Folding of air bag or cushion restraint means so that the cushion fabric is deployed uniformly with a reduction in noise on deployment.

A deployment system for use in an oil well system or the like that comprises a body for disposition in an elongated tubular casing that carries deployable apparatus for radial expansion into engagement with surfaces of the casing. A first chamber in the body contains incompressible fluid, and a second chamber in the body contains pressurized compressible fluid. A first passage interconnects the first chamber and the deployable apparatus, a second passage interconnects the first and second chambe...

A deployment arangement comprises an inner tube 10 pivoted to ground at `P` and carrying an outer tube 12 for telescoping movement. The inner end of the outer tube 12 carries a collar assembly 14 which is pivotally connected to a drive or radius arm 18 which is pivoted to ground at `Q`. The radius arm 18 carries a drive plate 50 which defines a cam track in which a cam follower runs. The mechanism is driven by a ram 20. On actuation of the ram 20, the consequent rotation of a drive plate relativ...

A parachute deployment sequencer includes two sequencer systems in electromagnetic shielding housings. Each housing contains two bellows connected to pitot tubes, a third bellows for measuring ambient pressure and three switch contact sets connected in series, each contact set being operated by one of the bellows. Each housing also contains a battery actuated by seat ejection and a deployment firing circuit with a series switch circuit in between. After ejection, deployment is initiated when all...

A plurality of indexing brackets having indexing apertures are secured to a retractable boom in spaced relation. A like plurality of indexing bulkheads are hinged to a foldable panel array (or collapsible spiral antenna) at spaced hinge axes. The bulkheads have indexing prongs which engage the indexing apertures, the brackets pullings the bulkheads therewith as the indexing apertures and prongs engage. Force contact spring motors urge the brackets and bulkheads together in the engaged state. Ali...

In order to control the deployment of secondary deployment structures in a deployment system that includes both a primary and a secondary deployment, an improved deployment sequencer utilizes the rotational motion of primary deployment structures. In particular, the rotational motion serves to control the retention and release of the secondary deployment structures during the primary deployment. Still more specifically, the deployment sequencer restrains the deployment of the secondary deploymen...

A deployment hinge for deploying an appendage, including a movable portion affixed to the appendage, and a stationary portion affixed to a stationary body. In a non-deployed state, the movable portion is mechanically engaged with the stationary portion and a mechanical load is transferred between the stationary portion and the movable portion. In a deployed state, the movable portion is mechanically disengaged from the stationary portion, and a mechanical load is prevented from being transferred...

A hinge (20) includes two hinge plates (22, 24) and a connecting hinge pin (32). A coil spring (48) supported on a bushing (44) overlies the hinge pin (32), which is free to move along its longitudinal axis (30). A cam follower (42) on the hinge pin (32) engages a cam (32) mounted to one of the hinge plates (22), so that the hinge pin (32) slides longitudinally as the hinge plates (22, 24) pivot relative to each other about the hinge pin (32). As the hinge pin (32) slides longitudinally, it axia...

A mechanism for deploying and retracting an isogrid structure particularly suited for use in supporting low weight reflective or absorbtive surfaces, characterized by a plurality of hinged isogrid panels stowed in an accordian folded stack arranged for deployment into a long continuous strip or array. Two deployment frames in contact with the stack of panels are rotated to a position perpendicular to the stack. Attached at the outermost ends of each panel hinge are panel rollers. In the accordia...

Deployment of a workstation includes receiving data related to the computing environment of workstations, organizing the workstations into groups based on at least one selectable common attribute among the data, and producing a deployment schedule based on the groups.