Abstract: A light system for an evacuation slide may include a readiness indicator light assembly. The readiness indicator light assembly may comprise a first light emitting diode configured to emit a first color and a second light emitting diode configured to emit a second color. The light system may be configured to power the first light emitting diode after initial deployment of the evacuation slide and to power the second light emitting diode after the internal pressure of the evacuation slide is greater than a minimum pressure threshold.

Abstract: A light system for an evacuation slide may include a readiness indicator light assembly. The readiness indicator light assembly may comprise a first light emitting diode configured to emit a first color and a second light emitting diode configured to emit a second color. The light system may be configured to power the first light emitting diode after initial deployment of the evacuation slide and to power the second light emitting diode after the internal pressure of the evacuation slide is greater than a minimum pressure threshold.

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: The present disclosure provides a truss strap integrated geometric restraint for an evacuation slide. The truss strap integrated geometric restraint may comprise a first strap configured to be coupled to a first portion of the evacuation slide, a second strap configured to be coupled to a second portion of the evacuation slide, and a third strap detachably coupled to a third portion of the evacuation slide and configured to disengage from the portion of the slide in response to a predetermined force acting on the release mechanism, wherein the truss strap integrated geo restraint is configured to increase beam strength of the evacuation slide.

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: A softcover for an evacuation system may comprise a fabric panel. The fabric panel may define a plurality of apertures located proximate a first end of the first fabric panel. A plurality of straps may extend from a second end of the fabric panel. The straps may be configured to secure the fabric panel to a housing configured to receive an inflatable slide.

Abstract: An inflatable slide may comprise a ramp portion and a slide portion having a head end attached to the ramp portion and a toe end opposite the head end. A safety gate readiness indicator may be located between the head end of the slide portion and an entrance of the ramp portion. The safety gate readiness indicator may be configured to translate between a transverse position and an erect position.

Abstract: An evacuation slide for an aircraft may be deployable in a slide mode and a raft mode. The evacuation slide includes a head end and a toe end, with the head end having a mounting feature and the toe end being longitudinally opposite the head end. In response to the evacuation slide being in the slide mode, the head end of the evacuation slide is mounted to the aircraft via the mounting feature. In response to the evacuation slide being in the raft mode, the evacuation slide is detached from the aircraft and the mounting feature is a boarding aid, according to various embodiments.

Abstract: A softcover for an evacuation system may comprise a fabric panel. The fabric panel may define a plurality of apertures located proximate a first end of the first fabric panel. A plurality of straps may extend from a second end of the fabric panel. The straps may be configured to secure the fabric panel to a housing configured to receive an inflatable slide.

Abstract: A method for deploying an inflatable slide includes increasing pressure within the inflatable slide, increasing a load in a force releasing member and a dampener, both of which are attached to the inflatable slide, in response to the increasing pressure within the evacuation slide, the load being increased at a slower rate than would occur if the dampener were not present, separating the force releasing member, and inflating the inflatable slide.

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 orientation valve, in accordance with various embodiments, is disclosed herein. The orientation valve may comprise a first coupling portion, an insert portion, a second coupling portion, an internal cavity, and a piston. The insert portion may have a first inlet aperture and a second inlet aperture. The second coupling portion may be disposed between the first coupling portion and the insert portion. The internal cavity may be coupled to the first inlet aperture and the second inlet aperture. The piston may be disposed within the internal cavity. The orientation valve may be configured to block fluid flow from a compressed fluid source when an evacuation system is in a stored position. The orientation valve may be configured to fluidly couple the compressed fluid source and the evacuation device when the evacuation system is in a deployed position.

Abstract: An evacuation slide may comprise a sliding surface and an inflatable tube assembly located opposite the sliding surface. The inflatable tube assembly may be configured to direct an evacuee toward a lateral center of the sliding surface. The inflatable tube assembly may include a pair of funnel tubes extending from the sides of the slide toward the lateral center of the slide.

Abstract: An orientation valve, in accordance with various embodiments, is disclosed herein. The orientation valve may comprise a first coupling portion, an insert portion, a second coupling portion, an internal cavity, and a piston. The insert portion may have a first inlet aperture and a second inlet aperture. The second coupling portion may be disposed between the first coupling portion and the insert portion. The internal cavity may be coupled to the first inlet aperture and the second inlet aperture. The piston may be disposed within the internal cavity. The orientation valve may be configured to block fluid flow from a compressed fluid source when an evacuation system is in a stored position. The orientation valve may be configured to fluidly couple the compressed fluid source and the evacuation device when the evacuation system is in a deployed position.

Abstract: An inflatable slide may comprise a ramp portion and a slide portion having a head end attached to the ramp portion and a toe end opposite the head end. A ramp barrier readiness indicator may include a bendable portion located proximate the head end of the slide portion. The ramp barrier readiness indicator may be configured to pivot between a raised position and a lowered position in response to inflation of the slide portion.

Abstract: A system may include an inflatable slide having a head end, a toe end, a bottom side, and a top side. The system may further include a truss strap attached to the bottom side of the inflatable slide near the toe end and the head end. The truss strap may extend longitudinally from the toe end to the head end when the inflatable slide is deployed. The truss strap may be configured to structurally support the inflatable slide. The truss strap may include an integrated yoke strap attached to the truss strap. The integrated yoke strap may be configured to control unfurling of the inflatable slide during deployment of the inflatable slide.

Abstract: A boarding apparatus for use on a flotation device, in accordance with various embodiments is disclosed herein. The boarding apparatus comprises a stirrup ladder. The boarding apparatus may be integral to a lifeline assembly of the flotation device. The boarding apparatus may be removably coupled to a loop patch of the flotation device. The boarding apparatus may release from the loop patch and become a boarding configuration for the flotation device.

Abstract: An evacuation slide may comprise an inflatable side rail extending from a head end to a toe end of the evacuation slide. A lifeline-geometric restraint may be coupled to the inflatable side rail. A restraint pin may be coupled to the lifeline-geometric restraint. A first loop may be coupled to a first location on the evacuation slide. A second loop may be coupled to a second location on the evacuation slide. The first loop may be configured to receive the second loop and the second loop may be configured to receive the restraint pin when the evacuation slide is in a folded position. The restraint pin may be configured to translate out the second loop in response to an internal pressure of the evacuation slide exceeding a predetermined internal pressure.

Abstract: An evacuation slide may comprise a sliding surface and an inflatable tube assembly located opposite the sliding surface. The inflatable tube assembly may be configured to direct an evacuee toward a lateral center of the sliding surface. The inflatable tube assembly may include a pair of funnel tubes extending from the sides of the slide toward the lateral center of the slide.

Abstract: An inline for an inflatable assembly may comprise a first end defining a primary gas inlet and a second end defining a primary gas outlet. An internal surface may define a flow path extending from the primary gas inlet to the primary gas outlet. An orifice may be located between the first end and the second end. The orifice may be defined, at least partially, by a radial wall extending from the internal surface to the external surface. The orifice may be configured to entrain ambient air with a primary gas flowing from the primary gas inlet to the primary gas outlet.