Shape memory alloy based spring activated ball lock and actuator pin release systems and methods
AssigneeGoodrich Corporation
InventorsVinod Kumar Shivalinga, Vasantha Kumara Jnanegowda
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A release system for an evacuation slide assembly of an aircraft includes a first actuator and in various embodiments a second actuator. The first actuator and the second actuator each comprise an SMA spring configured to be electrically energized for actuating the first and second actuators in response to an evacuation event. In various embodiments, the first actuator is configured to release a blowout panel of the evacuation slide assembly in response to the first SMA spring being electrically energized. In various embodiments, the second actuator is configured to release a soft cover of the evacuation slide assembly in response to the second SMA spring being electrically energized.
Claims20
A release system for an evacuation slide assembly of an aircraft, the release system comprising:
- a blowout panel;
- and
- a first actuator comprising a first housing, a first shape memory alloy spring, a first compression spring, and a first spindle;
- wherein the first shape memory alloy spring is configured to bias the first spindle to retract into the first housing in response to being electrically energized to deploy the blowout panel.
An evacuation slide assembly of an aircraft, the evacuation slide assembly comprising:
- an evacuation slide mounted to the aircraft;
- a charged tank fluidly coupled to the evacuation slide, wherein fluid is configured to flow from the charged tank to the evacuation slide in response to an evacuation event;
- a power source;
- a blowout panel for retaining the evacuation slide;
- a first actuator comprising a first shape memory alloy spring configured to be electrically energized by the power source, wherein the first actuator is configured to release the blowout panel in response to a first electric current flowing from the power source to the first shape memory alloy spring;
- a soft cover for retaining the evacuation slide;
- and
- a second actuator comprising a second shape memory alloy spring configured to be electrically energized by the power source, wherein the second actuator is configured to release the soft cover in response to a second electric current flowing from the power source to the second shape memory alloy spring.
A method of deploying an evacuation slide of an aircraft, the method comprising:
- flowing fluid from a fluid source to the evacuation slide;
- actuating a first actuator by flowing electrical current from a power source to a first shape memory alloy spring of the first actuator to release a blowout panel;
- and
- actuating a second actuator by flowing electrical current from the power source to a second shape memory alloy spring of the second actuator to release a soft cover.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.