Mixed Flow Compressor Inflation Without Compressed Gas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inflation systems for safety devices like evacuation slides and life rafts rely on compressed gas, which is hazardous, difficult to transport, and limited to single-use, posing challenges due to size, weight, and leakage concerns, especially in aircraft where space and weight are critical.
Innovation Solution
An electrically powered mixed flow compressor system that uses ambient air to generate high-pressure airflow for rapid inflation of inflatable structures, eliminating the need for pressurized gas containers by employing a battery-powered motor and compressor wheel designed for diagonal airflow, allowing for efficient and rapid inflation of evacuation slides and life rafts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If compressed gas containers are used for inflation, then rapid inflation can be achieved, but weight and size increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gas storage function from the system by eliminating compressed gas containers entirely. Instead of storing compressed gas, the system uses an electric motor-driven compressor to generate compressed air on-demand from ambient air, removing the weight and size burden of gas cylinders while maintaining rapid inflation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical compressed gas storage system with an electro-mechanical system consisting of an electric motor and compressor. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy gas containers while providing controlled compression of ambient air to achieve the same inflation effect
2Speed
If compressed gas containers are used for inflation, then rapid inflation can be achieved, but the system becomes limited to single use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the system to refill its own air supply from ambient air. The electric motor-driven compressor can continuously compress ambient air to replenish the air supply, allowing multiple inflation cycles without requiring external gas refilling or replacement of gas containers
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and reuses ambient air through the compressor, which continuously draws in and compresses atmospheric air to maintain the air supply. This eliminates the single-use limitation of compressed gas containers by establishing a sustainable air replenishment cycle
3Stress or pressure
If compressed gas containers are used for inflation, then sufficient pressure can be delivered, but safety risks increase due to leakage and transport hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of carrying hazardous compressed gas into a benefit by using the ambient air environment as the air source. The system compresses harmless atmospheric air on-demand, eliminating safety risks associated with transporting and storing pressurized gas containers while still delivering the required inflation pressure
Solution Approach 2:
The electric motor-driven compressor acts as an intermediary device that safely mediates between ambient air and the inflation system. It compresses air to the required pressure level without requiring the storage of high-pressure gas, thereby eliminating the safety hazards of compressed gas containers
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 system achieves rapid inflation of safety devices within the required time frames, reducing weight, size, and safety risks while providing multiple uses without the need for gas storage, maintaining performance across extreme temperatures and water-based environments.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor configured to impart rotational speed to the compressor wheel
Implementation Method 2
a compressor wheel mounted with respect to a motor mount and a compressor housing... in use, ambient air enters the intake inlet along the inlet axis and exits the compressor wheel at a diagonal angle with respect to the inlet axis
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to inflation systems. Specific embodiments relate to inflation systems that use a mixed flow compressor to deliver a diagonal airflow for inflation. The inflation systems disclosed do not require the use of compressed gas, but can use a battery-powered or otherwise electric motor for generating airflow from ambient air. Particular embodiments may find use in connection with inflating evacuation slides or life rafts on board a passenger transportation vehicle, such as an aircraft or marine vessel. Other embodiments may be used for inflating shelters, life vests, or any other safety device that requires a rapid inflation.