Armorworks Enterprises LLC

Armorworks Holdings, Inc.

Ernest J Racette

Ken-An Lou

Richard E Zimmermann

Methods and apparatus are provided for a self adjusting energy attenuating vehicle seating system configured to automatically compensate for variations in the weight of seated occupants. A seat is mounted in a vehicle and configured to stroke in a downward direction, generally toward a floor of the vehicle, with an adjustable energy attenuating device disposed in a load path between the seat and a rigid structural portion of the vehicle. A signal processor removes variations in a seat weight signal attributable to vehicle or occupant motion, and outputs an energy attenuator adjustment signal corresponding to the weight of a seated occupant. The system may further include an actuator configured to receive the energy attenuator adjustment signal and adjust a load setting feature of the energy attenuating device accordingly.

Seating system with automatic weight compensating energy attenuation

Designs and methods are provided for a hydraulic strut and control system suitable for energy attenuation applications such as vehicle seating system. In one exemplary embodiment the hydraulic strut includes a main cylinder having a first closed end, a second end with an opening. A main piston slidably disposed in the main cylinder divides it into a first fluid chamber between the main piston and the first end of the main cylinder, and a second fluid chamber between the main piston and the second end of the main cylinder. At least one fixed orifice through the piston provides fluid communication between the first and second fluid chambers. An integral flow control valve is adapted to vary the flow area of the at least one orifice through the piston. The flow control valve is operatively connected to a high speed actuator responsive to an electrical control signal.

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Phoenix, AZ, United States of America

Ernest J Racette