Evacuation Slide Cover Release Using Magnetostriction Actuators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing evacuation slide release systems in aircraft rely on gas delivery manifolds which need replacement due to the transition to electrically operated aircraft systems, necessitating a new mechanism for blowout panel and soft cover release.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing magnetostriction components, such as Terfenol-D, to actuate the release of blowout panels and soft covers through magnetic field-induced shape changes, replacing the gas-based delivery manifold system with an electrically actuated system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If compressed gas systems are used for blowout panel and soft cover release, then reliable deployment is achieved, but the system complexity and safety risks increase due to high-pressure gas storage requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the compressed gas mechanical system with an electrical system using magnetostriction actuators. These actuators use magnetic fields to directly actuate the release mechanisms for the blowout panel and soft cover, eliminating the need for high-pressure gas storage tanks, valves, and delivery manifolds while maintaining reliable deployment functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates the pneumatic system entirely by substituting it with electrical magnetostriction actuators that convert electrical energy directly into mechanical motion through magnetic field-induced dimensional changes in magnetostriction materials, thereby removing all gas-related components and associated safety risks
2Speed
If compressed gas delivery manifolds are used, then rapid evacuation slide deployment is achieved, but safety hazards increase due to high-pressure gas storage in the aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the high-pressure gas system with electrical magnetostriction actuators that provide rapid, controlled actuation of release mechanisms without storing hazardous energy in the form of compressed gas, thereby eliminating safety hazards associated with gas storage and delivery systems while maintaining rapid deployment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the compressed gas storage and delivery system from the evacuation slide deployment mechanism, retaining only the essential release functionality through electrical actuation, thereby eliminating the harmful factor of high-pressure gas storage while preserving the rapid deployment function
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
Enables reliable and efficient deployment of evacuation slides without compressed gas, ensuring rapid passenger evacuation in emergency situations by using a single power source for both blowout panel and soft cover release.
Implementation Method 1
send a first signal to the first actuator that magnetizes a first magnetostriction material within the first actuator, thereby releasing the blowout panel
Implementation Method 2
the solenoid generates a magnetic field in response to receiving the first signal and where the magnetic field magnetizes the first magnetostriction material
Implementation Method 3
the compression spring provides a compression spring force that holds the spindle against the first magnetostriction material
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for releasing a blowout panel (110) and softcover (206) release of an evacuation slide in an aircraft is provided. The system includes a first actuator (202), a second actuator (212); and a controller. The controller is configured to receive an indication that an evacuation event has begun; and, responsive to receiving the indication of the evacuation event beginning: send a first signal to the first actuator that magnetizes a first magnetostriction material within the first actuator, thereby releasing the blowout panel of a packboard compartment (204) in which the evacuation slide is present; and send a second signal to the second actuator that magnetizes a second magnetostriction material within the second actuator, thereby releasing a key-loop of lacing (210) associated with the softcover in which the evacuation slide is present in the packboard compartment.