Constant area vent for external crash attenuation airbag
First Claim
1. An external airbag for an aircraft, the external airbag comprising:
- an inflatable bladder configured to be inflated exterior of the aircraft;
a vent integrated with and coupled to the inflatable bladder, the vent having a vent opening configured to release pressure within the inflatable bladder in order to dissipate energy; and
a vent support coupled to the inflatable bladder and located near the vent, the vent support being configured to prevent deformation of the vent opening due to hoop stresses as pressure within the inflatable bladder increases;
wherein the vent support is rigid and is annular; and
wherein the vent support includes an upper portion and a lower portion;
wherein the upper portion and the lower portion of the vent support are hinged together around the vent.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The external crash attenuation airbag includes an inflatable bladder which is inflatable to an exterior of an aircraft, so that the inflatable bladder is generally located between the aircraft and a crash surface when inflated. The airbag includes a vent configured to burst at a predefined burst pressure, the vent being located along a side portion of the inflatable bladder. The airbag also includes a vent support located approximate the vent, the vent support being configured to prevent deformation and therefore maintain the effectiveness of a venting area of the vent, and the vent support being rigid and annular and includes an upper portion and a lower portion that are hinged together around the vent.
46 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An external airbag for an aircraft, the external airbag comprising:
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an inflatable bladder configured to be inflated exterior of the aircraft; a vent integrated with and coupled to the inflatable bladder, the vent having a vent opening configured to release pressure within the inflatable bladder in order to dissipate energy; and a vent support coupled to the inflatable bladder and located near the vent, the vent support being configured to prevent deformation of the vent opening due to hoop stresses as pressure within the inflatable bladder increases; wherein the vent support is rigid and is annular; and wherein the vent support includes an upper portion and a lower portion; wherein the upper portion and the lower portion of the vent support are hinged together around the vent. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An external airbag for an aircraft, the external airbag comprising:
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an inflatable bladder which is inflatable to an exterior of an aircraft so that the inflatable bladder is generally located between the aircraft and a crash surface when inflated; a vent configured to burst at a predefined burst pressure, the vent being located along a side portion of the inflatable bladder; a vent support located approximate the vent, the vent support being configured to prevent deformation of a venting area of the vent; wherein the vent support is rigid and is annular; and wherein the vent support includes an upper portion and a lower portion; wherein the upper portion and the lower portion of the vent support are hinged together around the vent. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An aircraft having a crash attenuation system, comprising:
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a fuselage; a rotor system; an airbag assembly located near a lower portion of the fuselage, the airbag assembly comprising; an airbag bladder which is inflatable to an exterior of the fuselage; a vent located in the airbag bladder, the vent configured so as to extend to the exterior of the fuselage with the airbag bladder as the airbag bladder is inflated, the vent being configured to burst at a predefined pressure; a rigid vent support located approximate the vent, the vent support being configured to resist deformation of the vent during compression of the airbag bladder; wherein the rigid vent support is annular shaped; and wherein the rigid vent support includes an upper portion and a lower portion; wherein the upper portion and the lower portion of the rigid vent support are hinged together around the vent. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification