Crash Load Attenuator for Water Ditching and Floatation
A flotation device is described herein. The floatation device comprising an air bladder; a girt coupled to the air bladder; and a load attenuator coupled to the girt. The load attenuator is further coupled to an airframe of an aircraft. The float bag is used in water landings of the aircraft.
1 . An aircraft comprising:
an airframe;
a load attenuator coupled to the airframe; and
a float bag coupled to the load attenuator.
2 . The aircraft of claim 1 , wherein the load attenuator is selected based upon characteristics of the aircraft.
3 . The aircraft of claim 1 , wherein the load attenuator is selected based upon an expected sea state.
4 . The aircraft of claim 1 , wherein the load attenuator is a textile load attenuator.
5 . The aircraft of claim 1 , wherein the load attenuator is a mechanical load attenuator.
6 . The aircraft of claim 1 , wherein the load attenuator is a frangible load attenuator.
7 . The aircraft of claim 1 , wherein the float bag is temporary.
8 . The aircraft of claim 1 , wherein the float bag is permanent.
9 . The aircraft of claim 1 , wherein the aircraft is a helicopter.
10 . A flotation device comprising:
an air bladder;
a girt coupled to the air bladder; and
a load attenuator coupled to the girt.
11 . The flotation device of claim 10 further comprising:
a second load attenuator coupled to the girt;
a second girt;
a third load attenuator coupled to the second girt;
a fourth load attenuator coupled to the second girt;
a third girt; and
a fifth load attenuator coupled to the third girt.
12 . The flotation device of claim 10 , wherein the load attenuator is a textile load attenuator.
13 . The flotation device of claim 10 , wherein the load attenuator is a mechanical load attenuator.
14 . The flotation device of claim 10 , wherein the load attenuator is a frangible load attenuator.
15 . The flotation device of claim 10 , wherein the air bladder is temporary.
16 . The flotation device of claim 10 , wherein the air bladder is permanent.
17 . A method comprising:
selecting a sea state and an aircraft;
sizing at least one float bag for the aircraft; and
selecting a load attenuator to be positioned between the aircraft and the float bag.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein selecting comprises analyzing characteristics of an aircraft and expected sea states.
19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein selecting comprises determining a peak retention load of the float bag during a water landing of the aircraft.
20 . The method of claim 17 , wherein a weight of an airframe of the aircraft upon selecting the load attenuator is less than a weight of an airframe of a similar aircraft without load attenuators.