# US 11,999,494 B2 · Multi-stage evacuation systems and methods for aircraft

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- Number: US 11,999,494 B2
- Document ID: US11999494B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/872,094
- Filed: 2022-07-25
- Published: 2023-04-27
- Granted: 2024-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2021-10-25
- Assignees: The Boeing Company
- Applicants: The Boeing Company
- Inventors: Angela Noelani Cruz; Mark Edward King; Steven Philip McDonald
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11999494B2

## CPC

- B64D 25/18: Flotation gear
- B64C 1/1407: {Doors; surrounding frames}
- B64D 25/14: Inflatable escape chutes
- B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64C: AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS

## Abstract

An emergency evacuation system is configured to be stored in a compartment below an exit door of an aircraft. The emergency evacuation system includes a first floatation device including an internal inflator, and a second floatation device including an open inflation system. The second floatation device is coupled to the first floatation device.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An emergency evacuation system configured to be stored in a compartment below an exit door of a vehicle, the emergency evacuation system comprising:
a first floatation device including an internal inflator; and
a second floatation device including an open inflation system, wherein the second floatation device is coupled to the first floatation device,
wherein, during deployment, the internal inflator is configured to inflate the first floatation device to deploy the emergency evacuation system outside of the compartment, and wherein the first floatation device in an inflated state is configured to dispose the open inflation system above water.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The emergency evacuation system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is an aircraft.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The emergency evacuation system of claim 1, wherein the emergency evacuation system is stored within the compartment behind a retaining door.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The emergency evacuation system of claim 1, wherein the internal inflator comprises a reservoir of compressed gas.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The emergency evacuation system of claim 1, wherein the open inflation system comprises one or more air-entrainment devices.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The emergency evacuation system of claim 1, wherein all inflation gas for the inflator is within the first floatation device.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The emergency evacuation system of claim 1, wherein the internal inflator does not use ambient air to inflate the first floatation device.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The emergency evacuation system of claim 1, wherein the second floatation device in an inflated state provides one or both of a slide or raft.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The emergency evacuation system of claim 1, wherein an inflation trigger is configured to initiate operation of the open inflation system, wherein the inflation trigger includes one or more of a wire, cable, charge or fuse.

### Claim 10

A method, comprising:
storing an emergency evacuation system in a compartment below an exit door of a vehicle; and
deploying the emergency evacuation system from the compartment, wherein said deploying comprises:
inflating, by an internal inflator, a first floatation device to deploy the emergency evacuation system outside of the compartment; and
disposing, by the first floatation device in an inflated state, an open inflation system of a second floatation device above water.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, further comprising inflating, by the open inflation system, the second floatation device.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the vehicle is an aircraft.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein said storing comprises storing the emergency evacuation system within the compartment behind a retaining door.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the internal inflator does not use ambient air to inflate the first floatation device.

### Claim 15

An aircraft comprising:
a fuselage having an exit door; and
an emergency evacuation system configured to be stored in a compartment below or in proximity to the exit door, the emergency evacuation system comprising:
a first floatation device including an internal inflator; and
a second floatation device including an open inflation system, wherein the second floatation device is coupled to the first floatation device,
wherein, during deployment, the internal inflator is configured to inflate the first floatation device to deploy the emergency evacuation system outside of the compartment, and wherein the first floatation device in an inflated state is configured to dispose the open inflation system above water.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The aircraft of claim 15, wherein the emergency evacuation system is stored within the compartment behind a retaining door.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The aircraft of claim 15, wherein the internal inflator comprises a reservoir of compressed gas, and wherein the open inflation system comprises one or more air-entrainment devices.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The aircraft of claim 15, wherein all inflation gas for the inflator is within the first floatation device, and wherein the internal inflator does not use ambient air to inflate the first floatation device.

### Claim 19 (depends on 15)

The aircraft of claim 15, wherein the second floatation device in an inflated state provides one or both of a slide or raft.

### Claim 20 (depends on 15)

The aircraft of claim 15, wherein an inflation trigger is configured to initiate operation of the open inflation system, wherein the inflation trigger includes one or more of a wire, cable, charge or fuse.