Thrust neutral inflation assembly and methods of use
First Claim
1. An inflation assembly comprising:
- a fitting configured to engage with and receive gas from a pressure source;
wherein the fitting comprises a plurality of outlet ports oriented to direct the gas from the fitting radially outward away from a longitudinal axis of the fitting, the outlet ports being symmetrically disposed about the longitudinal axis; and
a plurality of hoses, each one of the hoses comprising a first hose end mounted to a corresponding outlet port and an opposing second hose end spaced away from the corresponding first hose end, the hose configured to direct the gas exhausted through the corresponding outlet port away from the fitting;
wherein each of the valves comprises a valve inlet that receives the gas, a valve outlet through which the gas is expelled, and a chamber positioned between the valve inlet and the valve outlet, the valve further comprising a constriction body that is biased into the chamber to control a size of the chamber through which the gas moves between the valve inlet and the valve outlet.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inflation assembly for use within a vehicle. The inflation assembly is configured to deliver gas from a pressure source to the one or more inflatable devices. The inflation assembly includes a fitting that engages with the pressure source and receives gas from the pressure source. The fitting includes outlet ports that are oriented to direct the gas away from the fitting and into hoses that lead to one or more inflatable devices. The outlet ports are configured to release gas in outward directions such that reactive forces that are applied to the fitting by the released gas are neutralized. This prevents the pressure source from moving and potentially injuring a person or damaging the vehicle.
-
Citations
17 Claims
-
1. An inflation assembly comprising:
-
a fitting configured to engage with and receive gas from a pressure source; wherein the fitting comprises a plurality of outlet ports oriented to direct the gas from the fitting radially outward away from a longitudinal axis of the fitting, the outlet ports being symmetrically disposed about the longitudinal axis; and a plurality of hoses, each one of the hoses comprising a first hose end mounted to a corresponding outlet port and an opposing second hose end spaced away from the corresponding first hose end, the hose configured to direct the gas exhausted through the corresponding outlet port away from the fitting; wherein each of the valves comprises a valve inlet that receives the gas, a valve outlet through which the gas is expelled, and a chamber positioned between the valve inlet and the valve outlet, the valve further comprising a constriction body that is biased into the chamber to control a size of the chamber through which the gas moves between the valve inlet and the valve outlet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. An inflation assembly comprising:
-
a pressure source to provide gas at a pressure and an outlet through which the gas is released; a fitting connected to the pressure source at the outlet, the fitting including an opening through which the gas is received from the pressure source and outlet ports oriented to direct the gas from the fitting radially outward away from a longitudinal axis of the fitting, the outlet ports being equally disposed about the longitudinal axis; a plurality of hoses connected to the outlet ports to direct the gas away from the pressure source, each of the hoses comprising a first hose end mounted to one of the outlet ports and an opposing second hose end spaced away from the first end; one or more inflatable devices connected to the second ends of the hoses; valves positioned downstream from the outlet ports with one of the valves positioned downstream from each one of the outlet ports, each of the valves controls an amount of the gas that flows along one of the hoses; and a control circuit that controls a size of a chamber of the valves to equalize a flow of gas along each of the hoses. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A method of delivering gas from a pressure source, the method comprising:
-
receiving a gas at a pressure from an outlet of the pressure source and into an interior space of a fitting; dispensing the gas from the interior space of the fitting through outlet ports that are spaced apart around the fitting causing the gas to escape from the fitting in a thrust-neutral manner; directing the gas from the fitting into hoses that are attached to each of the outlet ports; and equalizing a flow rate of the gas through each of the outlet ports and each of the hoses. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. An inflation assembly comprising:
-
a pressure source to provide gas at a pressure and an outlet through which the gas is released; a fitting connected to the pressure source at the outlet, the fitting including an opening through which the gas is received from the pressure source and outlet ports oriented to direct the gas from the fitting radially outward away from a longitudinal axis of the fitting, the outlet ports being equally disposed about the longitudinal axis; a plurality of hoses connected to the outlet ports to direct the gas away from the pressure source, each of the hoses comprising a first hose end mounted to one of the outlet ports and an opposing second hose end spaced away from the first end; one or more inflatable devices connected to the second ends of the hoses; a sensor positioned along each of the hoses to sense a flow of the gas along the hose and a control circuit that receives signals from the sensors, the control circuit operable to equalize a flow of gas along each of the hoses.
-
Specification