Launch and/or recovery for unmanned aircraft and/or other payloads, including via parachute-assist, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative method for lofting a payload includes directing a lifting device upward, releasing a parachute from the lifting device, with the parachute carrying a pulley and having a flexible line passing around the pulley. The flexible line is connected between a tension device (e.g., a winch) and the payload. The method further includes activating the tension device to reel in the flexible line and accelerate the payload upwardly.

Apparatus for controlling vehicle impact absorption systems and related methods are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a predictor to generate a prediction of an impact event for a vehicle based on data received from sensors of the vehicle. The example apparatus includes an energy absorption allocator to determine an amount of vehicle energy to be absorbed by a crash protection system of the vehicle upon the impact event. The example apparatus includes a communicator to generate an instruction to activate the crash protection system based on the prediction and the amount of vehicle energy to be absorbed by the crash protection system and transmit the instruction to a controller of the crash protection system.

Apparatus for controlling vehicle impact absorption systems and related methods are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a predictor to generate a prediction of an impact event for a vehicle based on data received from sensors of the vehicle. The example apparatus includes an energy absorption allocator to determine an amount of vehicle energy to be absorbed by a crash protection system of the vehicle upon the impact event. The example apparatus includes a communicator to generate an instruction to activate the crash protection system based on the prediction and the amount of vehicle energy to be absorbed by the crash protection system and transmit the instruction to a controller of the crash protection system.

An electronic module assembly for controlling the deployment of one or more airbags in an aircraft includes a power source, a crash sensor configured to produce a signal in response to a crash event and an accelerometer that is configured to produce a signal in response to a crash event. A processor starts a timer upon detection of the signal from the crash sensor. When the processor receives a signal from the crash sensor, the processor is configured to determine if a signal has also been received from the accelerometer and if signals from both the crash sensor and the accelerometer indicate a crash event then the processor reads a memory associated with an inflator. The processor reads a timing value selected for the inflator and fires the inflator when the timer has a value equal to the timing value selected for the inflator.

An electronic module assembly for controlling the deployment of one or more airbags in an aircraft includes a power source, a crash sensor configured to produce a signal in response to a crash event and an accelerometer that is configured to produce a signal in response to a crash event. A processor starts a timer upon detection of the signal from the crash sensor. When the processor receives a signal from the crash sensor, the processor is configured to determine if a signal has also been received from the accelerometer and if signals from both the crash sensor and the accelerometer indicate a crash event then the processor reads a memory associated with an inflator. The processor reads a timing value selected for the inflator and fires the inflator when the timer has a value equal to the timing value selected for the inflator.

In an illustrative embodiment, a seat is oriented at an oblique angle with respect to a centerline of an aircraft fuselage, the seat having an Aircraft Passenger Restraint System (APRS) with a pre-tensioner and integral retractable shoulder and seat belt webbing. In an illustrative example, the ARPS may be a three-point restraint to control a seat occupant's upper body, head and torso area. In some embodiments, the ARPS may further control the forces on the lower spine and torso. In some applications, the ARPS may operate to control the Head Injury Criteria (HIC) levels for the seat occupant's head, as well as the neck twist and upper spinal forces, to meet aircraft certification requirements imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and/or European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). In response to a deceleration event, the ARPS may rapidly retract the belt webbing to substantially remove slack.

In an illustrative embodiment, a seat is oriented at an oblique angle with respect to a centerline of an aircraft fuselage, the seat having an Aircraft Passenger Restraint System (APRS) with a pre-tensioner and integral retractable shoulder and seat belt webbing. In an illustrative example, the ARPS may be a three-point restraint to control a seat occupant's upper body, head and torso area. In some embodiments, the ARPS may further control the forces on the lower spine and torso. In some applications, the ARPS may operate to control the Head Injury Criteria (HIC) levels for the seat occupant's head, as well as the neck twist and upper spinal forces, to meet aircraft certification requirements imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and/or European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). In response to a deceleration event, the ARPS may rapidly retract the belt webbing to substantially remove slack.

An electronic module assembly for controlling the deployment of one or more airbags in an aircraft includes a power source, a crash sensor configured to produce a signal in response to a crash event and an accelerometer that is configured to produce a signal in response to a crash event. A processor starts a timer upon detection of the signal from the crash sensor. When the processor receives a signal from the crash sensor, the processor is configured to determine if a signal has also been received from the accelerometer and if signals from both the crash sensor and the accelerometer indicate a crash event then the processor reads a memory associated with an inflator. The processor reads a timing value selected for the inflator and fires the inflator when the timer has a value equal to the timing value selected for the inflator.

An electronic module assembly for controlling the deployment of one or more airbags in an aircraft includes a power source, a crash sensor configured to produce a signal in response to a crash event and an accelerometer that is configured to produce a signal in response to a crash event. A processor starts a timer upon detection of the signal from the crash sensor. When the processor receives a signal from the crash sensor, the processor is configured to determine if a signal has also been received from the accelerometer and if signals from both the crash sensor and the accelerometer indicate a crash event then the processor reads a memory associated with an inflator. The processor reads a timing value selected for the inflator and fires the inflator when the timer has a value equal to the timing value selected for the inflator.

A torso equipment support system, for use with a seat bucket of an aviation or ground vehicle, providing upper torso and worn equipment support to an occupant. The system includes a base, a flexible column, a support beam, and a shoulder harness assembly. The shoulder harness assembly is coupled to the support beam and configured for releasable attachment with shoulder belts worn by the occupant. The shoulder harness assembly includes a yoke and a set of restraint shoulder straps. The yoke is slideably coupled to the support beam at a first vertically oriented portion and has a second portion that is split into two horizontally projecting members for extension over the shoulders of the occupant. The set of restraint shoulder straps project inwardly for extension over the shoulders of the occupant from at least one retractor, and extend to the horizontally projecting members.