Lateral (-Gy) Impact Tests With Inflatable Restraint Systems for Air Force Crew Escape Module Applications

During this test program a series of during and human tests were carried out on a prototype lateral body support system at levels up to 15.6 g. The prototype system utilized an inflatable airbag for torso and head support. The purpose of the test program was to demonstrate the feasibility of using t...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Shaffer, J T, Brinkley, James W
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
EJECTION SEATS
ESCAPE SYSTEMS
Escape, Rescue and Survival
FLIGHT CREWS
HUMAN BODY
IMPACT TESTS
INFLATABLE STRUCTURES
PERFORMANCE(ENGINEERING)
RESTRAINT
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
TOLERANCES(PHYSIOLOGY)
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Summary:During this test program a series of during and human tests were carried out on a prototype lateral body support system at levels up to 15.6 g. The prototype system utilized an inflatable airbag for torso and head support. The purpose of the test program was to demonstrate the feasibility of using this approach in protecting against the severe accelerations encountered during the ground landing phase of escape from high-performance aircraft with escape capsules. The program has definitely demonstrated this feasibility. Tests were conducted with human subjects beyond the current specified tolerance limits in the lateral axis (1). Even at 15.6 g the subjects experienced no symptoms which would indicate an approaching endpoint. It would seem reasonable to postulate that accelerations in the 20-25 g range could be tolerated with this system. The inflatable lateral body support system tested here has some attractive advantages for retrofitting into an emergency escape capsule system. It requires no elaborate changes to current seat geometries or crew harnesses. No contours need be built into the head/neck area and the bag provides good support for both small and large subjects. The direct deployment mode selected works easily into automatic escape sequencing. The bag can be inflated after separation from the aircraft and held in position until ground contact. Deployment is slow enough so that there is no problem with bag slap or the noise which accompanies rapid deployment. Subjects during the tests indicated that they felt tightly restrained and slightly uncomfortable with the bag prior to impact, but felt they would have no problem maintaining the position for long periods.