Mechanical Oxygen Initiator Locking for Leak-Free Lance Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency oxygen systems in aircraft experience oxygen leakage issues due to inconsistent friction from O-rings holding the lance, leading to unintended loss of oxygen or reduced flow to masks.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical restrictor-based oxygen initiator system that includes a biasing member, spring, and translating member to securely lock the lance in the deployed state, using a wedge, semi-circle, or square-shaped configuration to prevent retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If O-rings are used to hold the lance in place, then the system structure is simple, but oxygen leakage occurs due to inconsistent friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the friction-based mechanical holding system (O-rings) with a positive mechanical locking system. The restrictor mechanism uses a latch that engages with a notch on the lance, providing deterministic mechanical retention instead of relying on friction. This substitution eliminates the reliability issue of inconsistent friction while maintaining mechanical simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The restrictor mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through spring force. When the lance is inserted, the spring automatically pushes the latch into the engaged position with the notch, requiring no external actuation or complex control systems. The mechanism serves itself by using the insertion motion and spring energy to achieve automatic locking.
2Reliability
If a mechanical restrictor with latch and spring is used to secure the lance, then oxygen leakage is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The restrictor mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a latch element for engagement, a spring for providing force, and a notch on the lance for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to be simple in design while collectively providing robust lance retention. The modular nature reduces overall complexity compared to a monolithic design.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch acts as an intermediary element between the restrictor body and the lance. Instead of directly constraining the lance with complex mechanisms, the latch mediates the connection by engaging with the simple notch feature on the lance. This intermediary approach simplifies both the restrictor structure and the lance design while ensuring reliable retention.
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 mechanical restrictor ensures consistent oxygen flow by maintaining the lance in position post-disc rupture, reducing leakage and ensuring reliable oxygen delivery to passengers.
Implementation Method 1
The mechanical restrictor includes a biasing member, a translating member, and a spring. In various embodiments, the spring is positioned between the biasing member and the translating member.
Data Source
AI summary
A manifold assembly is provided. The manifold assembly includes a pressurized gas manifold, a manifold insert, an initiator, and a mechanical restrictor. The manifold insert is mechanically coupled to the pressurized gas manifold. The initiator is mechanically coupled to the manifold insert. The initiator includes a lance and an initiator mechanism. The initiator mechanism is configured to initiate thereby causing the lance to translate the lance to a deployed state and rupture a rupture disc. The mechanical restrictor is configured to securely lock the lance in the deployed state.