Method of absorbing energy in an aircraft passenger seat assembly

A method of absorbing energy in an aircraft passenger seat assembly, comprising the steps of:

• providing an aircraft seat assembly having a lightweight composite support structure and seat base;
• supporting an energy-absorbent aircraft seat cushioning system upon said seat assembly to provide a cushioned seat assembly, wherein said cushioning system is comprised of an array of:
• a. a crushable insert layer of permanently energy absorbing material effective for absorbing sudden energy spikes and thereby reducing forces transferred from an aircraft seat structure to a passenger and enhancing the passenger's ability for rapid egress of the aircraft;
• b. a layer of main cushioning foam;
• c. an ischial insert of cushioning foam placed atop the main cushioning foam, wherein both cushioning foams are of lower density than the crushable insert layer;
• d. a semi-dynamic and self-inflatable pneumatic cell wherein the semi-dynamic pneumatic cell is a sealable bladder which is automatically adjustable in accordance with changes in aircraft cabin pressure, the cell having a two-way dual action reciprocating breather valve effective for maintaining and adjusting inflation of the cell when the aircraft is pressurized and deflation of the cell when the aircraft is grounded;
• and
• e. a finishing fabric or upholstery covering for the seat cushioning assembly;
• installing said seat assembly and cushioning system in an aircraft;
• exposing said cushioned seat assembly to forces experienced in extreme or emergency conditions;
• and
• absorbing excess energy, thereby reducing forces transferred from a seat structure to a seated passenger in said extreme conditions.

A method of absorbing excess energy in an aircraft passenger seat assembly exposed to extreme forces, comprising the steps of:

• providing an aircraft seat assembly having a lightweight composite support structure and seat base;
• supporting an energy-absorbent aircraft seat cushioning system upon said seat assembly to provide a cushioned seat assembly, wherein said cushioning system is comprised of an array of:
• a. a crushable insert layer of permanently energy absorbing material effective for absorbing sudden energy spikes and thereby reducing forces transferred from an aircraft seat structure to a passenger and enhancing the passenger's ability for rapid egress of the aircraft;
• b. a layer of main cushioning foam;
• c. an ischial insert of cushioning foam placed atop the main cushioning foam, wherein both cushioning foams are of lower density than the crushable insert layer;
• d. a semi-dynamic and self-inflatable pneumatic cell wherein the semi-dynamic pneumatic cell is a sealable bladder which is automatically adjustable in accordance with changes in aircraft cabin pressure, the cell having a two-way dual action reciprocating breather valve effective for maintaining and adjusting inflation of the cell when the aircraft is pressurized and deflation of the cell when the aircraft is grounded;
• and
• e. a finishing fabric or upholstery covering for the seat cushioning assembly;
• installing said seat assembly and cushioning system in an aircraft;
• exposing said cushioned seat assembly to forces experienced in extreme or emergency conditions;
• absorbing excess energy, thereby reducing forces transferred from a seat structure to a seated passenger in said extreme conditions;
• wherein the main cushioning foam is selected from comfort foams, or memory foams, or low density foams;
• wherein the ischial insert of cushioning foam is selected from comfort foams, or memory foams, or low density foams;
• wherein the energy absorbing material is a crushable insert selected from resin or composite honeycomb panels, expanded polystyrene foam board and energy-absorbent gas-filled cushioning film cell inserts;
• wherein the semi-dynamic pneumatic cell is a sealable bladder which is automatically adjustable in accordance with changes in aircraft cabin pressure;
• and
• wherein the semi-dynamic pneumatic cell is a polyurethane cell.