Abstract: A seat having a seat back pivotally connected to a seat pan, the seat back and the seat pan independently pivotal. At the pivot between the seat back and the seat pan there is a rotary energy attenuation device. The rotary energy attenuating device cooperates with a track system along the length of seat longitudinal members allowing for different directions of travel and height adjustment. The vehicle seat offers passive or active protection from impact and sudden acceleration due to accident or explosive events and is capable of automatically resetting.

Abstract: A ground plane detection system for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle with enhanced maneuverability characteristics of a type including a frame structure, a pair of front road engaging wheels, a pair of rear road engaging wheels. The detection system includes, a body controller configured for determining a ground plane including receiving at least one of a GPS signal and an inertial navigation system signal. The body controller is further configured for providing a roll and a pitch signal with respect to the ground plane; and the body controller combining the signals with inputs from one or more sensors detecting displacement of the front and rear road engaging wheels. The body controller is also configured to determine a terrain plane reference to the ground plane, and providing control signals to cause the vehicle to undertake an earth level orientation mode or a terrain following orientation mode.

Abstract: A hydraulic suspension system for a motor vehicle having at least a pair of road engaging wheels. The suspension system includes, a hydraulic cylinder coupled with the each of the pair of road engaging wheels, the hydraulic cylinder defining a cap end volume and a rod end volume separated by a piston. A hydraulic supply circuit for the hydraulic cylinder includes, a high pressure hydraulic source, a low pressure hydraulic drain, a pair of hydraulic sub circuits each coupled to one of the hydraulic cylinder cap and rod end volumes. Each hydraulic sub circuit includes, a proportional supply flow valve coupled with the high pressure hydraulic source and one of the cylinder volumes, a return flow control proportional valve coupled with the low pressure hydraulic drain and the one cylinder volume, and an accumulator coupled to the associated hydraulic cylinder volume through an accumulator fill control proportional valve.

Abstract: In one embodiment there is disclosed an energy attenuating vehicle seat. The seat includes a seat back pivotally connected to a seat pan, the seat back and the seat pan independently pivotal. At the pivot between the seat back and the seat pan there is a rotary energy attenuation device. The device extends between the seat back longitudinal members and the seat pan longitudinal members and is pivotally attached to the seat pan and the seat back allowing individual adjustment of the back or pan. The rotary energy attenuating device cooperates with a track system along the length of seat longitudinal members allowing for different directions of travel and height adjustment. The vehicle seat offers passive or active protection from impact and sudden acceleration (G force and Pressure Wave) due to accident or explosive events and is capable of automatically resetting.

Abstract: A removable and/or mountable seat assembly includes a seat back and a seat pan that are pivotally connected to each other via a locking device and rotate about at least one common axis of rotation. The locking device is in mechanical communication with the seat back and the seat pan and is configured to lock the seat back and the seat pan relative to each other about the at least one common axis of rotation. The locking device is configured to selectively lock the seat pan and the seat back such that the seat back and the seat pan lie along the common plane forming the stretcher or selectively lock the seat pan and the seat back such that the seat back and the seat pan form a seat. Additionally, the seat back and the seat pan may be locked in yet another position allowing for the easy transport and/or storage of the seat assembly.

Abstract: An energy absorbing strut having, a first end coupled with an inner cylinder, and a second end connected with a hollow rod extending within the inner cylinder. A piston is carried by the rod having an outer surface sealing against an inside diameter of the inner cylinder and forming a compression chamber and a rebound chamber bounded by the piston, the rod having an internal passageway communicating between the compression chamber and the rebound chamber. An inertial mass carried by the rod movable axially on the rod between a closed position against and annular rod passageway and an open position opening the rod passageway and allowing the flow of a hydraulic fluid between the compression chamber and the rebound chamber. A spring acts on the inertial mass biasing the inertial mass toward the closed position. The energy absorbing strut may be used in a blast mitigation system for a military vehicle or other applications for providing shock isolation between two structures.

Abstract: A vehicle has improved energy absorbing capability and occupants have increased blast survivability. The vehicle includes a suspended floor assembly. The floor assembly may be suspended by, at least in part, one or more suspensions arms that have an extendable portion. The floor assembly may also have a yaw plane energy absorber between the floor assembly and a wall of the vehicle.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is disclosed a blast mitigating differential housing for a vehicle, comprised of a first wall and a second wall in opposed spaced apart relation to each other. The first and second walls are separated by first and second side walls extending there between to define an inner space and an exterior surface. The side walls may be declined toward each other in a V shape. One of the first and second walls is equipped with an aperture to accommodate a vehicle drive line. The side walls are equipped with opposed apertures to accommodate the drive shafts and/or vehicle axles. The side walls may be further equipped with mounting structures along the exterior to accommodate a vehicle suspension system and/or steering elements. The inner space defined by the walls has a surface equipped for at least one vehicle differential mount.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is disclosed a modular, blast resistant suspension module for an armored vehicle. Each suspension module has a first and second axle assembly. The first axle assembly has a Short-Long Arm (SLA) suspension system pivotally connected to a blast resistant differential housing and the second axle assembly has a Road Arm (RA) suspension system pivotally connected to the differential housing. The suspension modules may be used to form 4×4 or 8×8 vehicle configurations.

Abstract: A restraint system is provided for a manned vehicle. The restraint system may optionally be automatically actuated; that is, hands-free to the seat occupant or occupants where the restraint system is vehicle-wide. The restraint system may comprise a first component including an upper restraint and at least one secondary restraint apparatus such as an airbag or a belt system. The restraint system may have a manual override so an occupant can exit when circumstances require, even if the automated parameters would otherwise keep the restraints locked.

Abstract: An improved seating system is provided for vehicles, including military vehicles. Center-facing seats are staggered to provide for a narrow vehicle profile, improved ingress and egress, and increased blast survivability. Seats may be reclined or reclinable, and seats may have seat pans upwardly movable away from a center aisle between rows of seats to increase an effective width of the aisle for improved ingress and egress.

Abstract: An improved multiple layer hull system may be used in vehicle applications. An upper hull may be monolithic or may have a plurality of seams. A sacrificial lower hull may be entirely U-shaped or partially flat-bottomed, or may have a U-shaped or partially flat-bottomed base with outwardly extending wings complementing a lower surface of the upper hull. A blast deflector may be beneath the lower hull or base either as a separate part or as an integral part.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is disclosed a modular, blast resistant suspension module for an armored vehicle. Each suspension module has a first and second axle assembly. The first axle assembly has a Short-Long Arm (SLA) suspension system pivotally connected to a blast resistant differential housing and the second axle assembly has a Road Arm (RA) suspension system pivotally connected to the differential housing. The suspension modules may be used to form 4×4 or 8×8 vehicle configurations.

Abstract: An improved seating system is provided for vehicles, including military vehicles. Center-facing seats are staggered to provide for a narrow vehicle profile, improved ingress and egress, and increased blast survivability. Seats may be reclined or reclinable, and seats may have seat pans upwardly movable away from a center aisle between rows of seats to increase an effective width of the aisle for improved ingress and egress.

Abstract: A restraint system is provided for a manned vehicle. The restraint system may optionally be automatically actuated; that is, hands-free to the seat occupant or occupants where the restraint system is vehicle-wide. The restraint system may comprise a first component including an upper restraint and at least one secondary restraint apparatus such as an airbag or a belt system. The restraint system may have a manual override so an occupant can exit when circumstances require, even if the automated parameters would otherwise keep the restraints locked.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is disclosed a blast mitigating differential housing for a vehicle, comprised of a first wall and a second wall in opposed spaced apart relation to each other. The first and second walls are separated by first and second side walls extending there between to define an inner space and an exterior surface. The side walls may be declined toward each other in a V shape. One of the first and second walls is equipped with an aperture to accommodate a vehicle drive line. The side walls are equipped with opposed apertures to accommodate the drive shafts and/or vehicle axles. The side walls may be further equipped with mounting structures along the exterior to accommodate a vehicle suspension system and/or steering elements. The inner space defined by the walls has a surface equipped for at least one vehicle differential mount.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting, communicating and storing hit events that impact objects. Conductive projectiles pierce a first layer of conductive material and insulative material to cause an electrical connection between the first layer and a second layer of conductive material. A signal is generated including at least the fact of a hit event, and the data may be stored and remotely accessible.