The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 02, 2013
Filed:
Jul. 27, 2009
Andrew T. Hill, Arlington, TX (US);
Michael R. Smith, Colleyville, TX (US);
Zi LU, Coppell, TX (US);
Cheng-ho Tho, Irving, TX (US);
Andrew T. Hill, Arlington, TX (US);
Michael R. Smith, Colleyville, TX (US);
Zi Lu, Coppell, TX (US);
Cheng-Ho Tho, Irving, TX (US);
Textron Innovations Inc., Providence, RI (US);
Abstract
A crash attenuation system for an aircraft includes an airbag carried by the aircraft that is inflatable generally adjacent an exterior of the aircraft. The airbag is in fluid communication with at least one vent passage for channeling gas from within the interior of the airbag to a region external to the airbag that allows the gas to escape without being obstructed by the airbag. A gas source is in fluid communication with the interior of the airbag for inflating the airbag. A vent valve is provided within the vent passage for controlling a flow of gas through the vent passage, thereby controlling deflation of the airbag. The vent valve is continuously adjustable to and between an open state, a closed state, and any number of partially open states.