Abstract: Improved texturing processes utilizing smart materials are provided to increase developer productivity when texturing objects within multi-dimensional environments, and particularly, 3D environments. A developer may generate an object, select a smart material to apply, and manipulate the dimensions of the object to cause an aspect ratio of at least one surface having a material applied to change without altering an aspect ratio of a texture tile of the material as rendered on the surface of the object. Texturing of object surfaces from a selected smart material is determined in a shared material space based on a mapping of object vertices that maintain original material qualities (e.g., a defined aspect ratio of the texture) and mitigate discontinuities in a material applied to adjacent surfaces, including those of different objects and when those objects are repositioned.

Abstract: The improved apply and relief valve mechanism (111, 112, 115, 117, 119, 120, 130, 132) for a fluid power apparatus (10) comprises a valve rod (112) having at one end (114) an integral, enlarged diameter spring retainer section (119), at a second end (113) a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves or passageways (132) in the valve rod (112) and a circumferential groove (111), a generally cylindrically shaped seal/reaction piston (120, 130) attached to the second end (113) of the valve rod (112) by way of a snap ring (115) received within the circumferential groove (111), and a spring mechanism (117) disposed around the valve rod (112) to abut the spring retainer section (119) and bias the reaction piston (120, 130) into engagement with the snap ring (115). The passageways (132) in the second end (113) of the valve rod (112) provide for improved fluid flow so that the fluid power apparatus (10) will not experience self actuation.

Abstract: The ball-and-socket assembly (10) comprises a rod (12) having a ball head (14) at one end thereof, the ball head (14) having a diametrical groove (16) with a flexible member (30) disposed therein and extending radially beyond the outer surface (14A) of the ball head (14). A body (44) includes a bore (46) having a flared entrance wall (50) communicating with an open end (48) of the bore (46), the flared entrance wall (50) extending axially inwardly to a radial shoulder (52) defined between end of the flared entrance wall (50) and a large diameter portion (54) of the bore (46), a small diameter portion (58) of the bore (46) being located axially inwardly of the bore (46) relative to the large diameter portion (54), and a frustoconical wall (56) extending between the small and large diameter portions (54, 58).