Abstract:
A door pod assembly includes a housing that defines a cavity for emergency equipment, a pod door, and a latch retaining the pod door in a closed position relative to the housing. The assembly is configured such that the latches, upon activation free the release door thereby exposing the emergency equipment and allowing it to be deployed. The door pod assembly maybe coupled to an interior surface of a baggage compartment door and is configured so that the baggage compartment may continue to be used for its originally intended purpose.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is generally directed to compartments for storing emergency equipment, and more specifically to an assembly that maybe coupled to an aircraft door that includes a compartment for storing emergency equipment and a compartment door that allows storage and deployment of the emergency equipment without impairment of the use of the aircraft door. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Emergency flotation devices are required on many aircraft to provide emergency assistance to passengers in the event the aircraft experiences an emergency situation and is forced down in water. Emergency flotation devices generally include systems designed to float the aircraft, systems for emergency life rafts and systems for life vests for individual occupants. 
     One example of an airplane flotation system is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,776,865. The system includes inflatable bags located in a forward portion of an airplane and is manually operated by a pilot. The bags are stored in a non-inflated state within closed compartments. The system utilizes pressure cylinders to sequentially unlock doors of the compartments and inflate the inflatable bags. During operation the pilot activates the pressure cylinder by releasing pressurized gas. After inflation, the pilot is required to pull a cord that places the pressure cylinder into an intermediate position to block further fluid flow between the pressurized cylinder and the inflatable bags. A first disadvantage of the system is that it does not provide for a valve that remains closed until a predetermined pressure is applied. As a result, any increase in pressure may cause the doors to unlock and the inflatable bags to inflate even when undesired. Another disadvantage is that it requires manual operation by the pilot even after the initial activation of the system. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,264,321 to Manson, describes a life-saving device that includes an inflatable life raft that is arranged in a compartment on the side of a vehicle such as an airplane. The compartment is closed by a pair of hinged doors that are spring-loaded to urge them into an opened position. The doors are held closed by pins that extend through meshing lugs that are included on the doors. A pull cord is secured to the pins and a valve on an inflating-gas container so that pulling on the cord sequentially removes the pins from the lugs and operates the valve to permit the flow of gas from the container to the raft. The cord fully disengages from the gas container after the valve is operated. A first disadvantage of the system is that the pins may be disengaged without a complete activation of the system. In addition, the pull cord may become bound which may result in the pin disengaging without activation of the gas container. A further disadvantage is that the gas container valve does not include a mechanism to close the gas path between the gas container and the raft after the raft is inflated. 
     In view of the above, there exists a need for a storage and release system for emergency equipment that provides secure storage of the emergency equipment and positive deployment of the emergency equipment. There is also a need for a system that can be installed during manufacture of the aircraft, or as an aftermarket installation. It is important that the system provide little or no impairment of the standard equipment and components of the aircraft. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a storage and release system for emergency equipment that provides secure storage and positive deployment of the emergency equipment. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a system that can be installed during manufacture of the aircraft, or as an aftermarket installation. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a system that produces little or no impairment of the standard equipment and components of the aircraft. 
     A door pod assembly in accordance with the present invention includes a housing defining a cavity, a pod door, emergency equipment disposed within the cavity and a latch. The pod door is configured to move between a closed position in which the pod door covers the cavity and an opened position wherein the cavity is exposed. The pod door may be pivotally coupled to either the housing or a compartment door of the aircraft. 
     The emergency equipment disposed in the cavity preferably includes at least one inflatable body. Additional emergency supplies may also be included in the cavity and configured to deploy with an inflatable body. For example, the emergency equipment may include an emergency beacon, emergency rations and first aid kits. 
     The latch is configured to selectively retain the pod door in the closed position. The latch may be coupled to the housing or it may be coupled directly to a compartment door of an aircraft. It should be appreciated that any number of latches may be utilized. 
     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated from review of the following detailed description of the invention, along with the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a side panel of an aircraft having a baggage compartment door that incorporates an embodiment of a door pod assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a partially exploded view of the baggage compartment door and door pod assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view the side panel of  FIG. 1  with the baggage compartment door in an opened configuration; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a portion of a door pod assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a partially exploded view of the interior side of the baggage compartment door and door pod assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a first stage of deployment of emergency equipment included in the door pod assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a second stage of deployment of emergency equipment included in the door pod assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a door pod assembly; and 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a side panel of an aircraft incorporating the door pod assembly of  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following paragraphs, the present invention will be described in detail by way of example with reference to the attached drawings. Throughout this description, the preferred embodiment and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than as limitations on the present invention. As used herein, the “present invention” refers to any one of the embodiments of the invention described herein, and any equivalents. Furthermore, reference to various feature(s) of the “present invention” throughout this document does not mean that all claimed embodiments or methods must include the referenced feature(s). 
     Referring first to  FIGS. 1-3 , an embodiment of a door pod assembly will be described. In the present embodiment, door pod assembly  2  is incorporated into baggage compartment  4  and is included in side panel  10  on the fuselage of an aircraft, such as a helicopter. Baggage compartment  4  includes compartment door  12  that provides access to an interior space  14  of baggage compartment  4 . Compartment door  12  is hinged on side panel  10  by a plurality of hinge members  11 . In the present embodiment, door pod assembly  2  is incorporated into compartment door  12  so that door pod assembly  2  is easily accessible for installation and maintenance. 
     In a preferred embodiment, emergency equipment included in door pod assembly  2  includes an inflatable body  6  that is contained in a cavity  17  defined by the interior of housing  18 . Inflatable body  6  may be a life raft, a personal floatation device or an aircraft flotation device. It should be appreciated that any number of inflatable bodies  6  may be included in the emergency equipment stored in cavity  17 . It should also be appreciated that other emergency equipment may be stored with inflatable body  6 . For example, emergency equipment such as a first aid kit and/or emergency beacon may be included with or coupled to a life raft so that after deployment, the emergency equipment is accessible to passengers utilizing the life raft. As further examples, the emergency equipment may include life vests, emergency rations, flares, etc. 
     Compartment door  12  is pivotally coupled to side panel  10  so that it may be rotated between closed and open positions. Latch control  15  is disposed on compartment door  12  so it is accessible from the exterior of door  12 . Latch control  15  is configured so that a user may operate latch mechanism  16  to selectively secure door  12  in the closed position, as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     A door pod aperture extends through compartment door  12  and provides access to the interior of housing  18  and cavity  17  from the exterior of compartment door  12 . As a result of the door pod aperture, the remaining portions of compartment door  12  generally form a frame that supports pod door  20 . In the present embodiment, the peripheral shape of compartment door  12  and the shape of the door pod aperture are generally rectangular so that compartment door  12  is generally shaped as a rectangular frame. 
     Pod door  20  is pivotally coupled to compartment door  12  along one edge and is configured to pivot between a closed position, in which pod door  20  encloses cavity  17  and an opened position, in which cavity  17  is accessible from the exterior of compartment door  12 . When closed, pod door  20  is preferably recessed within the pod aperture so that the outer surface of pod door  20  is flush with an outer surface of compartment door  12 . Compartment door  12  may include a recessed shoulder adjacent the pod aperture that provides a stop and a sealing surface for pod door  20 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , latch mechanism  16  is coupled to an interior surface  24  of compartment door  12 . Latch mechanism  16  generally includes housing  26  and latch pin  28 . Latch pin  28  extends from housing  26  and is slidably coupled therein. Latch pin  28  is configured to engage a mating feature included on side panel  10 . For example, latch pin  28  may be a cylindrical pin, as shown, that is inserted into an aperture included in side panel  10  when compartment door  12  is closed and latch mechanism  16  is in a locked configuration. It should be appreciated that any latching mechanism may be used. 
     Housing  18  is also coupled to interior surface  24  of compartment door  12 . Housing  18  is generally concave and is sized so that it defines a sufficient volume to store inflatable body  6  and any other desired emergency equipment. Mounting flange  30  of housing  18  is coupled to interior surface  24  adjacent the pod aperture. Housing  18  is oriented so that its concave interior is accessible through the pod aperture when pod door  20  is in the opened position. 
     Housing  18  also includes a pod door release slot  54  to provide clearance for lock tabs  40  to extend from pod door  20  adjacent the exterior surface of housing  18  so that the tabs may be engaged by latch pins  34 . The size and/or number of slots  54  may be selected to correspond to a desired configuration of latches  22 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  a single elongate release slot  54  is provided in housing  18  that provides clearance for a pair of lock tabs. 
     Hinge members  58 , shown in  FIG. 5 , provide a pivoting connection between pod door  20  and compartment door  12 . Pod door hinge slots  56  are provided on housing  18 . Slots  56  extend through a side wall of housing  18  opposite the side of housing  18  that includes slot  54 . Slots  56  provide clearance for hinge members  58  to extend between pod door  20  and compartment door  12 . 
     Preferably, releasable fasteners, such as screws, couple mounting flange  30  to compartment door  12  so that pod assembly may be easily installed and/or removed. It will be appreciated that housing  18  may alternatively be permanently coupled to compartment door  12  if desired, such as by welding. In a further alternative, housing  18  may be incorporated into door  12  by forming a concave portion in door  12 , such as by stamping or molding the door panel. 
     As a further alternative, pod door  20  may be pivotally coupled directly to housing  18 , rather than compartment door  12 . In such an embodiment, pod door  20  and housing  18  may be installed as a unit into a pod aperture included in a compartment door. It should be appreciated that in such an embodiment, inflatable body  6  may be prepackaged in the assembled door pod  20  and housing  18  and pod door  20  may be held closed with temporary fasteners. As a result, the combined housing  18 , door pod  20  and packed inflatable body  6  may be supplied as an easily replaceable unit. 
     In the assembled door pod assembly  2 , latches  22  retain pod door  20  in the closed position, as shown in  FIG. 3 , and may be triggered to selectively release pod door  20 , such as for emergency deployment of an inflatable body  6 . In the present embodiment, latches  22  are pneumatically triggered and each of latches  22  generally includes housing  32 , latch pin  34 , fluid inlet  36  and fluid outlet  38 . Housings  32  are mounted on interior surface  24  of compartment door  12  adjacent housing  18 . 
     Latch pin  34  is slidably coupled in housing  32  so that it may move between an extended locked position and a retracted released position. A lock tab  40  extends toward the interior of the baggage compartment from an interior surface of pod door  20  and includes lock aperture  42  that is configured to receive latch pin  34  when latch pin is in the locked position. Engagement between latch pin  34  and lock tab  40  prevents relative motion between pod door  20  and compartment door  12 . 
     Fluid inlet  36  and fluid outlet  38  are located on housing  32  so that when fluid is injected into inlet  36  it first causes latch pin  34  to retract. After latch pin  34  is retracted, the fluid is able to flow out of housing  32  through outlet  38 . Latches  22  are fluidly coupled in series so that after the fluid exits the first latch  22  it enters inlet  36  of the second latch and the sequence is repeated. After the fluid exits outlet  36  of the second latch  22  it flows into fluid inlet  44  of housing  18  which is fluidly coupled to an inflation inlet (not shown) included on inflatable body  6 . That configuration assures that pod door  20  is released prior to the inflation of inflatable body  6 . An example of a suitable latch is described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/361,821 entitled “Pressure Activated Latch and filed on Feb. 24, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. Preferably latches  22  are pneumatically activated, but it should be appreciated that latches  22  may be electrical, hydraulic or manually controlled. Furthermore, latches  22  may be triggered manually or automatically, such as by an environmental condition or other stimulus, such as a mechanical shock or contact with water. 
     Fluid is supplied to latches  22  through a series of fluid conduits  46  from a fluid source (not shown), such as a pressurized fluid reservoir. Preferably, the fluid source is disposed within the aircraft in the proximity of pod assembly  2 , but it should be appreciated that the fluid source may be located anywhere within or on the aircraft. Fluid conduits  46  may include rigid and/or flexible sections. As shown, fluid conduits  46  extending between the fluid source and inlet  34  of the first latch  22  are rigid and fluid conduits  46  extending between latches  22  and between the second latch  22  and inflatable body  6  are flexible. 
     In embodiments utilizing a fluid source that is disposed within a portion of the aircraft that is stationary relative to compartment door  12 , fluid conduits  46  are required to extend across a hinged joint. In the present embodiment, a hose hinge assembly is used to span the joint that incorporates rigid fluid conduits  46  that are coupled by elbows  48  capable of rotating relative to each other. The hose hinge assembly assures that fluid conduits  46  are maintained in a proper orientation during opening and closing of compartment door  12  so that the normal function of baggage compartment may be maintained. An example of a suitable hose hinge assembly is described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/641,993 entitled “Hose Hinge Assembly” and filed on Dec. 18, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. It should be appreciated that a flexible fluid conduit  46  may be used in lieu, or in addition to, a hose hinge assembly as shown and additional supports may be provided to assure the proper orientation of the flexible conduit during opening and closing of the compartment door. 
     An inspection door  50  is preferably included in housing  18 . Inspection door  50  is a door that may be removed to perform inspection of the contents of housing  18 . Inspection door  50  is hinged or removably coupled to housing  18 , with connectors  52 , so that it covers an aperture that extends through the wall of housing  18 . Inspection door  50  may be removable if desired. The size and position of inspection door  50  maybe selected so that any portion of the contents of housing  18  may be inspected and/or maintained. 
     Although in the present embodiment, latches  22  and fluid conduits  46  are exposed to the interior of baggage compartment  4 , it should be appreciated that housing  18  may include a second cavity configured to cover latches  22  and a portion of fluid conduits  46 . An access door, similar to inspection door  50  may be included on the second cavity so that the components in the second cavity may be accessed for inspection and/or maintenance. Alternatively, a separate cover, or housing, may be provided to cover those components. 
     A door closer  60  may also be provided that is coupled to compartment door  12  and the interior of baggage compartment  14 . Door closer  60  is configured to urge compartment door  12  into a closed configuration. Any type of door closer, such as a gas cylinder, may be utilized. 
     Deployment of emergency inflatable equipment is preferably a two stage process. First, responsive to an emergency event, latches  22  are released which releases pod door  20 . As a result, pod door  20  is free to swing to the opened position, as shown in  FIG. 6 . After latches  22  are released, inflatable body  6  is inflated and deployed, as shown in  FIG. 7 . As described above, latches  22  may be configured so that they dictate the sequence of unlatching of latches  22  and inflation of inflatable body  6 . Alternatively, a separate inflation valve may be utilized that is opened after latches are released. Preferably, inflatable body  6  is packed and stored so that during inflation it is predisposed to eject outward from cavity  17 . 
     In another embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the door pod assembly  102  is configured as a self-contained unit. It should be appreciated that the present embodiment includes many of the features described above with respect to the previous embodiment. Door pod assembly  102  is configured so that it is installed on an aircraft in a two-step process. First housing  118  is coupled to an interior surface of a compartment door. Second, a fluid supply line is coupled to fluid conduits  156  adjacent the hose hinge assembly. 
     In this embodiment, a portion of housing  118  surrounding pod door  120  extends into the door pod aperture of compartment door  112  and provides a frame for pod door  120 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . As a result a portion of the exterior surface of housing  118  and the exterior surface of pod door  120  are flush with the exterior surface of side panel  110 . Furthermore, pod door  120  is hinged directly with housing  118  and seats against a shoulder provided on the interior of housing  118 . 
     Housing  118  also includes mounting portions for latches  122  and fluid conduits  156 . As a result, the emergency equipment may be pre-loaded into the cavity defined by housing  118 , latches  122  may be mounted on housing  118  and pod door  120  may be coupled to housing  118 , placed in a closed position and latched prior to installation of pod assembly  102  on an aircraft. 
     While embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made.