Abstract: An example assembly comprises: a pump cover; a thrust plate configured to interface with the pump cover at a first side of the thrust plate and interface with gears of a gear pump at a second side of the thrust plate; and a seal disposed within a seal cavity formed at an interface between the thrust plate and the pump cover, wherein the seal defines multiple partitions at the interface between the thrust plate and the pump cover and seals each partition of the multiple partitions from other partitions.

Abstract: A downforce control system for an agricultural ground engaging unit provides individual control of each agricultural ground engaging row unit by providing a proportional pressure control valve connected to the retracting chamber of a double acting cylinder which varies the upward force produced by the retracting chamber of the cylinder against a constant counteracting downward force produced by an extending chamber of the cylinder, the valve control based on a comparison of a sensed resultant downward force on the agricultural ground engaging row unit and a predetermined target downward force.

Abstract: A filter element may include a primary layer of filter media defining a chamber having an open end and a closed end distally opposite the open end, and at least one secondary layer of filter media adjacently fixed to the primary layer of filter media. The at least one secondary layer of filter media may be located at the closed end of the primary layer of filter media for increasing a pressure drop at the closed end, such that fluid flow is homogeneously distributed through the chamber in response to the pressure drop. The primary layer of filter media is formed of a non-compressible material and may be tapered to further controlling pressure drops through the chamber. A pocket filter assembly may include one or more filter elements disposed within a housing.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission subassembly for a vehicle includes an adapter manifold and a hydraulic pump mounted to the adapter manifold. The pump includes a pump housing and a pump porting manifold including pump porting for communicating fluid to and from the pump. The adapter manifold may include a mounting section adapted for mounting to the vehicle and a fluid interface section extending from the mounting section. The fluid interface section includes a pump interface having pump interface porting, in which the pump interface engages with the pump porting manifold to fluidly connect the pump interface porting with the pump porting. When the mounting manifold is mounted to the vehicle via the mounting section, the mounting manifold supports the hydraulic pump. The fluid interface section also includes a motor interface having motor interface porting for fluidly connecting to a motor, which enables the mounting manifold to fluidly connect the pump and motor.

Abstract: An example fitting includes: a fitting body comprising an exterior annular groove formed and configured to receive a retaining snap ring to couple the fitting body to a fluid line connector; a seal carrier slidably accommodated in the fitting body and having: (i) a first end face, (ii) a second end face opposite the first end face, (iii) a first annular groove formed in an exterior peripheral surface of the seal carrier, wherein the first annular groove is configured to receive a radial seal therein, and (iv) a second annular groove formed in the second end face, wherein the second annular groove is configured to receive a face seal therein; and a spring having a first end fixedly disposed within the fitting body and a second end interfacing with the first end face of the seal carrier such that the spring applies a biasing force on the seal carrier.

Abstract: An enhanced engine starter system controls an air turbine starter at the startup of operation of a turbine engine. The engine starter system includes an air turbine starter (ATS) that operates in accordance with more than one speed/torque curve during the startup procedure. A controller commands the starter control valve to provide a regulated pressure to the ATS in accordance with a first speed/torque curve to initiate the gas turbine engine startup without exceeding a maximum or design limiting torque. Overall duration of the startup procedure is reduced by the controller subsequently operating the ATS in accordance with a second speed/torque curve having a higher operational pressure once the ATS reaches a predetermined transition speed. The torque at the predetermined transition speed on the higher pressure second curve remains less than the design limiting torque, but provides a higher torque as compared to the first speed/torque curve to reduce the duration of the startup procedure.

Abstract: An example sensor includes a PCB mounted in an internal chamber of housing, wherein the PCB comprises calibration electrical contact points; a sealing grommet mounted in the internal chamber, wherein the sealing grommet comprises an axial hole aligned with the calibration electrical contact points, thereby providing access to the calibration electrical contact points of the PCB; a grommet plug disposed in the axial hole of the sealing grommet; a sensing element disposed in the housing and electrically-coupled to the PCB via an electrical connection; an encapsulant sealing material deposited on the sealing grommet and the grommet plug; and an external cable connected to the PCB and extending through the sealing grommet and through the encapsulant sealing material.

Abstract: A coupling having a male nipple (12) and a female coupler (14), in which one or both of the coupling members provides a simplified construction with a reduced number of parts for minimizing assembly time and overall costs. The coupling member(s) may include unique interlocking elements (38, 49), such as flexible finger elements, that slidably secure the valve sleeve(s) to the valve bodies. The female coupler (14) may include a valve body (23) with a unique interface, such as interlocking teeth, for rotatably coupling to a thread sleeve (51). The thread sleeve (51) may have a bendable web for facilitating assembly of a spring for an actuating sleeve. The actuating sleeve may be formed with a hollow annular internal chamber. The male nipple (12) may include the actuating sleeve instead of the female coupler (14). Other features also may be optimized, such as via additive manufacturing techniques, including coupling threads, fluid orifices, biasing members, and seal members.

Abstract: A fuel injector for a gas turbine engine of an aircraft having a fuel nozzle including a fuel swirler and/or an outer air swirler. The fuel swirler may include a manifold for receiving fuel from a fuel conduit, and a plurality of fuel passages to direct fuel from the manifold to discharge orifices that direct fuel with swirling flow. The fuel swirler may be configured to provide uniform spray while minimizing recirculation zones; reduce residence time as fuel enters the manifold; minimize flow disruptions, boundary layer growth, and/or pressure drop as fuel flows through the fuel passages; reduces coking internally of the nozzle; reduces thermal stresses; and is simple and low-cost to manufacture. The outer air swirler may include first and second outer air swirler portions with respective vanes and air passages that provide swirling air flow.

Abstract: An example valve assembly includes a first workport fluidly coupled to a first actuator; a second workport fluidly coupled to the first actuator; a third workport fluidly coupled to a second actuator, wherein the third workport is fluidly coupled to the first workport via a first fluid passage; a fourth workport fluidly coupled to the second actuator, wherein the fourth workport is fluidly coupled to the second workport via a second fluid passage; and a spool axially movable in a bore within the valve assembly, wherein when the spool is shifted axially in a first axial direction, pressurized fluid is provided to the first workport and to the third workport via the first fluid passage, and when the spool is shifted axially in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction, pressurized fluid is provided to the second workport and to the fourth workport via the second fluid passage.

Abstract: A calibration device for a conductivity sensor for aqueous solutions. The calibration device includes a first connector configured to electrically couple with the sensor electrodes of the conductivity sensor. The connector is further configured to provide for the application of a controlled voltage across at least two of the sensor electrodes. A first resistor is connected between the at least two sensor electrodes and coupled to the first connector. The resistor has a value such that a current flow between the at least two sensor electrodes replicates the properties of an electrochemical calibration solution. In certain embodiments, the calibration device is configured for pH sensors or dissolved oxygen sensors.

Abstract: A radial lip seal includes a sealing lip body having a contact point defining an inner diameter of the radial lip seal, and a heelstock body defining an outer diameter and having a supporting section arranged radially inwardly relative to the outer diameter and extending along a boundary of the sealing lip body toward the contact point. The heelstock body is formed of a heelstock material that is flexible, and the heelstock material is stiffer relative to a material of the sealing lip body.

Abstract: An actuator assembly includes a primary load path for tightly coupling an actuated surface to a reference structure, and a secondary load path having a backlash portion for coupling the actuated surface to the reference structure with backlash, wherein the secondary load path is unloaded during an operative state of the primary load path and loaded during a failure state of the primary load path. A first sensor is configured to sense relative displacement between a portion of the primary load path and a portion of the secondary load path. A controller is operatively coupled to the first sensor, the controller configured to determine a load on the primary load path based on relative displacement sensed by the first sensor.

Abstract: A maintenance system for a turbine engine includes a pump and a crank device operatively coupled to the pump. The pump includes a pump housing and a pump drive that is configured to operatively couple to the turbine engine. The crank device is operatively coupled to the pump and includes a crank drive that is configured to enable movement of the pump drive and thereby movement of the turbine engine during non-operational periods, such as during a maintenance or inspection period.

Abstract: A mechanical synchronization device for a distributed system. A plurality of actuators actuate movement of control surface components of an aircraft. Each actuator has a first end coupled to a structure of the aircraft and a second end coupled to a control surface component, and a drive path from a motion provider to the control surface component, the control surface component being configured to move along the respective drive path. A power module controller is operable to simultaneously output motor drive power from a power module through an electrical bus to at least two of the motion providers in a synchronous or nearly synchronous manner to actuate movement of control surface components. The mechanical synchronization device is between at least two of the actuators and transfers torque between the actuators to maintain symmetry between the actuators. A load limiting device may limit the power transferred through the mechanical synchronization device.

Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one wheel hub, a wheel hub speed sensor, and a controller. The wheel hub is configured to be coupled to a drive wheel. The wheel hub speed sensor is proximate to the wheel hub and is configured to generate a wheel hub speed signal that facilitates determination of a rate and direction of rotation of the wheel hub. The controller is configured to communicate power to a motor assembly coupled to the wheel hub to rotate the wheel hub at a particular rate and in a particular direction. The particular rate and the particular direction are associated with a particular position of a plurality of positions of a steering control.

Abstract: A valve for a refrigeration system includes a valve body, a guide seat arranged in the valve body, a piston plug that has a metering slot and is axially movable relative to the guide seat to open and close the valve, and an adjustable valve stem that is axially movable to engage the piston plug. The piston plug is movable between a closed position in which the piston plug is seated against the guide seat and engaged with the valve stem to prevent fluid flow through the valve, a metering position in which the piston plug is moved away from the guide seat and engaged with the valve stem to enable a predetermined amount of forward fluid flow through the valve, and a check valve position in which the piston plug is seated against the guide seat to prevent reverse fluid flow through the valve.

Abstract: An actuation system includes a power drive unit that drives a plurality of drive shafts that each has a first end individually connected to the power drive unit. The power drive unit includes a geartrain including a plurality of individual gears that are offset relative to each other along the gearbox, and a motor-driven rotation of one of the plurality of individual gears drives rotation of the other individual gears, and each of the plurality of individual gears rotates to drive rotation of a respective one of the plurality of drive shafts. A plurality of torque brakes is mounted to the gearbox, the torque brakes being mechanically coupled to respective individual gears and drive shafts. When the torque being passed through is above a predetermined threshold value, a locking of one of the torque brakes stops rotation of all gears simultaneously to maintain positional symmetry in the actuation system.