Abstract: A coupler for connecting and disconnecting a first hydraulic connector and a second hydraulic connector. The coupler has a first end and a second end. The coupler first end has a threaded opening adapted to combine with a threaded connector. The coupler second end has an opening with several members movable relative to the longitudinal axis of the coupler. The movable members have a first position wherein they are moved outward to make the opening larger and a second position wherein they are moved inward to make the opening smaller. The opening in the coupler second end is adapted to receive a threaded connector when the movable members are in their first (larger) position. After a portion of the threaded connector is inserted into the opening, the members are moved to their second (smaller) position thereby securing the threaded connector to the coupler second end.

Abstract: A means to average the left and right tire height positions relative to the chassis of a vehicle having an independent suspension system. The averaging means uses a rigid member having a first end and a second end wherein the first end is combined with the driver's side independent suspension and the second end is combined with the passenger's side independent suspension. As each side of the vehicle's suspension moves up and down, the ends of the rigid member also move up and down. A sensor determines the average height of the rigid member and communicates that information to the ride-height control system.

Abstract: A synchronizing cylinder comprising a large diameter barrel and a small diameter barrel. The barrels are separated by a junction that is not fluidly sealed so that fluid can be communicated between them. The volume of the large diameter barrel is twice the volume of the small diameter barrel. The barrels comprise a first chamber adapted to communicate fluid to and from a hydraulic manifold, a second chamber adapted to communicate fluid to and from a first mechanism cylinder, and a third chamber adapted to communicate fluid to and from a second mechanism cylinder. The volumetric ratio of the barrels allows an equal volume of fluid to be communicated to and from the mechanism cylinders even though the volume of the barrels is not the same.

Abstract: A synchronizing cylinder that allows for the synchronized movement of multiple hydraulic mechanism cylinders having different sizes and volumes. In one embodiment, the synchronizing cylinder has a first chamber in fluid communication with a first mechanism cylinder and a second chamber in fluid communication with a second mechanism cylinder. The first mechanism cylinder has a first volume and the second mechanism cylinder has a second volume wherein the volume of the first mechanism cylinder is smaller than the volume of the second mechanism cylinder. The volume of the fluid being pushed from (or received by) the first chamber in the synchronizing cylinder is less than the volume of fluid being pushed from (or received by) the second chamber in the synchronizing cylinder so that the first and second mechanism cylinders extend and retract at the same speed and distance regardless of the smaller size and volume of the first mechanism cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the problems associated with sectorization of cells in cellular communications systems, and more particularly to interference between sectors. The invention provides the possibility of flexibly distributing hardware between sectors in a cell by allowing one transmitter to be shared by all the sectors. Since a beacon signal must be transmitted to each sector in a cell, it can be combined with the signal from the transmitter before being transmitted from an antenna. Thus it is necessary to only deploy one carrier for the beacon. Interference reduction in sectored sites is also improved. In addition, different antenna patterns may be combined to provide the site with all kinds of coverage patterns. Downlink diversity is furthermore attainable by having overlapping uncorrelated antenna patterns.