Abstract: A pilot's ensemble provides protection against cold water immersion and hostile threats, such as chemical and biological agents, while minimizing bulk and weight of the ensemble and impacts to and burdens on the pilot. The ensemble includes a garment (40) having an outer shell (14) impermeable to liquids and gases and a lining (58) bonded to an inner surface of a torso portion of the shell (14). Air is supplied to the lining (58) through a ventilation port (42) to control body temperature. Ensemble headgear includes a helmet (76) with upper and lower pairs of mounting members (78, 80, 82, 84). A permeable hood (70) is worn under the helmet (76) and has chemical vapor absorbing neck portions. A breathing mask (92) is removably attachable to the lower pair of mounting members (82, 84). Goggles (96) are removably attachable to the upper pair (78, 80). The goggles (96) seal the ocular cavity of the pilot and overlap the mask (92) and hood (70) to completely cover the pilot's face.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method are provided for warning a pilot of life-support system failures wherein the life-support system includes at least a pressurization system and a breathing gas supply system. The breathing gas supply system which is contemplated in the presently preferred embodiment of the invention is the type wherein breathing gas may be supplied to the pilot from a plurality of on-board sources. The apparatus which is the subject of the present invention is responsive to both the operating conditions of the pressurization system and the breathing gas supply system to provide minimum warnings to the pilot thereby to improve the effectiveness of the warnings. The apparatus includes a plurality of indicators which, during normal operation, are substantially invisible to the pilot. The indicators are illuminated under certain variable conditions of the pressurization system and the breathing gas supply system.

Abstract: A system for assisting a fighter pilot in checking the six-o'clock position. By differentially inflating bladders placed under the seat cushion of the ejection seat of a fighter, the seat cushion can be rotated to the pilot's left or right to aid the pilot in checking the space directly behind the fighter. A system controller, responsive to actions by the pilot, causes the differential inflation of the bladders and controls the rotation of left and right harness straps. The system controller can actuate solenoid valves to control the bladder inflation or can mechanically rotate a fluid valve to control the bladder inflation. The bladders can be fabricated from a resilient material so that they automatically deflate when they are vented to the ambient atmosphere and their size can be limited by placing the bladders inside a resilient casing that has a non-resilient web connecting the opposed surface of the casing.

Abstract: A universal life support system adapted for use in an aircraft or spacecraft. The system includes components attached to the aircraft or spacecraft, components attached to the seat, and the ensemble to be worn. While appropriate gases and signals are sent between the craft and the seat, the seat connector at the suit side is adapted to receive any of the variety of connectors used with the ensembles that may be worn. While all potentially required gases, electrical signals, and electrical power are provided at the seat side of the seat-ensemble connection, the ensemble connector is configured to receive possibly only a subset of them. In addition, the ensemble connector can actuate a switch built into the seat connector to produce a signal indicative of the suit being worn. This signal provides information to the life support control system in the aircraft to cause the life support control system to adapt appropriate temperature and gas supply schedules.

Abstract: A G-protective ejection seat assembly for an occupant of the cockpit of an aircraft. The assembly includes a cradle having a rigid, non-articulated upper portion and a rigid lower portion pivotally attached to the upper portion. The upper portion is pivotally attached to the aircraft for selected angular movement within the cockpit between an upright position and a reclined position. The cradle upper portion includes arm rests movable therewith for supporting hand flight controls. Foot flight controls are mounted to the cradle lower portion which is formed by a pair of leg rests. The assembly includes a separable, non-articulated ejection seat removably carried by and stationary with respect to the cradle upper portion during non-ejection use. The seal is moved with the cradle upper portion as the cradle upper portion pivots between the upright and reclined positions.

Abstract: A breathing system (10) is provided for supplying physiologically acceptable breathing gas (oxygen partial pressure greater than that required to prevent hypoxia) to a pilot of an aircraft. The system (10) includes a breathing mask (12) connected to a pressure regulator (14). The pressure regulator (14) is connected to a selector valve (32). Connected to the selector valve (32) is an onboard oxygen generating system (22) and a standby oxygen supply (24). The selector valve (32) selects breathing gas from one of these two sources. Also included in the system is an emergency oxygen bottle (26) connected to the regulator (14). Ambient air is supplied to the mask (12) by an ambient airflow duct (20) if for some reason none of the breathing gas sources (22, 24, 26) provide breathing gas to the regulator (14).