Energy attenuation system
AssigneeEast/West Industries, Inc.
InventorFrank Knoll
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An energy attenuation system for absorbing at least a portion of the force impulse imparted to an occupant of an aircraft during a crash. The energy attenuation system comprises a seat and an air bag module. The air bag module includes an air bag positioned and deployable below the seat. The air bag allows the seat and its occupant to move in the direction of the applied impact forces under a controlled stroking force. Accordingly, the occupant may be exposed to a force having a magnitude substantially less than the magnitude of the force on the aircraft.
Claims20
An energy attenuation system for an aircraft frame comprising:
- a seat securely attached to said aircraft frame;
- and
- an air bag module, including an air bag secured below said seat and an airbag inflator for deploying said air bag below the seat for absorbing energy.
An energy attenuation system for aircraft seating comprising:
- a seat;
- and
- an air bag module, including an air bag secured below said seat for absorbing energy, an air bag inflator unit for deploying said air bag below said seat for absorbing energy and a casing housing the air bag inflator unit.
An energy attenuation system for aircraft seating comprising:
- a seat;
- a sensor positioned in proximity to the seat, the sensor detecting an impulse force and transmitting a crash signal in response thereto;
- and
- an air bag module, including an air bag positioned and deployable below the seat for absorbing energy, the air bag module being responsive to the crash signal from the sensor.
A method for attenuating forces imparted to an occupant of an aircraft during a crash comprising:
- positioning an air bag module below a seat in the aircraft;
- inflating an air bag of the air bag module at predetermined rates and pressures upon the detection of a collision;
- and
- deflating the air bag at a controllable rate to absorb the forces.
An energy attenuation system for aircraft seating mounted on an aircraft frame comprising:
- a seat;
- and
- an air bag module, the air bag module including an air bag secured below said seat and an air bag inflator for deploying said air bag below the seat for absorbing energy.
A method for attenuating forces imparted to an occupant of an aircraft during a crash comprising:
- securing an air bag below a seat;
- inflating said air bag disposed below said seat of an aircraft at predetermined rates and pressures upon detection of an acceleration force acting upon the seat;
- and
- deflating the air bag at a controllable rate to absorb the force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.