Packaging system for an inflatable escape slide of an aircraft

Disclosed is a packing system for a slide of an aircraft evacuation system, the packing system having: a rigid packboard having a first side end and a second side end that opposes the first side end; a first valise flap having a first outer end and a first inner end, the first outer end connected to the first side end of the rigid packboard; a second valise flap having a second outer end and a second inner end, the second outer end connected to the second side end of the rigid packboard; and lacing for tying together the first inner end of the first valise flap and the second inner end of the second valise flap, wherein the first valise flap and the second valise flap are formed of a heat shrink material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Indian Patent Application No. 201911051809 filed Dec. 13, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The disclosed embodiments relate to aircraft emergency evacuation systems employing an inflatable escape slide and more particularly to a packaging system for an inflatable escape slide.

Emergency evacuation systems that employ inflatable escape slides are installed on virtually all passenger carrying aircraft to provide rapid evacuation of the passengers and crew. During normal aircraft operation, the deflated escape slide is generally packed in a compact package or container that is mounted on the interior surface of the aircraft door or on the floor of the aircraft at a position adjacent the door. In the event of an emergency, the door is opened, and the escape slide is automatically or manually urged through the doorway and inflated so that it extends downwardly from the door sill to the surface of the ground or water.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Disclosed is a packing system for a slide of an aircraft evacuation system, the packing system comprising: a rigid packboard having a first side end and a second side end that opposes the first side end; a first valise flap having a first outer end and a first inner end, the first outer end connected to the first side end of the rigid packboard; a second valise flap having a second outer end and a second inner end, the second outer end connected to the second side end of the rigid packboard; and lacing for tying together the first inner end of the first valise flap and the second inner end of the second valise flap, wherein the first valise flap and the second valise flap are formed of a heat shrink material.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed aspects or as an alternate, the first valise flap and the second valise flap are formed of a same heat shrink material.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed aspects or as an alternate, the lacing is formed of a heat shrink material.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed aspects or as an alternate, the heat shrink material of the valise flaps differs from the heat shrink material of the lacing.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed aspects or as an alternate, the valise flaps and the lacing are configured so that the valise flaps shrink before the lacing shrinks when heat is applied.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed aspects or as an alternate, the valise flaps each include a reinforced section, wherein holes are defined in the reinforced section for receiving the lacing.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed aspects or as an alternate, the packing system further includes grommets within respective ones of the holes.

Further disclosed is a packing system for a slide of an aircraft evacuation system, the packing system comprising: a rigid packboard having a first side end and a second side end that opposes the first side end; a first valise flap set having a first outer end and a first inner end, the first outer end connected to the first side end of the rigid packboard, the first valise flap set including a first set of layers of valise flaps that are layered one on top of the other between a first innermost layer and a first outermost layer and joined to one another at the first outer end and the first inner end; a second valise flap set having a second outer end and a second inner end, the second outer end connected to the second side end of the rigid packboard, the second valise flap set including a second set of layers of valise flaps that are layered one on top of the other between a second innermost layer and a second outermost layer and joined to one another at the second outer end and the second inner end; and lacing for tying together the first inner end of the first valise flap set and the second inner end of the second valise flap set, wherein the first valise flap set and the second valise flap set are formed of a heat shrink material.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed aspects or as an alternate, the innermost layer of each of the valise flap sets is formed of a different heat shrink material than the outermost layer.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed aspects or as an alternate, the valise flap sets are configured so that the innermost layer of each of the valise flap sets shrinks before the outermost layer when heat is applied.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed aspects or as an alternate, adjacent layers of the valise flap sets are sized differently from one another.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed aspects or as an alternate, the at least the outermost layer of each of the valise flap sets defines one or more perforations.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed aspects or as an alternate, each layer other than the innermost layer of each of the valise flap sets defines the one or more perforations, and wherein perforations in adjacent layers are offset from one another.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed aspects or as an alternate, the first valise flap set and the second valise flap set are formed of a same heat shrink material.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed aspects or as an alternate, the lacing is formed of a heat shrink material.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed aspects or as an alternate, the heat shrink material of the valise flap sets differs from the heat shrink material of the lacing.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed aspects or as an alternate, each of the valise flap sets and the lacing are configured so that each of the valise flap sets shrinks before the lacing shrinks when heat is applied.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed aspects or as an alternate, each of the valise flap sets includes a reinforced section, wherein holes defined in each reinforced section are configured for receiving the lacing.

A method of packing a folded slide of an aircraft evacuation system, comprising: positioning the folded slide onto a rigid packboard of a packing system; positioning, over the folded slide, valise flaps that oppose one another, wherein the valise flaps are connected to side ends of the rigid packboard that oppose one another, and wherein the valise flaps are formed of a heat shrink material; connecting the valise flaps to one another with lacing; and applying heat to the valise flaps to shrink the valise flaps.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed aspects or as an alternate, the method further includes applying heat to the lacing such that it shrinks at a rate that differs from a valise shrinkage rate of the valise flaps when heat is applied.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the disclosed embodiments will now be addressed with reference to the figures. Aspects in any one figure is equally applicable to any other figure unless otherwise indicated. Aspects illustrated in the figures are for purposes of supporting the disclosure and are not in any way intended on limiting the scope of the disclosed embodiments. Any sequence of numbering in the figures is for reference purposes only.

FIG. 1shows an inflatable evacuation slide assembly (slide assembly)10. The slide assembly10generally has a head end12and a foot end14. The head end12is configured to couple the slide assembly10to an exit door18of an aircraft20. The foot end14is in contact with the ground22. From this, the slide assembly10provides a sloping surface to permit the rapid egress of passengers from the aircraft20. The slide assembly10is preferably fabricated from an air impervious material such as a lightweight fabric that has been coated with an elastomer such as rubber or urethane. The various parts of the slide assembly10may be joined together with a suitable adhesive. From this, the structure will form a unitary composite structure capable of maintaining its shape during operation. The entire structure of the slide assembly10is preferably formed such that all the chambers of the structure are interconnected pneumatically. From this, a single pressurized gas source, such as compressed carbon-dioxide, nitrogen, argon, a pyrotechnic gas generator, or hybrid pyrotechnic/compressed gas generator may be utilized for its deployment. The main body of the slide assembly10has a plurality of inflatable beams16including a pair of longitudinally extending rail tubes24that extend from the head end truss assembly28to the ground22.

The slide is typically packed on a stowage support structure such as a rigid packboard. The packboard attaches to the aircraft door or the fuselage. The evacuation slide is folded with accessories attached and wrapped in a valise (soft pack). In prior art systems, lacing on the valise is tightened using packing hooks so that the slide can meet the required packing dimensions. After tightening the lacings, a vacuum pump may be connected to the slide to remove air from the slide and shrink the packing size further. Packing the slide in available space may be a challenge and require extensive manual labor and time.

To reduce the challenge associated with packing the slide in the valise, as disclosed and illustrated herein, the disclosed embodiments utilize a system that includes one or more valises formed of heat shrink materials to augment the packing process. In addition, the lacing may be provided in the form of a heat shrink material such as woven ropes or threads.

Turning toFIG. 2, a packing system90is shown according to an embodiment. The packing system90includes a rigid packboard100upon which a slide will be packed. The rigid packboard100includes opposing side ends110a,110b, alternatively referred to as a first side end110aand a second side end110b.

The packing system90includes opposing valise flaps120a,120b, alternatively referred to as a first valise flap and a second valise flap. Attached to opposing side ends110a,110bof the rigid packboard100are ones of the opposing valise flaps120a,120b. The valise flaps120a,120bmay have a same shape and be made of the same material so that discussion herein of one is applicable to the other. The valise flaps120a,120bmay be formed of a heat shrink material, i.e., that shrinks when exposed to heat.

The valise flaps120a,120bhave respective outer ends130a,130b, alternatively referred to a first outer end and a second outer end. The valise flaps120a,120bhave respective inner ends130a,130b, alternatively referred to a first inner end and a second inner end. For the valise flaps120a,120bthe outer ends130a,130bare attached to the rigid packboard100. The inner ends140a,140bare unattached and oppose one another when placed over a slide. The inner ends140a,140bdefine respective sets of holes150a,150bwhich may be fitted with individual grommets. Lacing160may be laced through the sets of holes150a,150bso that the opposing valise flaps120a,120bmay be tied together. The lacing160may also be made of a heat shrink material. The inner ends140a,140bmay be reinforced or stiffened to withstand tension created by the tied lacing160.

When the valise flaps120a,120bare tied to one another, the packing system90defines a packing space170in which a slide can be packed. A front area180of the packing space170is defined by a front end190of the rigid packboard100and front ends200a,200bof the respective valise flaps120a,120b. A back area210of the packing space170is defined by a back end220of the rigid packboard100and back ends230a,230bof the respective valise flaps120a,120b. It is to be appreciated that as disclosed herein, identifiers such as front, back and side are utilized for reference purposes only.

Turning toFIG. 3a slide250is packed within the packing system90. That is, the slide250may be folded and placed along with its accessories on the rigid packboard100. The accessories may include a cylinder260aand an aspirator260b. A protective layer270that is formed from a heat/fire resistant/retardant fabric may be placed on the slide to protect it from direct application of heat. Then the valise flaps120a,120bare laid over a top280of the slide250so the inner ends140a,140bof the valise flaps120a,120bare near one another. The lacing160is laced through the holes150a,150bon the inner ends140a,140bof the valise flaps120a,120b, manually with minimum tension. This action reduces the overall packing dimension to a certain extent. As illustrated inFIG. 3, at this stage, a front end290of the slide250is visible through the front area180of the packing space170. Similarly, a back end (not shown) of the slide250is visible through the back area210of the packing space170.

Turning toFIG. 4, the front area180of the packing space170of the packing system90is shown. This shows the front end290of the slide250including the cylinder260aand the aspirator260b. The valise flaps120a,120band the lacing160are formed from heat shrink material which may be the same as or different from one another. A flow of heat300is applied to the valise flaps120a,120busing a heat blower310(illustrated schematically) at a predetermined temperature and for predetermined time. The valise flaps120a,120bshrink to compress the slide250and reduce the packing dimensions. As the flow of heat300is applied to the lacing160, a further reduction of the packing dimension is achieved. Specifically, the valise flaps120a,120bhave respective first lengths120a1,120b1before being heated and second (smaller) lengths120a2,120b2after being heated. In addition, the laces160also shrink from a first size1601before being heated to a second (smaller) size1602after being heated. This further serves to compress the slide250. As a result, an initial, uncompressed height L of the packaging system with the slide250therein is compressed to a height L1after being heated to provide a height difference of DL. In addition, the valise flaps and the lacing may be configured, based on material selection, so that the valise flaps shrink before the lacing shrinks when heat is applied. This could either be a function of heat temperature or time of heating and results in a tighter compacting of the slide.

An alternate embodiment of the packing system400is illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6. Aspects of the packing system400that are the same as those in the above packing system90will have the same reference numbers. The packing system400includes a rigid packboard100upon which a slide will be packed. The rigid packboard100includes opposing side ends110a,110b, alternatively referred to as a first side end110aand a second side end110b.

The packing system400includes opposing valise flaps sets420a,420b, alternatively referred to as a first valise flap set and a second valise flap set. Attached to opposing side ends110a,110bof the rigid packboard100are ones of the opposing valise flap sets420a,420b. The valise flap sets420a,420bmay have a same shape and be made of the same material so that discussion herein of one is applicable to the other. The valise flap sets420a,420bmay be made of a heat shrink material that shrinks when exposed to heat. The valise flap sets420a,420bhave respective outer ends430a,430b, alternatively referred to a first outer end and a second outer end. The valise flap sets420a,420bhave respective inner ends430a,430b, alternatively referred to a first inner end and a second inner end.

As more clearly illustrated inFIG. 6, each of the valise flap sets420a,420bis configured from a plurality of layered valise flaps. For example, each of the valise flap sets420a,420bmay include three valise flaps layered one on top of the other. That is, one of the valise flap sets420amay include three valise flap layers420a1,420a2,420a3, where valise flap layers420a1and420a3are alternatively referred to as a first innermost layer and a first outermost layer. The three valise flap layers420a1,420a2,420a3are layered one on top of the other and connected to one another at the first outer end420aand the first inner end430a.

The other of the valise flap sets420bmay include three valise flap layers420b1,420b2,420b3, where valise flap layers420b1and420b3are alternatively referred to as a second innermost layer and a second outermost layer. The three valise flap layers420b1,420b2,420b3are layered one on top of the other and connected to one another at the second outer end420band the second inner end430b. Due to the layering configuration, the first and second innermost valise flap layers420a1,420b1are configured for being positioned against the slide250.

It is to be appreciated that a fewer or greater number of valise flaps may be in each of the valise flap sets420a,420bdepending on the packing requirements. The valise flap layers420a1,420a2and420a3may be of different width spanning from end430ato end440aas shown inFIG. 6. The valise flap layers420b1,420b2and420b3may be sized to match respective ones of the valise flap layers420a1,420a2and420a3to provide symmetrical tension. This may help in optimizing an overall tension achieved in the packing. In one embodiment, each of the valise flaps in the valise flap sets420a,420bmay have a same perimeter shape to define a same surface area.

For the valise flap sets420a,420bthe outer ends430a,430bare attached to the rigid packboard100. The inner ends440a,440bdefine respective sets of holes150a,150bwhich may be fitted with individual grommets. Lacing160may be laced through the set of holes150a,150bso that the opposing valise flap sets420a,420bmay be tied together. The lacing160may also be made of a heat shrink material that shrinks when exposed to heat.

As more clearly illustrated inFIG. 5, the inner ends440a,440bmay be reinforced or stiffened to withstand tension created by the tied lacing160. When the valise flap sets420a,420bare tied to one another, the packing system400defines a packing space170in which a slide is packed. A front area180of the packing space170is defined by a front end190of the rigid packboard100and front ends200a,200bof the respective valise flap sets420a,420b. A back area210of the packing space170is defined by a back end220of the rigid packboard100and back ends230a,230bof the respective valise flap sets420a,420b.

Thus, with the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6, the valise is divided into sets of multiple valise flap layers. The multi-layered valise flap sets420a,420bmay increase a compression load applied against packed slide. Thus, a number of valise flap layers in each of the valise flap sets420a,420bmay be selected based upon a size of the slide and required packing density.

The outer (outermost) valise flap layers420a3,420b3may define respective perforation sets500a,500bto provide for improved heat transfer to inner layers in each of the valise flap sets420a,420b. That is, the blower310blows heat downwardly so that the perforation sets500a,500benable heat flow from the blower310to more effectively travel between layers in each of the valise flap sets420a,420b. The shape, size and density of perforation sets500a,500bmay be selected based on various factors. For example a strength of the valise fabric for the valises layers in the valise flap sets420a,420bmay be a factor. An amount of heat transfer required through different valise flap layers in the valise flap sets420a,420bmay be another factor. The perforation sets500a,500bmay be staggered (offset) from one another among adjacent layers to increase heat transfer to the inner valise flap layers in the valise flap sets420a,420b. The inner (innermost) valise flap layers420a1,420b1of the valise flap sets420a,420bmay have no perforations because there may be no need to transfer heat downwardly beyond that layer, e.g., into the slide.

The material utilized for the innermost valise flap layers420a1,420b1of the valise flap sets420a,402bmay shrink more readily than the outermost valise flap layers420a3,420b3. The difference in shrinking may be a function of temperature or duration of heating based on the material configuration. This enables the innermost valise flap layers420a1,420b1to compact first, which may increase an effectiveness of the compacting of the different layers. A combination of the number of valise flap layers of a same/different material and a perforation scheme (including perforation shape) may be selected to achieve a desired pack density of the inflatable slide. In addition, the valise flap layers in the valise flap sets420a,420bmay be selected to achieve a uniform tension or pull between the layers of valise flap sets420a,420b.

FIG. 7is a flowchart showing a method of packing the slide250. As shown in block710the method includes positioning the folded slide250onto the rigid packboard of the packing system90(or packing system400). As shown in block720the method includes positioning, over the slide250, the opposing valise flaps120a,120b(or opposing valise flap sets420a,420b) that are connected to opposing ends110a,110bof the rigid packboard100. As indicated, the valise flaps120a,120b(or valise flap sets420a,420b) are formed of a heat shrink material. As shown in block730the method includes connecting the valise flaps120a,120b(or valise flap sets420a,420b) to one another with the lacing160. As indicated the lacing160is laced through opposing ends140a,140b(or opposing ends440a,440b) of the valise flaps120a,120b(or valise flap sets420a,420b). The lacing160may be formed of a material that is the same as or differs from the heat shrink material of the valise flaps120a,120b(or valise flap sets420a,420b). As shown in block740the method includes applying heat to the valise flaps120a,120b(or valise flap sets420a,420b) to shrink the valise flaps (or valise flap sets).

Various benefits are achieved by the disclosed embodiments. For example a reduction in effort is required to pack the slide. There is also a reduction in time required for packing a slide resulting in a higher packing rate. In addition, the configuration results in more uniformly loading the valise against the opposing valise slides and the rigid packboard. Moreover, the packing process of the disclosed embodiments is relatively easy to control.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments are applicable to various types of inflatable structures. In addition to the slide as discussed above the embodiments may be applicable to a raft or other inflatable structure.