Patent ID: 6769647
Filing Date: 2004-08-03
Classification: B64D,Y10S

Abstract:
An inflatable evacuation slide system for use with an aircraft having an exit opening and a door for covering said exit opening, said inflatable evacuation slide system comprising:an inflatable evacuation slide stored in an uninflated condition prior to deployment, said inflatable evacuation slide comprising a plurality of inflatable beams presenting a slide surface extending in a deployed condition from an upper end attached to said aircraft proximal said exit opening downward toward a lower support surface; an inflator comprising a source of inflation gas within an inflator housing mechanically attached and fluidically connected to said inflatable evacuation slide, said inflator comprising an initiator having an initiator housing, said initiator being responsive to withdrawal of a lanyard for initiating a flow of inflation gas from said inflator housing to said inflatable evacuation slide; an automatic-actuating lanyard having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end being operably attached to said initiator and said proximal end being attached to said exit door such that as said exit door is opened and said evacuation slide is ejected from said exit opening, relative motion between said door and said initiator housing withdraws said automatic-actuating lanyard from said initiator to cause said initiator to initiate a flow of inflation gas from said housing to said inflatable evacuation slide; and a manual initiation lanyard, said manual initiation lanyard having an initiator end and a free end, said initiator end terminating at said initiator housing, said manual initiation lanyard further including a mechanical stop intermediate of said initiator end and said free end, said mechanical stop providing means for coupling said automatic-initiation lanyard to said manual initiation lanyard whereby tension in said automatic-initiation lanyard is coupled to said manual initiation lanyard for withdrawing said initiation end of said manual initiation lanyard from said initiator housing.