Back to results
US 2014/0174539 A1Published application
Actuation systems principally for inflatable emergency equipment
AssigneeAir Cruisers Company
InventorAndrew Mahlon Harlow
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Actuations systems in which pulley systems may be used as redundant (back-up) mechanisms are described. The systems provide mechanical advantage, especially useful when manual input is required to deploy a back-up mechanism. A pulley may be integrated into a clevis, a cable routed about the pulley, and one end of the cable made stationary, causing the pulley to counterbalance approximately twice the input force provided.
Claims12
An aircraft comprising:
- a. an inflatable object;
- b. a main actuator for inflating the inflatable object;
- and
- c. a back-up actuator for inflating the inflatable object, the back-up actuator (i) configured to receive manual input and (ii) supplying mechanical advantage to the manual input.
1 more element
A method of manually inflating an inflatable object, comprising:
- a. accessing an actuator of the inflatable object, the actuator comprising a cable (i) having an anchored first end portion and (ii) being received by a pulley system;
- and
- b. tensioning a second end portion of the cable so as to displace the pulley system and thereby cause inflation of the inflatable object.
An actuation system for inflating an inflatable object, comprising:
- a. a cable having (i) an anchored first end portion and (ii) a second end portion configured to be grasped manually and moved linearly;
- b. a pulley system comprising (i) a wheel having a periphery configured to receive a portion of the cable and (ii) configured to be moved linearly when the second end portion is moved linearly;
- and
- c. a connector (i) configured to be moved linearly when the pulley system moves linearly and (ii) connected directly or indirectly to a source of inflation fluid.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.