Aircraft Evacuation Slide Gate for Inflation Sequence Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial aircraft evacuation slides in transonic truss-braced wings do not provide a stable horizontal surface for evacuees due to the wing truss obstructing the exit path, and there is a risk of disrupting the inflation sequence if evacuees exit before the slide is fully deployed.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable evacuation slide with a readiness indicator gate that moves from an unready to a ready position during inflation, providing visual cues to inform evacuees when the slide is fully deployed and safe to use, ensuring proper inflation sequence and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If evacuees exit the aircraft immediately when the door opens, then evacuation speed is improved, but the inflation sequence may be disrupted and the slide may not be fully deployed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a readiness indicator gate that provides visual feedback to evacuees about the slide's inflation status. The gate transitions between blocked and unblocked positions based on whether the slide is ready for use, allowing evacuees to make informed decisions about when to exit without disrupting the inflation sequence
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessment of inflation status through the readiness indicator gate before allowing evacuation. The gate remains blocked during inflation to prevent premature exit, and only unblocks when the slide is fully deployed and ready for safe use
2Reliability
If the readiness indicator gate remains blocked during inflation, then evacuation safety is improved, but evacuation time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The readiness indicator gate operates periodically, transitioning from blocked to unblocked status as the inflation progresses. This periodic state change allows the system to maintain safety during inflation while enabling immediate evacuation once ready, minimizing total evacuation time
3Stability of the object's composition
If the slide deploys above the wing truss, then the exit path is obstructed and stability is reduced, but the slide can be positioned below exit doors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the inflatable platform section in a vertical dimension above the wing truss during deployment, then transitions it to a horizontal position below the exit door. This dimensional transition allows the slide to clear the truss obstruction while maintaining a stable final position for evacuees
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
The readiness indicator gate ensures that evacuees wait until the slide is fully inflated, preventing disruption and providing a stable exit path, thus enhancing safety and reliability of the evacuation process.
Implementation Method 1
an inflatable slide body attachable to the aircraft and configured to inflate in response to an evacuation event
Implementation Method 2
a readiness indicator gate supported by the inflatable slide body, wherein the readiness indicator gate is movable from an unready position during inflation of the inflatable slide body, thereby indicating the inflatable slide body is not ready for use, to a ready position thereby indicating readiness of the inflatable slide body
Data Source
AI summary
Example aircraft and aircraft evacuation slides and related methods are disclosed herein. An example evacuation slide assembly for an aircraft disclosed herein includes an inflatable slide body attachable to the aircraft and configured to inflate in response to an evacuation event, and a readiness indicator gate supported by the inflatable slide body, wherein the readiness indicator gate is movable from an unready position during inflation of the inflatable slide body, thereby indicating the inflatable slide body is not ready for use, to a ready position thereby indicating readiness of the inflatable slide body for user egress from the aircraft onto the inflatable slide body.