US5992794A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
External airbag protection system for helicopters
Assignee: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd
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Filing: 1998-01-20
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Granted: 1999-11-30
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Expires: 2018-01-20
Abstract
Abstract An airbag protection system for helicopters. Airbags are inflated either automatically or manually, or a combination of both, prior to the helicopter striking the ground, thus avoiding or ameliorating a crash. Proximity sensors detect a fast descent to trigger inflation of the airbags located beneath the helicopter fuselage so that they can cushion the impact with the ground. Venting of the gas from the airbags is also provided to release the gas from the airbags so as to prevent rebound of the helicopter from the ground.
Inventors
- 👤 Israel Rotman
- 👤 Gideon Rosenberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:33
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64D; B64D25/00; B64C; B64C25/00; B64C25/32; B64C25/52; B64C25/54; B64C25/56; B64C27/00; B64C27/006; B64C2025/325; B64D2201/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
An airbag safety system for a helicopter comprising: at least three inflatable airbags having porous walls externally attached to the bottom of the helicopter's fuselage initially being in its deflated stage; means for inflating said porous airbags quickly with gas up to a predetermined pressure value when said helicopter is within close proximity to the ground; means for actuating said inflating means; wherein the gas from within said inflated airbags is quickly released through said porous walls upon impact with the ground.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
An airbag safety system for a helicopter comprising: at least three inflatable airbags having porous walls externally attached to the bottom of the helicopter's fuselage initially being in its deflated stage; means for inflating said porous airbags quickly with gas up to a predetermined pressure value when said helicopter is within close proximity to the ground; means for actuating said inflating means; wherein the gas from within said inflated airbags is quickly released through said porous walls upon impact with the ground.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said airbags comprises plural rows of three or more porous airbags attached to the helicopter's fuselage bottom to thoroughly cover the bottom of said helicopter fuselage when said airbags are in their fully inflated stage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein said actuating device incorporates the use of a manual trigger and an automated proximity sensor trigger, whereby only after both said manual and said automated triggers have been actuated is said inflating means activated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system according to claim 3, further including breakable storage containers for storing said deflated airbags, said containers breaking upon inflation of said airbags.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 3, further including an additional airbag located beneath the tail of the helicopter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 3, wherein said proximity sensor detects the helicopter's vertical velocity and height above the ground to activate said actuating means at predetermined heights and velocity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 3, wherein said actuating means comprises a manually operated trigger.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system according to claim 3, wherein said airbag inflating means is inflated by a gas selected from azid gases, or compressed gases.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system according to claim 3 wherein said predetermined pressure release rate from porous airbags is slow enough to enable the airbags to cushion and soften the helicopter impact on the ground yet fast enough to avoid internal pressure buildup that will exceed its holding capacity and cause its bursting or tearing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 9, wherein said predetermined internal pressure value does not exceed 3 atmospheres.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system according to claim 3 wherein said proximity sensor comprises extendable sensors normally stored within said helicopter and deployable approximately two meets downwardly into an extendable position, so that said sensors contact the ground to cause said actuating means to inflate said airbags.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as recited in claim 3 wherein said inflated airbags are at least 0.25 meters in vertical diameter length.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
CA535577A
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FR1341861A
Cited
DE1431268A1
Cited
DE3024551A1
Cited
US5259574A
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DE4118300A1
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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) | 2002-11-29 | 2003-05-31 | 2003-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-29 | 2007-05-31 | 2007-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-29 | 2011-05-31 | 2011-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |