A system enabling safe manned and unmanned operations at extremely high altitudes (above 70,000 feet). The system utilizes a balloon launch system and parachute and/or parafoil recovery.

A system enabling safe manned and unmanned operations at extremely high altitudes (above 70,000 feet). The system utilizes a balloon launch system and parachute and/or parafoil recovery.

A material for reducing exposure to ionizing radiation. One exemplary embodiment comprises a felt layer; a foil layer; a first adhesive film layer disposed between the outer felt layer and the foil layer; a radiation shield layer; a second adhesive film layer disposed between the foil layer and radiation shield layer; and a foam layer disposed on the surface of the radiation shield layer opposite the second adhesive film layer. The material may be installed in commercial aircraft, corporate aircraft, flight suits, helmets, military uniforms, rotary aircraft, spacecraft, and the like. For example, the material disclosed herein may be provided as a headliner in an aircraft, or alternatively may be used to line the entire interior of an aircraft. In one or more embodiments, the material may be secured to a surface using a hook and loop attachment mechanism.

The invention relates to a system to deliver a respiratory gas to crew members in a cabin of an aircraft. The system includes at least one respiratory mask, an ambient air inlet for admission of ambient air into the respiratory mask, a source of additional gas, supply lines to transport the additional gas to the respiratory mask, a mixing chamber provided on the supply lines to mix the additional gas with ambient air to supply a respiratory gas corresponding to a mixture of the additional gas and the ambient air to the respiratory mask, regulation system to regulate the additional gas content of the respiratory gas at least partly as a function of the aircraft altitude.

The invention relates to a system to deliver a respiratory gas to crew members in a cabin of an aircraft. The system includes at least one respiratory mask, an ambient air inlet for admission of ambient air into the respiratory mask, a source of additional gas, supply lines to transport the additional gas to the respiratory mask, a mixing chamber provided on the supply lines to mix the additional gas with ambient air to supply a respiratory gas corresponding to a mixture of the additional gas and the ambient air to the respiratory mask, regulation system to regulate the additional gas content of the respiratory gas at least partly as a function of the aircraft altitude.

A method for determining a characteristic such as partial pressure or percentage of a gaseous constituent in a first gas mixture flow in a flow chamber in which there is alternating flow in opposite directions between the first gas mixture flow and a second gas mixture flow. The steps may include a) introducing the first gas mixture flow into a sensing chamber when the first gas mixture flow flows in the flow chamber, b) preventing introduction of gas from the flow chamber into the sensing chamber at least when the second gas mixture flow flows in the flow chamber, c) sensing the characteristic of the first gas mixture flow in the sensing chamber.

A method for determining a characteristic such as partial pressure or percentage of a gaseous constituent in a first gas mixture flow in a flow chamber in which there is alternating flow in opposite directions between the first gas mixture flow and a second gas mixture flow. The steps may include a) introducing the first gas mixture flow into a sensing chamber when the first gas mixture flow flows in the flow chamber, b) preventing introduction of gas from the flow chamber into the sensing chamber at least when the second gas mixture flow flows in the flow chamber, c) sensing the characteristic of the first gas mixture flow in the sensing chamber.

A protective aviation garment is designed to protect a crewmember during flight. The garment includes a bladder layer which retains a pressurized fluid and applies pressure to the user. The bladder layer is semi-permeable, being impermeable to both oxygen and nitrogen and permeable to water vapor. A first fluid tube is formed as part of the bladder layer to deliver the pressurized fluid to the interior of the bladder layer. A cover layer is formed from a fire-retardant fabric surrounding the exterior of the bladder layer. The cover layer is sealed around the first fluid tube and allows the first fluid tube to pass therethrough. The thigh seals are configured to seal the bladder layer to the user such that the bladder layer forms a lower volume and an upper volume. The first fluid tube delivers the first pressurized fluid to the lower volume.

A protective aviation garment is designed to protect a crewmember during flight. The garment includes a bladder layer which retains a pressurized fluid and applies pressure to the user. The bladder layer is semi-permeable, being impermeable to both oxygen and nitrogen and permeable to water vapor. A first fluid tube is formed as part of the bladder layer to deliver the pressurized fluid to the interior of the bladder layer. A cover layer is formed from a fire-retardant fabric surrounding the exterior of the bladder layer. The cover layer is sealed around the first fluid tube and allows the first fluid tube to pass therethrough. The thigh seals are configured to seal the bladder layer to the user such that the bladder layer forms a lower volume and an upper volume. The first fluid tube delivers the first pressurized fluid to the lower volume.

Monitoring devices and monitoring technology are disclosed for a number of applications. A monitoring device that attaches to a measurement site includes at least one of an optical sensor, a temperature sensor, or first and second electrical contact sensors. A monitoring device or a smart garment can be powered by one or more bio-batteries that is each formed by electrodes in contact with the user's body (e.g., skin) or an animal. Various method and algorithms can be used to process signals received from the optical sensor, a temperature sensor, and/or first and second electrical contact sensors. The signals received from the optical sensor, a temperature sensor, and/or first and second electrical contact sensors can be transmitted to a host device. An application program on a host device can process the signals to compute one or more physiological parameters, waveform data, trend data, and/or one or more reports.