Gas supply assembly for aircraft door actuator and evacuation system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11352146-B2
Application number	US-201916527979-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 31, 2019
Priority date	Nov 13, 2018
Publication date	Jun 7, 2022
Grant date	Jun 7, 2022

Abstract

A gas distribution assembly for providing gas to an actuator for opening an aircraft door and to an aircraft evacuation slide, the assembly comprising a single common gas supply and valve means for controlling distribution of gas from the common supply between the slide and the door actuator based on door opening position.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An aircraft evacuation system, comprising:
an aircraft door,
a door actuator,
an inflatable evaluation aid arranged to be released when the door opens in an emergency, and
a gas distribution assembly system connected to the inflatable evacuation aid, the assembly system comprising:
a single common gas supply; and
a valve mechanism for controlling distribution of gas from the common supply between the door actuator and the inflatable evacuation aid based on the door opening position;
wherein the valve mechanism is configured to direct gas to flow from the gas supply to the door actuator to open the door in a first phase and to subsequently direct gas to flow from the gas supply to the inflatable evacuation aid in a second phase, to inflate the inflatable evacuation aid; and
wherein the valve mechanism directs gas to flow to the inflatable evacuation aid in response to the door reaching a predetermined angle of opening.

2. The aircraft evacuation system of claim 1 , further comprising a pressure regulator to regulate gas flow.

3. The aircraft evacuation system of claim 1 , wherein the gas supply comprises a cylinder of pressurised gas.

4. The aircraft evacuation system of claim 1 , wherein the gas supply comprises a gas generator.

5. The aircraft evacuation system of claim 1 , further comprising a quick disconnect mechanism for releasably connecting the evacuation aid to the assembly.

6. The aircraft evacuation system of claim 1 , further comprising a release valve at an outlet of the common supply.

7. The aircraft evacuation system of claim 1 , wherein the inflatable evacuation aid is a slide or a raft.

8. The aircraft evacuation system of claim 1 , further comprising a flow regulation mechanism, wherein the valve mechanism is part of the flow regulation mechanism, and wherein the flow regulation mechanism further comprises a valve switching mechanism attached to the door.

9. The aircraft evacuation system of claim 8 , wherein the valve switching mechanism includes a valve actuation member attached to the door and to a mechanical component such that movement of the door causes responsive movement of the mechanical component, which in turn opens the valve.

10. The aircraft evacuation system of claim 9 , wherein the mechanical component includes a cam moveably attached to the door and a roller actuably responsive to contact with the cam to open the valve mechanism.

Assignees

• Ratier Figeas SAS
• Ratier Figeac Sas

Inventors

• Bergonnier Hélène
• Seminel Bruno

Classifications

• B64D25/14 Primary

  Inflatable escape chutes · CPC title

• B64C1/14

  Windows; Doors; Hatch covers or access panels; Surrounding frame structures; Canopies; Windscreens {accessories therefor, e.g. pressure sensors, water deflectors, hinges, seals, handles, latches, windscreen wipers}(fairings movable in conjunction with undercarriage elements B64C25/16; bomb doors B64D1/06) · CPC title

• B64C1/1407

  Doors; surrounding frames · CPC title

• B64C1/1423 Primary

  Passenger doors · CPC title

• B64C1/24

  Steps mounted on, and retractable within, fuselages · CPC title