Anti-kiting Device for Inflatable Evacuation Slide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inflatable evacuation slides deployed in windy conditions often 'kite' due to wind resistance, preventing the toe end from touching the ground, which compromises safe and controlled passenger evacuation.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable evacuation slide equipped with an anti-kiting device featuring a suction surface panel and internal partitions that create flow channels, providing an arcuate shape to generate downward lift and stabilize the slide during deployment, ensuring it extends to the ground safely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the evacuation slide is deployed in windy conditions, then passenger evacuation can be facilitated, but the wind causes the slide to kite and the toe end does not touch the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful aerodynamic lift force that causes kiting into a beneficial stabilizing mechanism. The anti-kiting device uses the same wind flow that would normally lift the slide to create controlled downward force through its suction surface panel and internal partitions, transforming the kiting problem into a stabilization solution that ensures the toe end contacts the ground while maintaining evacuation functionality
2Speed
If the slide is designed to be lightweight for easy deployment, then deployment speed is improved, but the slide is more susceptible to wind-induced kiting
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-kiting device serves as an intermediary component between the lightweight slide and the wind environment. It mediates the interaction by capturing wind flow through its suction surface panel and internal partitions, converting the harmful aerodynamic forces into controlled downward pressure that stabilizes the slide without requiring the slide itself to be heavier or more structurally complex
3Stability of the object's composition
If the anti-kiting device generates downward lift to prevent kiting, then slide stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-kiting device is segmented into distinct functional components: a suction surface panel for capturing wind flow, internal partitions for directing and controlling airflow patterns, and attachment mechanisms for integration with the slide. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system manageability and ease of manufacture despite the increased complexity
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 anti-kiting device effectively stabilizes the evacuation slide by generating downward lift, preventing 'kiting' and ensuring safe, controlled deployment even in windy conditions, ensuring the slide's toe end contacts the ground for safe passenger egress.
Implementation Method 1
the anti-kiting device includes a suction surface panel having a first side portion attached to an outer surface of the inflatable tube and a second side portion attached to the outer surface of the inflatable tube... configured to provide the suction surface panel with an arcuate shape upon inflation... generating downward lift
Data Source
AI summary
An inflatable evacuation slide is disclosed. The inflatable evacuation slide includes an inflatable tube having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end and an anti-kiting device disposed proximate the second end of the inflatable tube, wherein the anti-kiting device may include a suction surface panel having a first side portion attached to an outer surface of the inflatable tube and a second side portion attached to the outer surface of the inflatable tube.