A system for an automated cabin-divider door for an aircraft includes a door, a motor for moving the door to an open position, a limit switch configured to detect when the door is in a fully open position and to stop the motor, and electronics coupling the motor and the limit switch to an avionics system. The avionics system determines when the door is to be opened and provides a signal to the motor for moving the door to the fully open position. A method for automatically opening the cabin-divider door includes determining whether the aircraft is on the ground or in flight, determining whether the aircraft is taxiing, and determining whether the aircraft is in a final phase of approach. When the aircraft is taxiing or in the final phase of approach, the method includes sending a command signal to the motor for opening the cabin-divider door.

A power optimizer system for power closure panels includes a closure panel power actuator system comprising at least a motor operatively connected to a lift-assist member and a closure panel counterbalancing member. A controller is configured at least to determine an optimal electrical current draw for the power actuator system according to one or more inputs relating at least to a vehicle ambient temperature and grade. One or more sensors are provided for providing the one or more inputs. The controller may also further be configured to receive a vehicle battery voltage condition input for calculating the optimum electrical current draw consistent with the environmental conditions to efficiently control the power actuator system motor. Methods of modeling/optimizing the appropriate electrical current draw for power closure systems operating in varying voltage, temperature and grade conditions relative to a vehicle, or other similar mechanisms are also described.

A power optimizer system for power closure panels includes a closure panel power actuator system comprising at least a motor operatively connected to a vehicle closure panel. A controller is configured to determine an optimal electrical current draw for the power actuator system according to one or more inputs relating at least to a vehicle battery status, a vehicle ambient temperature, a vehicle grade, and a vehicle climate control system status. Methods of modeling/optimizing the appropriate electrical current draw for power closure systems operating in varying voltage, temperature, grade, and climate control system conditions relative to a vehicle, or other similar mechanisms are also described.

A door closer includes: a cylinder secured on a door frame and having a cylinder head formed on a proximal end of the cylinder; a main value and a check valve respectively formed on the cylinder head to control the air in-and-out volume through the valves for lightly opening the door; a piston secured to a rod member slidably reciprocating within the cylinder with the rod member secured to a door; a restoring spring secured between the cylinder head and the rod member for normally resiliently restoring the rod member and the piston towards the cylinder head in order to close the door to the door frame normally as restored by the restoring spring; and at least a buffer member secured between the cylinder head and the piston so as to dampen the inertia force of the closing door to eliminate the noise or damage thus possibly caused.

A storage compartment for the overhead region of a passenger cabin of a passenger aircraft has a carrier which can be mounted in the passenger aircraft, and a pivoting part for receiving a storage item. The pivoting part is mounted on the carrier so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis in a pivoting region between an open position and a closing position. The storage compartment further contains a closing force module. The closing force module contains a switching module by which the closing force module can be brought into an active state or into a passive state. In the active state, a greater closing moment is brought about in the direction of the closing position on the pivoting part by the closing force module, at least in a partial region of the pivoting region, than in the passive state. The closing force module is configured free from electricity with respect to the generation of the closing moment and/or with respect to the switching over between the active state and passive state.

A method of allowing access to a receptacle for securing a package includes: sensing an opening and closing of the lid; activating, in response to determining the lid is sufficiently closed, the lock mechanism to transition from the unlocked state to the locked state; scanning an email message in a user's email account to identify a reference or tracking number of a second package; parsing the email message to obtain a delivery code; receiving entry of the delivery code; activating the lock mechanism based on entry of the delivery code to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state; sensing a second opening and closing of the lid; activating the lock mechanism to transition from the unlocked state to the locked state; receiving information corresponding to entry of an access code; activating the lock mechanism to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state.

A vacuum system for use in excavation operations. The system uses a tank having an open end that is closed by a door. The door is opened and closed by a door lifting assembly made up of an upper linkage arm, a lower linkage arm and a hydraulic cylinder. A socket is formed in the upper linkage arm, and a shaft housing is formed in the lower linkage arm. The shaft housing engages with the socket to latch the door closed. The upper linkage arm is attached to the door at a first pivot axis and is attached to the lower linkage arm at a second pivot axis. The lower linkage arm is attached to a side of the tank at a third pivot axis. When the door is open, the second pivot axis extends below a reference plane that contains the first and third pivot axis.

A drive assembly for a flap of a motor vehicle includes at least one motor drive and at least one gas pressure element having a cylinder and a piston. The piston divides the cylinder interior into two partial spaces and has a passage arrangement, through which a balancing flow between the two partial spaces arises when the piston moves. The gas pressure element has a first drive connection point connected to the cylinder and a second drive connection point connected to the piston. A switchable valve assembly is associated with the piston and can be brought into a closed state, in which the valve assembly at least partially closes the passage arrangement, and it has an open state, in which the valve assembly opens the passage arrangement. The passage arrangement automatically switches into the closed state in the event of a balancing flow that exceeds a predefined switching flow.

A pneumatic door closer includes a rotary energy-storing mechanism including a housing and a driving mechanism. The driving mechanism includes a cylinder, a second piston assembly and a sealing element, the sealing element is in an air tight connection with the cylinder and the second piston assembly, to form a closed space filled with high pressure gas in the cylinder. The second piston assembly drives the closed space into a first air chamber and a second air chamber in communication with each other. The driving mechanism also includes a first piston assembly connected to the second piston assembly. The pneumatic door closer also includes a transmission mechanism having one end received in the housing and another end connected to the door frame.

A device for retaining a strut that moves between a retracted position and an extended position includes a body arrangeable in a storage condition of the body and a retention condition of the body. In the retention condition, the strut is prevented from moving from the extended position to the retracted position thereof. The body moves from the storage condition to the retention condition in response to extension of the strut.