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.

An inflatable slide-raft may include a primary inflatable structure configured to inflate upon deployment of the inflatable slide-raft, a first secondary inflatable structure coupled to the primary inflatable structure, and a second secondary inflatable structure coupled to the primary inflatable structure. The first secondary inflatable structure and the second secondary inflatable structure siderail are configured to remain in a stowed state when the inflatable slide-raft is operated in a slide mode and to inflate when the inflatable slide-raft is operated in a raft mode.

An inflatable slide-raft may include a primary inflatable structure configured to inflate upon deployment of the inflatable slide-raft, a first secondary inflatable structure coupled to the primary inflatable structure, and a second secondary inflatable structure coupled to the primary inflatable structure. The first secondary inflatable structure and the second secondary inflatable structure siderail are configured to remain in a stowed state when the inflatable slide-raft is operated in a slide mode and to inflate when the inflatable slide-raft is operated in a raft mode.

An aspirator assembly for inflating an emergency slide. The aspirator assembly includes a bell housing, a mixing chamber, and a nozzle assembly. The bell housing includes a ring defining an inlet port at which a check valve is located and into which ambient air can flow. The mixing chamber has an outlet port. The nozzle assembly is located in the mixing chamber and includes plural passageway sections defining concentric rings and cross bars. The passageway sections include internal passageways in communication with plural nozzle jets through which a compressed air is introduced into the mixing chamber to mix with the ambient air. The passageway sections are of an airfoil shape cross-section having a rounded leading end directed towards the inlet port and a trailing end is directed toward the outlet port to reduce air turbulence within the mixing chamber.

An aspirator assembly for inflating an emergency slide. The aspirator assembly includes a bell housing, a mixing chamber, and a nozzle assembly. The bell housing includes a ring defining an inlet port at which a check valve is located and into which ambient air can flow. The mixing chamber has an outlet port. The nozzle assembly is located in the mixing chamber and includes plural passageway sections defining concentric rings and cross bars. The passageway sections include internal passageways in communication with plural nozzle jets through which a compressed air is introduced into the mixing chamber to mix with the ambient air. The passageway sections are of an airfoil shape cross-section having a rounded leading end directed towards the inlet port and a trailing end is directed toward the outlet port to reduce air turbulence within the mixing chamber.

An evacuation system (10) includes an electrically insulating inflatable conveyance (11), which is stowed within, and deployed from, a framework (21) attached to an interior structure (45) or exterior structure (43) of an industrial vehicle (38). The inflatable conveyance (11) preferably has a flexible base (12) affixed to, and dependently supported by, longitudinally disposed closed tubular members (15), and may take the form of a chute that may be configured to function as a slide or as a ladder. The chute may be enclosed with a canopy (17), or may be open but provided with upwardly extending side walls (16). In implementations of a canopy (17), transparent egress windows (19) may be provided. Transversely oriented straps (14) form safety steps and/or hand rails in a “ladder” configuration of the chute.

An evacuation system (10) includes an electrically insulating inflatable conveyance (11), which is stowed within, and deployed from, a framework (21) attached to an interior structure (45) or exterior structure (43) of an industrial vehicle (38). The inflatable conveyance (11) preferably has a flexible base (12) affixed to, and dependently supported by, longitudinally disposed closed tubular members (15), and may take the form of a chute that may be configured to function as a slide or as a ladder. The chute may be enclosed with a canopy (17), or may be open but provided with upwardly extending side walls (16). In implementations of a canopy (17), transparent egress windows (19) may be provided. Transversely oriented straps (14) form safety steps and/or hand rails in a “ladder” configuration of the chute.

A valve assembly, comprising: a valve housing body extending along a longitudinal axis X between a first end and a second end and defining a cylindrical passage therethough from the first to the second end; a fluid inlet at the first end for receiving a pressurized fluid; and a fluid outlet provided in between the first and second end of the housing body; and a piston provided in said cylindrical passage, said piston being axially movable between a first position wherein said fluid outlet is blocked by said piston such that the piston blocks the flow of fluid from the inlet to the outlet, and a second position wherein said outlet is not blocked by said piston and a fluid flow path is formed from the inlet to the outlet.

A valve assembly, comprising: a valve housing body extending along a longitudinal axis X between a first end and a second end and defining a cylindrical passage therethough from the first to the second end; a fluid inlet at the first end for receiving a pressurized fluid; and a fluid outlet provided in between the first and second end of the housing body; and a piston provided in said cylindrical passage, said piston being axially movable between a first position wherein said fluid outlet is blocked by said piston such that the piston blocks the flow of fluid from the inlet to the outlet, and a second position wherein said outlet is not blocked by said piston and a fluid flow path is formed from the inlet to the outlet.

An emergency evacuation system is configured to be stored in a compartment below an exit door of an aircraft. The emergency evacuation system includes a first floatation device including an internal inflator, and a second floatation device including an open inflation system. The second floatation device is coupled to the first floatation device.