Abstract: An energy storage device includes an electrode made from an active material in which a plurality of channels have been etched. The channels are coated with an electrically functional substance selected from a conductor and an electrolyte.

Abstract: Ultracapacitor electrodes having an enhanced electrolyte-accessible surface area are provided. Such electrodes can include a porous substrate having a solution side and a collector side, the collector side operable to couple to a current collector and the solution side positioned to interact with an electrolytic solution when in use. The electrode can also include a conductive coating formed on the solution side of the porous substrate. The coating can have a first side positioned to interact with an electrolytic solution when in use and a second side opposite the first side. The coating can have discontinuous regions that allow access of an electrolyte solution to the second side during use to enhance electrolyte-accessible surface area of the conductive coating.

Abstract: Ultracapacitor electrodes having an enhanced electrolyte-accessible surface area are provided. Such electrodes can include a porous substrate having a solution side and a collector side, the collector side operable to couple to a current collector and the solution side positioned to interact with an electrolytic solution when in use. The electrode can also include a conductive coating formed on the solution side of the porous substrate. The coating can have a first side positioned to interact with an electrolytic solution when in use and a second side opposite the first side. The coating can have discontinuous regions that allow access of an electrolyte solution to the second side during use to enhance electrolyte-accessible surface area of the conductive coating.

Abstract: Ultracapacitor electrodes having an enhanced electrolyte-accessible surface area are provided. Such electrodes can include a porous substrate having a solution side and a collector side, the collector side operable to couple to a current collector and the solution side positioned to interact with an electrolytic solution when in use. The electrode can also include a conductive coating formed on the solution side of the porous substrate. The coating can have a first side positioned to interact with an electrolytic solution when in use and a second side opposite the first side. The coating can have discontinuous regions that allow access of an electrolyte solution to the second side during use to enhance electrolyte-accessible surface area of the conductive coating.

Abstract: Ultracapacitor electrodes having an enhanced electrolyte-accessible surface area are provided. Such electrodes can include a porous substrate having a solution side and a collector side, the collector side operable to couple to a current collector and the solution side positioned to interact with an electrolytic solution when in use. The electrode can also include a conductive coating formed on the solution side of the porous substrate. The coating can have a first side positioned to interact with an electrolytic solution when in use and a second side opposite the first side. The coating can have discontinuous regions that allow access of an electrolyte solution to the second side during use to enhance electrolyte-accessible surface area of the conductive coating.

Abstract: An energy storage device includes an electrode made from an active material in which a plurality of channels have been etched. The channels are coated with an electrically functional substance selected from a conductor and an electrolyte.

Abstract: A roller restraint assembly is removably mounted on the floor of a vehicle in an outboard location where it restrains cargo movement laterally but permits longitudinal cargo movement along its roller. This assembly has a pivotally mounted restraint arm which engages the base portion of a cargo pallet and restrains the pallet against vertical movement. When the cargo is moved longitudinally it drives the restraint arm aside on its pivot, thereby permitting longitudinal movement of such cargo. A roller is rotatably mounted on the assembly to facilitate longitudinal movement of the cargo while restraining lateral movement thereof. The roller further has a dampener incorporated therein which dampens and attenuates the impact of loads thereagainst.

Abstract: A single-point impact sensor has a fully differential capacitive sense element for providing a capacitive difference which is proportional to the acceleration of the vehicle. The capacitive difference is converted into a digital pulse train signal which is pulse density modulated with variations in the capacitance. The pulse density of the pulse train is evaluated according to a hierarchy of counters and timers to determine if it is indicative of an activation worthy event. In one embodiment, a non-volatile programmable memory is provided to control the operation of the impact sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting faults in a single-point impact sensing system having electrically conductive self-test plates within the sensor to electrostatically deflect the sense element during self-test sequence. The deflection of the sense element is identical to deflection which would occur during an actual activation worthy impact event. The response time from the deflection of the sense element to the change in state of an activation flag is recorded and compared with an expected response time stored in non-volatile memory. Differences between the test time and the expected time is indicative of either a hard fault such as malfunction or reduced function of sensing system components or soft faults such as loss of calibration. Diagnostic self-test in this manner not only checks the electrical continuity of the impact sensing system, but also the mechanical integrity and the calibration of the sensing system.

Abstract: A passive restraint system includes a torso belt automatically securing a vehicle occupant by moving from a forward position along a track to a rearward position to secure the occupant. A belt carrier carries one end of the torso belt along the track while the other end of the torso belt is retained on a belt retractor. The system also includes a manual lap belt which is secured by the vehicle occupant around the hips. Movement of the torso belt from the rearward to the forward position is prevented, even upon opening of the vehicle door, as long as the manual lap belt is engaged.

Abstract: A retractable center guide and vertical and lateral load restraint for a cargo carrying aircraft. The devices are mounted along the center line of the aircraft and in erect position include laterally extending arms adapted to overlie the edges of load carrying structure such as pallets. The devices are pivoted for swinging about axes extending transversely of the aircraft so that if a device is in the path of an advancing load carrying structure, it will be pivoted to retracted position, thus avoiding damage to the device or load carrying structure. Resilient means are provided effectively to maintain the device either in erect or in retracted position, or the resilient means may restore the device to an erect position if it is released after being moved to retracted position. The series of devices together with guide surfaces at the side of the aircraft, constitute an elongated guideway along which load carrying structure may be advanced.