SBIR-STTR Award

An improved upper torso haulback and inertia reel system for ejection seats
Award last edited on: 9/5/2002

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : AF
Total Award Amount
$602,873
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
-----

Principal Investigator
Horace M Varner

Company Information

Frost Communications (AKA: Frost Engineering Development Corporation)

5901 Montrose Road Suite S-1300
Rockville, MD 20852
   (301) 984-8722
   N/A
   N/A
Location: Single
Congr. District: 08
County: Montgomery

Phase I

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: 00/00/00    Completed: 00/00/00
Phase I year
1989
Phase I Amount
$49,816
Upper torso haulback must be completed rapidly to assure timely ejection under adverse conditions yet the haulback motion should not injure the pilot. Design of a haulback system should include consideration of the biodynamics of the human body and associated restraint harness, the kinematics of the haulback device, and the thermodynamics of the gas generator. The proposed program consists of biodynamic and kinematic analysis by a leading expert in haulback at the University of Dayton research institute, thermodynamic consulting from the naval ordnance station, and mechanical design by frost engineering to create an optimized haulback system based upon recent advances in restraint harness in combination with the human body. The result will be (1) a method for designing upper torso haulback systems in the future, and (2) a system design applicable to an advanced fighter aircraft ejection seat. The design will consist of layouts, drawings, and sketches based upon the various analyses. Hardware fabrication and test would occur in a Phase II program.

Phase II

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: 00/00/00    Completed: 00/00/00
Phase II year
1991
Phase II Amount
$553,057
The ACES II haulback and inertia reel produces slow or incomplete retraction with the straps partially extended from the housing. The CREST program has a requirement to provide powered haulback in 150 milliseconds rather than the 300 milliseconds required in current specifications. A maximum impact velocity of 12 ft/sec is also required. A high performance haulback reel can be designed in which linear piston/cylinders are used to power a selective drive which in turn rotates the haulback straps attached to the restraint harness. This arrangement provides an efficient utilization of the gas generator energy. Cold gas tests will be used to assess the capability of the improved haulback reel.