Abstract: A vehicle occupant safety system (10) for helping to protect an occupant (12) of a vehicle seat (14) during a crash condition comprises at least one sensor (174) for sensing a vehicle crash condition and generating a signal indicative of the crash condition. The vehicle occupant safety system (10) also includes seat belt webbing (20) for extending around the vehicle occupant (12) and a pretensioner (24). The pretensioner (24) is responsive to the signal generated by the sensor (174) for acting on the seat belt webbing (20) to pull an occupant (12) of the vehicle seat (14) who is forward in the seat (14) backward toward a back portion (18) of the seat (14). The pretensioner (24) comprises a seat belt retractor (26) that includes a spool (34) on which the seat belt webbing (20) is wound and an electric motor (108) for rotating the spool (34) in a belt retraction direction (172).

Abstract: Modular control patches including assemblies of sensors and actuators are provided to impart or control vibration of foundation members such as struts in aerospace apparatus. Local digital electronic control means is associated with each control patch assembly. Programmable digital compensators in the control permits operation of the patches to be remotely varied. Patches are attached mechanically or by chemical bonding to the outside of the struts so that the electronics can be selectively removed and replaced. The patch being the sensors and actuators may also be attached or embedded with a composite structure.

Abstract: Modular control patches including assemblies of sensors and actuators are provided to impart or control vibration of foundation members such as struts in aerospace apparatus. Local analog electronic control means is associated with each control patch assembly. Patches are attached mechanically or by chemical bonding to the outside of the struts. The corresponding electronics can be selectively removed and replaced. The patch being the sensors and actuators may also be attached or embedded with a composite structure.

Abstract: A low vibroacoustic structure 10 according to the present invention comprises a first facesheet 12 defining a plurality of first holes 22, a second facesheet 16 defining a plurality of second holes 36, and a core 14. The first and second facesheets are attached to opposed surfaces of the core. The core defines a plurality of passages 32 in communication with the first and second holes to form channels 38 through the structure. The core is typically a honeycomb sheet. The first and second facesheets and the core are formed of lightweight materials such as lightweight metals, metal matrix composites, or polymer matrix composites. The perforated structure reduces structural acoustic coupling and acoustically induced vibration. The structure can be formed as a panel. The panel can be attached to support structures exposed to high-energy acoustic environments to reduce acoustically induced vibration of the structures.

Abstract: Modular control patches including assemblies of sensors and actuators are provided to impart or control vibration of foundation members such as struts in aerospace apparatus. Local analog electronic control means is associated with each control patch assembly. Patches are attached mechanically or by chemical bonding to the outside of the struts. The corresponding electronics can be selectively removed and replaced. The patch being the sensors and actuators may also be attached or embedded with a composite structure.