Drop Stitch Inflatable Evacuation Slide Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current aircraft evacuation systems have large pack sizes due to the combination of inflatable slides, support structures, and charge cylinders, which can be cumbersome and inefficient in emergency situations.

Innovation Solution

The use of a drop stitch inflatable structure for evacuation slides, comprising layers with gas-impermeable skins and drop stitch yarns that maintain shape and stability upon inflation, reducing the need for transverse support tubes and smaller side rails, thereby decreasing the overall pack size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional inflatable slides with support tubes and straps are used, then structural strength is improved, but pack volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidpack volume

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a drop stitch fabric construction where perpendicular yarns create rigid panels when inflated, eliminating the need for traditional support tubes and straps. The fabric itself forms the structural shell, reducing pack volume while maintaining buckling resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The slide is divided into multiple inflatable chambers separated by bulkhead seams, with each chamber containing perpendicular yarn structures. This segmentation allows the fabric to maintain structural integrity through distributed rigid panels while reducing overall material requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of stationary object

If the number of support structures is reduced, then pack size decreases, but structural stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepack sizeVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The drop stitch fabric creates rigid panels through its perpendicular yarn construction that resists buckling loads. When inflated, the fabric panels maintain structural stability without requiring additional support tubes or straps, eliminating the trade-off between pack size and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

This solution reduces the inflatable volume and pack size of the evacuation system, allowing for smaller charge cylinders and faster inflation, while maintaining structural integrity and stability against buckling loads.

Implementation Method 1

The first skin and the second skin may each comprise a gas impermeable material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas impermeability: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

The first skin may be bonded to the second skin to form airtight seal about a perimeter of the sliding structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS11673674B2Evacuation slide having drop stitch inflatable structure

Publication Date: 2023.06.13 GOODRICH CORP

AI summary

An evacuation slide may comprise a first side rail, a second side rail, and a sliding structure. The first side rail and the second side rail may each extend from a head end of the evacuation slide to a toe end of the evacuation slide. The sliding structure may be located between the first side rail and the second side rail. The sliding structure may comprise a drop stitch fabric.