Patent US4121790A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4121790A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Combustion-product retardant barrier system for aiding passenger escape from aircraft fuselage structure
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1977-06-22
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Granted: 1978-10-24
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Expires: 1997-06-22
Abstract
Abstract A temporary barrier for retarding heat, fire and smoke within a fuselage while permitting unobstructed physical access and visual access to escape routes by passengers and crew, includes a light-weight inflatable curtain system with air jet curtain structure guarding otherwise unobstructed access therethrough; in embodiments the system includes partial and full curtains, curtains movable for maximum isolation of combustion areas, and special sealing provisions.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward F. Graham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:57
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64D; B64D25/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
56 words
A combustion-product retardant barrier system for aiding passenger escape from aircraft fuselage structure, comprising: a curtain assembly, means for storing the curtain assembly collapsed, means for deploying the curtain assembly across a passage in aircraft fuselage structure, and means for providing unobstructed passenger access but retarding passage of combustion products through said curtain assembly upon deployment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
56 words
A combustion-product retardant barrier system for aiding passenger escape from aircraft fuselage structure, comprising: a curtain assembly, means for storing the curtain assembly collapsed, means for deploying the curtain assembly across a passage in aircraft fuselage structure, and means for providing unobstructed passenger access but retarding passage of combustion products through said curtain assembly upon deployment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
A system as recited in claim 1, the curtain assembly including at least one panel, at least one tubular member for supporting said panel when deployed, the deploying means including: a fluid pressure source, means for controlling the fluid pressure source, means for connecting the fluid pressure source for inflating the tubular member; the means for providing comprising: the curtain assembly defining an open doorway portion, and means for establishing an air curtain across said open doorway.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as recited in claim 2, said panel comprising at least one sheet of material having edge securance to said tubular member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as recited in claim 3, said panel comprising plural, spaced sheets of material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as recited in claim 4, the panel structure perforate for venting said space between the sheets of material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system as recited in claim 2, the means for controlling the pressure source including means for producing a first pressure in the tubular member and means for producing a second pressure greater than the first pressure in the means for establishing an air curtain.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as recited in claim 6, the means for establishing an air curtain including perforate tubing at the open doorway portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system as recited in claim 7, the perforate tubing having a part thereof positionable by deployment of the curtain assembly for establishing an air curtain across structure other than said open doorway portion, whereby said air curtain can extend across a vent opening or the like in said an aircraft fuselage structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system as recited in claim 2, the means for deploying including means for releasing fluid from the fluid pressure source through the means for connecting as result of one or more of the following: aircraft impact actuation, heat actuation, smoke actuation, acoustical actuation, manual actuation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as recited in claim 2, at least one inflatable brace on the curtain assembly and extensible therefrom by deployment of the curtain assembly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as recited in claim 2, and flexible strip sheeting protruding from a margin of the tubular member for thereby sealing against a said aircraft fuselage structure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as recited in claim 2, and means for moving said system along a said aircraft fuselage structure for improving location for combustion product retardation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system as recited in claim 12, the means for moving including longitudinal track, a carriage on said track, the carriage supporting said system, and means for locking the carriage to the track and for releasing the carriage for movement along the track.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as recited in claim 13, the tubular member having at least one reduced-section portion positioned for aiding bending when moved for easier passage of obstacles.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as recited in claim 13, plural of said carriages supporting plural respective said systems with respective said locking and releasing means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as recited in claim 2, said curtain having shape for defining said an open doorway portion laterally contiguous with a portion of said an aircraft fuselage structure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as recited in claim 2, said curtain having shape for defining a portion of a barrier in vertically contiguous relation with a portion of said an aircraft fuselage structure.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system as recited in claim 2, the at least one panel being transparent.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
60 words
A combustion-product retardant barrier system for aiding passenger escape from aircraft fuselage passage structure, comprising: a collapsible curtain assembly, first fluid pressure means for deploying the collapsible curtain assembly across said aircraft fuselage passage structure, the curtain assembly having an access opening therein, second fluid pressure means, including collapsible perforate tubing for establishing an air curtain across said access opening.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
60 words
A combustion-product retardant barrier system for aiding passenger escape from aircraft fuselage passage structure, comprising: a collapsible curtain assembly, first fluid pressure means for deploying the collapsible curtain assembly across said aircraft fuselage passage structure, the curtain assembly having an access opening therein, second fluid pressure means, including collapsible perforate tubing for establishing an air curtain across said access opening.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
67 words
The method of restraining movement of combustion products in aircraft fuselage passage structure while maintaining free access for movement of occupants along said passage, comprising the steps: (a) deploying a collapsible curtain having an access opening therethrough across the aircraft fuselage passage structure, and (b) establishing an air curtain across said access opening, thereby restraining movement of combustion products while maintaining free access for movement of occupants.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
67 words
The method of restraining movement of combustion products in aircraft fuselage passage structure while maintaining free access for movement of occupants along said passage, comprising the steps: (a) deploying a collapsible curtain having an access opening therethrough across the aircraft fuselage passage structure, and (b) establishing an air curtain across said access opening, thereby restraining movement of combustion products while maintaining free access for movement of occupants.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-10-23 | 1982-04-24 | 1982-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-10-23 | 1986-04-24 | 1986-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-10-23 | 1990-04-24 | 1990-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |