Hybrid composite-metal energy absorbing seat
First Claim
1. An energy absorbent seat comprising:
- a seat base assembly, wherein the seat base assembly includes a plurality of rigid seat base side frame elements joined by a seat pan assembly, wherein at least one of the plurality of seat base side frame elements is designed to absorb forward crash energy through inelastic deformation, and wherein the seat pan assembly is designed to absorb downward crash energy through inelastic deformation; and
a seat back assembly attached to the seat base assembly, wherein the seat back assembly includes a plurality of rigid seat back side frame elements joined by a seat back, wherein at least one of the plurality of rigid seat back side frame elements is designed to absorb forward crash energy through inelastic deformation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hybrid composite-metal energy absorbing seat is described. According to one embodiment, an aircraft seat includes a seat base assembly and a seat back assembly. The seat base assembly includes multiple rigid metal seat base side frame elements joined by a lower seat pan, an energy absorbing element placed on the lower seat pan to deform and absorb downward energy in a crash, and a contoured seat pan whose sides extend past the seat base side frame elements and deform to absorb downward energy in a crash. The seat back assembly is attached to the seat base assembly and includes multiple rigid metal seat back side frame elements joined by a contoured composite seat back. The rigid metal seat back side frame elements absorb forward crash load energy by permanently deforming during a severe forward crash load. The contoured composite seat back provides design/aesthetic flexibility.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. An energy absorbent seat comprising:
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a seat base assembly, wherein the seat base assembly includes a plurality of rigid seat base side frame elements joined by a seat pan assembly, wherein at least one of the plurality of seat base side frame elements is designed to absorb forward crash energy through inelastic deformation, and wherein the seat pan assembly is designed to absorb downward crash energy through inelastic deformation; and a seat back assembly attached to the seat base assembly, wherein the seat back assembly includes a plurality of rigid seat back side frame elements joined by a seat back, wherein at least one of the plurality of rigid seat back side frame elements is designed to absorb forward crash energy through inelastic deformation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An aircraft seat, wherein the aircraft seat comprises:
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a seat base assembly designed to absorb both forward energy and downward energy of the magnitude exhibited in an aircraft crash; and a seat back assembly attached to the seat base assembly, wherein the seat back assembly is designed to absorb forward energy of the magnitude exhibited in an aircraft crash. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A hybrid composite-metal energy absorbing seat comprising:
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a seat base assembly, wherein the seat base assembly includes a plurality of rigid metal seat base side frame elements joined by a seat pan assembly, and wherein the plurality of rigid metal seat base side frame elements are designed to absorb forward crash energy by permanently deforming and; and a seat back assembly attached to the seat base assembly, wherein the seat back assembly includes a plurality of rigid metal seat back side frame elements jointed by a contoured composite seat back, the plurality of rigid metal seat back side frame elements to absorb forward crash load energy by permanently deforming during a severe forward crash load, the contoured composite seat back providing design/aesthetic flexibility. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An aircraft seat comprising:
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a seat base assembly including at least two rigid metal seat base side frame elements joined by a seat pan assembly, wherein the seat base assembly is designed to permanently deform in a severe aircraft crash; and a seat back assembly attached to the seat base assembly. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A seat assembly comprising:
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a seat base energy absorber, wherein the seat base energy absorber includes a block of honeycombed material, wherein the block of honeycombed material is designed to inelastically deform in an aircraft crash; and wherein a sidewall is attached to a side of the block of honeycombed material.
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Specification