Abstract: A synchronous/asynchronous exercise machine is changeable between a synchronous exercise mode wherein a user's limbs, such as his legs, oppositely reciprocate, and an asynchronous exercise mode wherein the user's limbs move independently. The synchronous/asynchronous exercise machine may comprise a first movable element for accepting a user's limb, and a second movable element for accepting another limb. A load source against which the user can exercise may also be provided. A first drive belt operatively connects the first movable element to the load source, and a second drive belt operatively connects the second movable element to the load source. A quick change mechanism, which may be connected to the first movable element, is releasably engagable with the second drive belt for changing the synchronous/asynchronous exercise machine between the synchronous exercise mode and the asynchronous exercise mode.

Abstract: A synchronous/asynchronous exercise machine is changeable between a synchronous exercise mode wherein a user's limbs, such as his legs, oppositely reciprocate, and an asynchronous exercise mode wherein the user's limbs move independently. The synchronous/asynchronous exercise machine may comprise a first movable element for accepting a user's limb, and a second movable element for accepting another limb. A load source against which the user can exercise may also be provided. A first drive belt operatively connects the first movable element to the load source, and a second drive belt operatively connects the second movable element to the load source. A quick change mechanism, which may be connected to the first movable element, is releasably engagable with the second drive belt for changing the synchronous/asynchronous exercise machine between the synchronous exercise mode and the asynchronous exercise mode.

Abstract: A quiet air resistance exercise cycle has a number of sound reduction features in its preferred embodiments. Soundproofing material is used on the inside of the housing surrounding the wheel to absorb sound. The housing comprises solid panels to limit air from outside the housing from contacting the wheel. The housing panels generally defining a polyhedron to create dead spaces for air eddies inside the wheel compartment. The wheel may also include a pitch reduction material and preferably is belt driven.

Abstract: A synchronous/asynchronous exercise machine is changeable between a synchronous exercise mode wherein a user's limbs, such as his legs, oppositely reciprocate, and an asynchronous exercise mode wherein the user's limbs move independently. The synchronous/asynchronous exercise machine may comprise a first movable element for accepting a user's limb, and a second movable element for accepting another limb. A load source against which the user can exercise may also be provided. A first drive belt operatively connects the first movable element to the load source, and a second drive belt operatively connects the second movable element to the load source. A quick change mechanism, which may be connected to the first movable element, is releasably engagable with the second drive belt for changing the synchronous/asynchronous exercise machine between the synchronous exercise mode and the asynchronous exercise mode.

Abstract: An exercise cycle includes a frame having a front wheel assembly and handlebars. The front wheel assembly includes a fan wheel having side plates one of which has an intake port, and an intake assembly around the intake port, the intake assembly having openings which may be opened and closed. By opening and closing the intake openings, the resistance of the wheel to the air can be varied without changing the rotational rate of the wheel. The handlebars of the exercise cycle are pivotally connected to the cycle intermediate their ends. The lower ends of the handlebars are pivotally connected to a cam arm which is removably connected to the shaft to which the pedal is mounted. By connecting or disconnecting the cam arm to or from the pedal shaft, the handlebars can be selectively moved between a stationary mode and a mode in which the handlebars reciprocate between forward and backward positions.

Abstract: An overspeed protection system for an aircraft fan engine wherein blades are rotatable from a coarse pitch to a fine pitch to a thrust-reverse condition. A wobbler-type hydraulic motor is provided for rotating the blade. An overspeed governor is operatively associated with the motor for effecting rotation of the blades in a direction toward the coarse pitch condition. A control, including a solenoid valve actuatable in thrust-reverse mode, changes the sense of the hydraulic motor to drive the motor further into thrust-reverse on actuation of the overspeed governor means.

Abstract: An exercise bicycle flywheel (1) comprises a pair of facing concave sheet metal discs (15A, 15B). The space defined between the discs is filled with a heavy material (M) which is a mixture of hematite chips, magnetite powder, hydrated lime, portland cement, and water.

Abstract: A brake actuator for use in combination with a hydraulic motor which includes a port structure. The port structure defines an interface with a motor block of the hydraulic motor and includes ports for supplying fluid to the motor. A brake is operatively associated with the hydraulic motor. A hydraulically operated piston is disposed substantially within the confines of the port structure for actuating the brake.

Abstract: A speed responsive control device is useful for preventing a dangerous overspeed condition of a propulsor. The device begins governing before the dangerous overspeed condition occurs through the use of an acceleration responsive mechanism which actuates the spool of a governor pilot valve. The spool is also actuated by a speed responsive mechanism in the form of a flyweight governor. The control device thus anticipates dangerous overspeed conditions to make necessary adjustments such as blade pitch corrections, to prevent a dangerous overspeed condition.

Abstract: A torque limiter which includes an input shaft and an output shaft coaxial with the input shaft. A ball ramp torque transmitting device is disposed concentrically relative to the shafts. A first spring is axially disposed of the ball ramp device for normally preloading the device. A friction brake assembly is axially disposed between the ball ramp device and the first spring and operatively associated with the output shaft. Pins extend axially through the friction brake assembly for transferring preloading spring force to the ball ramp device. A second spring is disposed on the same side of the friction brake assembly as the first spring and acts on the friction brake assembly. Both springs are mounted about the output shaft whereby the shaft itself carries the loads of the torque limiter.

Abstract: A dual hydraulic motor system where motor wobblers are mechanically linked and the motor outputs are torque summed, is controlled by a three position dual valve assembly. Each valve assembly is controlled by pilot pistons that are mechanically linked to provide three functions, one being normal operation, a second where one motor must be shut-off and its load on the system is minimized and the third where both motors are shut-off and significant drag is then provided. These functions are implemented by a separate spool in each valve which has three independent stable positions.

Abstract: An overspeed governor for adjusting the blade pitch of a propulsor in an unducted fan aircraft engine to prevent propulsor overspeed comprises a flyweight governor which is rotated in response to rotation of the propulsor, a governor pilot valve with a valve spool which is axially moved in response to actuation of the flyweight governor for adjusting the blade pitch of the propulsor, and a governor checkout apparatus which sensitizes the flyweight governor so that it is actuated to maintain a substantially lower propulsor rotative speed during a start-up operation of the engine as compared with during normal operation, whereby the operation of the governor can be checked out during start-up operation of the aircraft engine.

Abstract: A shock absorbing overtravel stop apparatus which includes a rotatable drive shaft 10, a screw shaft 15 driven by the drive shaft 10, and a nonrotatable travelling nut 30 threaded on and moveable axially along the screw shaft 15. At one end 28 of the screw shaft 15, the apparatus is provided with a rotating stop 38 and a stationery stop 40. At the other end 20 of the screw shaft 15, there is provided a bearing housing 21, journalling the screw shaft 15 for rotation and mounting the screw shaft for axial movement along the axis. The travelling nut 30 is moveable in one direction to engage the stops 38, 40 whereupon the rotary motion of the screw shaft 15 is terminated. The travelling nut 30 is also moveable in the other direction into contact with the bearing housing 21 to exert an axial force upon the screw shaft 15 such that the screw shaft 15 moves axially to engage the stops 38, 40 whereupon the rotary motion of the screw shaft 15 is terminated.

Abstract: An aircraft flight control surface actuator that prevents against overtravel is provided with a lock which includes a pin (76) that is urged by spring (b 74) toward the wall (68) that is part of control gear (56) which travels along the axis of a threaded shaft (42) in response to rotation of main shaft (16). An aperture (70) in the wall (68) is aligned with pin (76) only at a neutral position of the flight control surface (12). Lever (80) depresses pin (76) against the force of spring (74) only so long as hydraulic system pressure for the actuator is supplied to cylinder (84).

Abstract: In order to protect an actuator system for a movable surface in a reliable manner, while also protecting the movable surface in the event of a system failure, the actuator system includes a power drive unit connected to one end of an input shaft. An actuator is disposed on the input shaft having multiple output stages normally driven by the power drive unit through the input shaft with the mutiple output stages being operatively associated with the movable surface for driving movement thereof. In order to provide dual load path shafting together with incorporating fail safe actuator construction, the actuator system also includes a feedback shaft extending from the actuator to the power drive unit and a torque sensor operatively associated with the feedback shaft.

Abstract: To provide a torque limiting and overtravel stop device for aircraft actuation systems, where the overtravel stop is lightweight, bi-directional, repeatable and on-jamming, and allows for many revolutions of rotation between each end stop, the device includes a drive shaft having an input end and an end disposed in remote relation to the input end. A torque limiter is operatively associated with the drive shaft for rotational movement therewith and includes an input side adapted to receive input torque from the drive shaft and an output side adapted to transmit input torque from the drive shaft. The device includes a driven shaft having an input end driven by said drive shaft and an end disposed in remote relation to the input end with a traveling nut being disposed on the driven shaft for movement between the ends thereof. Gears are operatively related between said drive shaft and said driven shaft to normally provide a relative speed difference between the traveling nut and the driven shaft.

Abstract: The present invention is a multipath power transmission for use in an aircraft nosewheel steering system. Two planetary gear sets, together providing the power to steer the nosewheel, have their ring gears externally meshed to balance the power delivered by each of the planetary gear sets. As a result, each planetary gear set must only be sized for fifty percent of the rated load, thereby minimizing weight and size, both of which are critical in an aircraft.

Abstract: An overtravel stop for a rotary shaft, including a fixed stop having at least a pair of stop jaws disposed at different radii from the axis of the rotary shaft. A follower member is provided about the rotary shaft and is adapted to rotate with the shaft within a selected travel limit. The follower member is associated with a stop member having at least a pair of stop jaws disposed at the same different radii as the stop jaws of the fixed stop. The follower member is rotationally shiftable with respect to the shaft when the shaft reaches its travel limit. The stop member is axially movable into engagement with the fixed stop when the follower member rotationally shifts relative to the shaft. At least some of the stop jaws have negative rake angles, and a shock absorber is provided behind the fixed stop.