Crash Attenuation System for Aircraft
First Claim
1. A crash attenuation system for an aircraft, the system comprising:
- an airbag assembly carried by the aircraft and inflatable generally adjacent an exterior of the aircraft, the airbag assembly comprising;
a first airbag;
a second airbag;
a first vent system comprising a first adjustable vent area through which gas can escape from within the first airbag; and
a second vent system comprising a second adjustable vent area through which gas can escape from within the second airbag;
a gas source system in fluid communication with an interior of the first airbag and an interior of the second airbag for inflating the first and second airbags with gas provided by at least one gas source;
a sensor system for detecting selected crash conditions;
a control system for controlling the first vent system and the second vent system independently of one another based on the detected crash conditions.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A crash attenuation system for an aircraft, the system having an airbag carried by the aircraft and inflatable generally adjacent an exterior of the aircraft. The airbag has at least one vent for releasing gas from the interior of the airbag. A gas source is in fluid communication with the interior of the airbag for inflating the airbag with gas generated provided by the first gas source. A vent valve is provided for controlling a flow of gas through each vent, each vent valve being selectively configurable between an open state, in which gas can pass through the associated vent from the interior of the airbag, any number of intermediate states, in which the vent is partially open, and a closed state, in which gas is retained within the interior of the airbag.
48 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A crash attenuation system for an aircraft, the system comprising:
-
an airbag assembly carried by the aircraft and inflatable generally adjacent an exterior of the aircraft, the airbag assembly comprising; a first airbag; a second airbag; a first vent system comprising a first adjustable vent area through which gas can escape from within the first airbag; and a second vent system comprising a second adjustable vent area through which gas can escape from within the second airbag; a gas source system in fluid communication with an interior of the first airbag and an interior of the second airbag for inflating the first and second airbags with gas provided by at least one gas source; a sensor system for detecting selected crash conditions; a control system for controlling the first vent system and the second vent system independently of one another based on the detected crash conditions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A crash attenuation system for an aircraft, the system comprising:
-
an airbag assembly carried by the aircraft and inflatable generally adjacent an exterior of the aircraft, the airbag assembly comprising a plurality of airbags; a gas source system in fluid communication with an interior of one or more of the airbags; a sensor system for detecting selected crash conditions; and a control system for controlling rate at which gas can escape from within one or more of the airbags based on the detected crash conditions. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification