Abstract: A method of operating an inflation system is provided. The method includes recognizing that the inflation system is activated or actuated by a user, supplying current to an electromagnet of a solenoid valve of the inflation system such that an armature-valve element of the solenoid valve is moved to an open position, wherein movement of the armature valve element to the open position actuates an actuator housing that in turn causes a normally-closed valve element of a valve housing of the inflation system to open, and ceasing current supply to the electromagnet once the actuator housing is actuated.

Abstract: An inflation control system includes a valve module and a controller. The valve module includes a first valve fluidly connected to a fluid source, a second valve fluidly connected to the first valve, and a pressure regulator fluidly connected to the second valve and an aspirator. The controller is in communication with the first valve.

Abstract: An inflation system is provided and includes a housing assembly defining inlet and command cavities, a poppet disposable within the housing assembly to assume open or closed positions, a pressurized bottle to pressurize the inlet cavity to bias the poppet toward the closed position and a solenoid valve. The solenoid valve is interposable between the pressurized bottle and the command cavity. The solenoid valve is normally closed and selectively openable to permit fluid flow from the pressurized bottle to pressurize the command cavity such that the poppet is biased toward the open position.

Abstract: A valve includes a valve body, an inlet in the valve body in fluid communication with the gas and an outlet in the valve body, and a rupture disc in fluid communication with and between the inlet and the outlet that prevents fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet. The valve also includes a piston that is urged by a gas from the gas source to rupture the rupture disc to allow fluid communication between the gas source and the outlet.

Abstract: A damper is provided for responding to relative movement of arms to which the damper is coupled. The damper includes a member, springs, a first housing and a second housing. The first housing includes a first body and first bellows affixed to the member and the first body by first joints to define a first interior. The second housing includes a second body and second bellows affixed to the member and the second body by second joints to define a second interior. The first and second interiors are configured to contain fluid charged therein and the member is configured to permit bi-directional flows of the fluid between the first and second interiors responsive to the relative movement of the arms and in opposition to an elasticity of the springs.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an inflation system and valve having a fluid source, a valve housing, wherein the valve housing includes an inlet, an outlet and a leak vent, wherein the fluid source is coupled to the inlet, a first cavity, a second cavity, and outlet cavity, wherein a pilot feed line couples the first cavity to the second cavity, a valve spool positioned within the valve housing, wherein the valve spool includes one or more seals, and a solenoid for controlling fluid flow between the first cavity and the second cavity.

Abstract: A valve assembly for an inflation system that includes a pressure relief valve and a vent valve. The pressure relief valve has a pressure relief housing and a pressure relief valve poppet. The pressure relief housing defines a first pressure relief cavity that is disposed between a first end wall defining a first flow port and a first wall defining a passageway and a second pressure relief cavity disposed between the first wall and a second wall. The pressure relief valve poppet is movably disposed within the first pressure relief cavity and the second pressure relief cavity. The vent valve has a vent housing and a vent valve poppet. The vent housing defines a vent cavity that is disposed between the second wall defining a vent flow port and a second end wall. The vent valve poppet is movably disposed within the vent cavity.

Abstract: A control valve includes a slide valve having a slide movable within a channel between a first position and a second position. When the slide is in the second position, the channel is arranged in fluid communication with an outlet line. A pressure regulator is arranged upstream from and in fluid communication with the slide valve and is operably coupled to a fluid source. The pressure regulator includes a flow metering element movable between an open position and a closed position to regulate a flow of fluid and pressure through the control valve in response to a pressure variations within the downstream slide valve.

Abstract: An electro-pneumatic valve assembly includes a valve having a valve housing and a poppet and a solenoid valve having an actuator housing and a valve body. The valve housing has a wall that defines a valve inlet that is arranged to receive a fluid flow from a pressurized container and defines a valve outlet and a first port. The poppet is disposed within the valve housing and is movable between a first position and a second position. The actuator housing defines an opening. The valve body has a first wall that defines an inlet that is fluidly connected to the first port and a second wall that defines an outlet that is fluidly connected to the second port.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a housing, an actuator, a plunger, a cover, a valve body, and a manual override unit. The actuator is received within the housing and is disposed between a first annular wall and a second annular wall. The plunger is movably disposed within a plunger cavity that is defined by the base and the second annular wall. The cover is disposed on the housing. The valve body is connected to the housing. The valve body has an end wall that defines an outlet port, an annular wall that axially extends from the end wall and defines an inlet port, and a flange that extends from the end wall and engages the cover. The manual override unit is operatively connected to the plunger.

Abstract: A damper is provided for responding to relative movement of arms to which the damper is coupled. The damper includes a member, springs, a first housing and a second housing. The first housing includes a first body and first bellows affixed to the member and the first body by first joints to define a first interior. The second housing includes a second body and second bellows affixed to the member and the second body by second joints to define a second interior. The first and second interiors are configured to contain fluid charged therein and the member is configured to permit bi-directional flows of the fluid between the first and second interiors responsive to the relative movement of the arms and in opposition to an elasticity of the springs.

Abstract: A valve includes a valve body, an inlet in the valve body in fluid communication with the gas and an outlet in the valve body, and a rupture disc in fluid communication with and between the inlet and the outlet that prevents fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet. The valve also includes a piston that is urged by a gas from the gas source to rupture the rupture disc to allow fluid communication between the gas source and the outlet.

Abstract: A method of operating an inflation system is provided. The method includes recognizing that the inflation system is activated or actuated by a user, supplying current to an electromagnet of a solenoid valve of the inflation system such that an armature-valve element of the solenoid valve is moved to an open position, wherein movement of the armature valve element to the open position actuates an actuator housing that in turn causes a normally-closed valve element of a valve housing of the inflation system to open, and ceasing current supply to the electromagnet once the actuator housing is actuated.

Abstract: A valve assembly is provided and includes a valve housing, an actuator housing coupled to the valve housing and configured when actuated to open a normally-closed valve element in the valve housing whereby pressurized fluid is permitted to flow through the valve housing and a solenoid valve. The solenoid valve includes an armature-valve element balanced to remain in a closed position and an electromagnet. The electromagnet generates magnetic flux that moves the armature-valve element into an open position such that at least a portion of the pressurized fluid flows into the actuator housing to actuate the actuator housing.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a housing, an actuator, a plunger, a cover, a valve body, and a manual override unit. The actuator is received within the housing and is disposed between a first annular wall and a second annular wall. The plunger is movably disposed within a plunger cavity that is defined by the base and the second annular wall. The cover is disposed on the housing. The valve body is connected to the housing. The valve body has an end wall that defines an outlet port, an annular wall that axially extends from the end wall and defines an inlet port, and a flange that extends from the end wall and engages the cover. The manual override unit is operatively connected to the plunger.

Abstract: A pressure control system for an aircraft seat includes a base plate and a plurality of cells attached to the base plate, each cell having a bellows and a top inflatable diaphragm and defines a pressure chamber therein. Charging apertures are formed in the base plate such that each cell has an associated charging aperture such that each charging aperture is in fluid communication with a pressure chamber. Discharging apertures are formed in the base plate such that each cell has an associated discharging aperture such that each discharging apertures is in fluid communication a pressure chamber. A charging valve and a discharging valve is in fluid communication with the pressure chambers and configured to supply or extract air to or from the chambers through the apertures. A pump is configured to supply pressurized air to the at least one charging valve.

Abstract: A control valve includes a slide valve having a slide movable within a channel between a first position and a second position. When the slide is in the second position, the channel is arranged in fluid communication with an outlet line. A pressure regulator is arranged upstream from and in fluid communication with the slide valve and is operably coupled to a fluid source. The pressure regulator includes a flow metering element movable between an open position and a closed position to regulate a flow of fluid and pressure through the control valve in response to a pressure variations within the downstream slide valve.

Abstract: A pressure control system for an aircraft seat includes a base plate and a plurality of cells attached to the base plate, each cell having a bellows and a top inflatable diaphragm and defines a pressure chamber therein. Charging apertures are formed in the base plate such that each cell has an associated charging aperture such that each charging aperture is in fluid communication with a pressure chamber. Discharging apertures are formed in the base plate such that each cell has an associated discharging aperture such that each discharging apertures is in fluid communication a pressure chamber. A charging valve and a discharging valve is in fluid communication with the pressure chambers and configured to supply or extract air to or from the chambers through the apertures. A pump is configured to supply pressurized air to the at least one charging valve.