Pressurized Actuation for Inflatable Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing deployment systems for inflatable structures in aircraft, such as life rafts and flotation devices, lack a safety feature to prevent inadvertent deployment during flight or ground maintenance, and often require complex mechanical or electrical systems that may fail in emergency situations, especially in rotorcrafts.
Innovation Solution
A pressurized actuator system with a secondary source of pressurized fluid and a pressure-responsive transducer to ensure controlled and independent deployment of inflatable structures, featuring a shear pin mechanism to prevent inadvertent activation during flight and a secondary valve assembly for sequential deployment of primary and secondary inflatables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mechanical cable and pulley system is used to actuate inflation valves from a remote location, then the inflation system can be activated from the cockpit, but the cables must be properly sized, sufficiently taut, lubricated, and in good working order which increases system complexity and potential failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical cable and pulley system with a pneumatic actuation system. A pneumatic valve receives pressurized gas from a storage container and directs it to the inflation valve, eliminating the need for mechanical cables and pulleys while maintaining remote activation capability from the cockpit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a pneumatic system where a pressurized gas container stores compressed gas that actsuates a pneumatic valve, which in turn directs gas flow to the inflation valve. This pneumatic mechanism simplifies the actuation system compared to mechanical cable systems while providing reliable remote activation.
2Extent of automation
If electrical systems with solenoid valves are used for deployment, then the system can be actuated electrically, but there may not be enough electrical current to actuate the solenoid valve or set off the explosive charge in emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical solenoid valve system with a pneumatic actuation system. The pneumatic valve is actuated by pressurized gas from a storage container, providing a more reliable actuation method that does not depend on electrical current availability, especially in emergency situations where power may be compromised.
3Reliability
If pyrotechnic mechanisms with explosive charges are used for valve activation, then the valve can be actuated reliably, but the explosive charge may not be set off if there is not enough electrical current available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pyrotechnic explosive charge system with a pneumatic actuation system. The pneumatic valve uses pressurized gas to directly actuate the inflation valve, eliminating the need for explosive charges and electrical current while maintaining reliable actuation capability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If external mounting of inflatable rafts is used to maximize space in the fuselage, then more equipment and supplies can be transported, but inadvertent deployment during flight or ground maintenance becomes possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a safety pin that must be removed before the pneumatic valve can be actuated. This preliminary safety measure prevents inadvertent deployment during flight or ground maintenance, as the safety pin physically blocks the actuation mechanism until intentionally removed by authorized personnel.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety pin serves as an intermediary protective element between the pneumatic valve and the actuation mechanism. By requiring the safety pin to be removed first, the system adds a controlled intermediate step that prevents accidental activation while allowing intentional deployment when the safety pin is deliberately removed.
5Ease of operation
If a single activation device is used for both primary inflatables and secondary life rafts, then the deployment process is simplified, but the secondary inflatable cannot be deployed independently or in sequence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the activation system into separate control mechanisms for primary inflatables and secondary life rafts. The primary inflatables are actuated by a first pneumatic valve, while the secondary life raft is actuated by a second pneumatic valve that remains blocked by a safety pin. This segmentation allows independent activation of each inflatable type while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control through the safety pin mechanism on the secondary valve. The safety pin can be removed to enable secondary inflatable deployment, or left in place to prevent activation. This dynamic element allows the system to adapt between different deployment scenarios (primary only, secondary only, or both) while maintaining operational simplicity.
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 allows for reliable, safe, and controlled deployment of inflatable structures, ensuring that secondary inflatables like life rafts are activated only after primary inflatables have been deployed, reducing the risk of accidental activation during flight or maintenance and simplifying the actuation process.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure-responsive primary transducer operative to open the primary valve
Implementation Method 2
a secondary source of pressurized fluid adapted for operating the primary transducer
Implementation Method 3
a pressurized actuator system that utilizes pneumatic or hydraulic force
Data Source
AI summary
A pressurized actuator system for independent deployment of at least two inflatable structures having a first primary section adapted for deployment of a primary inflatable structure and second section for deployment of a secondary inflatable structure and an auxiliary source of pressurized fluid for operating said device. A control assembly for controlling a flow of pressurized fluid from the auxiliary source of pressurized into the second system is provided. Thus, the system assures independent deployment of the primary and secondary inflatable structures.