Continuous Wave Cushion: E-2 Flight Demonstration

ATA Engineering, Inc., (ATA) proposes a Phase II.5 SBIR project to continue development and prepare for flight demonstration of an active seat cushion technology for improving flight crew seated habitability. Pilots and Naval Flight Officers of the E-2C/D Hawkeye routinely fly four-to-six-hour missions (which may double if the planes are made refuelable) without getting out of their seats. To alleviate the symptoms of extended-duration seating experienced by E-2 crews, ATA is developing the Continuous Wave Seat Cushion (CWC). By using an array of individually sealed foam cells that can be independently collapsed by vacuum, the CWC technology improves blood circulation for the seated occupant by relieving excessive pressure points in a way that is similar to shifting the body position or fidgeting, but without the occupant having to move. Through gradual collapse and reinflation of a pattern of cells, the occupant support surface is continually varied—allowing circulation to be restored periodically over the entire seated area. The active cushion allows the operator or pilot to sit for a greatly extended time period without experiencing numbness, excessive pressure, or muscle ache, thus allowing them to be more alert and focused on their assignment. CWC operation is achieved through a small vacuum pump and rotary valve system that results in very low power consumption and quiet operation, and the foam CWC cells reinflate on their own after vacuum is removed. By contrast, active systems that use inflated bladders require significant power to inflate and deflate the bladders, are noisy, and are unable to support the occupant without power. The proposed effort is intended to develop necessary documentation and otherwise prepare for and support the Navy’s execution of a flight demonstration of prototype CWC seat cushion units. The proposed work encompasses developing advanced prototype seat cushion units, preparing an installation data package (IDP) for flight testing of the prototype units, supporting the flight test program, reporting on the results of the flight test program, and performing a feasibility study to evaluate adaptation of the technology to another aircraft platform.