Patent Publication Number: US-10780986-B2

Title: Collapsible inflatable aspirator system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of, claims priority to and the benefit of, U.S. Ser. No. 15/130,758 filed Apr. 15, 2016 and entitled “COLLAPSIBLE INFLATABLE ASPIRATOR SYSTEM,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure is directed to evacuation systems for use in aircraft and, more particularly, to aspirators designed to provide air for inflating evacuation devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Inflatable emergency evacuation devices such as aircraft evacuation slides and emergency life rafts typically include a charged gas cylinder and an aspirator. The aspirator, working with the charged gas cylinder, provides air to inflate the emergency evacuation devices. Aspirators are typically stored in a limited packing space and thus the evacuation device package is often densely packaged. The process of packaging the evacuation device so densely may lead to various issues including cracked aspirators, which may be fragile. 
     SUMMARY 
     Described herein is an aspirator system for inflating an inflatable evacuation device. The aspirator system includes an aspirator body having a plurality of flapper doors configured to open to allow intake of atmospheric gas. The aspirator system also includes an aspirator barrel connecting the aspirator body to the inflatable evacuation device, having connected inflation chambers wrapping around a circumference of the aspirator barrel and arranged along a length of the aspirator barrel, and being configured to provide an aspirator barrel chamber for guiding the atmospheric gas to the inflatable evacuation device when the aspirator barrel is inflated. The aspirator system also includes a showerhead nozzle disposed within the aspirator body, connected to the connected inflation chambers, configured to direct a first portion of high-pressure gas to the connected inflation chambers to inflate the aspirator barrel, and configured to direct a second portion of high-pressure gas through the aspirator barrel and compel intake of atmospheric gas through the plurality of flapper doors, to inflate the inflatable evacuation device. 
     In any of the foregoing embodiments, the aspirator barrel is made of a fabric. 
     In any of the foregoing embodiments, the aspirator barrel is configured to be compacted when not inflated. 
     In any of the foregoing embodiments, the aspirator barrel comprises a relief valve configured to release gas into the aspirator barrel chamber when a pressure inside the connected inflation chambers exceeds a threshold pressure. 
     In any of the foregoing embodiments, the showerhead nozzle is connected to the connected inflation chambers at a single point. 
     In any of the foregoing embodiments, the showerhead nozzle is connected to the connected inflation chambers at a plurality of points. 
     In any of the foregoing embodiments, the aspirator barrel is generally cylindrically shaped. 
     In any of the foregoing embodiments, the aspirator barrel comprises a first connected to the aspirator body and a second end connected to the inflatable evacuation device, and wherein a diameter of the aspirator barrel at the first end is smaller than a diameter of the aspirator barrel at the second end. 
     In any of the foregoing embodiments, the connected inflation chambers are separated by a plurality of seams. 
     In any of the foregoing embodiments, a shape of the plurality of seams resembles rings arranged along the length of the aspirator barrel. 
     In any of the foregoing embodiments, a shape of the plurality of seams resembles a helix along the length of the aspirator barrel. 
     Also described is an aspirator barrel of an aspirator system. The aspirator barrel includes connected inflation chambers wrapping around a circumference of the aspirator barrel and arranged along a length of the aspirator barrel, the connected inflation chambers connected to a showerhead nozzle configured to direct high-pressure gas to the connected inflation chambers such that the aspirator barrel is inflated. The aspirator barrel further includes an aspirator barrel chamber for guiding atmospheric gas from a first end of the aspirator barrel to a second end, the aspirator barrel chamber defined by the aspirator barrel when the aspirator barrel is inflated. The aspirator barrel further includes a relief valve configured to release high-pressure gas into the aspirator barrel chamber when a pressure inside the connected inflation chambers exceeds a threshold pressure. 
     In any of the foregoing embodiments, a diameter of the aspirator barrel at the first end is smaller than a diameter of the aspirator barrel at the second end. 
     Also described in an airplane. The airplane includes an inflatable evacuation device configured to be inflated when deployed. The airplane also includes a charged gas cylinder configured to provide high-pressure gas for inflating the inflatable evacuation device. The airplane also includes an aspirator system. The aspirator system includes an aspirator body having a plurality of flapper doors configured to open to allow intake of atmospheric gas. The aspirator system also includes an aspirator barrel connecting the aspirator body to the inflatable evacuation device, having connected inflation chambers wrapping around a circumference of the aspirator barrel and arranged along a length of the aspirator barrel, and being configured to provide an aspirator barrel chamber for guiding the atmospheric gas to the inflatable evacuation device when the aspirator barrel is inflated. The aspirator system also includes a showerhead nozzle disposed within the aspirator body, connected to the connected inflation chambers, configured to direct a first portion of the high-pressure gas from the charged gas cylinder to the connected inflation chambers to inflate the aspirator barrel, and configured to direct a second portion of the high-pressure gas from the charged gas cylinder through the aspirator barrel and compel intake of atmospheric gas through the plurality of flapper doors, to inflate the inflatable evacuation device. 
     In any of the foregoing embodiments, the connected inflation chambers are separated by a plurality of seams resembling a helix along the length of the aspirator barrel. 
     The forgoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated herein otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation of the disclosed embodiments will become more apparent in light of the following description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       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 disclosures, however, may best be obtained by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements. 
         FIG. 1  is a drawing of a partial cross section of a collapsible and inflatable aspirator system, in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  is a drawing of a cross section of a collapsible and inflatable aspirator system, in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 3  is a drawing of a collapsible and inflatable aspirator system with seams resembling multiple rings, in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 4  is a drawing of a collapsible and inflatable aspirator system with seams resembling a helix, in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 5  is a drawing of a cross section of a collapsible and inflatable aspirator system with a diffused opening, in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 6  is a drawing of a collapsible and inflatable aspirator system with seams resembling multiple rings and a diffused opening, in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 7  is a drawing of a collapsible and inflatable aspirator system with seams resembling a helix and a diffused opening, in accordance with various embodiments; and 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram of an airplane with a collapsible and inflatable aspirator system, in accordance with various embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments by way of illustration and their best mode. While these exemplary embodiments are described n sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical, chemical, and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation. 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 attached, fixed, 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. 
     Aspirators are an important component to an inflatable evacuation system&#39;s performance. Aspirators draw atmospheric gas into the inflatable device during inflation to supplement the high-pressure gas provided by the charged gas cylinder. The high-pressure gas entering an aspirator chamber of an aspirator body causes the pressure in the aspirator chamber to fall below atmospheric pressure. As a result, atmospheric gas is drawn into the aspirator chamber and enters the inflatable evacuation device via an aspirator barrel connecting the aspirator body to the inflatable evacuation device. 
     Aspirator barrels are rigid despite the low pressure environment within them. Therefore, they may be created from materials such as a metal or reinforced plastic. Being created from rigid materials, aspirators may be bulky and occupy substantial volume. The volume occupied by the aspirator may be an issue when packing inflatable evacuation devices, as aspirators can take up to about 25% or more of the available volume in the inflatable evacuation device pack. More volume occupied by the aspirator leads to higher pack densities and can present issues when manufacturing. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , a collapsible and inflatable aspirator system  100  is shown. The collapsible and inflatable aspirator system  100  includes an aspirator body  118 , whose cross section is shown, connected to an aspirator barrel  102 . The aspirator barrel  102  is capable of being in an uninflated state (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) and also capable of being in an inflated state (as shown in  FIG. 2 ). The aspirator barrel  102  may comprise a flexible fabric. In various embodiments, the flexible fabric is the same type of flexible fabric used in the inflatable evacuation device  142 . In various embodiments, the flexible fabric has a high tensile strength and is made of, for example an aramid and/or para-aramid fiber. Being made of a flexible fabric, in an uninflated state, the aspirator barrel  102  is capable of being folded, rolled up, or otherwise compacted. 
     The aspirator body  118  includes a showerhead nozzle  104 , flapper doors  106 A- 106 B, and a gas valve  108 . The showerhead nozzle  104  is connected to the gas valve  108 . The gas valve  108  directs high-pressure gas from a gas source  140 , such as a charged cylinder, through the showerhead nozzle  104  and into an aspirator chamber  110 . The aspirator chamber  110  is defined by the aspirator body  118 . The aspirator body  118  may be made of a rigid material, such as plastic or metal, in order to protect the gas valve  108 , the showerhead nozzle  104 , and the flapper doors  106 A- 106 B, as well as ensuring the aspirator chamber  110  is defined. 
     When high-pressure gas moves from the gas source  140  to the aspirator chamber  110  via the gas valve  108  and the showerhead nozzle  104 , atmospheric gas is compelled into the aspirator chamber  110  from outside the collapsible and inflatable aspirator system  100  due to the Venturi effect. The atmospheric gas enters the aspirator chamber  110  through flapper doors  106 A- 106 B. 
     The flapper doors  106 A- 106 B are configured to open inward to allow compelled atmospheric gas to enter the aspirator chamber  110 . The flapper doors  106 A- 106 B are also configured to keep the atmospheric gas from exiting the aspirator chamber  110  via the flapper doors  106 A- 106 B by being a one-way valve. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the flapper doors  106 A- 106 B are in a closed configuration, as high-pressure gas is not being provided to the aspirator chamber  110  via the gas valve  108  and the showerhead nozzle  104 . 
     The aspirator barrel  102  is connected to the aspirator body  118  at one end, and connected to an inflatable evacuation device  142  at the other end  134 . The aspirator barrel  102  may be connected to the aspirator body by wrapping a band clamp  144  around a flange connection between the aspirator body  118  and the aspirator barrel  102 . The showerhead nozzle  104  provides the high-pressure gas from the gas source  140  and is connected to the aspirator barrel  102  via aspirator barrel inflation connector  116 . The showerhead nozzle  104  provides a first portion of the high-pressure gas to the aspirator barrel inflation connector  116  and provides a second portion of the high-pressure gas to the aspirator chamber  110  to compel atmospheric gas to enter via the flapper doors  106 A- 106 B. In various embodiments, the aspirator barrel inflation connector  116  is a flexible tube. In various embodiments, the aspirator barrel inflation connector  116  is a rigid pipe. The aspirator barrel inflation connector  116  is housed entirely within the aspirator body  118 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , a cross section of the collapsible and inflatable aspirator system  100  with an inflated aspirator barrel  102  is shown. When the gas valve  108  is opened and high-pressure gas enters the showerhead nozzle  104 , a portion of the high-pressure gas fills the aspirator barrel  102  via the aspirator barrel inflation connector  116 , and the aspirator barrel  102  inflates. Inflating of the aspirator barrel  102  results in an aspirator barrel chamber  112  being defined by the aspirator barrel  102 . 
     The aspirator barrel  102  may include a number of connected inflation chambers  120 . In various embodiments, the aspirator barrel  102  is comprised entirely of the connected inflation chambers  120 . The connected inflation chambers  120  may be arranged in different patterns, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . However, generally, the connected inflation chambers  120  are disposed around the circumference of the aspirator barrel  102  and along the length of the aspirator barrel  102 . In addition, when viewing a cross section of the collapsible and inflatable aspirator system  100 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , the connected inflation chambers  120  generally exhibit a circular pattern aligned along the length of the aspirator barrel  102 . The connected inflation chambers  120  are connected together via one or more openings to allow gas to pass through from one inflation chamber to another. As a result of being connected, all the connected inflation chambers  120  are inflated despite the high-pressure gas entering the aspirator barrel  102  at a single location (via aspirator barrel inflation connector  116 ). In various embodiments, the showerhead nozzle  104  has multiple aspirator barrel inflation connectors, such that the aspirator barrel  102  is connected to the showerhead nozzle  104  at many points, allowing for faster inflation of the connected inflation chambers  120 . 
     The aspirator barrel  102  includes a relief valve  114 . The relief valve  114  is configured to allow some of the high-pressure gas to enter the aspirator barrel chamber  112 . In various embodiments, the relief valve  114  is a one-way valve that opens when the pressure in the connected inflation chambers  120  of the aspirator barrel  102  exceeds a threshold value. By allowing some of the high-pressure gas to be released, damage to the aspirator barrel  102  from over-inflation of the connected inflation chambers  120  is reduced or eliminated. Further, by allowing the excess high-pressure gas to enter the aspirator barrel chamber  112  and eventually fill the inflatable device, high-pressure gas is not wasted. 
     In various embodiments, the relief valve  114  is simply an opening, such that the high-pressure gas from the gas source  140  travels through the showerhead nozzle  104 , through the aspirator barrel inflation connector  116 , inflates the connected inflation chambers  120  of the aspirator barrel  102 , travels through the connected inflation chambers  120 , and eventually enters the inflatable evacuation device  142  via aspirator barrel chamber  112 . The respective diameters of the relief valve  114  and the opening of the aspirator barrel inflation connector  116  may be tuned in such a way that the aspirator barrel  102  remains inflated with a specified rigidity while the high-pressure gas travels through the connected inflation chambers  120  of the aspirator barrel  102 . 
     In addition to providing high-pressure gas for inflating the connected inflation chambers  120  of aspirator barrel  102 , when the gas valve  108  opens and high-pressure gas enters the showerhead nozzle  104 , atmospheric gas enters the aspirator chamber  110  via flapper doors  106 A- 106 B (in an open state) and atmospheric gas and high-pressure gas is provided in a direction  128  toward the inflatable evacuation device  142 , through the aspirator barrel chamber  112  defined by the aspirator barrel  102  in an inflated state. The diameter of the aspirator barrel entrance opening  126  is substantially the same as the diameter of the aspirator barrel exit opening  124 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the collapsible and inflatable aspirator system  100  with an inflated aspirator barrel  102 . As described herein, the aspirator barrel  102  is connected to the aspirator body  118  and provides atmospheric gas and high-pressure gas in a direction  128  toward the inflatable evacuation device. 
     The connected inflation chambers  120  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) of the aspirator barrel  102  are connected together to allow gas to pass through from one chamber to the next, but the connected inflation chambers  120  are also separated by seams  130 . Seams  130  follow a pattern such that the connected inflation chambers  120  of the aspirator barrel  102  are aligned next to each other in a row, along the length of the aspirator barrel  102 , with the diameters of the connected inflation chambers  120  being perpendicular to an axis along the length of the aspirator barrel  102 . In various embodiments, the aspirator barrel  102  is created using two sheets of fabric and bonding them together to create the seams  130  and the shape of the aspirator barrel  102 . The seams  130  may be made by bonding a first fabric comprising the outer surface area of the aspirator barrel  102  with a second fabric comprising an inner surface area of the aspirator barrel  102 , in lines. The bonding may be achieved by applying an adhesive or by joining the fabric together using heat. 
       FIG. 4  shows the collapsible and inflatable aspirator system  100  with an inflated aspirator barrel  102 . As described herein, the aspirator barrel  102  is connected to the aspirator body  118  and provides gas in a direction  128  toward the inflatable evacuation device. 
     The seams  132  in  FIG. 4  follow a swirling or helix pattern, as compared to the seams  130  in  FIG. 3 . Having a helix pattern may allow the aspirator barrel  102  to inflate more evenly, as each inflation chamber of the connected inflation chambers  120  covers more of the surface area of the aspirator barrel  102 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a cross section of collapsible and inflatable aspirator system  200 . The collapsible and inflatable aspirator system  200  has elements in common with collapsible and inflatable aspirator system  100  shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , which are numbered similarly. Collapsible and inflatable aspirator system  200  includes an aspirator body  218  which houses a showerhead nozzle  204 , a gas valve  208 , flapper doors  206 A- 206 B, and aspirator barrel inflation connector  216 . The aspirator body  218  defines an aspirator chamber  210 , and atmospheric gas and high-pressure gas is provided to the inflatable evacuation device  242  in direction  128 . High-pressure gas enters connected inflation chambers  220  via aspirator barrel inflation connector  216 . 
     The cross section of aspirator barrel  202  illustrates the connected inflation chambers  220  exhibiting a pattern of round chambers alongside each other along the length of the aspirator barrel  202 . In various embodiments, the connected inflation chambers  220  resemble rings and the diameters of each of the connected inflation chambers  220  are perpendicular to an axis  280  along the length of the aspirator barrel  202 . Unlike the generally cylindrically shaped aspirator barrel  102  of  FIG. 2 , the aspirator barrel  202  of  FIG. 5  exhibits a shape where the diameter of the aspirator barrel  102  increases as gas travels in the direction  128  toward the inflatable evacuation device. The shape of aspirator barrel  202  may generally resemble a frustum. By having the diameter of the aspirator barrel  102  increase as the gas travels in direction  128 , diffusion of the atmospheric gas and high-pressure gas is created, achieving improved inflation of the inflatable evacuation device by reducing scavenging effects during inflation when atmospheric gas and high-pressure gas travels quickly through aspirator barrel chamber  212  in direction  128 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of the collapsible and inflatable aspirator system  200  with an inflated aspirator barrel  202 . As described herein, the aspirator barrel  202  is connected to the aspirator body  218  and provides atmospheric gas and high-pressure gas in a direction  128  toward the inflatable evacuation device. 
     Similar to the seams  130  of  FIG. 3 , seams  230  of  FIG. 6  follow a pattern such that the connected inflation chambers  220  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) of the aspirator barrel  202  are aligned next to each other in a row, along the length of the aspirator barrel  202 , with the diameters of each of the connected inflation chambers  220  being perpendicular to an axis  280  along the length of the aspirator barrel  202 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the collapsible and inflatable aspirator system  200  with an inflated aspirator barrel  202 . As described herein, the aspirator barrel  202  is connected to the aspirator body  218  and provides atmospheric gas and high-pressure gas in a direction  128  toward the inflatable evacuation device. 
     Similar to the seams  132  of  FIG. 4 , the seams  232  in  FIG. 7  follow a swirling or helix pattern, as compared to the seams  230  in  FIG. 6 . Having a helix pattern may allow the aspirator barrel  202  to inflate more evenly, as each inflation chamber of the connected inflation chambers  220  covers more of the surface area of the aspirator barrel  202 . 
       FIG. 8  is a diagram of a system using the collapsible and inflatable aspirator system. The system includes an airplane  800 . The airplane  800  has an evacuation device package  802 . In various embodiments, the evacuation device package  802  is tightly packed to minimize space in the fuselage of the airplane  800 . 
     The evacuation device package  802  includes an aspirator  804 . In various embodiments, the aspirator  804  is a collapsible and inflatable aspirator system similar to collapsible and inflatable aspirator system  100  and collapsible and inflatable aspirator system  200 . The aspirator  804  is connected to a gas source  808 . In various embodiments, the gas source  808  is a charged gas cylinder. The aspirator  804  is also connected to an evacuation device  806 . In various embodiments, the evacuation device  806  is an inflatable evacuation device, as described herein. 
     In various embodiments, in an emergency evacuation situation, the airplane  800  deploys the evacuation device  806 . In various embodiments, deploying the evacuation device  806  includes opening the evacuation device package  802  and configuring gas source  808  to provide high-pressure gas to aspirator  804 . In turn, the aspirator  804 , using the high-pressure gas and atmospheric gas, inflates the evacuation device  806 . In various embodiments, the evacuation device  806  is an inflatable slide that passengers may use to exit the airplane  800  in a controlled manner. In various embodiments, the evacuation device  806  is an inflatable raft that passengers may occupy in an emergency situation. 
     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 disclosure. The scope of the disclosure is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, 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. Different cross-hatching is used throughout the figures to denote different parts but not necessarily to denote the same or different materials. 
     Systems, methods and apparatus are provided herein. In the detailed description herein, references to “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, method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, 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.