Tip turbine inflating device with motor-actuated closure at inlet

Abstract

A tip turbine type fan particularly adapted for use to effect a substantially instantaneous inflation of an emergency lifesaving device such as an escape slide or life raft. It features a housing having an improved unitized construction which defines an axial flow passage. A rotor within and transverse to said passage is operated under the influence of fluid under pressure directed from a chamber formed within and circumferentially of the wall structure of said housing. Drive of the rotor induces air from the environment surrounding the housing to enter the flow passage at one end to co-mingle with the fluid furnishing the motive power for the rotor and to move therewith from the passage to the interior of a connected article to be inflated. It is a feature of a preferred embodiment of the invention that the entrance to the flow passage is bridged by a platelike closure device which is normally biased to a position to seal the entrance to said flow passage. Means are included to provide that this plate will be axially displaced from the entrance to the flow passage to permit the inflow of air under the influence of the operation of said rotor substantially simultaneously with the energizing of said rotor. In moving to its axially displaced position the closure plate is adapted to also serve as a buffer plate or shield to inhibit and limit water from entering and being sucked through said flow passage where the device to be inflated and consequently the fan may be exposed to or partially immersed in water. A pair of fans such as here described may be employed in a reversely oriented generally parallel relation to achieve improvements in systems for controlling the lift, flotation and let down or braking of airborne, terrestrial and marine vehicles with reference to a surface defining a base plane.