Actuator Box Assembly for Aircraft Emergency Floatation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency flotation systems for aircraft lack a redundant trigger mechanism, making them unreliable in situations where primary electrical or manual activation fails, such as during an electrical failure or when the aircraft is forced to land in water.
Innovation Solution
An actuator box assembly that integrates both manual and electrical trigger systems, allowing for separate mounting from the inflation fluid source, with a pivot member mechanically coupling input actuators to activate the valve for inflation, ensuring deployment regardless of trigger system failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single trigger system is used for emergency flotation deployment, then the system structure is simple, but the reliability is insufficient because there is no redundant activation mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple trigger systems (electrical trigger and manual pull cord trigger) into a single integrated actuator box assembly. Both triggers share common components including the valve, pivot member, and housing, thereby improving reliability through redundancy while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity through consolidation.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator box assembly is designed as a multi-functional unit that can be activated by either electrical signal or manual mechanical pull. The single assembly performs multiple functions: it houses both trigger mechanisms, provides the pivot member for mechanical advantage, controls the valve, and serves as the interface to the inflation fluid source, eliminating the need for separate trigger assemblies.
2Ease of operation
If the actuator box assembly is mounted separate from the inflation fluid source, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional mounting and interface requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate functional modules: the actuator box assembly containing the trigger mechanisms and the inflation fluid source. This segmentation allows the actuator to be mounted separately from the fluid source, improving ease of operation and allowing independent installation and maintenance of each component while reducing the risk of contamination or damage to the fluid source.
Solution Approach 2:
A valve serves as the intermediary component between the actuator box assembly and the inflation fluid source. The valve receives mechanical or electrical actuation from the actuator and translates it into controlled fluid flow to the inflatable device. This intermediary allows the actuator to be positioned separately from the fluid source while maintaining reliable mechanical coupling through the valve mechanism.
3Reliability
If manual and electrical controls connect directly to the valve fitting, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because one control may hinder the operation of the other
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot member acts as a mechanical intermediary that mediates between the electrical actuator and the manual pull cord. It provides a common mechanical interface that responds to either actuator type without interference. The pivot member's geometric design ensures that electrical actuation and manual pulling operate independently and reliably, with each control capable of fully actuating the valve without being hindered by the other.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides a reliable means to deploy emergency flotation devices by allowing either electrical or manual activation of the inflation valve, ensuring the system functions even in case of electrical failure, enhancing safety and operational flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
The input actuators and the output actuator are mechanically coupled by the pivot member so that actuation of either input actuator activates the output actuator to deploy the floatation system. The dimensions of the pivot member may be selected to provide a mechanical advantage when utilizing the manual trigger assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
An emergency floatation system for an aircraft includes an actuator box assembly that activates the floatation system either electrically or manually. The actuator box assembly is separated from a valve assembly of an inflation reservoir and provides an interface between an electromechanical trigger system and a redundant mechanical trigger system. The actuator box includes a pivot member that provides an interface for the redundant trigger systems and an output actuator. For normal operation a button in the cockpit is pressed which sends an electrical signal to an electromechanical actuator in the actuator box assembly. The electromechanical actuator rotates the pivot member, which operates the output actuator and opens the valve assembly. Alternatively, should the electrical system of the aircraft fail, the pilot or other occupant may activate the mechanical trigger system, thereby rotating the pivot member and activating the output actuator to open the valve assembly.