ES1244479U - HELICOPTER ACCIDENT SIMULATOR (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Simulator (1) of helicopter accidents characterized in that it comprises: - a mobile structure (2) with a large tipping range, provided with tipping mechanisms, - a helicopter cockpit (100), fixed to said mobile structure (2), - locking devices (3) for the emergency exits (30) of the cockpit (100) and tools (31) for breaking windows (102) thereof, and - additional simulation elements (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 33). (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

HELICOPTER ACCIDENT SIMULATOR

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a helicopter accident simulator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Every summer more virulent forest fires occur. In the summer season administrations deploy the greatest number of means to combat them. Among them are the air media. Some are dedicated solely to launching water, such as ground cargo planes, amphibious planes, or bomber helicopters. Others, in addition to launching water, transport heli-transported brigades to fight forest fires. These brigades travel by helicopter to the fire and carry out the extinguishing work on the ground with the support of the aircraft's water discharges.

The personnel of the helitransported brigades against forest fires are perfectly trained in their normal work procedures, both in the extinction of forest fires and in terms of safety with the helicopter. Before starting the campaign they receive specific training where they learn to perform boarding and disembarking maneuvers (avoiding danger zones such as the tail rotor or main rotor), and the safety regulations inside the helicopter (remain with the seat belt since They board until they reach their destination, carry well-secured material, do not exchange positions, etc.).

In forest fire fighting work dangerous situations are lived that cannot be ignored and that generate great stress for the worker. In addition to the innate risk involved in the job itself, we must add the risk of traveling by helicopter. Some of the aerial media accidents are caused by situations that the pilot cannot control and end with a fatal outcome. However, it is usual that they do not have serious consequences, and can be addressed effectively and without reaching the limit situation.

Sometimes aircraft failures simply occur that prevent the helicopter from taking off. In these cases, staff have to apply the known procedures and proceed to disembark in a controlled and safe manner.

When the helicopter is in flight, some mechanical failure may compel the pilot to make an emergency landing. Depending on the type of failure and the skill of the pilot, it will sometimes be possible to land without causing damage to the aircraft or personnel, but other times, they will be forced to take hard shots. This can cause situations such as the helicopter overturning with all that this entails: damaged fuselage, injured personnel, blocked emergency doors, seat belts stuck, fire inside or in the vicinity of the aircraft as a result of the accident, etc. In these cases the tension increases and the staff suffers a startling effect that causes confusion and confusion. They are unaware of what is happening and are unable to assess the situation and act consistently and calmly to ensure a safe exit from the helicopter. Staff are aware that these situations can occur, but are not prepared to deal with them. Therefore, it is necessary to train and train them in evacuation techniques for damaged aircraft.

All the components of the helitransported brigades against forest fires must make emergency drills on a recurring basis, where everyone knows the action protocols. Training in any job involves systematic risk reduction and allows you to act more effectively. But these drills cannot be performed in the helicopter with which they usually work, since the situations that occur when the pilot has to make a forced landing, such as overturning, blocked emergency exits, etc., require actions to be taken that would cause damage to the aircraft, such as broken windows, doors, belts, etc. The machine would be inoperative and the repair costs generated would be difficult to bear by the operator. A theoretical explanation in the classroom does not work either, since a realistic recreation could not be done and the student would not have the same feelings as in the case of a real accident, so the answer would not be adequate.

These drawbacks are solved with the user of the simulator of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The simulator of the invention has a configuration comprising, in its simplest and most basic embodiment:

-a mobile structure with a large tipping margin (of at least 90 degrees), provided with suitable tipping mechanisms (hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders, motors and gears, etc.),

-a helicopter cockpit, fixed to said mobile structure,

-locking devices for the emergency exits of the cockpit and tools necessary to break the windows of the cockpit and use them for evacuation, and -additional simulation elements.

With the simulator of the invention there are the following advantages:

-It allows you to recreate any scenario that may occur in the event of a helicopter accident (overturn, entrapment, interior fire, etc.) and to know and implement the evacuation protocols of the damaged aircraft, without risk to the brigade, Remarkably increasing the chances of escaping unharmed in the event of a real accident, since the students are in a cabin the same or similar to that of the helicopter in which they usually fly.

-the structure with a wide turning range, allows simulating overturning, where some of the occupants will be suspended and cannot be released.

-the doors will lock and they will have to look for alternative exits,

-Possibility of training in any emergency situation that may occur both during boarding and in flight, making disembarkation or jumps in a stationary position, -Each simulated scenario can be repeated as many times as necessary until the correct execution by all personnel. that participates in the formative action.

With the simulator of the invention accidents will not be avoided, but it will be possible to respond to any situation without leaving any space for improvisation. The chances of escaping unscathed and saving lives should they occur will undoubtedly increase.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures 1 and 2 show respectively a side elevation and a plan view of the simulator of the invention.

Figure 3 shows a front elevation view of the simulator of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PRACTICAL EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The helicopter accident simulator (1) of the invention comprises, in its embodiment more basic and simple:

-a mobile structure (2) with a wide tipping margin, provided with tipping mechanisms, (hydraulic (25) or pneumatic cylinders, motors and gears, etc.)

-a helicopter cockpit (100), fixed to said mobile structure (2),

-locking devices (3) for the emergency exits (30) of the cockpit (100) and tools (31) for breaking windows (102) thereof (see fig 1), and

-Additional simulation elements (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 33).

A very important optional element that is preferred to incorporate the simulator (1) of the invention comprises, at least, an interior camera (4) for recording each position inside the cockpit (100), in addition to a laptop with screen, not shown, where all the images will be registered and visualized, to analyze and correct errors and repeat the maneuver if necessary. In this way, the entire training process can be recorded and subsequently view the images and analyze the mistakes made. The simulations will be repeated as many times as necessary until all personnel know the action protocols and execute them correctly to ensure the safety of all occupants. Developing an accident preparedness plan is useless if it is not put into practice. Ensuring that an emergency response is effective involves knowing and practicing this emergency preparedness plan.

As for the additional simulation elements (see fig 1), they can be very preferably: loudspeakers (7), strobe lights (8), smoke generators (9) and fire extinguishers (10) to simulate fire caused by accident, fire fighting equipment first aid (11), and communicators (12) at each station. These additional simulation elements allow adding complications, and with all these circumstances the student must be able to solve unforeseen events by applying the evacuation protocols that will have been previously explained and perform the evacuation safely, following the priorities that will have been set. For example, the strobe lights (8) will come on and smoke will be generated that will impede good vision and cause disorientation and nervousness. Communications at each station allow simulating communications in the event of an accident. Before starting the training there will be a theoretical exposition where they will explain "in situ", all the situations that may occur and the way to act in each case. The student will be allowed to make incorrect decisions that will be supervised and controlled by the trainers .

The provision of carrying and carrying elements has also been foreseen for the structure (2) mobile, for example, hooks (101) and / or wheels (103), which allows the simulator to be mounted on an automotive crane, not shown, and easy movement and positioning at any point where it is required.

To obtain the cockpit (100) of the simulator, you basically start from an old helicopter, cutting what is not purely a passenger area and coupling the necessary complementary elements:

-the appropriate tipping mechanisms,

-random door locking devices,

-cameras to evaluate the performance of the drill, stopwatch, etc.,

-the smoke emitters to simulate fires,

-the speakers to reproduce sounds and make the experience more immersive.

-a deployable rescue crane (33), which must also be considered as an element that may affect evacuation, during the drill.

In the end, when using a real aircraft, the experience is more adjusted to what reality can be and also a device that is no longer in a position to fly is recycled, so the practicality of the invention is reflected at the recycling level . As many aircraft as possible are recycled in most aircraft: motor, landing gear, etc., which have great value and their recycling or that of their parts is easy. Also, the instruments, computer and electronic equipment, etc. they usually recover. However, seats, seat belts, fuselage, etc. they are elements that are more difficult to recycle, and that are used in the simulator of the invention. For this reason, the structure (2) comprises in the most preferred embodiment:

-a first semi-structure (20) provided with supports (18) on the pavement,

-a second semi-structure (21) that is fixed to the cockpit (100),

-where the second semi-structure (21) is fixed to the first semi-structure (20) through rotating supports (23) aligned along a longitudinal axis (24), and

- comprising cylinders (25) sandwiched between the first semi-structure (20) and the second semi-structure (21) to produce lateral tilting of the second semi-structure (21) with respect to the first semi-structure (20) and simulate the overturning of the cockpit ( 100).

As a very preferred option, it is preferred that the simulator comprises a security locking element for the vertical and folded positions of the cockpit (100), to stabilize both positions and prevent the tipping mechanisms from working on them. The locking element includes, for example, a solid iron bolt (110) passing through the two semi-structures (20, 21).

The provision of access steps to the cockpit (100) has also been foreseen: ideally a first step (104) integral with the first semi-structure (20), and a second step (105) integral with the cockpit (100).

The simulator also includes the logical complementary elements for its operation; for example: an electrical panel (26), a hydraulic pump (27). It also has lower anchors (106) and other upper anchors (107) for fixing the cockpit (100) to the first semi-structure (20).

Once the nature of the invention has been sufficiently described, as well as the way of carrying it out in practice, it should be noted that the provisions previously indicated and represented in the attached drawings are subject to detailed modifications as long as they do not alter the fundamental principle.

Claims (8)

1.-Simulator (1) of helicopter accidents characterized by comprising: -a mobile structure (2) with a large tipping margin, provided with tipping mechanisms, -a helicopter cockpit (100), fixed to said mobile structure (2), -locking devices (3) for the emergency exits (30) of the cockpit (100) and tools (31) for breaking windows (102) thereof, and -Additional simulation elements (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 33). 2. -Simulador (1) of helicopter accidents according to claim 1, comprising at the least an inner chamber (4) for recording each position inside the cockpit (100). 3.-Helicopter accident simulator (1) according to any of the preceding claims, where the additional simulation elements are selected from: -speakers (7), -strobe lights (8), -smoke generators (9) and fire extinguishers (10), -first aid teams (11), -communicators (12) at each station, and -a rescue deployable crane (33). 4. -Simulador (1) of helicopter accidents according to any of the preceding claims, comprising elements for bearing and carrying structure (2) mobile. 5.-Helicopter accident simulator (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the structure (2) comprises: -a first semi-structure (20) provided with supports (18) on the pavement, -a second semi-structure (21) that is fixed to the cockpit (100), -where the second semi-structure (21) is fixed to the first semi-structure (20) through rotating supports (23) aligned along a longitudinal axis (24), and - comprising cylinders (25) sandwiched between the first semi-structure (20) and the second semi-structure (21) to produce lateral tilting of the second semi-structure (21) with respect to the first semi-structure (20) and simulate the overturning of the cockpit ( 100). 6.-Helicopter accident simulator (1) according to any of the previous claims comprising a security locking element for the vertical and folded positions of the cockpit (100). 7.-Helicopter accident simulator (1) according to claim 6 in relation to claim 5, wherein the blocking element comprises a solid iron bolt (110) that passes through the two semi-structures (20, 21). 8. -Simulador (1) of helicopter accidents according to any preceding claim, comprising access steps to the cockpit (100), comprising a first step (104) secured to the first half - structure (20), and a second step (105) in solidarity with the cockpit (100).