Helicopter Rescue Stretcher Stabilization Sail
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Solution Overview
Problem
During helicopter air rescues, the downward airflow from the main rotor causes uncontrollable lateral rotation of rescue stretchers, posing safety risks to the injured person and rescue workers, and existing solutions like a second cable can be unreliable or prone to entanglement.
Innovation Solution
A manually operable stabilization device with a stabilization sail and airflow regulator, which can be adjusted to control the rotation of the stretcher by managing the downward airflow, is integrated into the stretcher, allowing independent operation by the rescue worker to counteract the rotational forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a second cable is used to prevent rotational spin of the stretcher, then the stretcher stability is improved, but the device complexity and risk of entanglement or accidental release increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the stabilization function from the cable system and implements it through a dedicated stabilization device attached to the stretcher. This device uses a spool and reel mechanism to provide rotational control without requiring a second cable, thereby maintaining stability while reducing system complexity and eliminating cable entanglement risks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a stabilization device as an intermediary between the stretcher and the helicopter winch system. This intermediary device, with its spool and reel components, mediates the rotational forces and provides controlled stabilization without requiring additional cables or external anchoring points
2Ease of operation
If the stabilization device is manually operable, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic stabilization device with movable components including a spool that can rotate, a reel that can wind and unwind, and adjustable arms. These dynamic elements allow the rescue worker to manually control the stabilization function while the device adapts to different operational conditions during the rescue operation
3Device complexity
If the stabilization device can be stored compactly, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the stabilization device with nested components where the spool is housed within the reel assembly, and the entire stabilization device can be collapsed or folded into a compact configuration for storage on the stretcher. This nesting arrangement allows rapid deployment when needed while maintaining a space-efficient storage profile
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 stabilization device effectively reduces unsafe rotational speeds of the stretcher, enhancing safety by allowing the rescue worker to manage the airflow and prevent further injury, without the need for additional cables that can cause complications.
Implementation Method 1
a downward airflow from a main rotor of the helicopter
Implementation Method 2
stabilization sail has a airflow passageway
Implementation Method 3
the airflow regulator is configured to restrict the amount of downward airflow accepted by the airflow passageway
Data Source
AI summary
An operable stabilization device for a rescue stretcher and method thereof are disclosed. The present invention is especially but not exclusively used in an aircraft rescue of an injured person that is carried in a rescue stretcher suspended from a helicopter by a cord. The stabilization device is configured to adjust direction of a downward airflow from a main rotor of the helicopter to control rotation of the rescue stretcher, and includes a manually operable stabilization sail configured to accept the airflow, an airflow passageway configured to allow and direct the airflow through the stabilization sail and an airflow regulator configured to restrict the amount of airflow being accepted by the airflow passageway.