Bunker training simulator

Abstract

The invention relates to a dunker simulator comprising a set of equipment and environments that accurately replicate the nature of an emergency, designed to enable pilots of light aircraft to perform the necessary maneuvers for survival following a forced water landing (ditching).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] DUNKER TRAINING SIMULATOR

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The invention relates to a dunker simulator comprising a set of equipment and environments that accurately replicate the nature of an emergency, designed to enable pilots of light aircraft to perform the necessary maneuvers for survival following a forced water landing (ditching).

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] Small aircraft traffic is steadily increasing both globally and in our country. Especially inexperienced and student pilots frequently fly over wetlands due to limited airspace availability. In the event of a potential emergency landing, a water landing — while it can reduce the impact severity and increase the chance of survival — often results in fatal outcomes, primarily due to drowning or the inability to exit the aircraft. The simulator subject to the invention is of critical importance for enabling pilots to learn and become accustomed to the essential survival maneuvers under realistic and controlled conditions in such scenarios. Currently, training programs addressing this problem and need are designed exclusively for helicopters. There is no simulator available that replicates the characteristic behavior of light aircraft, specifically those used for training purposes worldwide, during a water landing.

[0007] AIM OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The aim of the invention is to provide a simulator that does not require the heavy equipment, advanced technology, specialized environment, or high costs typically associated with simulators used for helicopter water landings. The invention features a very simple, lightweight, and mechanically movable structure, without any software systems or electronic components, allowing it to be used in confined spaces.

[0009] FIGURE LIST

[0010] Figure 1 . Front View of the Invention

[0011] Figure 2. Rear View of the Invention

[0012] Figure 3. Right Side View of the Invention

[0013] Figure 4. Left Side View of the Invention Figure 5. Front View of the Cabin

[0014] Figure 6. Rear View of the Cabin

[0015] Numbered parts shown in the figures:

[0016] 1 : Cabin

[0017] 1a : Seat

[0018] 1 b : Seat

[0019] 1c : Seat belt

[0020] 1d : Wheels

[0021] 1e : Rope attachment point

[0022] 1f : Pulley

[0023] 1g : Front panel

[0024] 2 : Rail

[0025] 2a : Trolley

[0026] 3 : Motor

[0027] 3a : Electric control panel

[0028] 4 : Steel cable

[0029] 5 : Trolley

[0030] 6 : Hand winch

[0031] 7 : Steel cable

[0032] Z : Door

[0033] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] The dunker simulator is a set of devices and environments designed to realistically replicate the nature of a ditching event, enabling pilots of light aircraft to practice and perform the maneuvers required to escape after an emergency water landing. The structure includes a cabin resembling the cockpit section of an aircraft, in which the pilot would normally be seated. This cabin is mounted on a mechanism that allows it to move in a way that simulates a forward-axis rollover, a motion commonly referred to as cabotage.

[0035] The main component of the invention is a cabin (1) section, which forms the cockpit portion of a single-engine aircraft to be simulated. The cabin (1) is manufactured at the same scale as the cockpit and a small portion of the front section of a typical single-engine aircraft. The reason for this is that, during an emergency water landing, the sections that pilots must struggle with are these specific parts. The cabin (1 ) includes two seats (1a, 1 b) (Figure 5).

[0036] The cabin (1) is positioned to move along a rail (2). The cabin (1) travels from the rearmost point of the rail (2) toward the front, and upon reaching the foremost point, it flips forward around its own axis, specifically, around the wheels (1d) mounted at the front, and falls into a pool located in front of it. Here, the pool is present to simulate a forced water landing during an actual flight. A motor (3) and an electric control panel (3a) that controls the motor are used to enable the falling motion.

[0037] The motor (3) pulls a steel cable (4). When the steel cable (4) is pulled, it pushes the cabin (1 ) forward from its lower rear point via a pulley (1f) located at the end of the trolley (5) mounted on the cabin (1 ). When the wheels (1d) reach the end of the rail (2), the motor (3) continues to pull, causing the cabin (1 ) to rotate forward and perform a somersault.

[0038] After the cabin (1 ) performs the somersault and the underwater training inside the pool is completed, the cabin (1) is pulled back to its original position by turning a hand winch (6), which pulls another steel cable (7). In this way, the system is reset to its starting position.

[0039] In the invention, the trainee sits in the left seat (1a). When necessary, the instructor sits in the right seat (1 b). Both seats (1a, 1 b) are equipped with a five-point seat belt (1c).

[0040] The wheels (1d) in the cabin (1) are mounted on an axle (not shown in the figures) and are made of Teflon.

[0041] The pulley system (1f) on the cabin (1) operates via a rope attachment point (1e) placed above the rear axle and a wide pulley (1f) that allows the rope to pass over easily.

[0042] As shown in Figure 1 , the invention includes a front panel (1g). This front panel (1g) has a honeycomb structure that allows rapid water ingress during the cabin's (1 ) impact with the water in the pool, simulating what would happen in a real aircraft.

[0043] To enable the cabin (1 ) to move along the rail (2) with the trolley (2a), the trolley (2a) is reinforced with two columns and beams, fixed in such a way as to prevent lateral movement.

[0044] In the left-side view (Figure 4), the pilot exit door (z), which would be present in an actual aircraft, is shown on the cabin (1 ). However, as seen in the right-side view (Figure 3), there is no door on the opposite side. This doorless design enables safe intervention or emergency exit if needed. During training, the existing door (z) is used for exit drills. This door (z) does not have any locking mechanism and can be opened by pushing.

[0045] The primary driving force of the simulator is gravity; no electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic power sources are used. The only exception is the hand winch (6), which is used to return the simulator to its original position.

[0046] Since the simulator is designed to mimic an emergency water landing and the subsequent events, it is intended for use in a pool environment.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A dunker training simulator, characterized in that it comprises;- a cabin (1 ) configured to be used within a pool for simulating an aircraft’s emergency water landing,- two seats (1a, 1b) located inside the cabin (1),- seat belts (1c) provided on both seats (1a, 1b),- a rail (2) on which the cabin (1) moves,- the wheels (1d) enabling the cabin (1), after moving from the rearmost position to the frontmost position on the rail (2), to perform a forward somersault and fall into the pool located in front of it,- a motor (3) and an electric control panel (3a) controlling said motor (3) to execute the falling motion,- a steel cable (4) pulled by the motor (3),- a trolley (5, 2a) mounted on the cabin (1),- a pulley (1 f),- a rope attachment point (1e) allowing operation of the pulley (1f) system,- a hand winch (6) and a second steel cable (7) enabling the cabin (1) to be pulled back after completing underwater training following the somersault,- a front panel (1g) on the cabin (1) designed to rapidly admit water upon impact, as would occur in a real aircraft,- a pilot exit door (z).

2. The cabin (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it is manufactured in the same dimensions as the cockpit section and a small portion of the front section of a single-engine aircraft.

3. The front panel (1g) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it has a honeycomb structure.

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