Preliminary Design of a Limb Restraint Evaluator.

This report summarizes the results of mechanical and instrumentation design studies conducted to formulate the preliminary design of a system to measure the effectiveness of various limb restraint systems during wind tunnel, rocket sled, or laboratory tests. The system is to be integrated into an anthropometric test dummy designated the Limb Restraint Evaluator LRE. Mechanical design considerations include anthropometry, joint articulation, structural strength, the usability of available commercial components, and sensor selection and placement. The instrumentation will have a total capability of 96 channels of data, including 52 LRE parameters involving limb joint rotation, knee joint loads, forces and moments developed at the neck and forearm, and torso accelerations. The system will also be capable of recording data from up to 26 transducers mounted on the ejection seat. The major conclusion is that a successful limb restraint evaluator can be designed and constructed, using current state-of-the-art techniques and many existing components from anthropomorphic dummies, to survive the extreme environmental conditions to which it will be exposed, and to accurately evaluate the effectiveness of various limb restraint devices in preventing limb flailing during aircraft ejections. Keywords include Ejection, Ejection seat, Limb restraint, Escape systems, Restraint systems, Anthropomorphic dummies, Test manikins, Test instrumentation, Ejection injuries.