GB652131A - Control means for use with ejection seat of aircraft - Google Patents

Abstract

652,131. Pilot ejection apparatus. MARTIN, J. Dec. 4, 1948, No. 23344. [Class 4] A pilot ejection seat comprising a stabilizing drogue parachute and main parachute is provided with means operable after a predetermined time interval from the ejection of the seat to release the drogue from the seat and the pilot's harness from the seat lock mechanism, the drogue then drawing out the main parachute so that the pilot is entirely freed from the seat to enable him to make a normal descent. General arrangement.-As shown, the ejection seat 1 is constructed in the manner described in Specifications 583,257 and 640,520, a wedgeshaped pack with upper and lower compartments 12, 11 for the drogue and main parachutes being interposed between the back of the pilot and the back of the seat. The webs 22, 23, 25 of the pilot's harness are attached to the seat 1 by locks 26, 27, 28 which are released upon vertical movement of spring-loaded rods 34, effected by a combined time and height control mechanism 53, 54 or a hand lever 62. The drogue is attached to the seat by a link 73 connected to a cross-shaft 42. Method of operation.-Upon pulling down the face screen by the handle 10 the main ejection gun operates to project the seat from the cockpit, during which the locking pin of the time delay mechanism, Figs. 10-12 (not shown), is withdrawn. When the seat is clear of the aircraft the drogue gun is fired by a static line and the drogue parachute deployed by a cable 17 in the manner described, for example, in Specifications 616,238 and 640,520. The pilot and seat descend under the control of the drogue until the time delay mechanism operates, at the end of which period a barrel member 53 engages the end of a lever 63 mounted on a cross-shaft 42 which is rotated to free the drogue attachment link 73, and also the harness locks 26, 27, 28 through levers 43 attached to the tops of the release rods 34. This is followed by the falling away of the seat from the pilot, who then descends in the normal way under the control of the main parachute, which is deployed by the release of the drogue from the seat. If the descent is commenced above a predetermined safe height the capsule in the heightcontrol mechanism prevents operation of the timing mechanism until the pilot and seat descend to the safe height. In the event of the seat being damaged or rendered inoperable, or under any other circumstances, the pilot may attempt a descent by operating the hand lever 62, which is connected to the lever 63 by a cable 64, in order to release the harness locks 26, 27, 28, the drogue attachment link 73, and the cable 71 connecting the drogue gun to the drogue parachute. After falling clear of the aircraft the pilot pulls a rip-cord to release the drogue which immediately draws the main parachute from the pack.