Fire blocking systems for aircraft seat cushions

• US 4,463,465 A
• Filed: 12/23/1982
• Issued: 08/07/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Government Of The United States Of America, As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy
• Original Assignee: United States Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• Inventors: Parker, John A., Kourtides, Demetrius A.
• Primary Examiner(s): VAN BALEN, WILLIAM
• Application Number:
  US06/452,466
• Time in Patent Office: 593 Days
• Field of Search: 5/459, 297/DIG. 1, 297/DIG. 5, 428/71, 428/76, 428/246, 428/252, 428/280, 428/281, 428/282, 428/283, 428/287, 428/304.4, 428/319.1, 428/423.5, 428/920, 428/921
• US Class Current: 5/653
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 31/001 Fireproof means
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/18 having foamed material included in cushioning part foamed material mattresses A47C27/14
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0647 Seats characterised by special upholstery or cushioning features
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 297/05 Fireproof
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/92 Fire or heat protection feature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/921 Fire or flameproofing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 5/954 Fireproof
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/233 Foamed or expanded material encased
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/239 Complete cover or casing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249953 Composite having voids in a component [e.g., porous, cellular, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24999 Inorganic
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31562 Next to polyamide [nylon, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3333 Including a free metal or alloy constituent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/59 At least three layers

Abstract

A configuration and method for reducing the flammability of bodies of organic materials that thermally decompose to give flammable gases is disclosed to comprise covering the body with a flexible matrix that catalytically cracks the flammable gases to less flammable species. Optionally the matrix is covered with a gas impermeable outer layer. In a preferred embodiment, the invention takes the form of an aircraft seat in which the body is a poly(urethane) seat cushion, the matrix is an aramid fabric or felt and the outer layer is an aluminum film.

Claims

1. A composite comprising a body of a material characterized as producing combustible organic vapors when exposed to a temperature above 250°

C., covered by a flexible matrix of a material that will, at said temperature, catalyze vapor phase cracking of said combustible organic vapors to less combustible species.

2. The composite of claim 1 wherein the material characterized as producing combustible organic vapors is an organic polymeric foam.

3. The composite of claim 2 wherein the flexible matrix is a fabric or felt comprising a member selected from the group consisting of aramide poly(amide), heat stabilized poly(acrylonitrile) and carbon loaded fabric.

4. The composite of claim 3 wherein said organic polymeric foam is poly(urethane) foam.

5. The composite of claim 4 wherein said poly(urethane foam) is not fire resistant.

6. The composite of claim 5 wherein the flexible matrix is an aramid poly(amide).

7. The composite of claim 5 wherein the flexible matrix is a fabric or felt comprising poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide), meta-substituted polyaramide, and amorphous crosslinked phenolic polymer.

8. The composite of claim 1 additionally comprising an outer layer of a second material said second material being substantially impermeable by said combustible organic vapors.

9. The composite of claim 2 additionally comprising an outer layer of a second material said second material being substantially impermeable by said combustible organic vapors.

10. The composite of claim 3 additionally comprising an outer layer of a second material said second material being substantially impermeable by said combustible organic vapors.

11. The composite of claim 4 additionally comprising an outer layer of a second material said second material being substantially impermeable by said combustible organic vapors.

12. The composite of claim 11 wherein the outer layer is an aluminum film.

13. The composite of claim 5 additionally comprising an outer layer of a second material said second material being substantially impermeable by said combustible organic vapors.

14. The composite of claim 13 wherein the outer layer is an aluminum film.

15. The composite of claim 6 additionally comprising an outer layer of a second material said second material being substantially impermeable by said combustible organic vapors.

16. The composite of claim 15 wherein the outer layer is an aluminum film.

17. The composite of claim 7 additionally comprising an outer layer of a second material said second material being substantially impermeable by said combustible organic vapors.

18. The composite of claim 17 wherein the outer layer is an aluminum film.

19. A fire resistant cushion comprising an inner core of foamed organic polymer characterized as producing combustible organic vapors when exposed to a temperature above 250°

C. covered by a flexible matrix of a material that will, at said temperature, catalyze the vapor phase cracking of said combustible organic vapors to less combustible species.

20. The fire resistant cushion of claim 19 wherein said foamed organic polymer is non-fire retarded poly(urethane) foam, said flexible matrix is a fabric or felt comprising aramid poly(amide) and wherein cushion comprises an outer layer of a second material, said second material being substantially impermeable to said combustible organic vapors.

21. The fire resistant cushion of claim 20 wherein said outer layer is an aluminum film.

22. In a poly(urethane) aircraft seat cushion, the improvement comprising covering the cushion with a flexible matrix of a material that will catalyze the vapor phase cracking of poly(urethane) thermal decomposition products and covering the matrix with an outer covering of aluminum film thereby rendering the cushion flame resistant without an increase in weight.