Reusable evacuation system restraint

• US 10,457,408 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2017
• Issued: 10/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2017
• 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: Haynes, Timothy C., Hartman, Drew
• Primary Examiner(s): Harp, William R
• Application Number:
  US15/466,615
• Publication Number:
  US 20180273192A1
• Time in Patent Office: 951 Days
• Field of Search: 193 25 B, 244905, 2441372
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2027/145 Inflatable ramps
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2221/00 Methods and means for joining members or elements
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 25/14 Inflatable escape chutes
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 19/02 Bolts or sleeves for positioning of machine parts, e.g. notched taper pins, fitting pins, sleeves, eccentric positioning rings

Abstract

A releasable restraint for an inflatable slide is disclosed, in accordance with various embodiments. The releasable restraint may comprise a first mating portion having a receptacle. The releasable restraint may comprise a second mating portion having a protrusion. The protrusion may be configured to fit within the receptacle. An adjustment fastener may be coupled to the receptacle and configured to adjust a coupling strength of the releasable restraint.

Claims

1. An evacuation system comprising:

an inflatable slide;

a releasable restraint coupled to the inflatable slide, the releasable restraint comprising;

a first mating portion including a receptacle having a first prong and a second prong, wherein the first prong and the second prong are separated by a first width, and

a second mating portion releasably coupled to the first mating portion, wherein the first mating portion is configured to decouple and recouple with the second mating portion; and

an adjustment fastener coupled to the second prong, the adjustment fastener configured to increase or decrease the first width to a second width.

2. The evacuation system of claim 1, wherein the second mating portion fits within the receptacle.

3. The evacuation system of claim 2, wherein the adjustment fastener is configured to adjust a coupling strength of the releasable restraint, and wherein the adjustment fastener is configured to apply a compressive force to the first prong and the second prong to adjust a width of the receptacle.

4. The evacuation system of claim 3, wherein the coupling strength of the releasable restraint is a magnitude of a threshold tensile force at which the releasable restraint decouples, and wherein the second mating portion is configured to separate from the first mating portion in response to a tensile force applied the releasable restraint exceeding the threshold tensile force.

5. The evacuation system of claim 4, wherein the tensile force applied to the releasable restraint is due to a pressure increase that causes the inflatable slide to inflate.

6. The evacuation system of claim 5, wherein the inflatable slide is configured to unfold in response to the first mating portion separating from the second mating portion.

7. The evacuation system of claim 1, wherein the second mating portion is configured to couple with the first mating portion in response to a compressive force applied the releasable restraint.

8. A method for deploying an inflatable slide, comprising:

selecting a coupling strength of a releasable restraint, the releasable restraint comprising;

a first mating portion having a receptacle; and

a second mating portion having a protrusion, the protrusion configured to fit within the receptacle, wherein the separating the releasable restraint further comprises decoupling the second mating portion from the first mating portion;

coupling the releasable restraint to the inflatable slide;

increasing pressure within the inflatable slide;

separating the releasable restraint in response to the increasing pressure within the inflatable slide;

inflating the inflatable slide;

recoupling the second mating portion with the first mating portion after the decoupling the second mating portion from the first mating portion; and

adjusting the coupling strength of the releasable restraint by decreasing a diameter of the receptacle.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising adjusting the coupling strength of the releasable restraint using an adjustment fastener coupled to the releasable restraint, wherein the coupling strength of the releasable restraint is a magnitude of a threshold tensile force at which the releasable restraint separates.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising, after the recoupling the second mating portion with the first mating portion:

increasing pressure within the inflatable slide;

separating the releasable restraint in response to the increasing pressure within the inflatable slide; and

inflating the inflatable slide.