Helicopter Rescue Hook with Automatic Tension Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for helicopter rescue operations lack a reliable mechanism to ensure safe automatic release of the rescuer's lanyard during turbulent conditions or when the winching begins prematurely, posing a risk to the helicopter, crew, and personnel.
Innovation Solution
A device with a hook mechanism that includes a third lanyard hooking means and a trigger control mechanism for automatic release when the tension from the helicopter cable exceeds a predetermined threshold, ensuring safe detachment from anchored lanyards and maintaining safety during winching operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the helicopter cable is attached to the rescuer's harness while the rescuer is attached to the wall, then the rescue operation can proceed in vertical terrain, but the helicopter loses freedom of maneuver and risks fatal fall during turbulence or premature winching
Solution Approach 1:
The device is pre-configured with the lanyard already attached to the hook before the rescue operation begins. This preliminary setup allows the rescuer to quickly connect to the helicopter cable without manual intervention during the critical winching phase, enabling rapid deployment while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mechanical intermediary system consisting of a hook, latch, and spring mechanism that mediates between the helicopter cable and the rescuer's lanyard. This intermediary automatically manages the connection state, allowing the helicopter to maintain freedom of maneuver while ensuring the rescuer remains securely attached to the wall during vertical operations
2Productivity
If emergency pyrotechnic devices are used to cut the winching cable, then the helicopter can be freed from the mountain, but the helicopter crew must press the control button at the right time without knowing the exact result
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables automatic self-release functionality where the spring mechanism automatically activates the latch release when the helicopter cable tension exceeds the spring force. This eliminates the need for manual pyrotechnic cutting and pilot intervention, allowing the system to service itself by automatically freeing the helicopter when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-latch mechanism provides continuous mechanical feedback about the tension state between the helicopter cable and the mountain anchor. When the cable tension exceeds the predetermined spring force, the feedback mechanism automatically triggers the latch to open, providing predictable and reliable release based on real-time force conditions
3Ease of operation
If a manual release mechanism is used, then the lanyard can be released under controlled conditions, but the release may not occur automatically during turbulent conditions or premature winching
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism transitions from a static manual release system to a dynamic automatic release system. The spring force creates a dynamic threshold that automatically triggers latch opening when cable tension exceeds the spring force, enabling the system to respond autonomously to changing operational conditions including turbulence and premature winching
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 device provides enhanced safety by automatically releasing the lanyard when the helicopter is in danger, preventing fatal falls and ensuring secure winching operations, while allowing for eight possible configurations to manage different operational scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
a lock subjected to the action of a polarization spring to lock said latch in the closed position in the absence of tension on the first hooking means, and to unlock said latch when the traction force exerted on the first hooking means exceeds that of the spring polarization
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus for securing rescue operations by helihoisting that comprises three attachment means to the helicopter, the lifeguard and the belay tether. A trigger control mechanism includes a mobile pawl (124) pivotally mounted on the hook (1) between a closing position and a release position of the opening (122), respectively for maintaining the tether (3) in the hook (1) and for releasing the same, and a latch (V3) submitted to the action of a polarisation spring (135) for locking said pawl in the closed position in the absence of a tension on the first attachment means, and for unlocking said pawl when the force applied on the first attachment means (131) exceeds that of the polarisation spring. The assembly is arranged for triggering the automatic release of the belay tether that remained attached when the tensioning by the helicopter traction cable exceeds a predetermined threshold.