Inflatable Evacuation Slide Stretch Control System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inflatable evacuation systems lack efficient control over inflation pressure, leading to variations due to temperature and fabric stretch, which can result in excess gas usage and maintenance issues with pressure relief valves.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop inflation control system that uses a stretch sensor and temperature sensor to provide real-time data for a controller to manage the flow of pressurized gas, eliminating the need for pressure relief valves by maintaining desired pressure and stretch through a valve module and aspirator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If excess gas is stored in the cylinder to adjust for temperature variations, then the inflatable can be inflated to the set pressure, but excess gas must be vented through pressure relief valves causing gas loss and system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a stretch sensor that provides real-time feedback on the inflatable's elastic deformation, which correlates with internal pressure. The controller receives this feedback and dynamically adjusts the main inflation valve to regulate gas flow, eliminating the need for pressure relief valves and preventing gas loss while maintaining consistent inflation pressure across temperature variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The stretch sensor mounted on the inflatable directly measures the structure's own elastic response to pressure, providing self-diagnostic capability. This self-measurement enables the system to autonomously regulate inflation without external pressure monitoring equipment or venting mechanisms, reducing both gas consumption and system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If a stretch sensor is mounted to the inflatable to provide real-time stretch data, then closed-loop control can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stretch sensor is mounted directly on the flexible fabric surface of the inflatable structure itself, utilizing the structure's inherent elasticity as the sensing medium. This approach eliminates the need for separate rigid pressure vessels or complex pressure transducers, achieving precise pressure monitoring while maintaining system simplicity through integration with the inflatable's existing flexible architecture.
3Loss of information
If the inflatable fabric stretches in response to increasing pressure, then stretch properties can indicate internal pressure, but stretch varies with temperature making measurement interpretation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously receives stretch data from the sensor and dynamically adjusts gas flow to maintain the inflatable within optimal stretch parameters. This closed-loop feedback automatically compensates for temperature-induced stretch variations, ensuring accurate pressure indication across different thermal conditions without requiring manual calibration or complex interpretation algorithms.
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 system ensures precise control over inflation, reduces gas consumption, minimizes maintenance, and maintains consistent performance across temperatures by automatically adjusting gas flow based on stretch and temperature data, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of inflatable evacuation systems.
Implementation Method 1
the inflatable primarily consists of a fabric that has a finite elasticity. As a result, the fabric will stretch in response to the pressure increasing inside the inflatable during the inflation process.
Implementation Method 2
The stretch properties of the inflatable fabric vary with temperature. At higher temperatures, the stretch will be higher than the stretch observed in the inflatable at room temperature when inflated to the same pressure.
Implementation Method 3
a valve module connected to the source of the pressurized gas and configured to control a flow of the pressurized gas to the inflatable
Data Source
AI summary
An inflation control system for an inflatable is disclosed. In various embodiments, the inflation control system includes a source of a pressurized gas; a valve module connected to the source of the pressurized gas and configured to control a flow of the pressurized gas to the inflatable; a stretch sensor configured for mounting to the inflatable and to provide a real-time stretch data of an elastic deformation of the inflatable; and a controller configured to receive the real-time stretch data and to transmit a control signal to the valve module to control the flow of the pressurized gas to the inflatable.