Goodrich Corporation

Drew Hartman

Jaro S Volny

Timothy C Haynes

Ivan Kruts

Ryan Schmidt

Tony Pope

Scott A Luobikis

Raoul Evrard Chinang

Rachel Burt

Karl L Winkelman

Breanna Swift Holmes

Baltazar Gonzalez Leon

Ryan Foley

Kassidy L Carson

Scott Ryan Patterson

Craig Erwin Prevost

James Baglini, Jr

William Tad Larner

Philip E Burbank

Michael Jacob Robb

Jesus I Flores

John Markovic

Eric Folland

James Baglini Jr

William T Larner

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. The orientation valve may be configured to block fluid flow from a compressed fluid source when an 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.

Regulator with orientation valve

A softcover for an evacuation system may comprise a fabric panel. The fabric panel may define a plurality of apertures located proximate a first end of the first fabric panel. A plurality of straps may extend from a second end of the fabric panel. The straps may be configured to secure the fabric panel to a housing configured to receive an inflatable slide.

Systems and methods for soft cover attachment

An evacuation slide may comprise a first sill height compensating feature coupled to an upper main support tube and a second sill height compensating feature coupled to the upper main support tube, wherein the first sill height compensating feature and the second sill height compensating feature extend longitudinally past the sliding surface of the evacuation slide in response to the evacuation slide being deployed. The first sill height compensating feature and the second sill height compensating feature may be configured to increase a vertical distance between the upper main support tube and an exit surface.

Evacuation system inflatable toe end spring and sill height compensating feature

A light system for an evacuation slide may include a readiness indicator light assembly. The readiness indicator light assembly may comprise a first light emitting diode configured to emit a first color and a second light emitting diode configured to emit a second color. The light system may be configured to power the first light emitting diode after initial deployment of the evacuation slide and to power the second light emitting diode after the internal pressure of the evacuation slide is greater than a minimum pressure threshold.

Readiness indicator lights for evacuation slide

A support arrangement for an inflatable evacuation system may comprise an inflatable member configured to be elongated and stiffened in a longitudinal direction in response to being in an inflated condition, a protrusion extending orthogonal to a surface of the inflatable member, a tensile member attached at at least two locations to the inflatable member on opposing sides of the protrusion and being slidably engagable over the protrusion so as to maintain about equal tension in the tensile member on opposing sides of the protrusion, and a sleeve attached to the protrusion configured to maintain the tensile member laterally relative to the protrusion even as the tensile member is able to slide longitudinally.

Continuously tensioned truss strap

The present disclosure provides a truss strap integrated geometric restraint for an evacuation slide. The truss strap integrated geometric restraint may comprise a first strap configured to be coupled to a first portion of the evacuation slide, a second strap configured to be coupled to a second portion of the evacuation slide, and a third strap detachably coupled to a third portion of the evacuation slide and configured to disengage from the portion of the slide in response to a predetermined force acting on the release mechanism, wherein the truss strap integrated geo restraint is configured to increase beam strength of the evacuation slide.

Truss strap integrated geometric restraint

An inflatable slide may comprise a ramp portion and a slide portion having a head end attached to the ramp portion and a toe end opposite the head end. A safety gate readiness indicator may be located between the head end of the slide portion and an entrance of the ramp portion. The safety gate readiness indicator may be configured to translate between a transverse position and an erect position.

Evacuation slide with safety gate readiness indicator

An evacuation slide for an aircraft may be deployable in a slide mode and a raft mode. The evacuation slide includes a head end and a toe end, with the head end having a mounting feature and the toe end being longitudinally opposite the head end. In response to the evacuation slide being in the slide mode, the head end of the evacuation slide is mounted to the aircraft via the mounting feature. In response to the evacuation slide being in the raft mode, the evacuation slide is detached from the aircraft and the mounting feature is a boarding aid, according to various embodiments.

Girt boarding aid for evacuation slide

A method for deploying an inflatable slide includes increasing pressure within the inflatable slide, increasing a load in a force releasing member and a dampener, both of which are attached to the inflatable slide, in response to the increasing pressure within the evacuation slide, the load being increased at a slower rate than would occur if the dampener were not present, separating the force releasing member, and inflating the inflatable slide.

Shock absorbing evacuation systems and methods

An evacuation slide may comprise a sliding surface and an inflatable tube assembly located opposite the sliding surface. The inflatable tube assembly may be configured to direct an evacuee toward a lateral center of the sliding surface. The inflatable tube assembly may include a pair of funnel tubes extending from the sides of the slide toward the lateral center of the slide.

Evacuee-centering evacuation slide

An inflatable slide may comprise a ramp portion and a slide portion having a head end attached to the ramp portion and a toe end opposite the head end. A ramp barrier readiness indicator may include a bendable portion located proximate the head end of the slide portion. The ramp barrier readiness indicator may be configured to pivot between a raised position and a lowered position in response to inflation of the slide portion.

Growing community of inventors

Phoenix, AZ, United States of America

Drew Hartman