Collapsible inflatable aspirator system

• US 10,167,087 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2016
• Issued: 01/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Goodrich Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Goodrich Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Volny, Jaro S., Hartman, Drew
• Primary Examiner(s): Green, Richard R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Frazier, Brady W
• Application Number:
  US15/130,758
• Publication Number:
  US 20170297726A1
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• Field of Search: 2441372, 137223, 417179, 417191
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 25/14 Inflatable escape chutes
• CPC Class Codes: F04F 5/14 the inducing fluid being elastic fluid
• CPC Class Codes: F04F 5/18 for compressing

Abstract

An aspirator system for inflating an inflatable evacuation device includes an aspirator body having a plurality of flapper doors configured to open to allow intake of atmospheric gas. The aspirator system also includes an aspirator barrel connecting the aspirator body to the inflatable evacuation device, having connected inflation chambers wrapping around a circumference of the aspirator barrel and arranged along a length of the aspirator barrel, and being configured to provide an aspirator barrel chamber for guiding the atmospheric gas to the inflatable evacuation device when the aspirator barrel is inflated. The aspirator system also includes a showerhead nozzle connected to the connected inflation chambers, configured to direct high-pressure gas to inflate the aspirator barrel and compel intake of atmospheric gas through the plurality of flapper doors, to inflate the inflatable evacuation device.

Claims

1. An aspirator system for inflating an inflatable evacuation device, the aspirator system comprising:

an aspirator body having a plurality of flapper doors configured to open to allow intake of atmospheric gas;

an aspirator barrel connecting the aspirator body to the inflatable evacuation device, having connected inflation chambers wrapping around a circumference of the aspirator barrel and arranged along a length of the aspirator barrel, and being configured to provide an aspirator barrel chamber for guiding the atmospheric gas to the inflatable evacuation device in response to the aspirator barrel being inflated; and

a showerhead nozzle disposed within the aspirator body, connected to the connected inflation chambers, configured to direct a first portion of high-pressure gas to the connected inflation chambers to inflate the aspirator barrel, and configured to direct a second portion of high-pressure gas through the aspirator barrel and compel intake of atmospheric gas through the plurality of flapper doors, to inflate the inflatable evacuation device;

wherein the aspirator barrel comprises a relief valve configured to release gas into the aspirator barrel chamber in response to a pressure inside the connected inflation chambers exceeding a threshold pressure.

2. The aspirator system of claim 1, wherein the aspirator barrel is made of a flexible fabric.

3. The aspirator system of claim 1, wherein the aspirator barrel is configured to be compacted when not in an inflated state.

4. The aspirator system of claim 1, wherein the showerhead nozzle is connected to the connected inflation chambers at a single point.

5. The aspirator system of claim 1, wherein the showerhead nozzle is connected to the connected inflation chambers at a plurality of points.

6. The aspirator system of claim 1, wherein the aspirator barrel is generally cylindrically shaped.

7. The aspirator system of claim 1, wherein the aspirator barrel comprises a first end connected to the aspirator body and a second end connected to the inflatable evacuation device, and wherein a diameter of the aspirator barrel at the first end is smaller than a diameter of the aspirator barrel at the second end.

8. The aspirator system of claim 1, wherein the connected inflation chambers are separated by a plurality of seams.

9. The aspirator system of claim 8, wherein a shape of the plurality of seams resembles rings arranged along the length of the aspirator barrel.

10. The aspirator system of claim 8, wherein a shape of the plurality of seams resembles a helix along the length of the aspirator barrel.

11. An airplane comprising:

an inflatable evacuation device configured to be inflated when deployed;

a charged gas cylinder configured to provide high-pressure gas for inflating the inflatable evacuation device; and

an aspirator system comprising;

an aspirator body having a plurality of flapper doors configured to open to allow intake of atmospheric gas;

an aspirator barrel connecting the aspirator body to the inflatable evacuation device, having connected inflation chambers wrapping around a circumference of the aspirator barrel and arranged along a length of the aspirator barrel, and being configured to provide an aspirator barrel chamber for guiding the atmospheric gas to the inflatable evacuation device in response to the aspirator barrel being inflated; and

a showerhead nozzle disposed within the aspirator body, connected to the connected inflation chambers, configured to direct a first portion of the high-pressure gas from the charged gas cylinder to the connected inflation chambers to inflate the aspirator barrel, and configured to direct a second portion of the high-pressure gas from the charged gas cylinder through the aspirator barrel and compel intake of atmospheric gas through the plurality of flapper doors, to inflate the inflatable evacuation device;

wherein the aspirator barrel comprises a relief valve configured to release gas into the aspirator barrel chamber in response to a pressure inside the connected inflation chambers exceeding a threshold pressure.

12. The airplane of claim 11, wherein the aspirator barrel comprises a first end connected to the aspirator body and a second end connected to the inflatable evacuation device, and wherein a diameter of the aspirator barrel at the first end is smaller than a diameter of the aspirator barrel at the second end.

13. The airplane of claim 11, wherein the connected inflation chambers are separated by a plurality of seams resembling a helix along the length of the aspirator barrel.