Self-Closing Valve for Sequential Evacuation Slide Inflation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional evacuation systems for aircraft and vessels often face issues with the deployment of inflatable slides or rafts, where gravity may not provide sufficient force to ensure timely and jam-free deployment, leading to potential door jams or undesirable orientations during emergency evacuations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a self-closing valve system that allows a single inflation source to inflate multiple inflatable structures, including an ejector bag, which assists in the deployment of evacuation slides or rafts by using a valve closing feature that secures to the inflatable structure and automatically shuts off once the desired inflation level is reached, eliminating the need for separate inflator systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single inflation source is used to inflate multiple inflatable structures, then device complexity is reduced, but inflation control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the inflation control by dividing it into two distinct stages: first, the ejector bag inflates to deploy the slide/raft pack; second, the slide/raft itself inflates to its final operational form. Each stage has its own valve (ejector bag valve and slide/raft valve) that controls inflation independently, allowing a single inflation source to precisely control multiple inflatable structures at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The ejector bag inflates first as a preliminary action to deploy the slide/raft pack from its stowed position. This preliminary inflation sequence ensures that the pack is properly positioned and oriented before the main slide/raft inflation occurs, enabling controlled deployment without requiring multiple inflation sources.
2Device complexity
If gravity alone is used for slide deployment, then system simplicity is maintained, but deployment speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ejector bag performs a preliminary action by inflating first to actively propel the slide/raft pack downward and outward from the aircraft. This preliminary ejection action occurs before the main slide/raft inflation, ensuring rapid initial deployment velocity that overcomes the limitations of gravity alone while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic inflation of the ejector bag to provide the force needed for rapid deployment. The inflation source delivers pressurized gas that expands the ejector bag, creating the mechanical force to quickly eject the slide/raft pack from the aircraft, thereby increasing deployment speed without adding complex mechanical systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate inflator systems are used for ejector bag and slide/raft, then inflation control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments inflation control into separate valves for the ejector bag and the slide/raft, allowing precise control of each inflation stage. Meanwhile, it uses a single shared inflation source that supplies gas to both valves, achieving precise sequential control without the complexity of multiple independent inflation sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The single inflation source is designed with multi-functionality, serving both the ejector bag inflation and the slide/raft inflation through different valve controls. This universal inflation source can deliver gas to either the ejector bag or the slide/raft as needed, providing precise control for multiple functions without requiring separate dedicated inflation systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to valves that provide controlled inflation. The valves are designed to allow inflation of one or more inflatable devices and to stop inflation once a desired inflation level has been reached. This can allow the valve to be used with a single inflation source in order to inflate a plurality of inflatable devices. In a specific example, this disclosure provides systems and methods for inflating an ejector bag for door-mounted or fuselage-mounted inflatable evacuation slides or slide/rafts used for evacuating passenger vessels, such as aircraft. Other examples relate to sustaining the inflation of individual tubes that communicate with one another in evacuation slides, evacuation slide/rafts, life rafts and/or other inflatable devices.