External Pressure Relief Valve With Deflecting Disk for Inflatable Slides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pressure relief valves in inflatable slides for aircraft evacuation systems are difficult to repair due to their location within the inflatable volume and are made of rigid materials, creating hard spots that complicate folding and packing.
Innovation Solution
A pressure relief valve design featuring a deflecting disk and seal, mounted to a conduit, which deflects away from the housing when internal pressure exceeds a threshold, using a biasing member like a torsion spring to facilitate easy access and reduce noise, and is located externally to avoid hard spots within the slide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pressure relief valve is located within the inflatable volume, then it can effectively vent excess gas, but it becomes difficult to repair and creates hard spots that complicate folding and packing
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure relief valve is extracted from the internal inflatable volume and relocated to the external surface of the inflatable structure. The valve assembly includes a valve body with a valve element that can deflect to open or close the pressure relief opening, allowing the valve to be positioned on the exterior where it is easily accessible for repair while maintaining its pressure relief function.
2Strength
If the pressure relief valve is made from rigid material, then it provides structural strength, but it creates hard spots that make the slide difficult to fold and pack
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly uses locally differentiated material properties: the valve body and opening structure are made from rigid material to provide structural strength and maintain the pressure relief function, while the surrounding inflatable structure remains flexible. This localized rigidity allows the valve to function effectively without preventing the overall flexibility and foldability of the inflatable slide.
3Reliability
If the valve element deflects to open the pressure relief opening, then excess pressure is relieved, but the valve requires a mechanism to control and reset the deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The valve element is designed to dynamically respond to pressure changes through deflection. The valve element can deflect from an initial position to an opened position in response to excessive internal pressure, and can be reset to the initial closed position. This dynamic deflection mechanism provides automatic pressure relief without requiring complex control systems.
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 design allows for easier maintenance and packing of inflatable slides by eliminating hard spots and reducing pressure-induced noise, while effectively managing excess gas pressure without compromising the slide's functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member configured to apply a biasing force against the disk
Implementation Method 2
The biasing member may comprise a torsion spring
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure relief valve may comprise a housing, a disk, and a seal. The disk may be configured to deflect relative to the housing. The seal may form a sealing interface with at least one of the housing or disk. The pressure relief valve may be coupled to an inflatable slide or an aspirator.