Abstract: Apparatus for forming an aperture, upon the occurrence of a predetermined event, in a resilient membrane such as a breathing hose, which is attached to a breathing mask worn by a person and which is partially filled with water due to immersion in the water followed emergence of a portion of the hose adjacent the breathing mask from the water, to enable the person to breathe ambient air through the aperture. The apparatus includes a blade, a primer for impelling the blade under explosive force into the resilient member, and a circuit responsive to the occurrence of the predetermined event for firing the primer.

Abstract: Survival apparatus for an aircraft or the like. The survival apparatus includes a survival canister 12 in which survival gear is stowed. The canister assembly is buoyant and water tight. It is stowed prior to use in a cylindrical member 16 which is closed at one end. A maintaining structure 74 is provided to normally maintain the canister assembly 12 within the cylindrical member 16. A handle assembly 90 is provided to provide for the manual withdrawal of the assembly 12 from the cylindrical member 16, the handle assembly also engaging the maintaining structure and causing it to release the canister assembly upon application of force in one direction. A condition responsive gas discharge apparatus 14 is disposed in the closed end of the cylindrical member 16 and, in the event of an accident, it can forceably eject the canister assembly from the cylindrical member.

Abstract: An improved, low cost, water activated pressurized gas release device utilized for inflating flotation equipment, such as life jackets, when dumped into the water. The device includes a one piece die cast housing (12) formed of an electrically conductive material. All major components of the device are mounted within the housing with the exception of the container (14) of pressurized gas, a manual actuating device (18), and a battery housing (16). A portion of the housing or container acts as a first contact when immersed in an electrically conductive fluid. A battery (64) is disposed within the battery housing (16) which is in turn received within a battery bore (34) in the housing (12). The battery housing is provided with an exposed sensor plate (76) the inside of which is in electrical contact with the battery anode (74). The plate acts a second contact.

Abstract: The present invention is an explosively separable link provided in a strap assembly for automatic disengagement of two connected link members upon the occurrence of a predetermined event. The link assembly includes a first link member substantially in the form of a yoke having a pair of oppositely disposed coaxial apertures, one in each arm of the yoke. A second link member is provided and comprises a housing positioned between the arms of the yoke and includes a pair of opposed outwardly extending pins, each of which is cooperably received in one of the apertures in the yoke arm to permit relative rotation between the link members about the axis of the apertures. The housing in the second link includes a cylindrical bore coaxial with the axis of the apertures. Slidably positioned in the cylindrical bore are a pair of oppositely disposed piston members which are in substantially gas-tight relationship with the cylinder wall.

Abstract: A water-activated canopy release mechanism having a detachable sleeve positioned between the arms of a buckle yoke. The sleeve contains a longitudinal passage having a release piston and bushing positioned therein and supporting the sleeve within the yoke. An explosive cartridge mounted at the piston end is fired by a sensor activated by water of predetermined conductivity and drives the release piston completely into the sleeve and wedges it there, thus freeing the end of the sleeve adjacent the cartridge. Simultaneously, the piston drives the bushing out of the other end of the sleeve and against a wedge carried by the yoke arm. As a result, both the piston and the bushing are held in a position which permits the sleeve to drop free of the yoke releasing the canopy from its load.

Abstract: A flood valve adapted to close an opening through a barrier wall separating a fluid from a space, the valve having a plastic body with a bore therethrough, a piston slidable in the bore, a heating element carried by the body and having a section extending across the bore to restrain the piston against movement out of the bore, and a spring urging the piston against the restraining section of the heating element, the piston normally sealing the bore and the heating element, when energized, burning through the plastic body material to release the piston for admission of fluid through the bore to the space.

Abstract: A flood valve is adapted to be mounted in an opening provided through a wall to normally separate a fluid on one side thereof from a relatively unpressurized space on the other side thereof. The valve includes an integrally-formed plastic body member having a forward portion mounted in the opening, an intermediate thin-walled section, and a rearward portion arranged in the unpressurized space. A piston is slidably mounted in a bore provided in the forward portion to engage the rearward portion, and forms a sealed chamber within the bore adjacent the thin-walled section. A heating element encircles the thin-walled section and may be selectively energized to melt the same, and to allow the rearward portion and the piston to separate from the forward portion. After such separation, fluid may pass through the forward portion bore to enter the unpressurized space.

Abstract: A seal assembly is adapted to provide a seal between a body member and an object, having a cylindrical outer surface, arranged to penetrate an opening provided through the body member. The seal assembly includes a lead ferrule having a frusto-conical first surface adapted to engage a body member circular shoulder edge, and having a frusto-conical second surface; an intermediate follower having one circular edge adapted to engage the lead ferrule second surface; a rear ferrule having a frusto-conical third surface adapted to engage another circular edge of the intermediate follower; and a compression cap adapted to exert a longitudinal force on the rear ferrule. When the compression cap is tightened, the seal assembly sequentially provides three longitudinally-spaced seal zones, and a seal between the body member and the object.