EJECTION SEAT PAN LIFTER

• US 20150054323A1
• Filed: 08/26/2013
• Published: 02/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AMI Industries, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: AMI Industries, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Mastrolia, Bradley, Hampton, John, Tulloch, James, Ochs, Jeremy
• Granted Patent: US 9,783,310 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/313
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 25/10 Ejector seats

Abstract

An aircraft is provided and includes a fixed frame including a ledge and a seat pan on which seating elements for seating an aircraft crewperson are disposable. The seat pan includes a hinge about which the seat pan is pivotable relative to the fixed frame and a flange disposable on the ledge to establish a first pivot position for the seat pan relative to the fixed frame and a seat pan lifter coupled to the fixed frame and selectively interposable between the flange and the ledge to establish a second pivot position for the seat pan relative to the fixed frame.

Claims

1. An aircraft, comprising:

a fixed frame including a ledge;

a seat pan on which seating elements for seating an aircraft crewperson are disposable, the seat pan comprising;

a hinge about which the seat pan is pivotable relative to the fixed frame; and

a flange disposable on the ledge to establish a first pivot position for the seat pan relative to the fixed frame; and

a seat pan lifter coupled to the fixed frame and selectively interposable between the flange and the ledge to establish a second pivot position for the seat pan relative to the fixed frame.

2. The aircraft according to claim 1, wherein the seat pan is configured for ejection from the aircraft.

3. The aircraft according to claim 1, wherein the seat pan comprises an ejection handle proximate to the hinge.

4. The aircraft according to claim 1, wherein the seat pan comprises a survival kit, the seat pan lifter being selectively disposable in a non-use position proximate to the survival kit.

5. The aircraft according to claim 1, wherein the fixed frame comprises:

a side panel configured to support the hinge; and

a rear block disposed at a rear of the seat pan, the rear block including a front face on which the ledge is disposed.

6. The aircraft according to claim 5, wherein the flange is disposed at a rear of the seat pan.

7. The aircraft according to claim 1, further comprising securing members to connect the seat pan lifter to the fixed frame.

8. The aircraft according to claim 7, further comprising fastening members configured to connect the securing members to the fixed frame and the seat pan lifter.

9. The aircraft according to claim 1, wherein the ledge comprises a pocket-shaped upper side in which the seat pan lifter is receivable.

10. The aircraft according to claim 9, wherein the seat pan lifter comprises:

a narrow side configured to be received in the pocket-shaped upper side of the ledge; and

a wide side configured to abut the flange, the wide side being opposite the narrow side.

11. The aircraft according to claim 1, wherein the seat pan lifter comprises a body formed to define one or more cavities.

12. An aircraft ejection seat assembly, comprising:

a seat pan on which seating elements for seating first and second aircraft crewpersons of differing heights are disposable,

the seat pan being pivotable about a hinge and configured to assume a first pivot position associated with the first aircraft crewperson; and

a seat pan lifter configured to selectively cause the seat pan to pivot beyond the first pivot position and to thereby establish a second pivot position associated with the second aircraft crewperson.

13. The aircraft ejection seat assembly according to claim 12, wherein the seat pan is configured for ejection from the aircraft.

14. The aircraft ejection seat assembly according to claim 12, wherein the seat pan comprises an ejection handle proximate to the hinge.

15. The aircraft ejection seat assembly according to claim 12, wherein the seat pan comprises a survival kit, the seat pan lifter being selectively disposable in a non-use position proximate to the survival kit.

16. The aircraft ejection seat assembly according to claim 12, further comprising securing members connectable to the seat pan lifter.

17. The aircraft ejection seat assembly according to claim 12, wherein the seat pan lifter has a tapered cross-section.

18. The aircraft ejection seat assembly according to claim 12, wherein the seat pan lifter comprises a body formed to define one or more cavities.

19. A method for adjusting a height of a seat pan of an aircraft, the method comprising:

stowing a seat pan lifter securely in the aircraft in a non-use position such that the seat pan assumes a first height associated with a first aircraft crewperson being seated on the seat pan; and

selectively interposing the seat pan lifter between the seat pan and a fixed-height ledge such that the seat pan assumes a second height associated with a second aircraft crewperson being seated on the seat pan.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the stowing comprises connecting the seat pan lifter to a fixed frame of the aircraft.