Abstract: Insulation systems that present an electrical stress grading through the disposition of resistively graded networks between insulating layers is described. The resistively graded networks may be implemented by coating insulating material with resistive material, and wrapping the insulation material around a conductor. The resistive material may be linear or non-linear material. Fabrication of the insulating material, the resistive material, and the coating process are also discussed, as well as the application of the insulation to the conductor are also discussed.

Abstract: Insulation systems that present an electrical stress grading through the disposition of resistively graded networks between insulating layers is described. The resistively graded networks may be implemented by coating insulating material with resistive material, and wrapping the insulation material around a conductor. The resistive material may be linear or non-linear material. Fabrication of the insulating material, the resistive material, and the coating process are also discussed, as well as the application of the insulation to the conductor are also discussed.

Abstract: An inverted double dome double vacuum debulk tool having separable upper and lower chamber portions which can be assembled to form a vacuum chamber. In accordance with some embodiments, the top and bottom halves each comprise a circular cylindrical sidewall closed at one end by an inverted dome. The domes may be hemispherical or semi-elliptical with convex sides facing the chamber interior space. A base plate on which the composite patch rests is removable from the vacuum chamber. Various fittings pass electrical power and vacuum into the tool and sensor outputs out of the tool.

Abstract: An inverted double dome double vacuum debulk tool having separable upper and lower chamber portions which can be assembled to form a vacuum chamber. In accordance with some embodiments, the top and bottom halves each comprise a circular cylindrical sidewall closed at one end by an inverted dome. The domes may be hemispherical or semi-elliptical with convex sides facing the chamber interior space. A base plate on which the composite patch rests is removable from the vacuum chamber. Various fittings pass electrical power and vacuum into the tool and sensor outputs out of the tool.

Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting force information related to a provisional is disclosed. A user interface may be provided for presenting objects on a display related to a knee joint, the user interface including a representation of an area of the knee joint for presentment on the display and a force center indicator for presentment on the display. The user interface providing an indication of when a position of the force center indicator corresponds to a desired position of the force center indicator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting force information related to a provisional is disclosed. A user interface may be provided for presenting objects on a display related to a knee joint, the user interface including a representation of an area of the knee joint for presentment on the display and a force center indicator for presentment on the display. The user interface providing an indication of when a position of the force center indicator corresponds to a desired position of the force center indicator.

Abstract: A child restraint system includes a belt assembly for restraining a child occupant and a control unit for monitoring proper adjustment of the belt assembly. The belt assembly may include a belt harness affixed to the child restraint system or a vehicle belt seat. The child restraint system also includes a sensor for detecting the presence of the child occupant, a sensor for determining whether the belt assembly is properly adjusted, and a sensor for determining whether the vehicle is in motion. The control unit provides an alert signal if the child is present, the vehicle is in motion and the belt assembly is not properly adjusted.

Abstract: A child seat adapted for use in a vehicle, the child seat comprising: a shell portion; a harness for securing a child to the child seat, the harness comprising adjustable harness tether(s) secured to the shell portion at one end and having a latch plate at the other, the latch plate being configured to releasably engage a buckle of the harness; a tension sensor(s) for providing a signal indicative of a tension of the adjustable harness tether(s); and an electronic control unit secured to the shell portion, the electronic control unit being operably coupled to the tension sensor(s) to receive the signal, the electronic control unit being capable of processing the signal to compare the signal to a signal indicative of a predetermined range of acceptable tension, wherein the electronic control unit provides an output indicating whether the tension of the adjustable harness tether(s) is(are) within the predetermined range.

Abstract: A child seat adapted for use in a vehicle, the child seat comprising: a shell portion configured for use with or without a base portion; at least one an adjustable tether secured to the shell portion at one end and having a clasping portion at the other; a tension sensor for providing a signal indicative of a tension of the adjustable tether; and an electronic control unit secured to the shell portion, the electronic control unit being operably coupled to the tension sensor to receive the signal, the electronic control unit being capable of processing the signal to compare the signal to a signal indicative of a predetermined range of acceptable tension, wherein the electronic control unit provides an output indicating whether the tension of the adjustable tether is within the predetermined range.

Abstract: A child restraint system for transporting a child within an automotive vehicle includes a weight sensor for determining the weight of the child and compares the child's weight to a recommended weight range. The weight sensor is disposed within a cushion that lines a shell and provides an electrical signal to a control unit. The control unit processes the electrical signal and provides an alert signal when the weight is not within the recommended range. Also, the child restraint system may include a second sensor for sensing a condition that depends upon the child's weight such as directional orientation or angular orientation of the child restraint system, or location or tension of a vehicle seat belt or tether that secures the child restraint system within the vehicle, or the location or tension of a harness for restraining the child occupant within the child restraint system.

Abstract: A child restraint system and a method for monitoring installation of the child restraint system are provided. The child restraint system includes a child seat configured to receive a child occupant. The child restraint system further includes a first sensor coupled to the child seat. The first sensor is configured to output a first signal indicative of positional angle of the child seat relative to a first axis. The child restraint system further includes a controller coupled to the child seat configured to receive the first signal and to calculate a first angle value based on the first signal. The controller is further configured to induce a first device disposed on the child seat to indicate when the first angle value is not within a predetermined angular range from the first axis.

Abstract: The child restraint system comprises a harness that extends through one of a plurality of slots in the shell for restraining a child occupant within the child restraint system, and a control unit for determining whether the harness is properly adjusted based upon the size of the child. Belt location sensors are disposed at the slots to detect the presence of a harness belt. The child restraint system also includes temperature sensors responsive to body temperature of the child. The control unit processes the signals from the belt location sensors and the proximity sensors and issues an alert signal if the belt location is not the recommended belt location based upon the size of the child.

Abstract: A child seat monitoring system for a child seat and a method for determining a type of child seat are provided. The child seat has a first region and an opposite second region. The child seat has first and second patterns disposed on the first and second regions, respectively, both indicating whether the child seat is a forward-facing child seat or a rearward-facing child seat relative to a vehicle seat. The system includes a first detection apparatus configured to detect either the first pattern on the first region of the child seat or the second pattern on the second region of the child seat. The system further includes a controller operably communicating with the first detection apparatus. The controller is configured to generate a first signal when the child seat is a forward-facing child seat.

Abstract: A child restraint system and a method for monitoring installation of the child restraint system are provided. The child restraint system includes a child seat configured to receive a child occupant. The child seat has at least a first seat belt guide member configured to engage a vehicle seat belt webbing for securing the child seat to a vehicle seat. The child restraint system further includes a first sensor coupled to the first seat belt guide member. The first sensor is configured to output a first signal indicative of an amount of tension being applied to the vehicle seat belt webbing. The child restraint system further includes a controller coupled to the child seat configured to receive the first signal and to compute a first tension value based on the first signal. The controller further is configured to induce a first device disposed on the child seat to indicate when the first tension value is less than a predetermined tension value.