Abstract: A method of controlling a vibrational transducer, the method comprising: tracking a temperature metric of the vibrational transducer; and controlling a drive signal for the vibrational transducer, where the drive signal is limited to a value to protect the vibrational transducer from over excursion, and where said value is a function of the tracked temperature metric.

Abstract: An inflator for automatically inflating an inflatable article, such as a personal flotation vest, upon immersion in water. A plunger and a piercing pin are movably mounted within a housing and are movable with respect to a pressurized gas canister attached to the housing. A force generating mechanism, mounted within the housing, acts on the plunger to forcibly move the plunger and the piercing pin to pierce the canister to release the pressurized gas therefrom through the housing to an inflatable article attached to the housing. A pair of spaced water sensor probes mounted in the housing provide a signal to a control device indicating that the housing is immersed in water. The control device activates a release mechanism which rotates a cam to release a spring-biased ram in the force generating mechanism from a first, retracted position such that the ram engages the plunger and urges the plunger and the piercing pin under force into the sealed end of the gas canister.

Abstract: An inflator for automatically inflating an inflatable article, such as a personal flotation vest, upon immersion in water. A plunger is movably mounted within a housing and is movable with respect to a pressurized gas canister attached to the housing. An internally resettable automatic actuator mechanism, mounted within the housing, acts on the plunger to move the plunger to pierce the canister to release the pressurized gas therefrom through the housing to the inflatable article attached to the housing. A pair of spaced water sensor probes mounted in the housing provide a signal to a control device indicating that the housing is immersed in water. The control device activates the automatic actuator mechanism to release a spring-biased ram from a latched position such that the ram engages and urges the plunger under force into the sealed end of the gas canister.

Abstract: An inflator for automatically inflating an inflatable article, such as a personal flotation vest, upon immersion in water. A plunger is mounted in a housing and is movable with respect to a pressurized gas canister attached to the housing. An actuator mechanism, mounted within the housing, acts on the plunger to move the plunger to pierce the canistor to release the pressurized gas through the housing to the inflatable article attached to the housing. A pair of spaced water sensor probes provide a signal to a control device mounted within the housing when immersed in water. The control device automatically activates the actuator to drive the piercing end of the plunger into the canister. A manual lanyard is extensibly mounted within the housing and is connected to a link and lever to drive the plunger into the canister when the lanyard is pulled outward from the housing.

Abstract: An illuminated article in the form of a garment or article of wearing apparel includes an electrically conductive harness mounted at predetermined locations on the outer surface of the garment. The harness includes a housing which waterproofingly encloses an illumination device, such as a light emitting diode. A pair of electrical conductors mounted in an elongated strip are connectable to the leads of the light emitting diodes. An electrical power source including a battery and an on/off switch is mounted in a waterproof housing and receives one end of the electrical conductors to connect the illumination devices to the battery for selectively illuminating the illumination devices. A plurality of harnesses may be mounted on the article and interconnected by a waterproof connector which connects the electrical conductors in each harness together.

Abstract: An illuminated article in the form of a garment or article of wearing apparel includes an electrically conductive harness mounted at predetermined locations on the outer surface of the garment. The harness includes a housing which receives a plurality of illumination devices, such as light emitting diodes. A pair of electrical conductors mounted in an elongated strip are securable within the housing in engagement with the leads of the light emitting diodes. In one embodiment, a removable cap is insertable into the housing for connecting the electrical conductors with the leads of the illumination devices. A cover member is attached to the garment and forms a slot on the outer surface of the garment into which the harness is inserted. An electrical power source including a battery and an on/off switch is also mounted in the article and receives one end of the electrical conductors in the harness to connect the illumination devices to the battery for selectively illuminating the illumination devices.

Abstract: An illuminated article in the form of a garment or article of wearing apparel includes an electrically conductive harness mounted at predetermined locations on the outer surface of the garment. The harness includes a housing which receives a plurality of illumination devices, such as light emitting diodes. A pair of electrical conductors mounted in an elongated strip are securable within the housing in engagement with the leads of the light emitting diodes. In one embodiment, a removable cap is insertable into the housing for connecting the electrical conductors with the leads of the illumination devices. A cover member is attached to the garment and forms a slot on the outer surface of the garment into which the harness is inserted. An electrical power source including a battery and an on/off switch is also mounted in the article and receives one end of the electrical conductors in the harness to connect the illumination devices to the battery for selectively illuminating the illumination devices.