Abstract: An actuator is disclosed herein. The actuator includes a drive body including a bottom surface, the bottom surface having a first side and an opposing second side, a magneto strictive material disposed within the drive body and contacting the first side of the bottom surface of the drive body, a solenoid disposed within the drive body and surrounding the magneto strictive material, a drive rod extending through the magneto strictive material and through the bottom surface of the drive body, and a spring disposed adjacent the second side of the bottom surface of the drive body, wherein the drive rod extends through the spring.

Abstract: A cable cutter assembly for an aircraft hoist is disclosed, and includes an actuator assembly (e.g., at least one pressurized fluid cavity, a first outlet port, and a solenoid that includes a coil and an armature). The armature is movable between closed and open positions relative to the first outlet port (e.g., via an actuation force), with the armature engaging the first outlet port for the closed position (e.g., a valve seal incorporated by the armature) and being spaced from the first outlet port for the open position. A cutter body includes a cutter body cavity that is fluidly connected with the first outlet port. A cutter is movably disposed within the cutter body cavity. Disposing the armature in the open position (e.g., via energizing the coil) fluidly connects the pressurized fluid cavity with the cutter body cavity to move the cutter in a cable cutting direction.

Abstract: An actuator for opening a hermetically sealed cylinder is disclosed herein. The actuator includes an actuation chamber configured to receive pressurized gas, the actuation chamber at least partially defined by a top wall and a bottom wall, a cutter body disposed within the actuation chamber between the top wall and the bottom wall, the cutter body including a top portion and a bottom portion, a cutting edge extending from the bottom portion of the cutter body, and a spring disposed between the top portion of the cutter body and the bottom wall of the actuation chamber.

Abstract: An actuator for opening a hermetically sealed cylinder is disclosed herein. The actuator includes an actuation chamber configured to receive pressurized gas, the actuation chamber at least partially defined by a top wall and a bottom wall, a cutter body disposed within the actuation chamber between the top wall and the bottom wall, the cutter body including a top portion and a bottom portion, a cutting edge extending from the bottom portion of the cutter body, and a spring disposed between the top portion of the cutter body and the bottom wall of the actuation chamber.

Abstract: An inflation valve arrangement includes an actuation cavity housing connected to a pneumatic valve, the actuation cavity housing comprising an actuation cavity and a piston rod extending from the actuation cavity at least partially into a main fluid channel of the pneumatic valve in an initially extended position for securing the pneumatic valve in a closed position. The arrangement further comprises a solenoid actuated pressure cartridge connected to the actuation cavity housing. The solenoid actuated pressure cartridge comprises a self-contained source of actuation gas. In response to the solenoid actuated pressure cartridge being energized, the solenoid operated pressure cartridge is configured to release the actuation gas from the pressure cavity into the actuation cavity, thereby retracting the piston rod into the actuation cavity, and opening the pneumatic valve body to release a source of inflation gas to an inflation device.

Abstract: A valve arrangement for inflating an inflatable device includes a valve body comprising an inlet, an outlet, a main fluid channel, a first ball detent, and a second ball detent. A lifter and a sleeve are located in the main fluid channel. A locking ball is disposed at least partially within a locking ball aperture disposed in the sleeve. A piston is coupled to the lifter and fluidly coupled to a command pressure cavity of the valve body. A spring biases the lifter toward a ball locking position whereby the lifter urges the locking ball at least partially into the first ball detent. A valve operation initiator controls a flow of pressurized gas into the command pressure cavity to urge the lifter to a ball releasing position to free the sleeve, as to the locking ball, to translate to an open position to fluidly couple the inlet with the outlet.

Abstract: A regulator valve assembly may comprise: a housing defining an actuator cavity and a piston head cavity; a piston rod comprising a piston head disposed within the piston head cavity and a rod end disposed within the actuator cavity; and a disc retainer within the housing. The actuator cavity can have a top region of the actuator cavity and a bottom region of the actuator cavity. The piston head cavity can comprise a regulator inlet and an inlet port. The disc retainer can be coupled to a proximate seating surface of the inlet port, wherein a first face of a membrane disc is coupled to a lateral seating surface of the inlet port disposed between the piston head cavity and the disc retainer. Also disclosed are methods of using and manufacturing regulator valve assemblies.

Abstract: A valve arrangement for inflating an inflatable device includes a valve body comprising an inlet, an outlet, a main fluid channel, a first ball detent, and a second ball detent. A lifter and a sleeve are located in the main fluid channel. A locking ball is disposed at least partially within a locking ball aperture disposed in the sleeve. A piston is coupled to the lifter and fluidly coupled to a command pressure cavity of the valve body. A spring biases the lifter toward a ball locking position whereby the lifter urges the locking ball at least partially into the first ball detent. A valve operation initiator controls a flow of pressurized gas into the command pressure cavity to urge the lifter to a ball releasing position to free the sleeve, as to the locking ball, to translate to an open position to fluidly couple the inlet with the outlet.

Abstract: A regulator valve assembly for a compressed fluid source may comprise a valve housing defining a main fluid channel, a secondary fluid channel, a primary outlet, a primary inlet, and a secondary inlet. A poppet may be located in the main fluid channel, The poppet may define a poppet channel and a poppet outlet. The poppet channel may be fluidly connected to the secondary inlet. A rod may be configured to translate in and out the poppet outlet. A pin may be biased toward the secondary fluid channel. The pin may be configured to translate into a translation path of the rod. A solenoid valve may be configured to control a flow of fluid into the secondary fluid channel.

Abstract: A thermostat mixing valve for a water temperature control system may comprise a mixing chamber defining a valve outlet, a first proportional solenoid valve fluidly coupled to the mixing chamber, and a second proportional solenoid valve fluidly coupled to the mixing chamber. Each of the first proportional solenoid valve and the second proportional solenoid valve may include a housing assembly defining a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a plunger assembly configured to translate relative to the housing assembly, and a coil assembly configured to generate a magnetic field that translates the plunger assembly.

Abstract: An inflation system for an inflatable includes a readiness indicator module; a stretch sensor configured for mounting to the inflatable and to provide a real-time stretch data of an elastic deformation of the inflatable; and a controller configured to receive the real-time stretch data and to transmit a control signal to the readiness indicator module to indicate a deployed status of the inflatable.