Abstract: All designs have features that prevent the running boards from over deploying and stowing. This ensures the mechanism does not exceed the design range of motion and prevents any excess forces on the system or vehicle. All designs use kinematic locks to prevent back driving in stowed and deployed positions, which allows more efficient gearboxes to be used.

Abstract: An air classifier for classifying a mixture of fine and coarse particles by size or aerodynamic shape, wherein the air classifier generally comprises a settling box through which a laminar airflow passes that improves introduction of particles into the airflow and thus improves separation and grading of particles by the air classifier.

Abstract: A lockable actuator has lock segments that move into recesses inside a piston to enable the piston to move. The lock segments may also move radially outwardly from the recesses in the piston to engage a bevel edge of a cylinder housing assembly to lock the piston. Lock rams having ramps force the lock segments radially outwardly into engagement with the bevel edge of the cylinder housing assembly.

Abstract: A redundant seal assembly for an aircraft shock absorber comprises a changeover unit and dual dynamic seals for sealing a fluid chamber formed between an inner member and an outer member of the shock absorber. The first dynamic seal functions as a primary seal, and the second dynamic seal functions as a backup seal in the initial operation of the shock absorber. A fluid passage is formed from the fluid chamber to the first dynamic seal. The changeover unit has a spool provided in the fluid passage. The spool has a channel that forms pat of the fluid passage. A changeover activator is movable to open and close the fluid passage at the spool to apply or remove the fluid pressure on or from the first dynamic seal so as to change over the functionality as the primary seal between the first dynamic seal and the second dynamic seal.

Abstract: A lockable actuator has lock segments that move into recesses inside a piston to enable the piston to move. The lock segments may also move radially outwardly from the recesses in the piston to engage a bevel edge of a cylinder housing assembly to lock the piston. Lock rams having ramps force the lock segments radially outwardly into engagement with the bevel edge of the cylinder housing assembly.

Abstract: A redundant seal assembly for an aircraft shock absorber comprises a changeover unit and dual dynamic seals for sealing a fluid chamber formed between an inner member and an outer member of the shock absorber. The first dynamic seal functions as a primary seal, and the second dynamic seal functions as a backup seal in the initial operation of the shock absorber. A fluid passage is formed from the fluid chamber to the first dynamic seal. The changeover unit has a spool provided in the fluid passage. The spool has a channel that forms pat of the fluid passage. A changeover activator is movable to open and close the fluid passage at the spool to apply or remove the fluid pressure on or from the first dynamic seal so as to change over the functionality as the primary seal between the first dynamic seal and the second dynamic seal.

Abstract: A powered running board assembly has a deck and at least two hinges extending from the deck for mounting longitudinally the deck to an underside of a vehicle. Each hinge has a mounting bracket configured to mount to the underside of the vehicle. A pair of links pivotally extending between the deck and mounting bracket. The deck is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A linear drive assembly operably engages at least one of the hinges to drive the deck between the retracted and extended positions. The linear drive assembly operably extends between opposite pivots of the pair of links. As the drive extends and retracts, the pair of links is expanded and contracted effecting the desired movement of the running board between inboard and outboard positions.

Abstract: A powered running board assembly has a deck and at least two hinges extending from the deck for mounting longitudinally the deck to an underside of a vehicle. Each hinge has a mounting bracket configured to mount to the underside of the vehicle. A pair of links pivotally extends between the deck and mounting bracket. The deck is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A motor assembly operably engages at least one of the hinges to drive the deck between the retracted and extended positions. The motor assembly extends substantially longitudinally. The motor assembly has a gear train and clutch assembly enabling the motor assembly to drive relative to the deck movement when the deck movement is prevented, and enabling manual deck movement when the motor assembly is not energized.

Abstract: A running board assembly for a motor vehicle has a step for supporting an individual thereon. The running board assembly also includes a slide assembly extending between the step and the motor vehicle for slidably moving the step between a retracted position and an extended position. In addition, the running board assembly includes a pneumatic cylinder operatively engaging the slide assembly so that the pneumatic cylinder effects energizing movement between the retracted and the extended positions.

Abstract: A powered running board assembly has a deck and at least two hinges extending from the deck for mounting longitudinally the deck to an underside of a vehicle. Each hinge has a mounting bracket configured to mount to the underside of the vehicle. A pair of links pivotally extending between the deck and mounting bracket. The deck is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A linear drive assembly operably engages at least one of the hinges to drive the deck between the retracted and extended positions. The linear drive assembly operably extends between opposite pivots of the pair of links. As the drive extends and retracts, the pair of links is expanded and contracted effecting the desired movement of the running board between inboard and outboard positions.

Abstract: A powered running board assembly has a deck and at least two hinges extending from the deck for mounting longitudinally the deck to an underside of a vehicle. Each hinge has a mounting bracket configured to mount to the underside of the vehicle. A pair of links pivotally extends between the deck and mounting bracket. The deck is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A motor assembly operably engages at least one of the hinges to drive the deck between the retracted and extended positions. The motor assembly extends substantially longitudinally. The motor assembly has a gear train and clutch assembly enabling the motor assembly to drive relative to the deck movement when the deck movement is prevented, and enabling manual deck movement when the motor assembly is not energized.

Abstract: A running board assembly for a motor vehicle has a step for supporting an individual thereon. The running board assembly also includes a slide assembly extending between the step and the motor vehicle for sidably moving the step between a retracted position and an extended position. In addition, the running board assembly includes a pneumatic cylinder operatively engaging the slide assembly so that the pneumatic cylinder effects energizing movement between the retracted and the extended positions.