Abstract: An electromechanical actuator assembly (EMA) for driving one or more adjustable seat components includes a rotationally constrained ring gear and an override mechanism for use during a power failure condition to allow the ring gear to rotate to manually return the one or more adjustable components to a taxi, takeoff and landing (TTOL) compliant position. In embodiments, the override mechanism includes an internally splined pinion gear, an internally splined anti-rotation bushing, and an externally splined release pin. During a powered condition of the EMA, the externally splined release pin is engaged with the internally splined pinion gear to rotationally constrain the pinion gear and ring gear meshed with the pinion gear. During a power failure condition, the externally splined release pin can be disengaged from the pinion gear to allow the pinion gear and ring gear to be rotated.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator assembly (EMA) for use with a reclinable passenger seat. The EMA includes a housing, an electric motor, and an epicyclic gearbox including first and second ring gears. In the event of power loss, the second ring gear can be decoupled from the first ring gear to permit relative rotation, for instance to manually return the reclined seat to upright, by a mechanical override mechanism including first and second spring-loaded shoot bolts coupled to the first ring gear, a displaceable plate engaging one end of the first and second spring-loaded shoot bolts, and a manual release pin coupled to the displaceable plate. In use, the manual release pin is moveable axially to a position in which the displaceable plate displaces toward the first ring gear to decouple the first and second ring gears.

Abstract: A seat pan includes a break over function. The break over enables downward motion of a portion of the seat pan. The downward motion of the portion of the seat pan allows a distance between passenger seats to be reduced while maintaining a minimum required egress distance between the passenger seats. The breakover seat pan assists in egress. The portion of the seat pan may be actuated upwards to increase the length of the seat pan while a passenger is seated. The seat pan thus creates a supported seat surface when an occupant sits on the seat while presenting with a reduced surface when not occupied.

Abstract: A connecting link for connecting first and second components such as an aircraft seat leg and a track fastener. The link includes a helical middle portion forming an interior space in which an energy attenuator is positioned. In embodiments, the energy attenuator includes inner and outer cylindrical bodies that operate in translation upon a deformation of a lattice structure configured to deform when at least one of a compressive threshold and a tensive threshold is met. In embodiments, the energy attenuator receives part of one of the first and second components. The connecting link may be manufactured by an additive manufacturing process and used in an aircraft leg assembly to save weight and absorb impact energy on the leg.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator assembly (EMA) for use with a reclinable passenger seat. The EMA includes a housing, an electric motor, and an epicyclic gearbox including first and second ring gears. In the event of power loss, the second ring gear can be decoupled from the first ring gear to permit relative rotation, for instance to manually return the reclined seat to upright, by a mechanical override mechanism including first and second spring-loaded shoot bolts coupled to the first ring gear, a displaceable plate engaging one end of the first and second spring-loaded shoot bolts, and a manual release pin coupled to the displaceable plate. In use, the manual release pin is moveable axially to a position in which the displaceable plate displaces toward the first ring gear to decouple the first and second ring gears.

Abstract: An aircraft light unit is disclosed herein. The aircraft light unit includes a housing having a first side and an opposing second side, a light coupled to the first side of the housing, a circuit board assembly coupled to second side of the housing, a thermoelectric cooler coupled to the circuit board assembly and configured to dissipated heat from the circuit board assembly, and a heat sink disposed over the thermoelectric cooler and configured to dissipate heat from the thermoelectric cooler.

Abstract: A lock mechanism for an electromechanical actuator assembly, the lock mechanism including a housing, a solenoid mounted to the housing and including a reciprocating shaft, a rotor gear mounted on the reciprocating shaft and including locking ribs positioned on a face of the rotor gear, a spring-loaded plunger body coupled to one end of the reciprocating shaft, and spring-loaded lock pins carried by the plunger body. In use, energizing the solenoid causes the reciprocating shaft to push the spring-loaded plunger body away from the rotor gear thereby moving the lock pins out of contact with the locking ribs to permit rotation of the rotor gear.

Abstract: An additively manufactured strut device including a cylinder body forming a chamber and a piston having a first part disposed in the internal chamber and a second part disposed outside of the chamber. A first deformable element formed as a lattice structure breaks to permit initial withdrawal of the piston when a tensive threshold is met and a second deformable crushes during continued withdrawal of the piston. In further embodiments, a third deformable element formed as a lattice structure may be collocated with the second deformable element. The strut may be manufactured by an additive manufacturing process. Applications for the energy absorbing strut include aircraft seat frames among other applications.

Abstract: An energy absorbing seat belt shackle for use with a seat belt such as a two point lap belt. The shackle includes a cage having a first end rotatably attachable to an anchoring member and a second end having an axial opening, a bolt positioned in the cage and extending through the axial opening, a clevis having a first end attached to the bolt and a second end for rotatably attaching a seat belt anchor, a bushing mounted on the bolt, and a deformable energy absorber mounted on the bolt and axially constrained between the bushing and the second end of the cage. In use, tension on the seat belt shackle exceeding a predefined threshold value causes the deformable energy absorber to axially compress in a predictable manner.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an energy absorber and a method for thermally treating an additively manufactured energy absorber to maximize energy absorbing performance. In embodiments, thermally treating the manufactured energy absorber includes heating the build plate including the built energy absorber in a heating furnace to a solutionizing temperature in a range of 300° C. to 550° C., more preferably substantially 430° C., maintaining the solutionizing temperature for a predefined time period, and water quenching the heated build plate including the built energy absorber. In embodiments, following the thermal treatment, the built energy absorber is detached from the build plate and optionally subjected to a finish process. In embodiments, the energy absorber comprises the aluminum alloy AlSi10Mg.

Abstract: A protection system including a removal element having shape-memory characteristics. The shape-memory characteristics have been configured to define a first shape of the removal element and a second shape of the removal element. When the removal element is in the first shape, the removal element is in a first position with respect to a to-be-protected (TBP) region of a structure. When the removal element is in the second shape, the removal element is in a second position with respect to the TBP region of the structure. The removal element is responsive to an activation that prompts the removal element to, under influence of the shape-memory characteristics, take on the second shape.

Abstract: A seat pan includes a break over function. The break over enables downward motion of a portion of the seat pan. The downward motion of the portion of the seat pan allows a distance between passenger seats to be reduced while maintaining a minimum required egress distance between the passenger seats. The breakover seat pan assists in egress. The portion of the seat pan may be actuated upwards to increase the length of the seat pan while a passenger is seated. The seat pan thus creates a supported seat surface when an occupant sits on the seat while presenting with a reduced surface when not occupied.

Abstract: A rotary lap belt energy attenuator for reducing inertial loads on seat components. In embodiments, a shackle assembly includes a seat frame component, a shackle pivotally attached to the seat component and attachable to a lap belt component, a deformable link attached to the shackle and the seat component, an attachment guide configured to travel along the guideway, and an energy attenuator positioned in the guideway. In use, each of the deformable link and the energy attenuator undergo plastic deformation during rotary motion of the shackle to attenuate impact energy.

Abstract: A system may comprise: a contactless sensor configured to couple to a waste tank; a controller electronically coupled to the contactless sensor, the controller configured to: receive, via the contactless sensor, a waste water level data from the contactless sensor, calculate a waste water level based on the waste water level data.

Abstract: A system includes a seat pan assembly. The seat pan assembly may include a fixed link having a fore end and an aft end. The seat pan assembly may further include an aft driver link having an aft driver link fore end and an aft driver link aft end, wherein the aft driver link fore end is pivotably coupled to the aft end of the fixed link. The seat pan assembly may further include a fore driven link having a fore driven link fore end and a fore driven link aft end, wherein the fore driven link aft end is pivotably coupled to the fore end of the fixed link.

Abstract: A connecting link for connecting first and second components such as an aircraft seat leg and a track fastener. The link includes a helical middle portion forming an interior space in which an energy attenuator is positioned. In embodiments, the energy attenuator includes inner and outer cylindrical bodies that operate in translation upon a deformation of a lattice structure configured to deform when at least one of a compressive threshold and a tensive threshold is met. In embodiments, the energy attenuator receives part of one of the first and second components. The connecting link may be manufactured by an additive manufacturing process and used in an aircraft leg assembly to save weight and absorb impact energy on the leg.

Abstract: A rotary lap belt energy attenuator for reducing inertial loads on seat components. In embodiments, a shackle assembly includes a seat frame component, a shackle pivotally attached to the seat component and attachable to a lap belt component, a deformable link attached to the shackle and the seat component, an attachment guide configured to travel along the guideway, and an energy attenuator positioned in the guideway. In use, each of the deformable link and the energy attenuator undergo plastic deformation during rotary motion of the shackle to attenuate impact energy.

Abstract: An additively manufactured strut device including a cylinder body forming a chamber and a piston having a first part disposed in the internal chamber and a second part disposed outside of the chamber. A first deformable element formed as a lattice structure breaks to permit initial withdrawal of the piston when a tensive threshold is met and a second deformable crushes during continued withdrawal of the piston. In further embodiments, a third deformable element formed as a lattice structure may be collocated with the second deformable element. The strut may be manufactured by an additive manufacturing process. Applications for the energy absorbing strut include aircraft seat frames among other applications.

Abstract: An aircraft light unit is disclosed herein. The aircraft light unit includes a housing having a first side and an opposing second side, a light coupled to the first side of the housing, a circuit board assembly coupled to second side of the housing, a thermoelectric cooler coupled to the circuit board assembly and configured to dissipated heat from the circuit board assembly, and a heat sink disposed over the thermoelectric cooler and configured to dissipate heat from the thermoelectric cooler.

Abstract: An adjustable armrest assembly provides for quick and easy height and tilt adjustments to the armrest. Generally, the armrest assembly disclosed herein includes a base, an armrest, and one or more shafts extending from the base and being pivotably coupled to the armrest. By moving the one or more shafts relative to the base, the height and/or tilt of the armrest relative to the base can be adjusted.