Airplane evacuation slide

Abstract

Exemplary aircraft and aircraft evacuation slides and related methods are disclosed herein. Disclosed herein is an exemplary evacuation slide assembly for an aircraft, comprising: an inflatable slide body attachable to the aircraft and configured to be inflated in response to an evacuation event; and a readiness indicator gate supported by the inflatable slide body, where the readiness indicator gate is movable from an unreadiness position to a readiness position during inflation of the inflatable slide body, by being in the unreadiness position, and by being in the readiness position, the readiness indicator gate is movable from the unreadiness position to the readiness position. The readiness indicator gate indicates that the inflatable slide body is not yet readiness for use by being in a readiness position, and the readiness indicator gate indicates that the inflatable slide body is readiness for a user to evacuate from the aircraft onto the inflatable slide body by being in a readiness position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to aircraft and, more particularly, to aircraft evacuation slides. Background Art

[0002] Commercial passenger aircraft often include evacuation slides to enable quick exit from the aircraft. Evacuation slides are usually located at the doors and / or wings of the aircraft and are configured depending on the type of aircraft. Summary of the invention

[0003] An exemplary aircraft and aircraft evacuation slide and related methods are disclosed herein. An exemplary evacuation slide assembly for an aircraft is disclosed herein, comprising: an inflatable slide body attachable to the aircraft and configured to be inflated in response to an evacuation event; and a readiness indicator gate supported by the inflatable slide body, wherein during inflation of the inflatable slide body, the readiness indicator gate is movable from an unready position to a ready position, wherein the readiness indicator gate indicates that the inflatable slide body is not ready for use by being in the unready position, and wherein the readiness indicator gate indicates that the inflatable slide body is ready for a user to evacuate from the aircraft onto the inflatable slide body by being in the ready position.

[0004] An exemplary evacuation slide assembly for an aircraft is disclosed herein and includes an inflatable platform section; an inflatable slide section coupled to the inflatable platform section; a readiness indicator gate coupled to the inflatable platform section; and an anchor release coupled to the readiness indicator gate and configured to move the readiness indicator gate from an unready position to a ready position in response to inflation of the inflatable slide section.

[0005] An exemplary aircraft is disclosed herein and includes a fuselage having at least one exit door; a wing attached to the fuselage; a truss coupled to the wing and the fuselage; and an inflatable slide assembly attached to the fuselage and including a readiness indicator, wherein the inflatable slide assembly is deployable above the truss and below the at least one exit door. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 An exemplary aircraft including an exemplary transonic truss-braced wing is shown.

[0007] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A portion of an aircraft and an exemplary evacuation slide.

[0008] Figure 3A An exemplary first evacuation slide ready gate is shown in a first position.

[0009] Figure 3BShown in the second position Figure 3A The first evacuation slide in the gate is ready.

[0010] Figure 4A An exemplary second evacuation slide ready gate is shown in a first position.

[0011] Figure 4B Shown in the second position Figure 4A The second evacuation slide is ready for use at the gate.

[0012] Figure 5A An exemplary third evacuation slide ready gate is shown in a first position.

[0013] Figure 5B Shown in the second position Figure 5A The third evacuation slide is ready for use at the gate.

[0014] Generally, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and accompanying written description to refer to the same or like parts.The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Commercial passenger aircraft typically include an evacuation system having an inflatable slide for use with a service door, a passenger entrance door, and / or an over-wing exit door. When activated, the slide is deployed and inflated using, for example, one or more pressurized gas reservoirs.

[0016] Some exits (e.g., over-wing exit doors or other mid-compartment exit doors) may be passenger-operated exits during an aircraft evacuation. In an over-wing exit configuration, the wing surface provides a platform for an evacuee (e.g., passenger or airline employee) to take the first step outside the fuselage and to enable the evacuee to assess whether evacuation paths and slides are available. In transonic aircraft with truss-braced wings, the mid-compartment exit is located above the wing trusses, which are not suitable for use as a step.

[0017] In the examples disclosed herein, the evacuation slide includes an inflatable platform that deploys from the fuselage and provides a stable horizontal surface for evacuees to step on when leaving the aircraft. In these examples, the platform and slide must be fully deployed before leaving the aircraft. If the evacuees leave the aircraft too early, they or others may not be fully supported by the platform and / or they may interfere with the correct deployment and / or inflation sequence of the evacuation slide. The examples disclosed herein include intuitive visual cues to notify the evacuees that the slide is not ready for use (i.e., not ready) or ready for use. Therefore, the examples disclosed herein intuitively notify even untrained evacuees not to leave the aircraft before the slide is fully inflated, thereby reducing or eliminating the possibility of disrupting the correct inflation sequence of the slide.

[0018] Figure 1 An exemplary aircraft 100 having a transonic truss-braced wing is shown. The aircraft 100 in the illustrated example includes an exemplary first truss 102 and an exemplary second truss 104. In some examples, the first truss 102 and the second truss 104 are referred to as stabilizers. Specifically, the first truss 102 in the illustrated example is coupled to a first wing 108, and the second truss 104 in the illustrated example is coupled to a second wing 122. The first truss 102 and the second truss 104 in the illustrated example limit the movement of the respective first wing 108 and the second wing 122 (e.g., reduce bending loads and flutter), thereby stabilizing the first wing 108 and the second wing 122.

[0019] The aircraft 100 of the illustrated example includes a fuselage 106. A first wing 108 and a second wing 122 are coupled (e.g., attached) to the fuselage 106 via a fuselage connection 116 (e.g., a wing-to-fuselage structure attachment). In the illustrated example, the first end 110 of the first truss 102 is coupled to the first wing 108 at or substantially at a midpoint 112 (e.g., a midpoint) between a first wingtip 114 of the first wing 108 and the fuselage connection 116. Although Figure 1 The first end 110 is shown coupled to approximately the midpoint 112 of the first wing 108, but other attachment locations may alternatively be used. Additionally, the second end 118 of the first truss 102 in the illustrated example is coupled to the fuselage 106. In some examples, the landing gear is accommodated within the second end 118. Thus, in some examples, the second end 118 includes a wider main landing gear pylon 120 for accommodating the landing gear.

[0020] Likewise, the second truss 104 in the illustrated example is coupled to the fuselage 106 and the second wing 122. In some examples, the first end 123 of the exemplary second truss 104 is coupled to the second exemplary wing 122 at or approximately at a midpoint 125 (e.g., a middle point) between the second wing tip 124 and the fuselage attachment 116. In other cases, the first end 123 of the second truss 104 can be coupled to the second wing 122 at any location between the midpoint 125 and the wing tip 124. In addition, the second end 126 of the second truss 104 is coupled to the fuselage 106. In some examples, the configuration in which the first truss 102 is coupled to the first wing 108 and the fuselage 106 is a mirror image of the configuration in which the second truss 104 is coupled to the second wing 122 and the fuselage 106. In some examples, the landing gear is housed within the second end 126. Thus, in some examples, second end 126 includes a wider main landing gear pylon (eg, similar to landing gear pylon 120 ) for accommodating a landing gear.

[0021] Figure 2 Shown at landing Figure 1 1. A portion of the aircraft 100 in FIG. 1, wherein the exemplary wheels 202 are deployed. The aircraft 100 includes exemplary mid-cabin exit doors 204. In the illustrated example, there are two mid-cabin exit doors between the second wing 122 and the second end 126 of the second truss 104. In other examples, there may be only one exit door 204 at this location on the fuselage 106. Furthermore, in some examples, there may be additional exit doors at other locations on the fuselage 106.

[0022] Figure 2 The example shown in FIG. 1 includes an exemplary evacuation slide 206. The evacuation slide 206 may also be referred to as a deployable slide, an inflatable slide, an inflatable slide assembly, and / or an evacuation slide assembly. The evacuation slide 206 is located between the second wing 122 and the second end 126 of the second truss 104. Figure 2In the embodiment of the present invention, the evacuation slide 206 is in the deployed position. In the deployed position, the evacuation slide 206 is fully inflated. The evacuation slide 206 includes an exemplary platform section 208 (or simply "platform" 208) and an exemplary slide section 210. Therefore, the platform section 208 can be attached to the fuselage 106 in an appropriate manner and can be "rested" on the second end 126 of the second truss 104 or supported by the second end portion of the second truss to support the weight of the evacuation slide 206 and the evacuees on the evacuation slide. In the examples disclosed herein, the platform section 208 and the slide section 210 are inflatable. Therefore, in some examples, the platform section 208 can be referred to as an inflatable platform section, and the slide section 210 can be referred to as an inflatable slide section. The platform section 208 and the slide section 210 together form a slide body or an inflatable slide body. The platform section 208 forms a first end of the evacuation slide 206, which is attached to the fuselage 106. In some examples, the platform 208 may be referred to as a vestibule, a ramp, or a lateral section. The platform 208 is located above the second truss 104 and may rest on the second truss when inflated. In the illustrated example, the second truss 104 has a teardrop-shaped cross-section. The top surface of the second truss 104 is curved and does not provide a flat and stable step surface or lateral area for evacuees to move from the aircraft 100 from one or more exit doors 204. The platform 208 provides a flat, horizontal or other relatively flat surface above the second truss 104 to support the evacuees as they leave the aircraft 100 and approach the slide section 210. The slide section 210 forms a second end of the evacuation slide 206. When the evacuation slide 206 is deployed, the evacuees use the slide section 210 to slide down from the aircraft 100 to the ground.

[0023] The evacuation slide 206 includes airtight components. These components are configured to receive gas from a gas source when the evacuation slide 206 is deployed. The evacuation slide 206 can be made of various suitable airtight materials, such as a lightweight fabric coated with a synthetic rubber (e.g., polyurethane). The different parts of the evacuation slide 206 can be combined together with suitable adhesives and / or other fasteners or fastening techniques to form a unitary assembly.

[0024] When evacuation is required, conventional aircraft controls cause the evacuation slide 206 to automatically deploy and inflate from the storage compartment when at least one of the exit doors 204 is opened. In some examples, one or more of the exit doors 204 may also be equipped with a manual backup system configured to deploy and inflate the evacuation slide 206. In addition, the storage compartment may also include attachment points to couple the evacuation slide 206 to the fuselage 106. When deployed, the inflatable evacuation slide 206 may be inflated so that at least a portion of the upper surface of the platform 208 is adjacent to the threshold of the exit door 204. In the aircraft 100, the evacuation slide 206 may be automatically deployed and inflated when at least one of the exit doors 204 is opened. In some examples ... Figure 1 An exit door 204 and an evacuation slide 206 are included on one side (shown in FIG. 2 ).

[0025] Examples disclosed herein include visual cues for notifying evacuees that the evacuation slide 206 is ready for use.Examples disclosed herein include an exemplary readiness gate as a visual gate or checkpoint. FIG. 3A to FIG. 5B . The readiness gates let evacuees know whether the inflatable evacuation slide 206 is ready or not ready (i.e., not ready) for users to evacuate from the aircraft onto the evacuation slide 206 during an evacuation. In the examples disclosed herein, the readiness gates may also be referred to as readiness indicator gates or gates. In addition, in some examples, the visual indicators may be more broadly referred to as readiness indicators. In some examples, the readiness gates disclosed herein may be colored, hollowed out, and / or otherwise marked to contrast with the surrounding slide fabric and provide greater visibility to evacuees.

[0026] As used herein, the term "ready" means that some or all of the evacuation slides 206 are fully inflated and have sufficient air pressure to enable evacuees to use the slides 206 (including walking on the platform section 208) and then slide down the slide sections 210 in a common manner to be able to evacuate the aircraft. As used herein, the term "not ready" means that some or all of the evacuation slides are not inflated with sufficient air pressure, thereby preventing evacuees from using the platform section 208 and / or the slide sections 210.

[0027] It should be noted that the evacuation slide 206 can be inflated in stages, meaning that the platform section 208 can be inflated first (or more quickly) and subsequently the slide section 210. This can be accomplished by valve control and / or due to internal shapes or baffles that are built into the interior chamber of the evacuation slide 206 in a suitable or conventional manner. In this simplest manner, the slide section 210 can be the last section to be fully inflated and / or ready for use, since the slide section is further away from the compressed air source (on the aircraft) than the platform section 208.

[0028] Figure 3A An exemplary first evacuation slide ready gate 300 is shown in a first position. In some examples, the first position is referred to as a not-ready position, in which the ready gate 300 indicates that the inflatable slide body is not ready for use by an evacuee. Figure 3B Shown in the second position Figure 3A206. In some examples, the second position is referred to as the ready position, in which the ready gate 300 indicates that the inflatable slide body is ready for use by the evacuees. The ready gate 300 is movable from a first position, in which the ready gate 300 provides a visual cue (to an evacuee in the aircraft standing at the door 204) that the evacuee is prohibited from accessing the evacuee slide 206, to a second position, in which the ready gate 300 permits, allows, or opens to allow the evacuee to access the evacuee slide 206. In the first position, the ready gate 300 provides a visual cue to the evacuees inside the aircraft that the platform or lateral section 208 and / or the evacuee slide 210 are not ready for use by the evacuees.

[0029] In some examples, the ready gate 300 includes an exemplary first arm 302 and an exemplary second arm 304. In some examples, the first arm 302 and the second arm 304 are inflatable. Therefore, in some examples, each of the first arm 302 and / or the second arm can be referred to as an inflatable arm. In other examples, the first arm 302 and the second arm 304 are made of a solid and flexible material (e.g., foam). In the first position, the end of the first arm 302 and the end of the second arm 304 are close to each other, so that the first arm 302 and the second arm 304 extend laterally along the platform section 208 and / or across the exit door 204 to form a visual barrier across the exit door 204. In some examples, the evacuation slide 206 includes an exemplary guardrail, such as the first guardrail 306 and the second guardrail 308. The guardrails 306, 308 are a portion of the evacuation slide 206, which is inflated to a level higher than the level of the platform 208. Guardrails 306, 308 are located at the periphery of the evacuation slide 206. Guardrails 306, 308 do not hinder evacuation through the evacuation slide 206. Guardrails 306, 308 ensure that evacuees remain on the evacuation slide 206 until they reach the ground. The first end 302a of the first arm 302 is coupled to the first guardrail 306. Similarly, the first end 302b of the second arm 304 is coupled to the second guardrail 308. In some examples, one or more of the first arm 302 and / or the second arm 304 are directly coupled to the platform 208.

[0030] The ready gate 300 includes an exemplary anchor release 310. In some examples, the anchor release 310 includes an inflatable body. In some examples, the inflatable body includes an expandable fabric body. In this example, the anchor release 310 is coupled to the platform 208. In some examples, the anchor release 310 is contained within other inflatable slide features, such as the platform 208 and / or other portions of the evacuation slide 206. For example, the anchor release 310 can be a compartment portion and / or an orifice portion of the platform 208 and / or other portions of the evacuation slide 206 that are inflated last. The exemplary first tether 312 releasably couples the second end of the first arm 302 to the anchor release 310. Similarly, the exemplary second tether 314 releasably couples the second end of the second arm 304 to the anchor release 310. The first tether 312 and the second tether 314 respectively hold the first arm 302 and the second arm 304 in the first position such that the first arm 302 and the second arm 304 are positioned horizontally across the exit door 204 and above the platform 208. In some examples, the anchor release 310 can be coupled to the slide section 210 away from the platform section 208 (i.e., near the ground contacting portion of the slide section 210). In such examples, the first tether 312 and the second tether 314 can include relatively long connecting lanyards or ropes that extend from the first arm 302 and the second arm 304 to position the anchor release 310 at the distal end of the slide section 208.

[0031] The anchor release 310 is the last portion of the evacuation slide 206 to be inflated. Thus, in some examples, the anchor release is configured to be inflated in response to the inflation of the inflatable slide body (platform 208 and slide section 210). In some examples, the first arm 302 and the second arm 304 are the first portions of the evacuation slide 206 to be inflated. The platform 208 and the slide section 210 may be inflated simultaneously with the first arm 302 and the second arm 304, and in any case before the anchor release 310. In some examples, the deployment (i.e., inflation) of the evacuation slide 206 occurs within ten seconds. In some examples, the inflation of the evacuation slide 206 occurs within four to six seconds. In other examples, the evacuation slide 206 is inflated within other time ranges.

[0032] In some examples, the inflation sequence is as follows: the platform section 208 closest to the fuselage (e.g., connected to the main channel / support tube with the rest of the platform section 208 by a manifold) and the first arm 302 and the second arm 304 are inflated first and simultaneously. The volume of the first arm 302 and the second arm 304 is smaller than the volume of the platform section 208, so the first arm 302 and the second arm 304 will be erected in the inflated position first while the rest of the platform section 208 is filled with air. The guardrail 308 begins to inflate when the platform section 209 is inflated. In examples where the first arm 302 and the second arm 304 are connected to the guardrail 308 by an orifice, the guardrail 308 is inflated first to immediately support the inflation of the first arm 302 and the second arm 304. When the platform section 208 is nearly full of air or other gas, the slide section 210 is then inflated in a controlled manner (e.g., based on internal orifices, fabric partitions, etc.). After the slide section 210 is fully formed, the anchor release 310 is filled.

[0033] When the evacuation slide 206 is ready for use, the anchor release 310 begins to inflate. The anchor release 310 can have a very small orifice connected to the platform section 208, so that the anchor release 310 is designed to be slowly filled in the time it takes for the platform section 208 and the slide section 210 to fully inflate. Alternatively, the anchor release 310 can have a separate communication path (e.g., a hose, an internal baffle / partition, an orifice, etc.) that communicates with the slide section 210. In this example, when the slide section 210 is filled with gas, the gas will flow from the slide section 210 to the anchor release 310, which is the last feature.

[0034] When the anchor release 310 is inflated, the first tether 312 and the second tether 314 are disconnected from the anchor release 310. Thus, the first arm 302 and the second arm 304 are detached from the anchor release 310. For example, the anchor release 310 can be an inflatable spherical structure that exerts tension on the tethers 312, 314 when the anchor release 310 is inflated until the tension releases the anchor connection with the tethers 312, 314. In some examples, the first tether 312 and the second tether 314 are coupled to the anchor release 310 via a hook-and-loop fastener (e.g., Velcro) that is detached when the anchor release 310 is inflated. In some examples, the first tether 312 and the second tether 314 are coupled to the anchor release 310 via a quick release knot that is released when the anchor release 310 is inflated. In some examples, the first tether 312 and the second tether 314 are coupled to the anchor release 310 via overlapping fabric that is releasably held together with the slide pin. In some examples, the first tether 312 and the second tether 314 are coupled to the anchor release 310 via a releasable adhesive that is dislodged when the anchor release 310 expands. In other examples, other releasable mechanical or chemical fasteners may be used to couple the first tether 312 and the second tether 314 to the anchor release 310. When the first tether 312 and the second tether 314 are disengaged from the anchor release 310, the ready gate 300 is able to move to the ready position ( Figure 3B 2nd position shown in ).

[0035] The first arm 302 and the second arm 304 are connected from Figure 3A Move to the first position in Figure 3B The second position in Figure 3B In the second position, the first arm 302 and the second arm 304 are moved away from the exit door 204, which visually signals to the evacuees that the evacuation slide 206 is available or ready for use. In the second position, the first arm 302 extends vertically or upwardly from the first guardrail 306 from its first end, and the second arm 304 extends vertically or upwardly from the second guardrail 308 from its first end. In the second position, the first tether 312 remains attached to the second end of the first arm 302, and the second tether 314 remains attached to the second end of the second arm 304, so that the first tether 312 and the second tether 314 do not pose a tripping hazard to the evacuees exiting the aircraft 100.

[0036] In some examples, the material of the first arm 302 and the second arm 304 allows the first arm 302 and the second arm 304 to spring to the Figure 3BIn some examples, the evacuation slide 206 includes a first auxiliary strap 316 coupled to the first arm 302 and the first guardrail 306 and a second auxiliary strap 318 coupled to the second arm 304 and the second guardrail 308. In some examples, there is only one auxiliary strap. In some examples, the first auxiliary strap 316 and the second auxiliary strap 318 include elastic cords. When the first tether 312 is in Figure 3A When the first auxiliary strap 316 is coupled to the anchor release member 310 in the first position in the first position, the first auxiliary strap 316 applies tension to the first tether 312. Similarly, when the second tether 314 is in the Figure 3A When the anchor release 310 is coupled to the anchor release 310 in the first position in the first position, the second auxiliary strap 318 applies tension to the second tether 314. When the anchor release 310 expands and releases the first tether 312 and the second tether 314, the first auxiliary strap 316 pulls or otherwise helps the first arm 302 move to the Figure 3B and the second auxiliary strap 318 pulls or otherwise helps the second arm 304 move to the second position. Figure 3B The first auxiliary strip 316 and the second auxiliary strip 318 assist and in some instances accelerate the ready gate 300 from Figure 3A The first position in the Figure 3B 204. In some examples, the first auxiliary strap 316 and the second auxiliary strap 318 operate to ensure that the first arm 302 and the second arm 304 are fully withdrawn away from the exit door 204. It should be noted that the one or more ready gates disclosed herein are not designed to be strong enough to allow evacuees to push open and pass through the one or more gates when in the unready position in the event that evacuation from the aircraft is required. Instead, the one or more gates are used only as a visual indicator of the status of the slide (i.e., ready for use or not ready).

[0037] Figure 4A An exemplary second evacuation slide ready gate 400 is shown in a first position (eg, an unready position). Figure 4B The second position (eg, ready position) is shown. Figure 4A The second evacuation slide ready gate 400 in the embodiment of the present invention is provided. The ready gate 400 is similar to the ready gate 300, except that the ready gate 400 includes a single arm 402. In some examples, the arm 402 can be an elongated arm extending across multiple exit doors 204. In some examples, the arm 402 is sized to extend across one exit door 204. The remaining structure and operation of the ready gate 400 are combined with the above Figure 3A and Figure 3BThe disclosed structure and operation are similar. However, the anchor release 310 in the ready gate 400 is positioned closer to the second guardrail 308 than the ready gate 300. The anchor release 310 in the ready gate 400 is positioned closer to the second guardrail 308 so that the end of the arm 402 is coupled to the anchor release 310 via the first tether 312 at a position that extends the arm 402 across the platform 208 and the exit door 204. In some examples, the first tether 312 can be attached to the mid-span of a single arm 402. In some examples, the first tether 312 can be located between two exit doors 204. In the example shown, the anchor release 310 is coupled to the platform 208. In some examples, the anchor release 310 is coupled to the second guardrail 308.

[0038] Figure 5A An exemplary third evacuation slide ready gate 500 is shown in a first position (eg, an unready position). Figure 5B The second position (eg, ready position) is shown. Figure 5A The third evacuation slide ready gate 500 in FIG. The ready gate 500 includes an exemplary strap 502. In some examples, the strap 502 is a fabric material. Figure 5A In the middle position, the strap 502 extends across the exit door 204 when the evacuation slide 206 is inflated. Figure 5A As shown in FIG. 5 , the strap 502 extends from a housing 504 coupled to the first siderail 306 to a tether 312. In this example, the tether 312 is coupled to a support plate 506. The support plate 506 is located on the second siderail 308. The tether 312 is coupled to the anchor release 310 as mentioned above.

[0039] In other examples, the strap 502 is directly coupled to the anchor release 310 without the tether 312 or the support plate 506. In such examples, the strap 502 is releasably coupled to the anchor release 310 in a manner similar to the manner in which the tether 312 is coupled to the anchor release 310 disclosed above.

[0040] When the anchor release 310 is inflated, the engagement between the anchor release 310 and the tether 312 (or the direct engagement between the anchor release 310 and the strap 502) fails. The retrieval device 508 pulls the strap 502 or winds the strap into the housing 504. In some examples, the retrieval device 508 includes an internal spring mechanism and the strap 502 includes a retractable strap.

[0041] In the illustrated example, anchor release 310 is coupled to second guardrail 308. In some examples, anchor release 310 is coupled to platform 208.

[0042] In the examples disclosed herein, the connection at the tethers 312, 314 can be configured so that the tethers 312, 314 are easily released. Thus, an external force (e.g., from an evacuee) can loosen the anchor connection between the tethers 312, 314 and the anchor release 310. This enables the evacuee to move or bypass the ready gates 300, 400, 500. For example, depending on the circumstances in the aircraft 100, the evacuee may want to apply force to the arms 302, 304, 402 or the straps 502 to release the tethers 312, 314 before the ready gates 300, 400, 500 indicate that the evacuation slide 206 is fully inflated. Thus, the ready gates 300, 400, 500 form a semi-rigid and / or semi-restrictive barrier, which means that the evacuee can pass over one or more gates and evacuate from the aircraft at any time during an evacuation event, regardless of whether the slide is ready.

[0043] Although the illustrated aircraft 100 is a transonic truss-braced wing aircraft, the examples disclosed herein may be used with other commercial passenger aircraft (e.g., 737 MAX) and other types of cargo aircraft, rotorcraft, etc. The examples disclosed herein may also be used with other exits of an aircraft where a portion of a slide assembly may be deployed from above and / or supported on a wing or truss.

[0044] "Include" and "comprising" (and all forms and tenses thereof) are used herein as open-ended terms. Thus, whenever a claim employs any form of "having" or "containing" (e.g., contains, has, includes, contains, includes, has, etc.) in a preamble or any kind of claim recitation, it should be understood that there may be other elements, terms, etc. that do not fall within the scope of the corresponding claim or recitation. As used herein, when the expression "at least" is used as a transitional term, such as in the preamble of a claim, the expression is also open-ended in the same manner as the terms "include" and "comprising" are open-ended. For example, when used in a form such as A, B, and / or C, the term "and / or" refers to any combination or subset of A, B, C, such as (1) A alone, (2) B alone, (3) C alone, (4) A and B, (5) A and C, (6) B and C, or (7) A, B, and C. As used herein in the context of describing structures, components, items, objects, and / or things, the expression “at least one of A and B” is intended to mean an implementation that includes any of the following: (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, or (3) at least one A and at least one B. Similarly, as used herein in the context of describing structures, components, items, objects, and / or things, the expression “at least one of A or B” is intended to mean an implementation that includes any of the following: (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, or (3) at least one A and at least one B. As used herein in the context of describing the performance or execution of processes, instructions, actions, activities, and / or steps, the expression “at least one of A and B” is intended to mean an implementation that includes any of the following: (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, or (3) at least one A and at least one B. Similarly, as used herein in the context of describing the performance or execution of a process, instruction, action, activity, and / or step, the expression “at least one of A or B” is intended to mean an implementation that includes any of the following: (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, or (3) at least one A and at least one B.

[0045] As used herein, singular references (e.g., "a," "an," "first," "second," etc.) do not exclude the plural. As used herein, the term "a" or "an" object refers to one or more of the object. The terms "a" (or "an"), "one or more," and "at least one" are used interchangeably herein. In addition, although listed separately, multiple devices, elements, or actions may be implemented by, for example, the same entity or object. In addition, although individual features may be included in different instances or claims, these features may be combined, and the inclusion of individual features in different instances or claims does not imply that the combination of these features is not feasible and / or disadvantageous.

[0046] Unless otherwise specifically stated, descriptors such as "first," "second," "third," and the like used herein do not represent or otherwise indicate any of the following meanings: priority, physical order, arrangement in a list, and / or ordering in any manner, but are merely used as labels and / or arbitrary names to distinguish between various elements to facilitate understanding of the disclosed examples. In some examples, the descriptor "first" may be used in the detailed description to refer to an element, while a different descriptor such as "second" or "third" may be used in the claims to refer to the same element. In such cases, it should be understood that such descriptors are only used to clearly identify those elements in the context of the discussion (e.g., in the claims), where these elements may, for example, share the same name in other cases.

[0047] As used herein, "substantially" and "approximately" modify their subject / values ​​to recognize variations that may occur in actual applications. For example, "substantially" and "approximately" may modify dimensions that may not be exact due to manufacturing tolerances and / or other practical imperfections, as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, unless otherwise specified in the following description, "substantially" and "approximately" may indicate that these dimensions may be within a tolerance range of +10% to -10%.

[0048] Example aircraft and aircraft evacuation slides and related methods are disclosed herein. Example 1 includes an evacuation slide assembly for an aircraft, the evacuation slide assembly comprising: an inflatable slide body attachable to the aircraft and configured to be inflated in response to an evacuation event; and a readiness indicator gate supported by the inflatable slide body, wherein during inflation of the inflatable slide body, the readiness indicator gate is movable from an unready position to a ready position, the readiness indicator gate indicating that the inflatable slide body is not ready for use by being in the unready position, and the readiness indicator gate indicating that the inflatable slide body is ready for a user to evacuate from the aircraft onto the inflatable slide body by being in the ready position.

[0049] Example 2 includes the evacuation slide assembly of Example 1, wherein the readiness indicator gate includes a first inflatable arm and a second inflatable arm.

[0050] Example 3 includes the evacuation slide assembly according to Example 2, further comprising: an anchor release; a first tether releasably coupling the first inflatable arm to the anchor release; and a second tether releasably coupling the second inflatable arm to the anchor release.

[0051] Example 4 includes an evacuation slide assembly according to Example 3, wherein the anchor release member includes an inflatable body configured to be inflated in response to inflation of the inflatable slide body to disengage the first tether and the second tether from the anchor release member, thereby enabling the ready indicator gate to move to the ready position.

[0052] Example 5 includes an evacuation slide assembly according to Example 3, further comprising: a first auxiliary strip connected between the first inflatable arm and the inflatable slide body; and a second auxiliary strip connected between the second inflatable arm and the inflatable slide body, the first auxiliary strip and the second auxiliary strip being used to help the ready indicator gate move to the ready position.

[0053] Example 6 includes an evacuation slide assembly according to Example 1, further comprising: an anchor release configured to be inflated; and a tether coupled to the ready indicator gate and to the anchor release, the tether configured to disengage from the anchor release in response to inflation of the anchor release to enable the ready indicator gate to move to the ready position.

[0054] Example 7 includes the evacuation slide assembly of Example 1, wherein the ready indicator gate is configured to extend upward when the ready indicator gate is in the ready position.

[0055] Example 8 includes the evacuation slide assembly of Example 1, further comprising an auxiliary strap coupled between the readiness indicator gate and the inflatable slide body to assist in moving the readiness indicator gate to the ready position.

[0056] Example 9 includes the evacuation slide assembly of Example 1, further comprising an anchor release coupled to the ready indicator gate, wherein the ready indicator gate is configured to move to the ready position in response to inflation of the anchor release.

[0057] Example 10 includes an evacuation slide assembly according to Example 1, wherein the inflatable slide body includes an inflatable platform section and an inflatable slide section, the inflatable platform section being configured to deploy from a fuselage of the aircraft above a truss and below an exit door of the aircraft, wherein the readiness indicator gate is supported by the inflatable platform section and is configured to deploy proximate the exit door during inflation of the inflatable platform section.

[0058] Example 11 includes an evacuation slide assembly for an aircraft, the evacuation slide assembly comprising: an inflatable platform section; an inflatable slide section coupled to the inflatable platform section; a readiness indicator gate coupled to the inflatable platform section; and an anchor release coupled to the readiness indicator gate and configured to move the readiness indicator gate from an unready position to a ready position in response to inflation of the inflatable slide section.

[0059] Example 12 includes the evacuation slide assembly of example 11, wherein the readiness indicator gate includes an inflatable arm.

[0060] Example 13 includes the evacuation slide assembly of example 11, wherein the readiness indicator gate includes a retractable strap.

[0061] Example 14 includes the evacuation slide assembly of Example 11, wherein the anchor release comprises an inflatable body configured to be inflated after the inflatable platform section and the inflatable slide section are inflated.

[0062] Example 15 includes an evacuation slide assembly according to Example 11, wherein the readiness indicator gate is configured to extend laterally along the inflatable platform section in the unready position and is configured to extend upward relative to the inflatable platform section in the ready position, thereby indicating that the inflatable slide section is ready for a user to evacuate from the aircraft onto the inflatable platform section.

[0063] Example 16 includes an evacuation slide assembly according to Example 11, further comprising a tether that couples the readiness indicator gate and the anchor release together when in the unready position, wherein the anchor release is configured to be inflated to release the tether to assist in moving the readiness indicator gate to the ready position.

[0064] Example 17 includes an aircraft comprising: a fuselage having at least one exit door; a wing attached to the fuselage; a truss coupled to the wing and the fuselage; and an inflatable slide assembly attached to the fuselage and including a readiness indicator, wherein the inflatable slide assembly is deployable above the truss and below the at least one exit door.

[0065] Example 18 includes an aircraft according to Example 17, wherein the readiness indicator includes a gate operable in response to inflation of the inflatable slide assembly, the gate being configured to extend along the at least one exit door when the readiness indicator is in the unready position, thereby indicating that the inflatable slide assembly is not ready for passenger exit from the at least one exit door.

[0066] Example 19 includes an aircraft according to Example 17, wherein the inflatable slide assembly includes a platform section and a slide section, wherein the platform section is configured to support a readiness indicator and is configured to be inflated above the truss and supported by the truss when inflated, and wherein the slide section is configured to be inflated from a side of the platform section and toward the ground.

[0067] Example 20 includes an aircraft according to Example 19, wherein the inflatable slide assembly includes an anchor release and a tether coupled between the platform segment and the readiness indicator, wherein the anchor release is configured to be inflated and release the tether to enable the readiness indicator to move from the unready position to the ready position in response to inflation of the inflatable slide assembly.

[0068] The attached claims are hereby incorporated by reference into this detailed description. Although certain exemplary systems, devices, articles and methods have been disclosed herein, the coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all systems, devices, articles and methods that fall completely within the scope of the claims of this patent.

Claims

1. An evacuation slide assembly for an aircraft (100), the evacuation slide assembly (206) comprising: an inflatable slide body (208, 210) attachable to the aircraft and configured to be inflated in response to an evacuation event; as well as A readiness indicator gate (300, 400, 500) is supported by the inflatable slide body, wherein during inflation of the inflatable slide body, the readiness indicator gate is movable from an unready position to a ready position, wherein in the unready position, the readiness indicator gate indicates that the inflatable slide body is not ready for use, and in the ready position, the readiness indicator gate indicates that the inflatable slide body is ready for a user to evacuate from the aircraft onto the inflatable slide body.

2. The evacuation slide assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The readiness indicator gate includes a first inflatable arm (302) and a second inflatable arm (304).

3. The evacuation slide assembly of claim 2, further comprising: Anchor release member (310); a first tether (312) releasably coupling the first inflatable arm to the anchor release; as well as A second tether (314) releasably couples the second inflatable arm to the anchor release member.

4. The evacuation slide assembly of claim 3, wherein: The anchor release (310) includes an inflatable body configured to be inflated in response to inflation of the inflatable slide body (208, 210) to disengage the first tether (312) and the second tether (314) from the anchor release, thereby enabling the ready indicator gate (300) to move to the ready position.

5. The evacuation slide assembly of claim 3, further comprising: a first auxiliary strap (316) connected between the first inflatable arm (302) and the inflatable slide body (208, 210); as well as A second auxiliary strip (318) is coupled between the second inflatable arm (304) and the inflatable slide body (208, 210), the first auxiliary strip and the second auxiliary strip being used to help the ready indicator gate (300) move to the ready position.

6. The evacuation slide assembly of claim 1, further comprising: An anchor release member (310) configured to be inflatable; as well as A tether (312) is coupled to the readiness indicator door (300, 400) and to the anchor release, the tether being configured to disengage from the anchor release in response to inflation of the anchor release to enable the readiness indicator door to move to the ready position.

7. The evacuation slide assembly of claim 1, wherein: The ready indicator gate (300, 400) is configured to extend upward when the ready indicator gate is in the ready position.

8. The evacuation slide assembly of claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary strap (316) coupled between the readiness indicator gate (300, 400) and the inflatable slide body (208, 210) to assist in moving the readiness indicator gate to the ready position.

9. The evacuation slide assembly of claim 1, further comprising an anchor release (310) coupled to the readiness indicator gate (300, 400, 500), wherein: The ready indicator gate is configured to move to the ready position in response to inflation of the anchor release.

10. The evacuation slide assembly of claim 1, wherein: The inflatable slide body (208, 210) includes an inflatable platform section (208) and an inflatable slide section (210), the inflatable platform section being configured to deploy from a fuselage (106) of the aircraft (100) above a truss (102) of the aircraft and below an exit door (204), wherein the readiness indicator gate (300, 400, 500) is supported by the inflatable platform section and is configured to deploy adjacent the exit door during inflation of the inflatable platform section.

11. An evacuation slide assembly (206) for an aircraft (100), the evacuation slide assembly comprising: an inflatable platform section (208); An inflatable slide section (210) coupled to the inflatable platform section; a readiness indicator gate (300, 400, 500) coupled to the inflatable platform section; as well as An anchor release (310) is coupled to the readiness indicator gate and is configured to move the readiness indicator gate from an unready position to a ready position in response to inflation of the inflatable slide section.

12. The evacuation slide assembly of claim 11, wherein: The readiness indicator gate (300, 400) includes an inflatable arm (302, 304, 402).

13. The evacuation slide assembly of claim 11, wherein: The readiness indicator gate (500) includes a retractable strap (502).

14. The evacuation slide assembly of claim 11, wherein: The anchor release (310) includes an inflatable body configured to be inflated after the inflatable platform section (208) and the inflatable slide section (210) are inflated.

15. The evacuation slide assembly of claim 11, wherein: The readiness indicator gate (300, 400) is configured to extend laterally along the inflatable platform section (208) in the not-ready position; and is configured to extend upwardly relative to the inflatable platform section in the ready position, thereby indicating that the inflatable slide section is ready for a user to evacuate from the aircraft onto the inflatable platform section.

16. The evacuation slide assembly of claim 11, further comprising a tether (312) coupling the ready indicator gate and the anchor release (310) together when the ready indicator gate (300, 400, 500) is in the unready position, wherein: The anchor release is configured to be inflated to release the tether, thereby facilitating movement of the ready indicator door to the ready position.

17. An aircraft (100), comprising: a fuselage (106) having at least one exit door (204); a wing (108) attached to the fuselage; a truss (102) coupled to the wing and the fuselage; as well as An inflatable slide assembly (206) attached to the fuselage and including a readiness indicator (300, 400, 500), wherein the inflatable slide assembly is deployable above the truss and below the at least one exit door.

18. The aircraft of claim 17, wherein: The readiness indicator (300, 400, 500) includes a gate (302, 304, 402, 502) operable in response to inflation of the inflatable slide assembly (206), the gate being configured to extend along the at least one exit door (204) when the readiness indicator is in a not-ready position, thereby indicating that the inflatable slide assembly is not ready for passengers to exit from the at least one exit door.

19. The aircraft of claim 17, wherein: The inflatable slide assembly (206) includes a platform section (208) and a slide section (210), wherein the platform section is configured to support the readiness indicator (300, 400, 500) and is configured to be inflated above the truss (102) and supported by the truss when inflated, and wherein the slide section is configured to be inflated from one side of the platform section and toward the ground.

20. The aircraft of claim 19, wherein: The inflatable slide assembly (206) includes an anchor release (310) and a tether (312) coupled between the platform section (208) and the readiness indicator (300, 400, 500), wherein the anchor release is configured to be inflated and release the tether to enable the readiness indicator to move from an unready position to a ready position in response to inflation of the inflatable slide assembly.

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