Abstract: A device for controlling a valve with an electromagnet having a coil fed by a current, includes a closed-loop control unit configured to control the current using a closed-loop control circuit, the closed-loop control circuit having a plurality of elements which are set by a plurality of control parameters to generate an actual pressure value at the valve, the actual pressure value depending upon the dead volume. The device includes a dead volume setting unit configured to adapt to a change in dead volume while accounting for a nonlinear relationship between the dead volume and the plurality of control parameters by simultaneously setting the plurality of control parameters based upon a single dead volume parameter.

Abstract: A device for controlling a valve with an electromagnet having a coil fed by a current, includes a closed-loop control unit configured to control the current using a closed-loop control circuit, the closed-loop control circuit having a plurality of elements which are set by a plurality of control parameters to generate an actual pressure value at the valve, the actual pressure value depending upon the dead volume. The device includes a dead volume setting unit configured to adapt to a change in dead volume while accounting for a nonlinear relationship between the dead volume and the plurality of control parameters by simultaneously setting the plurality of control parameters based upon a single dead volume parameter.

Abstract: A novel design and construction method for the creation of a deployable flexible flood mitigation wall manufactured from textile and membrane materials. The flexible flood mitigation wall system comprises a textile/membrane wall and support posts configured to be movable between a stowed position and a deployed position and wherein, in the deployed position, the wall forms a leak-free barrier against flood water or other fluids. A series of posts that are manually deployed is used to support the fabric wall when hydrostatically challenged, and transfer loads to the ground. The wall is stored at the point of use in a surface box or trench box and keeps the loading from the flood water off the building, structure or equipment being protected.

Abstract: A novel design and construction method for the creation of a deployable flexible flood mitigation wall manufactured from textile and membrane materials. The flexible flood mitigation wall system comprises a textile/membrane wall and support posts configured to be movable between a stowed position and a deployed position and wherein, in the deployed position, the wall forms a leak-free barrier against flood water or other fluids. A series of posts that are manually deployed is used to support the fabric wall when hydrostatically challenged, and transfer loads to the ground. The wall is stored at the point of use in a surface box or trench box and keeps the loading from the flood water off the building, structure or equipment being protected.

Abstract: An electrical socket with a safety feature that prevents accidental shock due to insertion of an object or objects other than a typical electrical plug configuration. The socket ‘hot’ side conductor is not energized if an object is inserted into any single plug tang location, or if multiple objects are inserted independently, in any combination, of the socket plug tang locations.

Abstract: An energy attenuating apparatus for use with a seat includes an elongated attenuator having a resistance to bending which varies along its length. A bending mechanism defining a nonlinear path receives the attenuator. Translation of the bending mechanism relative to the attenuator in a lengthwise direction of the attenuator produces bending of the attenuator to absorb energy applied to the energy attenuating apparatus.

Abstract: A method and kit for retrofitting an inertia reel door onto the seat back of a pre-constructed ejection seat. The method includes removing existing rivets from the seat back exposing rivet holes. Alignment holes are then drilled into the seat back. An aperture is cut into the seat back along flanges of an upper support bracket and a drogue chute bracket. A doubler is aligned with the rivet holes and alignment holes in the seat back and then attached to the seat back. A track is attached to a wall of the aperture and an inertia reel is mounted to the track. An inertia reel door is attached to the doubler.

Abstract: A method and kit for retrofitting an inertia reel door onto the seat back of a pre-constructed ejection seat is disclosed. The method includes removing existing rivets from the seat back exposing rivet holes. Alignment holes are then drilled into the seat back. An aperture is cut into the seat back along flanges of an upper support bracket and a drogue chute bracket. A doubler is aligned with the rivet holes and alignment holes in the seat back and then attached to the seat back. A track is attached to a wall of the aperture and an inertia reel is mounted to the track. An inertia reel door is attached to the doubler.

Abstract: A seat includes a seat back for supporting a back of a seat occupant and a shoulder harness including at least one shoulder strap for restraining a shoulder of a seat occupant. The shoulder strap has a rear portion anchored in a manner enabling it to move in a height direction of a seat occupant. When the seat occupant tightens the shoulder strap, the rear portion can move in response to the tension to a position in which the shoulder strap extends substantially perpendicular to the back tangent line of the seat occupant. In this manner the shoulder strap can be automatically be adjusted in position for a wide range of seat occupants of varying heights.

Abstract: An energy attenuating apparatus for use with a seat includes an elongated attenuator having a resistance to bending which varies along its length. A bending mechanism defining a nonlinear path receives the attenuator. Translation of the bending mechanism relative to the attenuator in a lengthwise direction of the attenuator produces bending of the attenuator to absorb energy applied to the energy attenuating apparatus.

Abstract: A method of assembling and installing a flip-up pitots system in an ejection seat. A flip-up pitot mount may be fastened to any existing recovery parachute container assembly. Mounting holes are created for the various parts that comprise the flip-up pitots system using the sub-parts as templates. The flip-up pitot system sub-parts are then easily installed on the recovery parachute container assembly irrespective of the make or model of the recovery parachute container assembly.

Abstract: An aqueous cleaning system and process for cleaning critical application gas systems and components, critical application fluid systems, and cryogenic systems. The aqueous cleaning system comprises multiple cleaning and rinsing stations, and a water purification and recycling system to implement a multi-step aqueous cleaning process. The multi-step aqueous cleaning process includes a pre-cleaning step, a rinsing step, a final cleaning step, and a final rinsing step. The rinsing step includes primary and secondary rinsing stages. The aqueous cleaning system is portable and self-contained and the aqueous cleaning process may be utilized in batch or lot type cleaning as well as in situ system level cleaning.

Abstract: An energy attenuation system for absorbing at least a portion of the force impulse imparted to an occupant of an aircraft during a crash. The energy attenuation system comprises a seat and an air bag module. The air bag module includes an air bag positioned and deployable below the seat. The air bag allows the seat and its occupant to move in the direction of the applied impact forces under a controlled stroking force. Accordingly, the occupant may be exposed to a force having a magnitude substantially less than the magnitude of the force on the aircraft.

Abstract: A lifting system for removing and installing equipment on aircraft. The lifting system comprises a base and a lifting assembly supported by the base. The lifting system also comprises linear outriggers and at least one offset outrigger. The linear outriggers and the at least one offset outrigger are connectable to the base to provide additional stability for the lifting system during operation. The lifting assembly includes a boom having telescoping sections. The boom may be tilted about a horizontal axis relative to the base and rotated about a vertical axis relative to the base for increased maneuverability around and increased access to the aircraft.

Abstract: A projection for use as a restraining tooth in a compression-type belt restraint assembly which includes a base secured against movement and having a size and dimension appropriate for insertion of the projection in the interstices provided between the warp and weft of a woven fabric belt. The projection also includes a load-bearing surface, preferably an omnidirection load-bearing surface, projecting from the base at an angle from the perpendicular to the base so that a substantial component of the restraint force imparted by the surface on a fabric belt fiber under compression restraint is in the horizontal direction. Also the projection includes a nonabrasive top which terminates the omnidirectional surface so fibers comprising a fabric belt are not abraided or cut.

Abstract: An inflatable life raft which forms a passenger receptacle, has a removable canopy for covering the passenger receptacle and is formed from a flexible walled housing which includes inner and outer walls, with a plurality of chambers being formed between the walls. A bleeder mechanism, in the form of a plurality of cords disposed in the chambers keep substantially all of the areas of the chambers in communication with each other so that inflation and more especially deflation, can be readily accomplished without forming air pockets caused by the inner and outer chamber walls sticking together precluding the free flow of air.

Abstract: A powered retractable passenger restraint system for securing the occupant of a vehicle seat, especially a seat in a high performance aircraft, in an upright sitting position against the seat, which includes an upper body harness and a retraction apparatus connected thereto, which, upon actuation, forcibly retracts the upper body. a lower body harness and a retraction apparatus which, upon actuation, forcibly retracts the lower body into the seat, and apparatus responsive to the forces of inertia for actuating the upper body and lower body harness retraction apparatus. Furthermore, a manual apparatus is included in the restraint system for selectively actuating the upper lower body harness, as well as an override actuation apparatus for actuating the upper and lower body retraction apparatus regardless of the condition of the other actuation apparatus, so that in emergency conditions such as ejection, the passenger is retracted to the seat.

Abstract: An improved harness restraint system for a vehicle seat occupant which includes a unique single-point release device having laterally spaced connectors for attachment of shoulder harness straps. The system also includes an improved harness belt system employing a cross-chest belt configuration as well as a gross adjustment feature for pre-adjusting the harness assembly straps to substantially approximate the occupant. The new system also provides diverging lower restraint belts which encircle each leg of the occupant for anti-gravity and crash restraint. The single-point release device also includes an automatic release mechanism which is activated in a water environment.

Abstract: A drain assembly for aircraft which is operable to provide a drainage outflow course for discharge of cabin collecting liquids in an aircraft to the outside environment when the aircraft is at ground level or operating at altitudes up to a certain height but which is operable to seal tight that drainage course when the aircraft is operating above that certain height so that cabin depressurization cannot occur through the drainage course.

Abstract: A container and method for compression packaging a compressible article which includes use of a container having two rigid sides each connected to the other at a first end establishing a spaced-apart, parallel, and substantially co-extensive relationship between the sides. The container also includes closure means at the other end of each side for releasably holding the sides in the relationship established by the first end against the face of the compressible article held therebetween, and retaining mean fixed along the sides of the container. The retaining means has an open condition which permits compression packaging of the article and a closed condition which retains the compressible article under pressure in the container until released by the closure means.