The Aerospace Dummies

Available Models

• Humanetics 

Overview

The Humanetics Aerospace Dummy Line was developed working with aircraft dummy users. These dummies provide special features in a dummy based on current automotive test dummy design which allow them to function and collect essential data during escape system (ejection seat) testing. The Aerospace dummies are based upon the current automotive dummy series mandated for NHTSA specified automotive crashworthiness testing.

The designs are modified to increase strength and allow for measurement of spinal column loads. Dummy sizes are scaled to conform to user specified anthropometry. The Aerospace Dummy line is differentiated from the standard automotive dummy in the torso, pelvis, and leg areas. In order to provide spinal column loading, data provision is made for mounting 6-axis femur load cells in the thoracic spine and in the pelvis below the lumbar spine.

To handle ejection stresses the clavicles and clavicle links are manufactured of high tensile manganese bronze instead of aluminum. This is also true of the neck brackets and kneecaps of the larger dummies in the Aerospace line.

Aerospace dummies use the sit stand or pedestrian pelvis construction allowing the dummy to be dressed in flight gear and to be manipulated into proper position in the aircraft cockpit.

Construction

• One piece cast aluminum skull and cast skull cap have removable vinyl head skin and cap skin.
• The detachable skull cap provides access to head accelerometers. Attachment is provided for a six-axis neck transducer.
• Rubber segmented neck has anthropomorphic angle versus moment response in dynamic flexion (forward bending) and extension (rearward bending) articulations.
• Cable through axis of neck limits stretching, controls  responses and increases durability.
• Neck attaches to head via nodding block with front and rear rubber nodding joints interfacing with head-neck transducer or structural replacement.
• Angle between the neck and torso may be adjusted by changing the relative position of the upper and lower neck brackets.

Technical Specifications

• Optional neck extension assembly allows use of a six axis force transducer in the upper thoracic spine.
• Six spring steel ribs with polymer based damping material give the upper torso a force vs. deflection characteristic in horizontal compression scaled from the 50th percentile dummy.
• Sternum assembly connects front of ribs and incorporates slider for chest deflection transducer which may be fitted as an option to measure rib cage deflection relative to spine. Torso instrument cavity in the thoracic spine mounts three uniaxial accelerometers. Thoracic spine may be reconfigured to accept on-board data acquisition systems.
• Two-piece manganese bronze clavicle and clavicle link assemblies have cast integral scapulae to interface with shoulder belts.
• As an option, 5th and 95th percentile models have bronze and steel ball joint clavicle links and clavicles with separate cast bronze scapulae.
• Zippered vinyl chest jacket, with Ensolite® pad glued to the inside front, is easily removed.
• Cylindrical lumbar spine mounts on a six-axis lumbar load cell that connects to the pelvis.
• Pelvis and abdominal assembly is sit-stand construction with vinyl skin and foam flesh molded over an aluminum casting. A cavity is machined into the pelvis for clearance for a steel cup which holds the lumbar load cell. Hip ball joint sockets are machined into the casting. An instrument bracket at the rear allows placement of 3 uniaxial accelerometers. Abdomen is  easily removed from area surrounding lumbar spine between thorax and pelvis. Separate molded buttocks allow leg rotation to standing position.
• Upper legs contain ball joint femurs and retaining rings for hip joint. Femur friction plungers in pelvis control joint tension. Femur force gages are easily mounted to measure knee impact forces. Solid vinyl knee impact surface with rubber insert controls impact response. Knee sliders are replaced by solid steel blocks to connect knees and lower legs (femur-tibia displacement is not measured).
• Lower legs and feet have steel skeletons with vinyl skin and molded foam flesh.

Materials

• Steel skeletal components with some aluminum and bronze joints.
• Vinyl skin head and head cap.
• Butyl rubber neck.
• Vinyl chest jacket with Ensolite® foam pad attached to the inside front.
• Vinyl skin and urethane loam abdomen.
• Natural rubber lumbar spine.
• Vinyl skin and urethane foam pelvis, arms and legs.

Optional Instrumentation

• Three accelerometers in the head, upper torso and pelvis.
• Six axis neck transducer at the base of the skull.
• Six axis load cell between the lower neck bracket and thoracic spine.
• Six axis load cell between the lumbar spine and the pelvis.
• Uniaxial femur force gages (2) or six axis femur force gages in the upper legs.
• Chest deflection transducer.