Abstract: A seat bladder has a closed volume that is at least partially filled with an open-cell or highly-reticulated foam material. The bladder fluid soaks into interstices in the foam material and fills the remaining bladder volume. The presence of the foam material reduces the time required to evacuate the bladder prior to fluid filling, and reduces the quantity of fluid required to fill the bladder. In subsequent usage, the foam material increases the restoring force of the bladder and the dissipation of energy input to the bladder.

Abstract: An elastomeric seat bladder has upper and lower sheets of peripherally welded elastomeric material, and at least one of the upper and lower sheets of elastomeric material is sufficiently thick to effectively serve as an integral interface panel. In a first configuration, the lower sheet is formed of elastomeric material having a thickness in the range of 1 mm (0.04 inch) to 2.54 mm (0.100 inch), and the upper sheet is formed of elastomeric material having a thickness of approximately 0.375 mm (0.015 inch). In a second configuration, the relatively thick sheet of elastomeric material is utilized as the upper sheet of the bladder instead of the lower sheet; and in a third configuration, both upper and lower sheets of the bladder are formed of elastomeric material in the range of 1 mm (0.04 inch) to 2.54 mm (0.100 inch) in thickness.

Abstract: A seat bladder weight estimation apparatus includes an interface panel having multiple regions of substantial rigidity separated by regions of insubstantial rigidity. The regions of substantial rigidity limit sensitivity to seat foam variations, and the regions of insubstantial rigidity permit differential movement and angulation of the rigid regions for regional transfer of occupant weight to the bladder. The regional transfer of occupant weight to the bladder allows regional variation of the bladder sensitivity to occupant weight through various bladder geometry design features.

Abstract: A method and circuit for determining the health of a microcontroller is provided having a circuit that includes a bus, a CPU coupled to the bus and a register coupled to the bus. A memory is also coupled to the bus. The memory is utilized by the first CPU. A controller is coupled to the register for controlling reading of the memory. The register generates a signature in response to the memory. The controller compares the reference signature and the second signature. The controller generated a fault signal when the reference signature is unequal to the second signature.