Abstract: A ballast bag includes a top portion, a center portion coupled to the top portion, a bottom portion coupled to the center portion, and a spring coupled to the top portion and the bottom portion and encapsulated by the center portion, the spring being capable of expanding the ballast bag from a compact state to an erect state, the ballast bag being capable of retaining water in the erect state.

Abstract: An evacuation slide may comprise a first sill height compensating feature coupled to an upper main support tube and a second sill height compensating feature coupled to the upper main support tube, wherein the first sill height compensating feature and the second sill height compensating feature extend longitudinally past the sliding surface of the evacuation slide in response to the evacuation slide being deployed. The first sill height compensating feature and the second sill height compensating feature may be configured to increase a vertical distance between the upper main support tube and an exit surface in response to a sill height of the evacuation slide increasing.

Abstract: An aspirator system for inflating an inflatable evacuation device includes an aspirator body having a plurality of flapper doors configured to open to allow intake of atmospheric gas. The aspirator system also includes an aspirator barrel connecting the aspirator body to the inflatable evacuation device, having connected inflation chambers wrapping around a circumference of the aspirator barrel and arranged along a length of the aspirator barrel, and being configured to provide an aspirator barrel chamber for guiding the atmospheric gas to the inflatable evacuation device when the aspirator barrel is inflated. The aspirator system also includes a showerhead nozzle connected to the connected inflation chambers, configured to direct high-pressure gas to inflate the aspirator barrel and compel intake of atmospheric gas through the plurality of flapper doors, to inflate the inflatable evacuation device.

Abstract: A support arrangement for an inflatable evacuation system may comprise an inflatable member configured to be elongated and stiffened in a longitudinal direction in response to being in an inflated condition, a protrusion extending orthogonal to a surface of the inflatable member, a tensile member attached at at least two locations to the inflatable member on opposing sides of the protrusion and being slidably engagable over the protrusion so as to maintain about equal tension in the tensile member on opposing sides of the protrusion, and a sleeve attached to the protrusion configured to maintain the tensile member laterally relative to the protrusion even as the tensile member is able to slide longitudinally.

Abstract: An integrated spoiler may comprise a side tube having a tube wall, wherein the tube wall has a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first edge is disposed proximate a portion of the tube wall; a seam proximate the first edge and the portion of the tube wall; a coupling across the seam configured to inhibit the exchange of gas across the seam; a flap comprising the second edge and extending outward of the seam; and a ligament. The flap may further comprise an angle ? between the flap and an outer surface of the tube wall wherein the ligament is configured to restrain angle ? at a maximum. The flap may be configured to pivot about the seam through angle ? in response to an aerodynamic force.

Abstract: An inflatable evacuation slide is provided. The slide may comprise a slide surface with a tubular member coupled to the slide surface. The tubular member may comprise a translucent material defining a chamber internal to the tubular member. A light source may be directed into the chamber and configured to illuminate the tubular member from within the chamber.

Abstract: A ballast bag includes a top portion, a center portion coupled to the top portion, a bottom portion coupled to the center portion, and a spring coupled to the top portion and the bottom portion and encapsulated by the center portion, the spring being capable of expanding the ballast bag from a compact state to an erect state, the ballast bag being capable of retaining water in the erect state.

Abstract: An aspirator system for inflating an inflatable evacuation device includes an aspirator body having a plurality of flapper doors configured to open to allow intake of atmospheric gas. The aspirator system also includes an aspirator barrel connecting the aspirator body to the inflatable evacuation device, having connected inflation chambers wrapping around a circumference of the aspirator barrel and arranged along a length of the aspirator barrel, and being configured to provide an aspirator barrel chamber for guiding the atmospheric gas to the inflatable evacuation device when the aspirator barrel is inflated. The aspirator system also includes a showerhead nozzle connected to the connected inflation chambers, configured to direct high-pressure gas to inflate the aspirator barrel and compel intake of atmospheric gas through the plurality of flapper doors, to inflate the inflatable evacuation device.

Abstract: An inflatable evacuation slide is provided. The slide may comprise a slide surface with a tubular member coupled to the slide surface. The tubular member may comprise a translucent material defining a chamber internal to the tubular member. A light source may be directed into the chamber and configured to illuminate the tubular member from within the chamber.

Abstract: An inflatable evacuation device for an aircraft may include at least one chamber and at least one canopy support in fluid communication with the at least one chamber. A retention device may be configured to restrict inflation of the at least one canopy support during inflation of the at least one chamber.

Abstract: An evacuation slide that includes a first portion and a second portion and a connector that includes a first subunit mounted to the first portion and a second subunit mounted to the second portion. The first subunit and the second subunit may be configured to be detachably coupled together, and the connector may include two different types of fasteners. The first subunit may include a first patch of hook-and-loop material and a first snap-fastener element and the second subunit of the connector may include a second patch of hook-and-loop material and a second snap-fastener element.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, disclosed is a beam structure comprising a four-point cross section for an inflatable article comprising an inflatable slide. The beam structure has greater beam strength and provides greater structural support than an inflatable beam having a traditional circular cross section.

Abstract: An evacuation assembly may comprise an evacuation slide and a first yoke coupled to the evacuation slide. The first yoke may comprise a first strap and a second strap. The first strap may be longer than the second strap. The evacuation assembly may optionally include a second yoke coupled to the evacuation slide. A first strap of the second yoke may be longer than a second strap of the second yoke.

Abstract: An inflatable slide for use in an emergency evacuation system of an aircraft includes a main body having a top surface and a bottom surface and that is configured to inflate in response to receiving a flow of fluid. The inflatable slide further includes a first lanyard coupled to the main body. The inflatable slide further includes an airfoil coupled to the first lanyard and configured to exert a force on the main body in a downward direction corresponding to a direction of gravity in response to receiving a wind flow.

Abstract: The evacuation assembly may include an evacuation slide having a head portion, a toe portion, a longitudinal axis, a top surface, and a bottom surface. In various embodiments, the longitudinal axis extends centrally along a length of the evacuation slide from the head portion to the toe portion. In various embodiments, a top perimetrical length of the top surface of the toe portion of the evacuation slide in a width direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is less than a bottom perimetrical length of the bottom surface of the toe portion of the evacuation slide in the width direction.

Abstract: The inflatable component includes, according to various embodiments, a first inflatable bladder defining a first fluid chamber and a second inflatable bladder defining a second fluid chamber. The second inflatable bladder may circumscribe the first inflatable bladder such that the first inflatable bladder is disposed in the second fluid chamber. The inflatable component also includes, according to various embodiments, an inlet valve coupled to the first inflatable bladder and the second inflatable bladder, wherein the inlet valve is configured to deliver fluid to the first fluid chamber. In various embodiments, the inflatable component also includes a pressure relief valve coupled to the first inflatable bladder, wherein fluid communication between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber is via the pressure relief valve.

Abstract: Disclosed is an emergency slide system comprising a slide having a telescoping structural support, and a slide surface. The emergency slide system further comprises a gas deployment device comprising a gas generator, compressed gas cylinder, or both. The gas deployment device may further include an aspirator, according to various embodiments. The telescoping structural support provides a more compact and quickly deployable system.

Abstract: A light assembly for an aircraft evacuation system may comprise a first casing including a weighted portion. A light source may be disposed within the first casing. A second casing may be coupled to the first casing by a bearing. The first casing may be configured to rotate with respect to the second casing about an axis. A center of mass of the first casing may be offset from the axis.

Abstract: An inflatable evacuation device for an aircraft may include at least one chamber and at least one canopy support in fluid communication with the at least one chamber. A retention device may be configured to restrict inflation of the at least one canopy support during inflation of the at least one chamber.

Abstract: An evacuation system is provided. The system may comprise a door sill, a girt coupled to the door sill, a slide coupled to the girt, and a measurement device coupled the girt and/or the slide. The measurement device may further comprise a line having a predetermined length and a weight coupled to the line, and the measurement device may be configured to adjust a length of the slide in response to a position of the weight. A method is also provided. The method includes opening a door to expose a door sill, inflating the emergency slide with the emergency slide coupled to the door sill, and deploying a measurement device configured to measure a height of the door sill from a surface. The measurement device may comprise a line coupled to the door sill and a buoyant weight coupled to the line, and wherein the line has a predetermined length.