Abstract: A fluid management system includes a bladder assembly having a first sheet of weldable plastic material and a second sheet of weldable plastic material bonded to the first sheet to form welded areas surrounding and defining a plurality of bladder chambers between the first and second sheets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tray covering element essentially constituted of a first portion (2), which covers the upper surface of a tray (5), in the manner of a placemat, and a second portion (3), which creates an outer edge for the first portion and which is envisaged to cover the outer and upper edge (50) of the tray. The second portion (3) comprises a third portion (30) located laterally and protruding from the edge (50) and designed to bend downwards and fold around the edge of the tray (5) and cover the lower edge so that the user does not touch the tray when holding it, only the tray covering element.

Abstract: A fluid management system includes a housing having a central manifold in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid, a plurality of first ports in communication with the central manifold, a plurality of second ports in communication with the environment surrounding the housing, and a plurality of third ports each configured to be coupled to a vessel for containing the pressurized fluid. The fluid management system also includes a plurality of valves and a plurality of actuators, each actuator including a smart material and associated with one of the plurality of valves. In response to activation by an energy source, each actuator is configured to move the associated valve to one of a first position or a second position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic seat adjustment, the systems and methods including a seat frame, a plurality of seat cushions coupled to the seat frame, a plurality of adjustable bladders enclosed within the plurality of seat cushions, and a plurality of sensors enclosed within the plurality of seat cushions. The systems and methods also including a memory for storing user data and a plurality of seat adjustment programs for controlling the at least one of the plurality of adjustable bladders. The systems and methods further including at least one controller coupled to the memory, the plurality of adjustable bladders, and the plurality of sensors, the at least one controller configured to modify at least one of the plurality of adjustable bladders based on feedback from at least one of the plurality of sensors, the user data, and the seat adjustable programs.

Abstract: A pump assembly includes a housing with an air inlet and an air outlet, a motor supported by the housing, the motor including a drive shaft rotatable about a drive shaft axis, a first plurality of diaphragms supported by the housing, the first plurality of diaphragms positioned along a first plane, and a second plurality of diaphragms supported by the housing, the second plurality diaphragms positioned along a second plane, the second plane spaced apart from the first plane. Rotation of the drive shaft is operable to move each diaphragm of the first plurality of diaphragms and each diaphragm of the second plurality of diaphragms from an intake position to a compression position to pump a fluid from the air inlet through the air outlet.

Abstract: A fluid management system includes a housing with a first port, a second port, and a third port, and a valve body moveable within the housing between a first position and a second position. The valve body is configured to seal the third port and permit fluid flow between the first and second ports in the first position, and to seal the first port and permit fluid flow between the second and third ports in the second position. The system further includes an actuator coupled to the valve body. The actuator includes a shape memory alloy material. A biasing element is coupled to the valve body to bias the valve body toward one of the first or second positions. The actuator is configured to move the valve body to one of the first or second positions against a biasing force of the biasing element in response to heating the actuator.

Abstract: A fluid management system includes a housing having a central manifold in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid, a plurality of first ports in communication with the central manifold, a plurality of second ports in communication with the environment surrounding the housing, and a plurality of third ports each configured to be coupled to a vessel for containing the pressurized fluid. The fluid management system also includes a plurality of valves and a plurality of actuators, each actuator including a smart material and associated with one of the plurality of valves. In response to activation by an energy source, each actuator is configured to move the associated valve to one of a first position or a second position.

Abstract: A hose assembly 20 for engine intake air comprises a hose 22 having connection regions 22a, 22b at first and second ends of the hose and an axially compressible and extendable bellows region 22c disposed between the two connection regions. In the invention, an inextensible inner tube 24 is disposed within the hose 22 which has a gas-impermeable wall. The inner tube 24 has first and second ends 24a, 24b that seal, respectively, against the first and second connection regions 22a, 22b of the hose when the bellows region is compressed. At least one of the first and second ends of the inner tube 24a separates from the adjacent connection region 22a of the hose 22 when the bellows region 22c is extended.

Abstract: A hose assembly 20 for engine intake air comprises a hose 22 having connection regions 22a, 22b at first and second ends of the hose and an axially compressible and extendable bellows region 22c disposed between the two connection regions. In the invention, an inextensible inner tube 24 is disposed within the hose 22 which has a gas-impermeable wall. The inner tube 24 has first and second ends 24a, 24b that seal, respectively, against the first and second connection regions 22a, 22b of the hose when the bellows region is compressed. At least one of the first and second ends of the inner tube 24a separates from the adjacent connection region 22a of the hose 22 when the bellows region 22c is extended.