Ejector seat with ejection retracting backrest

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10131438-B2
Application number	US-201514802096-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 17, 2015
Priority date	Jul 17, 2015
Publication date	Nov 20, 2018
Grant date	Nov 20, 2018

Abstract

An aircrew member must be properly positioned during flight to have a view inside and outside of the cockpit and to reach all aircraft controls. However, if an ejection event occurs, the aircrew member should be properly aligned with a thrust direction of the ejection seat to prevent injury. A retracting backrest for an ejection seat is deployed pre-flight to a desired flight position. A release mechanism engages a positioning member to secure the retracting backrest in the flight position. In response to an eject signal, the release mechanism disengages from the positioning member, and both the aircrew member and the retracting backrest are hauled back to properly align the aircrew member for ejection.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An ejection seat for an aircraft comprising:
a seat frame including a seat portion and a back portion;
a backrest pivotally coupled to the seat frame such that the backrest is movable relative to the seat portion and the back portion, the backrest pivotable between a deployed position and a stowed position;
at least one positioning member coupled to and extending from the backrest; and
a release mechanism coupled to the back portion, the release mechanism switchable from an engaged position, where the release mechanism engages the positioning member to secure the backrest in the deployed position, and a disengaged position, where the release mechanism is disengaged from the positioning member.

2. The ejection seat of claim 1 , and further comprising:
an actuator extending between an initiator and the release mechanism, the initiator triggering the actuator in response to an eject signal, and the actuator switching the release mechanism from the engaged position to the disengaged position.

3. The ejection seat of claim 2 , wherein the actuator further comprises:
an actuating tip coupled to the release mechanism; and
an actuation line extending between the initiator and the actuating tip.

4. The ejection seat of claim 3 , wherein the actuation line comprise:
a pyrotechnic line.

5. The ejection seat of claim 4 , wherein the pyrotechnic line comprises:
a thin layer explosive (TLX) line.

6. The ejection seat of claim 1 , wherein the at least one positioning member comprises:
an arm pivotally attached to the backrest; and
at least one positioning aperture extending through the arm.

7. The ejection seat of claim 6 , wherein the release mechanism comprises:
a housing mounted to the back portion, the housing having a slot extending therethrough, wherein the positioning member is slidably disposed in the slot; and
a pin extending through the housing, the pin engaging the at least one positioning aperture when the release mechanism is in an engaged position and switching to the disengaged position in response to an eject signal.

8. The ejection seat of claim 7 , wherein the housing further comprises:
a locking aperture extending therethrough, the locking aperture capable of receiving a locking pin, and the locking pin capable of engaging the pin to maintain the pin in a disengaged position.

9. The ejection seat of claim 1 , wherein the at least one positioning member comprises:
a piston and cylinder.

10. The ejection seat of claim 1 , wherein the at least one positioning member comprises:
a plurality of bars pivotally interconnected;
a first one of the plurality of bars pivotally connected to the back portion; and
a second one of the plurality of bars connected to the backrest.

11. The ejection seat of claim 1 , wherein the backrest has a degree of lean up to about 15 degrees in the deployed position.

12. A method of accommodating and ejecting an aircraft occupant comprising:
deploying a retracting backrest of an ejection seat to a deployed position, the backrest pivotable relative to a seat portion and a back portion of the ejection seat;
initiating an ejection event;
actuating a release mechanism from an engaged position to a disengaged position in response to an eject signal;
retracting the backrest to an eject position; and
propelling the ejection seat free of the aircraft.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein actuating the release mechanism from an engaged to a disengaged position comprises:
firing a TLX line in response to the eject signal, the TLX line generating a gas; and
pressurizing a housing chamber of the release mechanism with the gas, the pressure shifting a pin of the release mechanism from an engaged position to a disengaged position.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein deploying a retracting backrest to a deployed position further comprises:
disengaging the release mechanism from the positioning member;
shifting the retracting backrest to the flight position; and
reengaging a positioning member with the release mechanism to secure the backrest in the flight position.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein disengaging the release mechanism from the positioning member further comprises:
shifting a pin from a first position, where the pin is engaged with a positioning aperture disposed through the positioning member, to a second position, where the pin is disengaged from the positioning aperture.

16. A retracting backrest for an ejection seat, the retracting backrest comprising:
a frame configured to connect to and to be movable relative to a seat portion and a back portion of a seat frame, the frame configured to pivot between a deployed position and a stowed position;
a support secured to a front of the frame, the support capable of supporting an aircrew member during aircraft operation;
at least one positioning member extending from the frame; and
a release mechanism switchable between an engaged position, where the release mechanism engages the at least one positioning member during aircraft operation to maintain the frame in the deployed position, and a disengaged position, where the release mechanism is disengaged from the at least one positioning member in response to an eject signal.

17. The retracting backrest of claim 16 , wherein the frame further comprises:
a clevis extending from an outer edge of the frame, wherein the at least one positioning member is pivotally secured within the clevis.

18. The retracting backrest of claim 16 , wherein the at least one positioning member comprises:
an arm pivotally attached to the frame; and
at least one positioning aperture extending through the arm.

19. The retracting backrest of claim 16 , wherein the at least one positioning member comprises:
a piston and cylinder.

20. The retracting backrest of claim 16 , wherein the at least one positioning member comprises:
a plurality of bars pivotally interconnected;
a first one of the plurality of bars pivotally connected to a rear of the frame; and
a second one of the plurality of bars connected to the release mechanism.

Assignees

• Ami Ind Inc

Inventors

• Benjamin Jeff
• Tulloch James
• Ochs Jeremy
• Hampton John
• Mastrolia Bradley

Classifications

• B64D25/10 Primary

  Ejector seats · CPC title