Abstract:
A two-stage pyrotechnic gas generator for inflating an airbag has a housing with first and second chambers each having gas release apertures. The chambers are separated by a partition having an opening. Running through the gas generator is an essentially contiguous train of combustible material including a train of fast burning material passing through the first chamber to the opening, a pyrotechnic delay element associated with the opening, and a train of fast burning material within the second chamber. The first and second chambers each include a quantity of propellant deployed to be ignited by the corresponding train of fast burning material. An initiator, associated with the first chamber, is configured to initiate combustion of the essentially contiguous train of combustible material. As a result, the second quantity of propellant is ignited at a predefined delay relative to ignition of the first quantity of propellant to achieve precisely timed two-phase inflation with a single electronic initiator.
Abstract:
Inflatable restraint systems for restraining an occupant in a vehicle are disclosed herein. An inflatable restraint system configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes an airbag carried by a web. The web has an end portion coupled to a vehicle and is configured to extend around a portion of the occupant. The restraint system further includes a gas source that is also carried by the web. The gas source is operably coupled to the airbag to inflate the airbag in the event of a rapid deceleration or other dynamic event.
Abstract:
A safety pre-impact deceleration system for a variety of conveyances includes a parachute structure formed from air bags inflated with gas. Alternatively, the parachute structure includes a canopy with orifices. Air spaces in the parachute structure or orifices in the canopy have adjustable and selective dimensions to control the operational parameters of the vehicle. The system includes sensors and rapid exposure rate cameras with continuous loop recording to measure operational parameters of the vehicle and to predict possible collision. Once a collision condition is detected, audio/video images are stored on storage media. The air bags are deployed and inflated. In addition to air bags constituting the parachute structure, a plurality of air bags are provided to be deployed external the vehicle to aid in a safe landing.
Abstract:
A high capacity passenger airplane is provided with a plurality of fuselages releasably mounted on it wings section. Each fuselage has an outer shell with a plurality of passenger cabins mounted in tandem with the shell. The passenger cabins are equipped with sliding wheels such that they may be discharged through a rear exit door of the fuselage to separate from the airplane in accident. Each passenger cabin is equipped with safety parachutes and external safety air bags at its underside such that it may be safely landed on ground or on water after having discharged from a fuselage.
Abstract:
A safety device associated with a transport, or with its pilot's body or the body of any other person practising a sport or a hazardous activity to protect the body, includes an inflatable airbag connected to inflating elements automatically or manually activated upon an impact. The airbag has a frame including at least one tubular element for forming a geometrical frame, when the tubular element is inflated, the latter being initially folded in a container integral, for instance, with the transport and/or the human body and connected to the inflating elements and an outer wall made of a flexible material integral with the frame so as to form a closed chamber filled with air at atmospheric pressure, the outer wall including at least one valve.
Abstract:
An autonomous passenger module is releasably carried on a super-sonic aircraft, such as a military fighter jet, for carrying plural passengers on supersonic and near space flights. The passenger module is equipped with passenger service and life support systems to provide oxygen and the like, a parachute system, and a landing airbag or flotation aid system. The module remains mounted on the aircraft throughout a normal flight. In an emergency situation, the module separates from the aircraft by means of releasable connector elements and descends using parachutes. The module provides high passenger capacity at a low cost in a simple manner for commercial supersonic flights using an existing supersonic aircraft as a carrier platform.
Abstract:
An inflatable restraint system for holding and securing an aircrew member in his seat during ejection from an aircraft has one or more members forming a shield around him or her. The system is controlled to inflate after the aircrew member has started the sequence of ejection and before the rockets that power the seat from the aircraft are ignited. The forces of windblast are deflected by the inflatable restraint from the aircrew member as the aircrew member enters into and remains in the windblast and in his seat.
Abstract:
Inflation of impact absorbing bags is effected on a portable platform positioned on an emergency landing zone after jettisoning of damaged landing gear from a helicopter fuselage. The impact absorbing bags when inflated form a cradle shape conforming to the bottom of the helicopter fuselage.
Abstract:
An airbag configuration for braking the landing impact of flying payloads has a central airbag (17) and at least one torus ring (11, 12, 13) surrounding the central airbag. A payload (L) is attachable on the central airbag (17). A stabilizing device (19) is provided which extends from the lowermost portion of the at least one torus ring (11, 12, 13) to the central airbag (17). The central airbag provides primarily vertical braking of the landing impact while the torus ring provides primarily horizontal braking of the landing impact.
Abstract:
The detonating valve for releasing openings of air bag landing systems for aircraft and spacecraft has a wedge type charge and a cover closing the opening, which cover is shorn off during the ignition of the wedge type charge. The cover is a thin-walled disk or a membrane, which is integrated either within the aircraft and spacecraft or within the air bag landing system.