Inflation Pouch With Fastener Seals For Emergency Raft Repair
Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft inflatable structures such as life rafts and slides often suffer from punctures or tears during emergencies, necessitating a readily accessible means to manually inflate and maintain pressure.
Innovation Solution
An inflation pouch with a border on one end and a nozzle on the other, which can be sealed using zipping or hook and loop fasteners, is used to direct fluid into an inflatable structure's inflation valve, allowing for manual inflation and pressure maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual inflation is implemented to remedy punctures or tears, then reliability of inflatable structures is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for additional inflation equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable structure's border tube serves dual purposes: it is both part of the inflatable structure itself and functions as the inflation device. The border tube can be manually inflated by occupants through its inflation valve, eliminating the need for separate pump devices. This self-service approach maintains reliability while minimizing additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The border tube of the inflatable structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides structural support as part of the inflatable itself, and simultaneously serves as the inflation device for remedying punctures or tears. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated inflation equipment.
2Ease of operation
If a pump is made readily accessible to occupants, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The border tube serves as both the inflatable structure component and the inflation device, eliminating the need for separate pump equipment that would add complexity and weight while requiring accessibility to occupants.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable structure inflates itself through its own border tube when occupants manually inflate it via the inflation valve, eliminating the need for separate accessible pump devices that would add weight and complexity.
3Reliability
If manual inflation is used to maintain operating pressure, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to manual intervention required
Solution Approach 1:
The border tube enables self-inflation of the inflatable structure through manual operation by occupants. While this requires manual intervention, the integrated design allows for rapid inflation directly through the structure's own border tube without needing to locate and operate separate pump equipment, thus minimizing time loss while maintaining reliability.
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 efficient manual inflation and pressure maintenance of inflatable structures like life rafts and slides, ensuring their functionality in emergency situations.
Implementation Method 1
applying force to the first end of the inflation pouch towards the nozzle. The force may direct the fluid through the nozzle to the interior volume of the inflatable structure
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for an inflation pouch. The inflation pouch may include a border on a first end and a nozzle on a second end, wherein the border defines an interior volume of the inflation pouch, and the interior volume is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The border further comprises a zipping fastener or a hook and loop fastener. The nozzle may couple with an inflation valve of an inflatable structure. The interior volume of the inflation pouch is in fluid communication with an interior volume of the inflatable structure.