Seat pan adjustment and control systems and methods for controlling seat pan adjustment

Abstract

A seat pan 104 adjustment system 120, for an ejection seat, has a controller 170 configured to send a series of in-flight actuation commands to a first actuator 1221 which adjusts the position of a fi

Description

FIELD 1] The present disclosure relates to ejection seats and, more specifically, to seat pan adjustment and control systems and methods for controlling seat pan adjustment. BACKGROUND

[0002] Certain aircraft may include ejection systems designed to ej ect a member of the flight crew from the aircraft in certain situations. These ejection systems typically include an ejection seat in which the member of the flight crew is located during flight. During a long flight, the ejection seat occupant may experience discomfort due to, for example, the occupant’s legs “falling asleep”, lack of movement, prolonged pressure in a particular area of the body (e.g., the coccyx), and / or lack of blood flow to the legs. This discomfort can limit the occupant’s ability to maneuver the aircraft and / or may lead to shorter flight times. SUMMARY 0003] An ejection seat is disclosed according to claim 1.

[0004] In various embodiments, the first side panel may be located along a first side of the seat pan. The second side panel may be located along a second side of the seat pan opposite the first side of the seat pan. A first guide pin may be coupled to the first side of the seat pan and located in a first pin channel defined by an inboard surface of the first side panel. A second guide pm may be coupled to the second side of the seat pan and located m a second pin channel defined by an inboard surface of the second side panel.

[0005] In various embodiments, the first actuator may be located proximate the first side of the seat pan, and the second actuator may be located proximate the second side of the seat pan. In various embodiments, actuation of the primary actuator may cause the seat pan, the first actuator, and the second actuator to translate relative to the seat back.

[0006] In various embodiments, the primary actuator may be located under the seat pan. In various embodiments, the primary actuator may be configured to remain stationary and the first actuator and the second actuator may translate with the seat pan during expulsion of the ejection seat. In various embodiments, the controller may be configured to send an initial actuation command to at least the primary actuator to position the seat pan at an occupant-specific starting position. The controller may send the in-flight actuation commands to at least one of the first actuator or the second actuator at a pre-selected time interval after sending the initial actuation command to the primary actuator. 0007] In various embodiments, the seat pan adjustment system may further comprise a third actuator configured to adjust a position of a third area of the seat pan, and a fourth actuator configured to adjust a position of a fourth area of the seat pan. The first actuator may be located proximate a left-front of the seat pan, the second actuator may be located proximate a right-front of the seat pan, the third actuator may be located proximate a left-back of the seat pan, and the fourth actuator may be located proximate a right-back of the seat pan.

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[0019] The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated herein otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation of the disclosed embodiments will become more apparent in light of the following description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. A more complete understanding of the present disclosure, however, may best be obtained by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the following figures, like reference numbers refer to similar elements and steps throughout the figures. ] FIG. 1 illustrates an ejection seat being launched from an aircraft cockpit, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates an ejection seat, in accordance with various embodiments;

Claims

07 10 241. An ejection seat, comprising:a seat back;a first side panel;a second side panel;a seat pan configured to translate relative to the seat back; anda seat pan adjustment system configured to adjust a positioning of the seat pan, the seat pan adjustment system comprising:a first actuator configured to adjust a position of a first area of the seat pan;a second actuator configured to adjust a position of a second area of the seat pan;a plate coupled to the first side panel and the second side panel;a primary actuator operably coupled to the seat pan; anda controller configured to send in-flight actuation commands to the first actuator and the second actuator;wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are located between the plate and the seat pan; andwherein the first actuator and the second actuator are configured to translate with the seat pan during expulsion of the ejection seat; and wherein the primary actuator is configured to remain in the aircraft during expulsion of the ejection seat.

2. The ejection seat of claim 1, further comprising:the first side panel being located along a first side of the seat pan;07 10 24the second side panel being located along a second side of the seat pan opposite the first side of the seat pan;a first guide pin coupled to the first side of the seat pan and located in a first pin channel defined by an inboard surface of the first side panel; anda second guide pin coupled to the second side of the seat pan and located in a second pin channel defined by an inboard surface of the second side panel.

3. The ejection seat of claim 2, wherein the first actuator is located proximate the first side of the seat pan, and wherein the second actuator is located proximate the second side of the seat pan.

4. The ejection seat of claim 3, wherein actuation of the primary actuator causes the seat pan, the first actuator, and the second actuator to translate relative to the seat back.

5. The ejection seat of claim 4, wherein the primary actuator is located under the seat pan.

6. The ejection seat of claim 5, wherein the primary actuator is configured to remain stationary and the first actuator and the second actuator translate with the seat pan during expulsion of the ejection seat.

7. The ejection seat of claim 4, wherein the controller is configured to send an initial actuation command to at least the primary actuator to position the seat pan at an occupantspecific starting position, and wherein the controller sends the in-flight actuation commandsto at least one of the first actuator or the second actuator at a pre-selected time interval after sending the initial actuation command to the primary actuator.

8. The ejection seat of any preceding claim, wherein the seat pan adjustment system further comprises:a third actuator configured to adjust a position of a third area of the seat pan; anda fourth actuator configured to adjust a position of a fourth area of the seat pan, wherein the first actuator is located proximate a left-front of the seat pan, the second actuator is located proximate a right-front of the seat pan, the third actuator is located proximate a left-back of the seat pan, and the fourth actuator is located proximate a right-back of the seat pan.07 10 24

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