 includes a chamber 42 and a PQRV piston 44 movable within the chamber 42, and a seal 48a disposed on the PQRV piston 44. Inlet 41 opens to an annular chamber 46 formed between a shoulder 44a on the PQRV piston 44 and a chamber wall 42a. Seal 48a prevents gas from escaping from the annular chamber 46. PQRV 40 includes a second seal 48b. Spring 20 biases the PQRV piston 44 in its non-operating position at a proximal portion 42p of chamber 42.

[0039] Figure 1This indicates an emergency actuator in a non-operating or stored configuration. A spring 20 is provided, which acts simultaneously on the impact piston 14 and the PQRV piston 44. The biasing force of the spring 20 pushes the impact piston 14 upward in its stored (non-operating) position. Pressurized gas from the pressurized gas supply 2 is held in the annular chamber 16 within the impact device 10 due to seals 18a, 18b. The actuator piston 34 is in its retracted position, and the support 33a prevents the actuator piston 34 from moving through the inlet 36. Atmospheric atmosphere fills the actuator chamber 32, the second conduit 54, and the third conduit 56, as well as the PQRV annular chamber 46. In the PQRV 40, seals 48a and 48b hold the atmosphere in the annular chamber 46, and the spring 20 pushes the PQRV piston 44 into its non-operating position.

[0040] Figures 2 to 6 schematically shown Figure 1 The operation phase of the emergency actuation device 1. For ease of understanding, doors and door frames are not shown in any of the figures, and all figure labels are not depicted.

[0041] Figure 2 This shows the device immediately in the first operating position after activating trigger 22. Figure 1 Emergency actuation device 1. Activation of trigger 22 causes force F22 to be applied to impact piston 14. Impact piston 14 moves away from its storage position, and the first seal 18b is no longer in contact with chamber wall 12a, meaning that annular chamber 16 is in fluid communication with proximal portion 12p of chamber 12. Pressurized gas from pressurized gas supply 2 flows into proximal portion 12p of chamber 12, through outlet 24, into first conduit 52, and then into actuator chamber 32. Pressurized gas in actuator chamber 32 applies force F34 to actuator piston 34, and actuator piston begins to move away from its retracted position.

[0042] Figure 3 Showing the second operating position Figure 1 Emergency actuator 1. Pressurized gas continues to flow from pressurized gas supplier 2 through impact device 10 into actuator chamber 32. As the amount of compressed gas in actuator chamber 32 increases, force F34 pushes actuator piston 34 further away from its retracted position to an intermediate position. In this intermediate position, since actuator piston 34 has not yet moved past actuator outlet 37, pressurized gas continues to accumulate in actuator chamber 32. The movement of actuator piston 34 causes door 70 to open.

[0043] Figure 4 Showing the third operating position Figure 1The emergency actuation device 1 has an actuator piston 34 that has traveled beyond the intermediate position, i.e., beyond the actuator outlet 37, reaching its fully extended position. A second support 33b restricts the travel of the actuator piston 44. This means that the actuator chamber 32 is in fluid communication with the third conduit 56, allowing pressurized gas to pass through the third conduit 56 to the annular chamber 46 of the PQRV 40. When the pressurized gas enters the chamber 46, it pushes the PQRV piston 44 away from its non-operating position with a force F44. As the PQRV piston 44 moves upward, it compresses the spring 20, thereby applying a force to the impact piston 14.

[0044] Figure 5 Showing the fourth operating position Figure 1 The emergency actuation device 1, in which the PQRV piston 44 and spring 20 have pushed the impact piston 14 back to its non-operating position, now has the first seal 18b preventing any additional pressurized gas from entering the proximal portion 12p of the chamber 12. This means that any pressurized gas not used during the operation of the emergency actuation device 10 remains in the pressurized gas supply 2, the first conduit 52, and the annular chamber 16. In other words, there is no need to vent unused pressurized gas from the device 1.

[0045] In actuator 30, actuator piston 34 has traveled beyond actuator exhaust pipe 38 to its fully extended position. This causes pressurized gas to exit through exhaust pipe 38 from the rest of device 1, namely from second conduit 54 and third conduit 56, PQRV 40 and actuator 30. As pressurized gas exits from PQRV 10, spring 20 pushes PQRV piston 44 back to its non-operating position.

[0046] Figure 6 Showing the fifth operating position Figure 1 The emergency actuator 1 has essentially all the pressurized gas from the second conduit 54 and the third conduit 56, PQRV 40, and actuator 30 vented from the system. Therefore, the actuator chamber 32 is essentially at atmospheric pressure, and the actuator piston 34 is in its fully extended position. With the device in this state, the operator can apply force F70 to the door 70 to close it and reset the emergency actuator 1 to its non-operating or storage configuration.

[0047] It should be understood that this type of emergency actuation device can be used for doors in a wide range of vehicle applications, such as those for aircraft and other vehicles. Emergency actuation devices can also be used in other industries, such as the construction industry, for example, for emergency actuation devices for doors in buildings or rooms. Furthermore, it should be noted that in all these applications, the term "door" can also refer to a door for a cavity or compartment through which people are not intended to pass.

[0048] In some cases, two or more emergency activation devices may be installed on a single door. In this case, a single trigger may be coupled in some way to the impact device of each emergency activation device, such that when the trigger is activated, a downward force acts on each impact piston 14.

[0049] The pressurized gas can be nitrogen, compressed air, or any other suitable compressed gas.

[0050] Although this disclosure has been described in detail with reference to only a limited number of examples, it should be readily understood that this disclosure is not limited to these disclosed examples. Rather, this disclosure may be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions, or equivalent arrangements not previously described but consistent with the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, although various examples of this disclosure have been described, it should be understood that aspects of this disclosure may include only some of the described examples. Therefore, this disclosure should not be construed as limited by the foregoing description, but only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An emergency actuation device for opening a door, the emergency actuation device comprising: At least one pressurized gas supply unit; and An actuator, the actuator comprising: An actuator chamber having an outlet; An actuator piston, movable between a retracted position and a fully extended position, opens the door. An exhaust port is provided for venting the actuator chamber when the actuator piston is in its extended position, wherein when the actuator piston is in its fully extended position, the exhaust port and the outlet are in fluid communication through the actuator chamber; An impact device, the impact device including an impact piston movable from a storage position to an activated position when the impact device is activated, wherein in the storage position the pressurized gas supply is isolated from the actuator, and in the activated position the pressurized gas supply is coupled to the actuator; The actuator is coupled to the impact device; and the actuator is configured such that movement of the actuator piston toward the activated position of the actuator piston resets the impact piston. The impact device includes an inlet in fluid communication with the pressurized gas supplier and an outlet in fluid communication with the actuator; and When the impact piston is in its activated position, the inlet is in fluid communication with the outlet of the impact device.

2. The emergency actuation device of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured such that movement of the actuator piston through an intermediate position causes the impact piston to return to its storage position.

3. The emergency actuation device according to claim 1 further includes a pressure quick-release valve disposed between the impact device and the actuator, wherein the pressure quick-release valve is operable to move the impact piston to its storage position.

4. The emergency actuation device according to claim 3, wherein the actuator is configured to operate the pressure quick release valve.

5. The emergency actuation device of claim 3, wherein the actuator chamber includes an outlet in fluid communication with the pressure quick-release valve, and wherein the outlet of the actuator chamber is positioned such that pressurized gas flows to the pressure quick-release valve when the actuator piston has passed its intermediate position.

6. The emergency actuation device according to claim 1, wherein when the impact piston is in its storage position, the seal is located between the inlet and the outlet of the impact device.

7. The emergency actuation device according to claim 1, wherein the pressurized gas supplier is at least one gas storage tank.

8. The emergency actuation device according to claim 1, wherein the pressurized gas is nitrogen.

9. The emergency actuation device according to claim 3, wherein the impact device is integrally formed with the pressure quick release valve.

10. The emergency actuation device of claim 9 further includes an elastic member that biases the impact piston in its storage position.

11. The emergency actuation device of claim 10, wherein the elastic member biases the piston of the pressure quick release valve to an inactive position.

12. The emergency actuation device of claim 11, wherein the pressure quick-release valve piston is configured to return to its inactive position after resetting the impact device.

13. The emergency actuation device according to claim 1, further comprising a trigger operatively coupled to the impact device for activating the impact device.

14. The emergency actuation device of claim 1, wherein the vent is configured for atmospheric discharge.

15. A door comprising an emergency actuation device according to claim 1, wherein the actuator includes an actuator body, and wherein one of the actuator body and the actuator piston is coupled to the door, and the other of the actuator body and the actuator piston is coupled to a door frame.

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