Abstract: Wireless platform attitude information such as pitch, roll and heading are disclosed. Attitude estimates can be made by using orthogonally mounted gyroscopes. Attitude estimates can be also made by determining the direction of arrival of signals and comparing the direction of arrival of the signals with the position of the transmitters and the position of the receiver. The attitude estimates can be then combined to determine “real time” attitude information.

Abstract: Wireless platform attitude information such as pitch, roll and heading are disclosed. Attitude estimates can be made by using orthogonally mounted gyroscopes. Attitude estimates can be also made by determining the direction of arrival of signals and comparing the direction of arrival of the signals with the position of the transmitters and the position of the receiver. The attitude estimates can be then combined to determine “real time” attitude information.

Abstract: A navigation system and a wireless communication device are installed on an automobile. The navigation system determines the state vector of the automobile. The navigated state vector is periodically transmitted by the wireless communication device for use by other vehicles. The wireless communication device also receives state vectors transmitted from neighboring vehicles. The received state vectors are compared with the automobile's current state vector by a processor. The processor drives a display that displays the relative position of the neighboring vehicles. The processor also determines the likelihood of collision with another vehicle. The processor issues display or audio cues to alert the driver. The processor may also send brake or steering commands when a driving correction should be made.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (28) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable away from the roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The device (14) has a perimeter (50) defined by an upper edge (52) positioned adjacent the roof (28), an opposite lower edge (54), and front and rear edges (56 and 58) spaced apart along the upper and lower edges. The device (14) includes overlying panels secured together along the perimeter (50) to define an inflatable volume (34) and is free from association with an inflatable tube. An inflator (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the device (14). A flexible elongated member (90) extends through the device (14) and is coiled around a portion (70) of the inflatable volume (34) of the device. The member (90) has a first end (92) and an opposite second end (94) fixed to the vehicle side structure (16).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (28) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable away from the roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The device (14) has a perimeter (50) defined by an upper edge (52) positioned adjacent the roof (28), an opposite lower edge (54), and front and rear edges (56 and 58) spaced apart along the upper and lower edges. The device (14) includes overlying panels secured together along the perimeter (50) to define an inflatable volume (34) and is free from association with an inflatable tube. An inflator (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the device (14). A flexible elongated member (90) extends through the device (14) and is coiled around a portion (70) of the inflatable volume (34) of the device. The member (90) has a first end (92) and an opposite second end (94) fixed to the vehicle side structure (16).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (18) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The vehicle occupant protection device (14) is inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) into a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the vehicle occupant protection device (14). The vehicle occupant protection device (14) comprises first and second gas impermeable panels (40 and 42). Stitching (44) extends into the first and second panels (40 and 42) and secures portions of the panels together. A first gas impermeable piece (70) is secured to the first panel (44) in a position overlying the stitching (44) in the first panel.

Abstract: A system for changing the temperature of a working fluid, including amonia, includes a working fluid source and a steel tube. The working fluid source is configured to direct a flow of the working fluid. The working fluid from the source is at a temperature. The steel tube has a treated inner surface layer defining a flow passage. The surface may comprise a mill finish surface, an oxidizing surface and/or a chromized surface. The tube is configured to receive the working fluid from the source and to direct the flow of the received working fluid along a path to change the temperature of the received working fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) comprises a vehicle occupant protection device (14) which is inflatable into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The vehicle occupant protection device (14), when inflated, has an outer panel (47) positioned adjacent to the side structure (16) and an opposite inner panel (48). Apertures (70) are spaced in a row and extend through the device (14). First and second flexible elongated members (80 and 82) have respective first ends (84 and 94) and opposite second ends (86 and 96) connected to the side structure (16). The first and second flexible elongated members (80 and 82) extend through the apertures (70) and have respective first and second portions (102 and 110) which extend along respective first and second parts (104 and 112) of the outer panels (47) and then along respective first and second parts of the inner panels (48).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (18) and a roof (28) includes a non-inflatable curtain (14). The non-inflatable curtain (14) is deployable in a first direction away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The non-inflatable curtain (14), when deployed, extends fore and aft in the vehicle (12) along the side structure (18) of the vehicle. An inflatable device (16) is inflatable into a position between the side structure (18) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. First and second tethers (68 and 72) connect the inflatable device (16) to the non-inflatable curtain (14). An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid to inflate the inflatable device (16). The inflatable device (16), when inflated, tensions the first and second tethers (68 and 72) to deploy the non-inflatable curtain (14) in the first direction.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes a panel (56) and a patch (80) attached to the panel (56). The panel (56) has slits (62) defining inflation fluid vents. The patch (80) has slits (84) defining inflation vents in series with the vents in the panel (56).

Abstract: A vehicle safety apparatus (10) includes an air bag (16), a mounting plate (14) for mounting the air bag in the vehicle, and a retaining ring (18). The air bag (16) is clamped between the retaining ring (18) and the mounting plate (14). A recess (130) is formed on a first one of the retaining ring and the mounting plate (14). A projection (100) on a second one of the retaining ring (18) and the mounting plate (14) forces a portion of the air bag (16) into the recess (130) to resist movement of the air bag relative to the retaining ring and the mounting plate.

Abstract: A thermally actuated hydrogen secondary battery comprises an anode having a thermally actuated anode-active solid reversible hydrogen-containing inorganic compound which deintercalates hydrogen ions (H.sup.+) in a discharge cycle when exposed to thermal energy, a compatible gas-free electrolyte capable of transporting hydrogen ions (H.sup.+) between the anode and a cathode when the anode is exposed to thermal energy, and the cathode having a hydrogen ion-intercalatable cathode-active material which intercalates hydrogen ions (H.sup.+) in a discharge cycle when the anode is exposed to thermal energy.

Abstract: A thermally actuated hydrogen secondary battery which comprises a porous anode having a thermally actuated anode-active solid reversible hydrogen-containing inorganic compound which deintercalates hydrogen ions (H.sup.+) in a discharge cycle when exposed to thermal energy and having a first porous catalytic oxide film on a side thereof capable of converting hydrogen ions into hydrogen molecules in a discharge cycle and having a second porous catalytic metal film on another side thereof capable of converting hydrogen molecules into hydrogen ions in a charge cycle; a porous cathode having a hydrogen ion-intercalatable cathode-active material which intercalates hydrogen ions (H.sup.

Abstract: A cathode active material, which is especially useful as the cathode in a lithium high energy density nonaqueous cell operating on the principle of intercalation, has the general formula Li.sub.x M.sub.y M'.sub.z O.sub.2-n F.sub.n where M is selected from the group consisting of metallic ions having a valence of +1 other than lithium and metallic radicals having a valence of +1; M' is selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co and Ni; x is 0.01 to 0.99 and y is 0.99 to 0.01, respectively; z is 0.8 to 1.2; and n is zero to 0.1.

Abstract: A fail-safe, velocity-discriminating centrifugal clutch having a biased, ion-transmitting pawl element displaceable at speeds at or above a predetermined threshold value to an engagement position with a driven ratchet assembly. Under conditions of missing or malassembled parts, clutch operation is in the fail-safe mode with no transmission of rotary motion. In the engaged position, no centrifugal force generated by the pawl element is applied to the ratchet assembly. This feature, plus the radial contact between the pawl element and the ratchet assembly, allows operation between misaligned input and output shafts, even at high rotational speeds.

Abstract: A safing-and-arming mechanism for ordnance fuzes having an air speed sensor nd redundant means to prevent premature arming rotor movement. Upon weapon delivery, a spring-loaded snorkel is extended to unlock the first of two rotor locks and to direct a stream of air past a turbine wheel to drive an electric generator and a gear train through a centrifugal clutch. A winding disk is rotated to place a rotor spring in tension, the rotor being held against the spring force by a tumbler controlled by an explosive actuator. Upon an ignition signal from the electronic fuzing package, the tumbler is retracted and the rotor displaced to the armed position to align explosive components of a firing train.