Patent Publication Number: US-2022234743-A1

Title: Regulator with orientation valve

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of, and claims priority to, and the benefit of Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 16/409,362, filed May 10, 2019 for REGULATOR WITH ORIENTATION VALVE, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to emergency evacuations systems for vehicles such as aircraft, and more particularly, to the inflation of an emergency evacuation slide. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In the event of an aircraft evacuation, evacuation systems, which may comprise an evacuation slide, are often deployed to safely usher passengers from the aircraft to the ground. In response to being deployed, compressed fluid is routed from a pressure regulator to an evacuation device to inflate the evacuation device. Typically, a hose is coupled to a port of the evacuation slide allowing fluid to flow freely upon activation of the evacuation system. 
     SUMMARY 
     An orientation valve, in accordance with various embodiments, is disclosed herein. The orientation valve may comprise a first coupling portion, an insert portion, a second coupling portion, an internal cavity, and a piston. The insert portion may have a first inlet aperture and a second inlet aperture. The second coupling portion may be disposed between the first coupling portion and the insert portion. The internal cavity may be coupled to the first inlet aperture and the second inlet aperture. The piston may be disposed within the internal cavity. 
     In various embodiments, the piston comprises a first circumferential groove disposed at a first end of the piston. The orientation valve may further comprise an O-ring disposed within the first circumferential groove. The internal cavity may comprise a second circumferential groove disposed proximate the first inlet aperture, the O-ring being configured to create a seal between the second circumferential groove and the first circumferential groove when the orientation valve is in an inverted and closed position. The piston may be configured to block the first inlet aperture and the second inlet aperture when the orientation valve is in an upright and closed position. The piston may be configured to fluidly couple the first inlet aperture and the second inlet aperture to the internal cavity when the orientation valve is in an inverted and open position. The orientation valve may further comprise a hexagonal head disposed between the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion. 
     An evacuation system, in accordance with various embodiments, is disclosed herein. The evacuation device may comprise a pressure regulator, an orientation valve, a hose assembly, a compressed fluid source, and an evacuation device. The pressure regulator may have an inlet port. The orientation valve may have a first coupling portion and an insert portion, the orientation valve being disposed within the inlet port of the pressure regulator. The hose assembly may have a hose coupling portion, the hose coupling portion being coupled to the first coupling portion, the insert portion being disposed within the hose assembly. The compressed fluid source may be coupled to the hose assembly. The evacuation device may be coupled to the pressure regulator. 
     The orientation valve may be configured to block fluid flow from the compressed fluid source when the evacuation system is in a stored position. The orientation valve may be configured to fluidly couple the compressed fluid source and the evacuation device when the evacuation system is in a deployed position. 
     In various embodiments, the insert portion may comprise a first inlet aperture and a second inlet aperture. The orientation valve may further comprise an internal cavity and a piston, the internal cavity being coupled to the first inlet aperture and the second inlet aperture, and the piston being configured to block the fluid flow when the evacuation system is in the stored position. The orientation valve may further comprise an O-ring coupled to the piston, the O-ring being configured to create a seal between the piston and the internal cavity when the evacuation system is in the stored position. The piston may comprise a first circumferential groove disposed at a first end of the piston, the O-ring being disposed within the first circumferential groove. The internal cavity may comprise a second circumferential groove disposed proximate the first inlet aperture. The O-ring may be configured to create the seal between the second circumferential groove and the first circumferential groove when the evacuation system is in the stored position. The orientation valve may be in an upright and closed position when the evacuation system is in the stored position. The orientation valve may be in an inverted and open position when the evacuation system is in the deployed position. 
     A method of operation of an evacuation system, in accordance with various embodiments, is disclosed herein. The method may comprise activating a firing cable while the evacuation system is in a stored position; supplying a fluid through a hose assembly to an orientation valve in response to the firing cable being activated; and blocking, by the orientation valve being in a closed position, the fluid from inflating an evacuation device of the evacuation system. 
     In various embodiments, the method may further comprise deploying the evacuation system external to a fuselage of an aircraft; and supplying, by the orientation valve being in an open position, the fluid to the evacuation device. The orientation valve may be in an upright position when it is in a closed position. The method may further comprise inflating the evacuation device. The orientation valve may comprise an internal cavity and a piston, the piston being configured to block the fluid from inflating the evacuation device when the orientation valve is in a closed position. The orientation valve may further comprise an O-ring coupled to the piston. The blocking the fluid may further comprise the O-ring creating a seal between a first circumferential groove in the internal cavity and a second circumferential groove in the piston. The method may further comprise inverting the orientation valve from the closed position to the open position prior to suppling the fluid to the evacuation device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. A more complete understanding of the present disclosure, however, may best be obtained by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the following figures, like reference numbers refer to similar elements and steps throughout the figures. 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a side view of an aircraft, in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a perspective view of an aircraft having an evacuation system, in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a perspective view of an evacuation system, in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a cross-section of an orientation valve in an inverted and closed position for use in an evacuation system, in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a perspective view of an evacuation system, in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a cross-section of an orientation valve in an inverted and closed position for use in an evacuation system, in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of an orientation valve for use in an evacuation system, in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates a side view of an orientation valve for use in an evacuation system, in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates a cross-section of an orientation valve in an upright and closed position for use in an evacuation system, in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 5C  illustrates a cross-section of an orientation valve in an inverted and open position for use in an evacuation system, in accordance with various embodiments; and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a method of operation for an evacuation system, in accordance with various embodiments. 
     
    
    
     Elements and steps in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence. For example, steps that may be performed concurrently or in different order are illustrated in the figures to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments by way of illustration. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosures, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical changes and adaptations in design and construction may be made in accordance with this disclosure and the teachings herein. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation. 
     The scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the examples described. For example, the steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are not necessarily limited to the order presented. Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step may include a singular embodiment or step. Also, any reference to tacked, attached, fixed, coupled, connected or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full and/or any other possible attachment option. Additionally, any reference to without contact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced contact or minimal contact. Surface shading lines may be used throughout the figures to denote different parts but not necessarily to denote the same or different materials. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1A , an aircraft  100  is shown, in accordance with various embodiments. Aircraft  100  may include a fuselage  102  having plurality of exit doors including exit door  104 . Aircraft  100  may include one or more evacuation systems positioned near a corresponding exit door. For example, aircraft  100  includes an evacuation system  106  positioned near exit door  104 . Evacuation system  106  may be removably coupled to fuselage  102 . In the event of an emergency, exit door  104  may be opened by a passenger or crew member of the aircraft  100 . In various embodiments, evacuation system  106  may deploy in response to the exit door  104  being opened and, in various embodiments, evacuation system  106  may deploy in response to another action taken by a passenger or crew member such as depression of a button or actuation of a lever. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , additional details of evacuation system  106  are illustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. In particular, evacuation system  106  includes an inflatable evacuation device  110 . Inflatable evacuation device  110  may be a slide, a slide raft, a life raft, a floatation device or other evacuation device, which may be inflatable. Evacuation system  106  further includes a source of pressure regulated fluid  112 . The pressure regulated fluid  112  may enter the inflatable evacuation device  110  to inflate the inflatable evacuation device  110 . The inflatable evacuation device  110  may be coupled to the fuselage  102  of  FIG. 1  and may be decoupled from fuselage  102  in response to being fully inflated or manually detached to allow passengers and/or crew members to safely float away from aircraft  100  of  FIG. 1A . 
     In various embodiments, the source of pressure regulated fluid  112  may include pressure regulator  120  coupled to the inflatable evacuation device  110 , piping  116  coupled to the pressure regulator  120 , and a compressed fluid source  118  coupled to the piping  116 . In various embodiments the pressure regulator  120  may be coupled directly to the compressed fluid source  118  or may be integral to the compressed fluid source  118 . During normal flight conditions, inflatable evacuation device  110  may be deflated and stored within a compartment of aircraft  100 . In various embodiments, inflatable evacuation device  110  and pressure regulator  120  may be stored in a single package within the aircraft compartment. In response to deployment of evacuation system  106 , a valve  117  may open and fluid may flow from compressed fluid source  118  into pressure regulator  120  via piping  116  at a relatively high pressure. This fluid flow may cause pressure regulator  120  to reduce the relatively high pressure fluid to a relatively lower pressure, i.e. a regulated pressure (P reg ). The fluid flow (such as the flow of a gas) may be directed into the inflatable evacuation device  110  at the relatively lower pressure. In response to receiving the fluid flow, inflatable evacuation device  110  may begin to inflate. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2A , an evacuation system  200  in a stored position, in accordance with various embodiments, is depicted. The evacuation system  200  comprises a housing  240 , a pressure regulator  220 , and a hose assembly  230 . With brief reference to  FIG. 3A , the evacuation system  200  may comprise an evacuation device  210  stored within the housing  240  and not shown in  FIG. 2A . The pressure regulator  220  may comprise an inlet port  222  and a regulator gauge  224 . Housing  240  may comprise a housing window  242 . In various embodiments, the evacuation system  200  is coupled to the fuselage of an aircraft. In various embodiments, the hose assembly  230  is coupled to the pressure regulator  220  at the inlet port  222 . At an opposite end of the hose assembly  230 , the hose assembly  230  may be coupled to a compressed fluid source  205 . In a stored position, the pressure regulator  220  and hose assembly  230  may be oriented in a first orientation. The first orientation may have the hose coupling  232  oriented vertical with respect to the inlet port  222 . In various embodiments, oriented vertical is defined as being higher than another component in reference to a ground plane (X-Y plane). 
     The housing window  242  may be configured to allow a person to check the regulator gauge  224  from inside the cabin of an aircraft. Additionally, the housing  240  may ensure that the pressure regulator  220  and the hose assembly  230  remain in the first orientation while the evacuation device is in a stored position. Upon deployment of the evacuation device, the compressed fluid source  205  fluidly communicates with the pressure regulator  220  via the hose assembly  230  and inflates the evacuation device of the evacuation system. The evacuation system  200  may be configured to have the pressure regulator  220  and the hose assembly  230  oriented in a second orientation during deployment of the evacuation device. 
     In various embodiments, the compressed fluid source  205  is coupled to a firing cable to activate the operation of the evacuation system  200  and inflate the evacuation device  210 . Referring now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , an orientation valve  300  may be disposed between the inlet port  222  and the house coupling  232 . The orientation valve  300  may be in a closed position when the evacuation system  200  is in a stored position. The orientation valve  300  may comprise an internal cavity  310  and a ball bearing  320  disposed within the internal cavity  310 . The orientation valve  300  may further comprise at least two inlet apertures  330 . In a closed position, the at least two inlet apertures  330  may be blocked by the ball bearing  320 . 
     In various embodiments, the orientation valve  300  may further comprise a first coupling portion  340  and a second coupling portion  350 . First coupling portion  340  may be threaded. First coupling portion  340  may be configured to mate with hose coupling  232 . In various embodiments, hose coupling  232  may be threadingly coupled to first coupling portion  340  and fluidly connected to the at least two inlet apertures  330 . In various embodiments, second coupling portion  350  may be threaded. Second coupling portion  350  may be coupled to inlet port  222  of pressure regulator  220 . Second coupling portion  350  and inlet port  222  may be coupled by any method known in the art. In various embodiments, the second coupling portion  350  and inlet port  222  are threadingly coupled. In various embodiments, the second coupling portion  350  and inlet port  222  are press fit together. 
     In various embodiments, the orientation valve  300  may be manufactured from a stainless steel alloy, a nickel alloy, a titanium alloy, or any other material commonly known in the art. The orientation valve  300  may be additively manufactured, machined, or manufactured by any other method commonly known in the art. 
     When the evacuation device of the evacuation system  200  is stored in housing  240 , the orientation valve  300  may be in an inverted position and a closed position, as depicted in  FIG. 2B . If the firing cable is accidently pulled, and/or if the compressed fluid source  205  is accidently initiated when the evacuation system  200  is in a stored position, the orientation valve  300  is configured to block the flow from the hose assembly  230  to the pressure regulator  220 . The orientation valve  300  may be configured to prevent an in cabin deployment of the evacuation device by preventing fluid communication between the compressed fluid source  205  and the evacuation device. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3A , an evacuation system  200  during deployment of the evacuation device  210 , in accordance with various embodiments, is depicted. In particular, evacuation system  200  includes an inflatable evacuation device  210 , the pressure regulator  220 , and the hose assembly  230 . In various embodiments, the inflatable evacuation device  210  is stored in a deflated compact state within a housing  240 , as shown in  FIG. 2A . In a deployed position, the pressure regulator  220  and hose assembly  230  may be oriented in the second orientation. The second orientation may have the inlet port  222  of the pressure regulator  220  vertical to the hose coupling  232 . As used in this context, vertical is defined as being displaced in the positive z direction relative to a ground plane (X-Y plane). In various embodiments, the second orientation is opposite to the first orientation. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , an orientation valve  300  may be disposed between inlet port  222  of pressure regulator  220  and coupling portion  232  of hose assembly  230 . In a deployed position, orientation valve  300  may be in an upright position and/or an open position, as depicted in  FIG. 3B . In an upright position, orientation valve  300  may be configured to allow ball bearing  320  to drop via gravity to a first end  312  of internal cavity  310 . When ball bearing  320  is disposed at first end  312  of internal cavity  310 , the at least two inlet apertures  330  may be in fluid communication with internal cavity  310 . In an open position, pressure regulator  220  and hose assembly  230  may be fluidly coupled through the orientation valve  300  at the at least two inlet apertures  330 . In various embodiments, in a deployed position, the compressed fluid source  205  may be configured to supply fluid through hose assembly  230  through the orientation valve  300  into the pressure regulator  220  and inflate the evacuation device  210 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an orientation valve  300 , in accordance with various embodiments, is depicted. Orientation valve  300  may comprise a first coupling portion  340 , a second coupling portion  350 , a hexagonal head  360 , an insert portion  370 , at least two inlet apertures  330 , and at least two outlet apertures  380 . The hexagonal head may be disposed between the first coupling portion  340  and the second coupling portion  350 . The insert portion  370  may comprise at least two inlet apertures  330 . The insert portion  370  may be disposed adjacent to the first coupling portion  340 . The first coupling portion  340  may comprise a male thread coupling portion. 
     In various embodiments, the hexagonal head  360  may be configured to receive a tool to torque the second coupling portion  350  into an inlet port of a regulator. The hexagonal head  360  may provide a counter torque to installing a coupling portion of a house assembly on first coupling portion  340 . With brief reference to  FIG. 3A , the counter torque may ensure that the orientation valve  300  remains in the inlet port  222  of the pressure regulator  220  during installation of the hose assembly  230 . In various embodiments, the diameter of the insert portion  370  is less than the diameter of the first coupling portion  340 . This may ensure that a mating hose assembly may be fluidly coupled to the at least two inlet apertures  330  of the orientation valve. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 5A-5C , an orientation valve  500 , in accordance with various embodiments, is depicted. Orientation valve  500  comprises a first coupling portion  340 , a second coupling portion  350 , a hexagonal head  360 , an insert portion  370 , at least two inlet apertures  330 , and at least two outlet apertures  380 . Orientation valve  500  may further comprise an internal cavity  510 , a piston  520 , and an O-ring  590 . The piston  520  may be disposed within internal cavity  510 . Piston  520  may comprise a circumferential groove  522  disposed at a first end of piston  520 . The piston  520  may further comprise a chamfer portion  524  at a second end of the piston  520 . In various embodiments, O-ring  590  is disposed within the circumferential groove  522  of the piston  520 . In various embodiments, the internal cavity  510  comprises a circumferential groove  512 . 
     Circumferential groove  512  may be configured to receive O-ring  590  when the orientation valve  500  is in a closed position, as shown in  FIG. 5B . In a closed position, piston  520  may block the at least two inlet apertures  330  of the insert portion  370 . 
     In various embodiments, the chamfer portion  524  of piston  520  may be configured to keep piston  520  aligned in the internal cavity  510 . In various embodiments, O-ring  590  may be configured to create a seal between circumferential groove  512  of internal cavity  510  and circumferential groove  522  of piston  520  when the orientation valve  500  is in an upright position and/or a closed position, as shown in  FIG. 5B . This may ensure that fluid may not be communicated past O-ring  590  when orientation valve  500  is in a closed position. The piston  520  and O-ring  590  may slidabley engage circumferential groove  512  of internal cavity  510 . Circumferential groove  512  may comprise a chamfer  513  on a first end of the circumferential groove. The chamfer  513  may allow piston  520  and O-ring  590  to more easily engage circumferential groove  512  when changing from an inverted position to an upright position or vice versa. With reference now to  FIGS. 5A and 2A , first coupling portion  340  may be configured to mate with inlet port  222  of pressure regulator  220 . Similarly, second coupling portion  350  may be configured to mate with coupling portion  232  of hose assembly  230 . In various embodiments, piston  520  may be reversed, such that the orientation valve is in an open position when it is upright and in a closed position when it is in an inverted position. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 6 , a method of operation of an evacuation system  600 , in accordance with various embodiments, is depicted. The method may comprise a firing cable of an evacuation system being activated while the evacuation system is in a stored position (step  602 ). Upon the firing cable being activated, a compressed fluid may be supplied from a compressed fluid source through a hose assembly to an orientation valve (step  604 ). The orientation valve may be in an upright position and a closed position. In various embodiments, the orientation valve may be in an inverted position and closed position. By being in a closed position, orientation valve may block the fluid being supplied by the compressed fluid source from flowing past the orientation valve and into a pressure regulator (step  606 ). The orientation valve may ensure that the evacuation device remains deflated while it is in a stored position. An evacuation device may then be deployed and released external to a fuselage (step  608 ). Upon deployment, the orientation valve may be inverted from its upright position and closed position to an inverted position and open position (step  610 ). In various embodiments, upon deployment, the orientation valve may be inverted from its inverted position and closed position to an upright position and open position. As it is being deployed, orientation valve changes orientation between 160 degrees and 200 degrees from a closed position to an open position. By being in an open position, orientation valve fluidly couples the compressed fluid source to the evacuation device and allows fluid to flow from the compressed fluid source through the orientation valve and on to the evacuation device (step  612 ). Then, the evacuation device inflates from the fluid being communicated from the compressed fluid source to the evacuation device (step  614 ). 
     Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described herein with regard to specific embodiments. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of the disclosures. The scope of the disclosures is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims and their legal equivalents, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least one of A, B, or C” is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to mean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that any combination of the elements A, B and C may be present in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C. 
     Systems, methods and apparatus are provided herein. In the detailed description herein, references to “various embodiments”, “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. After reading the description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure in alternative embodiments. 
     Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.” As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.