Evacuation slide systems

• US 20100258677A1
• Filed: 04/08/2009
• Published: 10/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Air Cruisers Company LLC (Safran SA)
• Original Assignee: Air Cruisers Company LLC (Safran SA)
• Inventors: Luethi, Andreas, O'Donnell, John, Brown, Frank
• Granted Patent: US 8,215,586 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/137.200
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 25/14 Inflatable escape chutes

Abstract

Evacuation slide systems having extendable portions are detailed. The extendable portions of slides may be inflated separately from the main portions and actuated manually if desired. Consequently, attitude changes of, for example, an aircraft subsequent to inflation of the main portion of a slide would not necessarily defeat its use, as inflation of the extendable portion could still occur.

Claims

1. An evacuation slide system comprising:

a. an inflatable slide comprising;

i. a main portion having a length;

ii. an extension portion connected to the main portion so as to extend the length thereof when inflated; and

b. means for inflating the extension portion separately from the main portion.

2. An evacuation slide system according to claim 1 in which the inflating means comprises a manual actuator for inflating the extendable portion.

3. An evacuation slide system according to claim 1 further comprising at least one bulkhead generally precluding fluid communication between the main portion and the extendable portion.

4. An evacuation slide system according to claim 3 in which the main portion comprises a first upper tube and the extension portion comprises an integral continuation of the first upper tube.

5. An evacuation slide system according to claim 4 in which the bulkhead is positioned within the first upper tube so as to define a boundary of the extension portion.

6. An evacuation slide system according to claim 5 in which the extension portion, when uninflated, folds adjacent the main portion.

7. An evacuation slide system according to claim 6 in which the main portion has a head end configured for attachment to an aircraft and a foot end adjacent the extension portion and further comprises:

a. a second upper tube;

b. a first transverse tube between the first and second upper tubes; and

c. a second transverse tube between the first and second upper tubes and adjacent the foot end.

8. An evacuation slide system according to claim 7 in which the main portion further comprises first and second lower tubes.

9. An evacuation slide system according to claim 8 in which the extension portion further comprises first and second lower extension tubes.

10. An evacuation slide according to claim 9 in which the extension portion (a) defines an extended foot end and (b) further comprises a third transverse tube of height greater than the height of the second transverse tube of the main portion.

11. An evacuation slide according to claim 10 further comprising a containment wrapper attached to the main portion.

12. An evacuation slide according to claim 11 in which the containment wrapper comprises first and second ends, at least one of which is removably attached to the main portion.

13. An evacuation slide according to claim 12 further comprising a passenger-sliding surface, comprising at least one panel, extending between the first and second upper tubes.

14. An evacuation slide according to claim 13 in which the first end of the containment wrapper is removably attached to the panel.

15. An evacuation slide according to claim 14 in which the inflation means further comprises an aspirator and an inflation tube communicating therewith.

16. An evacuation slide according to claim 15 in which the inflation tube also communicates with the extension portion so as to convey inflation fluid thereto.