Abstract: A component position indicating system which provides an indication when a first component is at the same position relative to a second component as it was at some historical reference time has a cable (11) fixed to the first component and a sheath (6) which surrounds part of the cable (11) and is connected to the second component. In this way relative movement between the first and second components produces movement of the cable within the sheath. One end of the cable (6) is wound around a cable drum (7) which is freely rotatably mounted in a chassis (2) such that movement of the cable (11) within the sheath (6) causes cable to wind onto or off of the drum (7), causing rotation of the drum (7) in the process. Sensing means senses the resulting movement of the drum (7) and records an output characteristic indicative of the position of the drum (7) relative to the chassis (2) so as to enable a particular relative position between said first and second components to be identified and accurately reproduced.

Abstract: A pneumatic support system and controller combination including pressurizable expandable chambers (1); a source of pressure and an exhaust characterized by: a unitary manifold assembly (14) including a circuit board (25); a manifold (27) and one or more microvalves (24) having a silicon based valve actuator responsive to a signal for controlling flow from said manifold with respect to one or more expandable chambers.

Abstract: An expandable chamber support system for vehicle seat and mattress applications includes an expandable chamber constructed from facing sheets of flexible impermeable material that are sealed along their marginal edges. One of the sheets is formed of electrically conductive an elastomeric membrane that is electrically resistance heated while providing a source of pressure support for an occupant supported by the expandable chamber.