Fluid handling – Destructible or deformable element controlled – Destructible element
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-14
2001-07-17
Ferensic, Denise L. (Department: 3749)
Fluid handling
Destructible or deformable element controlled
Destructible element
C137S580000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260571
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Emergency liferafts are available for inflation and ejection from military aircraft and the like. An uninflated raft and an inflation assembly are typically ejected from the aircraft into the water before impact, or ejected into the water during rescue operations. The inflation assembly normally includes a disposable pressure vessel filled with gases such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen, accompanied by a suitable valve which, when opened, will free the gas for raft inflation purposes. A pivotal activity arm on a valve has been used for purposes of punching a seal on the gas filled vessel to effect the inflation process. The pivotal action is inducted by a lanyard secured to the arm and the aircraft. Bending of the activity arm is common when ejection takes place and the valve mechanism will not pivot adequately to align itself with the plane in which the lever arm is intended to pivot.
It is therefore a principal object of this invention which will provide a raft inflation valve assembly which has an activity arm on a valve cylinder which is freely movable and rotatable within a valve body.
A further object of this invention is to provide a raft inflation valve that has an inflation valve cylinder in a valve body that is pressure balanced and free floating within the valve body, and which will maintain an alignment of 180° with the activation arm so that the arm will not bend or become bent.
These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A raft inflation valve has an elongated valve body with first and second ends, and an elongated center bore. A cylindrical member has first and second ends slidably mounted in the center bore. A spring is secured to the cylinder member and yieldingly urges the cylindrical member towards the first end of the valve body. An arm is pivotally secured to the first end of the valve body and is positioned to engage in a first position the first end of the cylinder member, and to move the cylinder member towards the second end of the valve body when in a second position, whereupon the spring is compressed. A cutting element is on the second end of the cylinder member. A pressure gas filled vessel is secured to the second end of the valve body and has a gas discharge port normally adjacent the cutting element.
A seal member is on the gas discharge port of the vessel in the path of the cutting element to be punctured when the arm moves the cylinder member towards the second end of the valve body. A space is in the center bore around the second end of the cylinder member. An annular groove is on the outside of the valve body in communication with the space at locations 180° on opposite sides of the space. O-rings are above and below the annular groove and equal gas pressure is exerted against each O-ring.
A coupling having a center smooth bore rotatably extends over the annular groove, and has a gas outlet in communication with the space. A gas coupling is on the gas outlet for attachment to a gas fitting on a raft structure.
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Lind John R.
Swanson Robert L.
Ferensic Denise L.
Rinehart K. B.
Survival Engineering, Inc.
Zarley McKee Thomte Voorhees & Sease
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