Off-wing evacuation packboard cover panel and soft cover release utilizing magnetostriction

A control system for releasing a blowout panel and softcover release of an evacuation slide in an aircraft, the control system comprising:

• the blowout panel;
• the evacuation slide;
• a first actuator;
• a second actuator;
• a controller coupled to the first actuator and the second actuator;
• and
• a tangible, non-transitory memory configured to communicate with the controller, the tangible, non-transitory memory having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the controller, cause the controller to:
• receive an indication that an evacuation event has begun;
• and
• responsive to receiving the indication of the evacuation event beginning:
• send a first signal to the first actuator that magnetizes a first magnetostriction material within the first actuator, thereby releasing the blowout panel of a packboard compartment in which the evacuation slide is present;
• and
• send a second signal to the second actuator that magnetizes a second magnetostriction material within the second actuator, thereby releasing a key-loop of lacing associated with the softcover in which the evacuation slide is present in the packboard compartment,
• wherein the first actuator comprises:
• the first magnetostriction material;
• a spindle;
• and
• a set of ball bearings, wherein the first magnetostriction material, when magnetized, expands along a length of the first magnetostriction material in a first direction forcing the spindle to translate in the first direction thereby allowing the set of ball bearings holding the blowout panel in place to translate in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction thereby releasing the blowout panel.

A method for releasing a blowout panel and softcover release of an evacuation slide in an aircraft, the method comprising:

• receiving, by a controller, an indication that an evacuation event has begun;
• and
• responsive to receiving the indication of the evacuation event beginning:
• sending, by the controller, a first signal to a first actuator that magnetizes a first magnetostriction material within the first actuator, thereby releasing the blowout panel of a packboard compartment in which the evacuation slide is present;
• and
• sending, by the controller, a second signal to a second actuator that magnetizes a second magnetostriction material within the second actuator, thereby releasing a key-loop of lacing associated with the softcover in which the evacuation slide is present in the packboard compartment.