Mechanically-activated inflation valve actuation apparatus
First Claim
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1. A valve actuation apparatus, comprising:
- a mechanical activation device;
a primer coupled to the mechanical activation device and configured to deflagrate upon activation by the mechanical activation device;
an explosive cord, comprising an explosive cord first end coupled to the primer, an explosive cord second end, an outer portion, an inner portion, and an explosive cord reactive material, wherein the explosive cord reactive material is configured to detonate upon ignition from the primer and propagate a pressure wave and hot gas through a length of the explosive cord;
a gas-generating device coupled to the explosive cord second end configured to be activated by the hot gas from the explosive cord and, in response to the hot gas, produce a gas; and
a valve coupled to the gas-generating device, wherein the valve is configured to move from a valve closed position to a valve open position in response to the gas.
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Abstract
A valve actuation apparatus is provided. The apparatus may comprise a mechanical activation device, a primer, an explosive cord, and a gas-generating device. The valve actuation apparatus may actuate a valve system, which opens a valve and allows airflow to inflate an inflatable emergency evacuation slide for an aircraft.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A valve actuation apparatus, comprising:
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a mechanical activation device; a primer coupled to the mechanical activation device and configured to deflagrate upon activation by the mechanical activation device; an explosive cord, comprising an explosive cord first end coupled to the primer, an explosive cord second end, an outer portion, an inner portion, and an explosive cord reactive material, wherein the explosive cord reactive material is configured to detonate upon ignition from the primer and propagate a pressure wave and hot gas through a length of the explosive cord; a gas-generating device coupled to the explosive cord second end configured to be activated by the hot gas from the explosive cord and, in response to the hot gas, produce a gas; and a valve coupled to the gas-generating device, wherein the valve is configured to move from a valve closed position to a valve open position in response to the gas. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A valve actuation apparatus, comprising:
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a valve system activation apparatus, comprising; a mechanical activation device; and a gas-generating device coupled to the mechanical activation device and configured to produce a gas when activated; and a valve system coupled to the gas-generating device, comprising; a pressure chamber comprising a pressure chamber first end coupled to the gas-generating device, a pressure chamber second end, and a pressure cavity therebetween configured to receive and hold the gas produced by the gas-generating device, creating a gas pressure; a piston, configured to translate along an axis in response to the gas pressure in the pressure cavity, comprising a piston first end coupled to the pressure chamber second end, a piston second end, and a piston body therebetween; a valve lever in a valve lever closed position proximate to the piston, the valve lever being configured to be moved into a valve lever open position by the piston as the piston translates along the axis in response to the gas pressure; and a valve coupled to the valve lever. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of actuating a valve actuation apparatus, comprising:
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rotating an activation lever coupled to a hinge in a first direction from an unarmed position to an armed position; and translating the hinge in a second direction; striking a primer with a percussion actuator in response to the hinge translating in the second direction, wherein the primer deflagrates in response to the striking; actuating an explosive cord in response to the primer deflagration; actuating a gas-generating device in response to actuation of the explosive cord; increasing a gas pressure in a pressure cavity of a pressure chamber as the gas-generating device produces a gas; translating a piston along an axis in response to the gas pressure, the piston being coupled to the pressure chamber; and rotating a valve lever from a valve lever closed position to a valve lever open position in response to the translating. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification