Aircraft Occupant Protection System
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;
first and second inflatable airbags; and
a vent system, the vent system comprising first and second vent passages supported by the aircraft, the first and second vent passages each having a respective one of first and second continuously adjustable vent areas through which gas can escape from within the first airbag;
a gas source system in fluid communication with an interior of at least one of the first and second airbags for inflating at least one of the first and second airbags with gas provided by a gas source;
a sensor system for detecting selected crash conditions; and
a control system for controlling the first vent system and the second vent system independently of one another based on the detected crash conditions;
wherein the first vent passage extends between a first opening in the first vent passage and a second opening in the first vent passage; and
wherein the first opening is in fluid communication with the interior of the first airbag, and the second opening is positioned beyond an outermost extent of the first airbag when the first airbag is inflated.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A crash attenuation system for an aircraft includes an airbag carried by the aircraft that is inflatable generally adjacent an exterior of the aircraft. The airbag is in fluid communication with at least one vent passage for channeling gas from within the interior of the airbag to a region external to the airbag that allows the gas to escape without being obstructed by the airbag. A gas source is in fluid communication with the interior of the airbag for inflating the airbag. A vent valve is provided within the vent passage for controlling a flow of gas through the vent passage, thereby controlling deflation of the airbag. The vent valve is continuously adjustable to and between an open state, a closed state, and any number of partially open states.
54 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A crash attenuation system for an aircraft, the system comprising:
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an airbag assembly carried by the aircraft and inflatable generally adjacent an exterior of the aircraft, the airbag assembly comprising; first and second inflatable airbags; and a vent system, the vent system comprising first and second vent passages supported by the aircraft, the first and second vent passages each having a respective one of first and second continuously adjustable vent areas through which gas can escape from within the first airbag; a gas source system in fluid communication with an interior of at least one of the first and second airbags for inflating at least one of the first and second airbags with gas provided by a gas source; a sensor system for detecting selected crash conditions; and a control system for controlling the first vent system and the second vent system independently of one another based on the detected crash conditions; wherein the first vent passage extends between a first opening in the first vent passage and a second opening in the first vent passage; and wherein the first opening is in fluid communication with the interior of the first airbag, and the second opening is positioned beyond an outermost extent of the first airbag when the first airbag is inflated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A crash attenuation system for an aircraft, the system comprising:
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an airbag assembly carried by the aircraft and inflatable generally adjacent an exterior of the aircraft, the airbag assembly comprising an airbag and a vent system, wherein the vent system comprises a vent passage supported by the aircraft, the vent passage having a continuously adjustable vent area through which gas can escape from within the first airbag; a gas source system in fluid communication with an interior of the airbag; a sensor system for detecting selected crash conditions; and a control system for controlling rate at which gas can escape from within the airbag through the vent passage based on the detected crash conditions; wherein the vent passage extends between a first opening in the vent passage and a second opening in the vent passage; and wherein the first opening is in fluid communication with the interior of the airbag, and the second opening is positioned beyond an outermost extent of the airbag when the airbag is inflated. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification