Abstract: An igniter apparatus is provided, comprising a heat precursor source having a heat precursor; a heating arrangement configured to, on demand, receive the heat precursor from the heat precursor source and to emit heat associated with the heat precursor and capable of igniting an ignitable article; and a sensory precursor source having a sensory precursor substance, wherein the sensory precursor substance is configured to provide a perceptible sensory effect, and wherein the sensory precursor source is in communication with the heating arrangement and is configured to release the sensory precursor substance in association with the heat emitted by the heating arrangement. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: An electromagnetic brake assembly includes a solenoid coil; a fixed ferrous brake stator; a ferrous armature having a braking face, wherein the armature is moveable in a translation direction relative to the brake stator between a disengaged position and an engaged position; and a rotating member including a mating surface and that rotates relative to the armature when the armature is in the disengaged position. When the solenoid coil is energized, the armature translationally moves from the disengaged position to the engaged position, and in the engaged position the braking face of the armature interacts with the mating surface of the rotating member to apply a braking force to the rotating member. The braking face and the mating surface may form a conical interface, and the conical interface further may include a friction O-ring positioned within a slot that permits the O-ring to roll along the braking interface when the armature moves between the disengaged position and the engaged position.

Abstract: An actuator system for an orthotic device includes an actuator assembly and a driven joint member. The driven joint member is connected remotely from the actuator assembly by flexible cabling to permit flexibility in positioning the driven joint member relative to the actuator assembly. The actuator system may include an actuator assembly having a motor and a first portion of a transmission assembly that provides a speed reduction of a motor speed to an output speed, and a driven joint member having an output portion of the transmission assembly and a connector component for connecting the driven joint member to a brace component of the orthotic device. The driven joint member including the output portion of the transmission assembly is connected remotely from the actuator assembly by flexible cabling that runs between the actuator assembly and the driven joint component, to permit flexibility in positioning the driven joint member relative to the actuator assembly.

Abstract: An igniter apparatus is provided, comprising a heat precursor source having a heat precursor; a heating arrangement configured to, on demand, receive the heat precursor from the heat precursor source and to emit heat associated with the heat precursor and capable of igniting an ignitable article; and a sensory precursor source having a sensory precursor substance, wherein the sensory precursor substance is configured to provide a perceptible sensory effect, and wherein the sensory precursor source is in communication with the heating arrangement and is configured to release the sensory precursor substance in association with the heat emitted by the heating arrangement. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: An igniter apparatus is provided, comprising a heat precursor source having a heat precursor; a heating arrangement configured to, on demand, receive the heat precursor from the heat precursor source and to emit heat associated with the heat precursor and capable of igniting an ignitable article; and a sensory precursor source having a sensory precursor substance, wherein the sensory precursor substance is configured to provide a perceptible sensory effect, and wherein the sensory precursor source is in communication with the heating arrangement and is configured to release the sensory precursor substance in association with the heat emitted by the heating arrangement. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: An igniter apparatus is provided, comprising a heat precursor source having a heat precursor; a heating arrangement configured to, on demand, receive the heat precursor from the heat precursor source and to emit heat associated with the heat precursor and capable of igniting an ignitable article; and a sensory precursor source having a sensory precursor substance, wherein the sensory precursor substance is configured to provide a perceptible sensory effect, and wherein the sensory precursor source is in communication with the heating arrangement and is configured to release the sensory precursor substance in association with the heat emitted by the heating arrangement. An associated method is also provided.