Study of the Spinal Preloading Piston for the CKU-5/A Rocket Catapult
Abstract
This Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase I effort investigated the feasibility of inserting spinal preloading technology into the current Advanced Concept Ejection Seat (ACES II). Spinal preloading may be an effective means of reducing spinal compression during the catapult phase of an emergency aircraft ejection and result in a reduction in major injuries and fatalities for the expanded aircrew population. The spinal preloading technology is based on the concept of applying a Dirac high level, short time duration impulse, then after the spine has reached its maximum compression level, applying an acceleration step function to maintain that compression level for the rest of the catapult stroke. The preliminary design is based on the addition of a short stroke Spinal Preloading Piston (SPP) between the Seat Adjustment Actuator Assembly (SAAA) and the CKU-5B/A rocket catapult in the existing ACES II ejection seat. A Gaussian optimization computer program was used to optimize the performance of the CKU-5B/A rocket catapult with the SPP. A SBIR Phase II effort was approved to continue the design, fabrication and testing of the SPP.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA370832
Entities
People
- Walter R. Peck