US5791597A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Energy attenuation system
Assignee: East West Industries Inc
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Filing: 1996-06-19
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Granted: 1998-08-11
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Expires: 2016-06-19
Abstract
Abstract An energy attenuation system for absorbing at least a portion of the force impulse imparted to an occupant of an aircraft during a crash. The energy attenuation system comprises a seat and an air bag module. The air bag module includes an air bag positioned and deployable below the seat. The air bag allows the seat and its occupant to move in the direction of the applied impact forces under a controlled stroking force. Accordingly, the occupant may be exposed to a force having a magnitude substantially less than the magnitude of the force on the aircraft.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank Knoll
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:16
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64D; B64D1/00; B64D1/02; B64D1/08; B64D1/14; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/24; B60N2/42; B60N2/4207; B60N2/4242; B60N2/427; B60N2/42772; B60N2/4279; B64D25/00; B64D25/02; B64D25/04; B64D25/08; B64D25/10; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R2021/0002; B60R2021/0013; B60R2021/0065; B60R2021/0093; B60R21/01; B60R21/015; B60R21/01512; B60R21/01544; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/207
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
45 words
An energy attenuation system for an aircraft frame comprising: a seat securely attached to said aircraft frame; and an air bag module, including an air bag secured below said seat and an airbag inflator for deploying said air bag below the seat for absorbing energy.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
45 words
An energy attenuation system for an aircraft frame comprising: a seat securely attached to said aircraft frame; and an air bag module, including an air bag secured below said seat and an airbag inflator for deploying said air bag below the seat for absorbing energy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
An energy attenuation system for aircraft seating comprising: a seat; and an air bag module, including an air bag secured below said seat for absorbing energy, an air bag inflator unit for deploying said air bag below said seat for absorbing energy and a casing housing the air bag inflator unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
An energy attenuation system for aircraft seating comprising: a seat; and an air bag module, including an air bag secured below said seat for absorbing energy, an air bag inflator unit for deploying said air bag below said seat for absorbing energy and a casing housing the air bag inflator unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
The energy attenuation system according to claim 2, wherein the air bag inflator unit comprises: (a) a squib including an ignitable charge; (b) a booster compartment including a booster material, the booster compartment positioned in proximity to the squib; (c) a gas generant compartment including a gas generant material, the gas generant compartment positioned in proximity to the booster compartment; and (d) a filter positioned between the gas generant compartment and the air bag, the filter filtering the gases generated in the gas generant compartment prior to inflating the air bag.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The energy attenuation system according to claim 3, wherein the squib comprises a percussion cap detonator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The energy attenuation system according to claim 3, wherein the gas generant compartment comprises a diffuser geometry.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The energy attenuation system according to claim 1, wherein the air bag comprises at least one vent for discharging the gas in the air bag at a controllable rate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
An energy attenuation system for aircraft seating comprising: a seat; a sensor positioned in proximity to the seat, the sensor detecting an impulse force and transmitting a crash signal in response thereto; and an air bag module, including an air bag positioned and deployable below the seat for absorbing energy, the air bag module being responsive to the crash signal from the sensor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
An energy attenuation system for aircraft seating comprising: a seat; a sensor positioned in proximity to the seat, the sensor detecting an impulse force and transmitting a crash signal in response thereto; and an air bag module, including an air bag positioned and deployable below the seat for absorbing energy, the air bag module being responsive to the crash signal from the sensor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
95 words
The energy attenuation system according to claim 7, wherein the sensor comprises a shear-pin sensor, the shear-pin sensor including a shear pin, a pre-loaded bias spring, a firing pin, and a housing, the shear pin being connected at a first end to the seat and at a second end to the firing pin, the firing pin being held in a fixed position by the shear pin in opposition to the force of the pre-loaded bias spring, and wherein the impulse force causes the shear pin to separate from the seat, thereby releasing the firing pin.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The energy attenuation system according to claim 7, wherein the sensor transmits a crash signal to the air bag module upon detection of an impulse force of 3 g or greater.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The energy attenuation system according to claim 7, wherein the air bag module comprises an air bag inflator unit and the air bag.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
91 words
The energy attenuation system according to claim 10, wherein the air bag inflator unit comprises: (a) a squib including an ignitable charge; (b) a booster compartment including a booster material, the booster compartment positioned in proximity to the squib; (c) a gas generant compartment including a gas generant material, the gas generant compartment positioned in proximity to the booster compartment; and (d) a filter positioned between the gas generant compartment and the air bag, the filter filtering the gases generated in the gas generant compartment prior to inflating the air bag.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The energy attenuation system according to claim 11, wherein the squib comprises a percussion cap detonator.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The energy attenuation system according to claim 11, wherein the gas generant compartment comprises a diffuser geometry.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The energy attenuation system according to claim 7, wherein the air bag comprises at least one vent for discharging the gas in the air bag at a controllable rate.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for attenuating forces imparted to an occupant of an aircraft during a crash comprising: positioning an air bag module below a seat in the aircraft; inflating an air bag of the air bag module at predetermined rates and pressures upon the detection of a collision; and deflating the air bag at a controllable rate to absorb the forces.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for attenuating forces imparted to an occupant of an aircraft during a crash comprising: positioning an air bag module below a seat in the aircraft; inflating an air bag of the air bag module at predetermined rates and pressures upon the detection of a collision; and deflating the air bag at a controllable rate to absorb the forces.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
48 words
An energy attenuation system for aircraft seating mounted on an aircraft frame comprising: a seat; and an air bag module, the air bag module including an air bag secured below said seat and an air bag inflator for deploying said air bag below the seat for absorbing energy.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
48 words
An energy attenuation system for aircraft seating mounted on an aircraft frame comprising: a seat; and an air bag module, the air bag module including an air bag secured below said seat and an air bag inflator for deploying said air bag below the seat for absorbing energy.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
62 words
A method for attenuating forces imparted to an occupant of an aircraft during a crash comprising: securing an air bag below a seat; inflating said air bag disposed below said seat of an aircraft at predetermined rates and pressures upon detection of an acceleration force acting upon the seat; and deflating the air bag at a controllable rate to absorb the force.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
62 words
A method for attenuating forces imparted to an occupant of an aircraft during a crash comprising: securing an air bag below a seat; inflating said air bag disposed below said seat of an aircraft at predetermined rates and pressures upon detection of an acceleration force acting upon the seat; and deflating the air bag at a controllable rate to absorb the force.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein the acceleration force includes a force of between about 3 g to about 6 g.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 17 wherein deflation of the air bag is initiated within 130 milliseconds or less of detection of the acceleration force.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 17 wherein the air bag is at least halfway deflated within 150 milliseconds or less of detection of the acceleration force.
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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) | 2001-08-10 | 2002-02-09 | 2002-08-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-10 | 2006-02-09 | 2006-08-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-10 | 2010-02-09 | 2010-08-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |