Deployment arrangement for inflatable structures
AssigneeAir Cruisers Company
InventorsThomas A. Jurlina, Louis A. Cassano, Charles Smith
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Abstract
An arrangement for deployment of an inflatable structure consisting of a pressurized container, a cable and a cable guide block. At least one conduit extends within the cable guide block. The cable is positioned for guided movement within the conduit. Such guided movement of the cable within the conduit under the applied pull force causes activation of the pressurized container and inflation of the inflatable structure by the pressurized fluid.
Claims18
An arrangement for deployment of an inflatable structure, the arrangement comprising:
- a container fluidly connectable to the inflatable structure, the container having a pressurized fluid situated therein and a valve movable under force from a closed position while maintaining the pressurized fluid in the container to an open position in which the pressurized fluid is expelled from the container into the inflatable structure for its inflation;
- a cable guide block having first and second sides spaced from each other, and at least a first conduit and a second conduit extending between the first and second sides;
- a deployment cable positioned for guided movement in the first and second conduits between a rest position and a deployed position, the deployment cable having first and second ends situated distantly from the first and second sides, respectively, with the first end being operably connected to the valve and the second end being accessible for applying a pull force to the deployment cable;
- wherein guided movement of the deployment cable in the first and second conduits from the rest position to the deployed position under the applied pull force causes opening of the valve and inflation of the inflatable structure by the pressurized fluid.
An arrangement for deployment of a life raft in an aircraft having left and right wings, a wing compartment located in each wing with a first chamber for receiving the life raft and a second chamber which is independent of the first chamber, and an aircraft cable for remotely actuating the life raft, the arrangement comprising:
- a life raft adapted for positioning in the first chamber;
- a container adapted for positioning in the first chamber with the life raft, the container being fluidly connectable to the life raft and having a compressed fluid situated therein and a valve movable under force from a closed position while maintaining the compressed fluid in the container to an open position in which the compressed fluid is expelled from the container into the life raft for its inflation;
- a cable guide block being adapted for positioning in the second chamber, the cable guide block having first and second sides, and at least a first conduit extending between the first and second sides;
- a deployment cable positioned for guided movement in the first conduit between a rest position and a deployed position, the deployment cable having first and second ends situated distantly from the first and second sides, respectively, with the first end being operably connected to the valve and the second end being adapted for connection to the aircraft cable for remotely applying a pull force to the deployment cable;
- wherein guided movement of the deployment cable in the at least first conduit from the rest position to the deployed position under the applied pull force causes opening of the valve and inflation of the life raft by the pressurized fluid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.