Abstract: A retaining device for a component of an aircraft or spacecraft. The retaining device comprises a fuselage cell portion and a component portion, which portions are interconnected via at least one fastener. A gap is formed between the fastener and the component portion, of such a type that the fuselage cell portion and the component portion are movable relative to one another.

Abstract: A method of remanufacturing a cylinder assembly that has a shaft body and a slidable cylinder assembly extending thereover. A plurality of seals extend between the shaft body and the slidable cylinder to provide a plurality of fluid-tight chambers. The shaft body has opposing ends with a first end cap positioned at a first end and a second end cap positioned at a second end thereof. The shaft body is permanently coupled to the end caps to preclude removal thereof. The method requires cutting the shaft body to remove the end caps, and subsequent reattachment.

Abstract: The present invention is a leak prevention system that monitors and detects loosening of a valve. The leak prevention system includes a biasing member, a tightening member, and a pulling member. The biasing member has a first end and a second end, the first end being in communication with the tightening assembly, while the second end being in communication with the pulling assembly. The tightening assembly is carried by the valve, is adapted to tighten the packing nut should packing from the valve loosen. The pulling assembly is adapted to pull the tightening assembly via the biasing member after packing wears away, such that the wearing away loosens the tightening assembly and the constant force of the biasing member, supported by the pulling assembly, causes the tightening assembly to move. After packing has worn away, a visual indication can indicate to an operator that the valve may soon leak.

Abstract: A compliant link has a first member adapted to be connected to a linear actuator and a second member adapted to be connected to a component to be moved by the linear actuator, said members being interconnected by a connecting rod which is moveable relative to both the first and second members, springs acting between the first and second members and the connecting rod to oppose relative movement between the connecting rod and the first and second members when an axial load below a first predetermined value is applied to one of the members.

Abstract: A coupling for a high pressure fluid seal assembly is shown and described. The coupling includes a first member having first and second opposite ends and capable of motion along a first axis extending between the first and second ends. The first member has an engagement portion positioned toward the first end having a rounded convex engagement surface. The coupling further includes a second member also having first and second opposite ends and capable of motion along a second axis extending between the first and second ends of the second member. A second engagement portion toward the second end of the second member has a substantially flat second engagement surface engaging the first engagement surface of the first member. The interface between the first and second engagement surfaces aligns motion of the first member along the first axis with motion of the second member along the second axis. The coupling accordingly reduces the tendency for either the first or second member to bend.

Abstract: A device for transmitting linear motion for adjustment of a wing element (4) is provided with one input part (23) and one output part (26) wherein between the input part (23) and the output part (26) an uncoupling mechanism is provided which, above a preset force (release force) makes relative motion between the input part and the output part possible. One or more prestressed springs (42), which can absorb energy during relative motion, upon unloading, restores the input and output parts to an initial position. A translation mechanism converts the relative motion between the input part (23) and the output part (26). The converted motion acts upon the spring (42) whereby a force-path characteristic line of the device, corresponding to the translation mechanism, can be obtained. The translation mechanism consists of a crankshaft (52) with cam discs (50A, 50B) driven by a connecting rod (46) which act upon a piston (48) longitudinally movable within the housing (30) and prestressed by springs (42).

Abstract: A strong helical compression spring biases the plunger of a unidirectional actuator to an extended position. The actuator is a self contained unit having an integral travel stop to limit extension of the plunger and an integral down lock mechanism which locks the plunger when the maximum extended position is reached.

Abstract: A wash oscillator for use in providing high impact wash and rinse action on a lateral surface of a vehicle in an automatic wash facility. The wash oscillator comprises a support structure positioned on a support surface of the wash facility and a motor, having a rotatable output shaft, fixedly attached to the support structure. The oscillator further comprises a spray bar having a plurality of spray nozzles for providing perpendicular impact of washing and rinsing agents onto a lateral surface of the vehicle. The spray bar is pivotally mounted to the support structure via attachment to a pivot block which pivots about an axis of a hinge pin which is rotatably supported by pillow blocks mounted on a support structure. A linkage mechanism connects the output shaft of the motor with the pivot block so as to convert rotary motion of the shaft into an oscillating pivoting motion of the spray bar about the hinge pin axis.

Abstract: A backlash eliminating device is provided in which two members are biased outwardly in opposite directions in an opening in a housing. Rotatable members with arcuate outer surfaces are connected through self-aligning bearings to these members and can rotate about transverse axes. The end of a crank arm at either end of the unit has an arcuate surface that engages the arcuate surface of one of the rotatable members. Self-aligning bearings, rotatable about axes transverse to the housing, connect the crank arm ends to the housing. The biasing force eliminates clearance at the bearings and the self-aligning bearings allow the crank arms to be slightly cocked without resulting in malfunction.

Abstract: A low profile gaseous fuel carburetor provided with deflector valves to improve mixing of gas and air in a mixture stream of short length. It also shows improved idling and starter valves, and a link for a parallelogram throttle linkage that maintains a correct lever relationship despite operational wear.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a throttle control assembly for positioning the throttle valve of an internal combustion engine of the type including a cam movable in accordance with desired engine speed changes, the throttle control assembly comprising a mechanism coupled to the throttle valve and including a member coupled to the cam for opening the throttle valve in response to movement of the member in a first direction and for closing the throttle valve in response to movement of the member in a second direction, and a relative movement mechanism for preventing continued opening of the throttle valve beyond a predetermined position despite continued movement of the member in the first direction.

Abstract: A swinging apparatus such as a child's swinging play seat is driven by an extension spring linked between the suspension arm of the swing and a gear wheel which is coupled to a motor-driven drive shaft through meshed gears. In preferred arrangements, two gear wheels are used, arranged in coplanar configuration for reciprocal rotation in opposite directions, each driving an extension spring in alternating manner to swing the apparatus back and forth. In certain embodiments, pivot links are included to permit the extension springs to float when either the motorized drive shaft or the swing itself are stopped, and in certain further embodiments, guide pins are included to hold the springs in a bowed configuration. The mechanism is characterized by the lack of a tendency to jolt, and by the ability to start up and shut down smoothly at any point in the rotation cycle of the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A brake pressure control valve including a housing, a control bushing secured therein, a control slide and a travel simulator movable relative to the control bushing and having a spring. The travel simulator has a pressure piece which is rounded on its side toward the control slide. Toward the pressure piece, the control slide is also rounded. Between the control slide and the pressure piece there is a force transmitting member having two plane parallel end faces. A centering means surrounding the force transmitting member and embodied like a rubber-elastic bushing centers the force transmitting member relative to the longitudinal axis of the control slide and orients the end faces transversely to said longitudinal axis. The control slide, the force transmitting member and the pressure piece form roller pairs, which during the actuation of the brake pressure control valve enable relative movements between the pressure piece and the control slide without generating notable radial force components.

Abstract: Control device (10) for a twin master cylinder (18) of the type with two master cylinders situated side by side and parallel to one another; the device (10) is capable of being positioned between an actuating pedal (12) and pistons (26, 26') of the master cylinders. According to the invention the device (10) incorporates a compensation (63, 63') of the travel of a control rod (52) situated on the same side as the pedal (12) relative to the travel of two independent push rods (34, 36') which are capable of acting upon each of the pistons (26, 26').

Abstract: A diskette transport is provided wherein diskettes are withdrawn from the bottom of a stack, transferred to a work station, where the actual duplication or other operation takes place, and withdrawn from the work station and deposited into an appropriate bin, depending on whether the diskette passes or fails some test.

Abstract: A well pumping unit for use in association with an oil well, water well or the like having a downhole pump operated by a reciprocating pump rod with the pumping unit including a pair of large diameter rotatable wheels independently supported from upstanding supports on a deck, platform or skid with the wheels being interconnected by a pin to which a cable for operating the pump rod is attached. The cable is entrained over a series of pulleys and anchored to a supporting structure with one of the pulleys being a traveling pulley having a cable attached thereto extending over a head pulley and connected with the pump rod for reciprocating the pump rod when the wheels are rotated. The pin interconnecting the wheels is received in one of a plurality of radially spaced pairs of openings to enable the stroke of the pump to be varied by varying the radial position of the pin in relation to the rotational axis of the wheels.

Abstract: A linear no-back device for transmitting bi-directional linear motion from an input shaft to an output shaft while preventing motion of the output shaft independently of the input shaft and enabling movement of the input shaft when the output shaft is jammed. The linear no-back device has a fixed member having a bore with a pair of spring discs loosely mounted on the output shaft and having flexible ears at the periphery thereof in engagement with a wall of the bore. A pair of spaced-apart stop rings on the output shaft limit separating movement of the spring discs axially of the output shaft and a preloaded compression coil spring urges the spring discs away from each other.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a latent heat storage tank having an evaporator coil or tube submerged in water and on which a layer of ice forms in response to circulation therethrough of refrigerant from a motor-driven compressor. Apparatus is provided to measure, indicate and regulate the thickness of the ice layer. The apparatus comprises an ice sensing device which provides an electric signal proportional to ice layer thickness to an electrical control circuit which then operates a meter to indicate thickness and operates a motor controller to stop or start the compressor motor. The ice sensing device comprises a probe which is periodically movable back and forth in a short arc in one cycle to detect ice by a timer-actuated electric motor and a potentiometer which moves in response to probe movement to provide a signal porportional to ice thickness to the abovementioned electrical control circuit.

Abstract: A gripping mechanism is mounted on a carriage and is adapted to be shifted back and forth along an inverted L-shaped path to pick up and transfer parts. Inverted L-shaped cam tracks are formed in a main support member and receive and guide rollers which support the carriage. The cam tracks and the rollers are arranged to allow the rollers to roll freely without skidding while preventing radial play between the rollers and the tracks. A flexible drive linkage is connected between the carriage and its actuator and is capable of yielding in both directions in order to prevent damage to the actuator if the carriage becomes jammed when the carriage is being either advanced or retracted. Before being picked up by the gripping mechanism, the parts are held in a track by an escapement having spring-biased fingers adapted to move between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A push rod assembly for a clutch master cylinder having a rod in abutment with a piston of the clutch master cylinder, a clevis operatively connected to a clutch pedal, and a rubber vibration isolator interposed between the rod and the clevis wherein the rod is formed by stamp forging, the clevis is formed by press working and the rubber vibration isolator is secured to the rod and the clevis during forming thereof, thereby decreasing the resulting cost and increasing the intensity of adhesion thereof.

Abstract: A shock absorber apparatus connected in series relationship respective to the polished rod and bridle of a pumpjack unit. The shock absorber includes a housing within which there is supported a plurality of resilient packer members stacked in sandwiched relationship. The packer members have an axial passageway formed therethrough, with the passageway of each packer member being aligned with one another, so that the polished rod is telescopingly received therethrough. The bottom of the housing is supported by the bridle, while the polished rod is supported by a plate member which bears against the uppermost packer member. This places all of the resilient packer members in compression, with the force of the compression being proportional to the weight of the sucker rod.

Abstract: A bidirectional force limiter for limiting the magnitude of a force applied along a line of action to a predetermined magnitude includes a slide assembly supported for reciprocating movement along its longitudinal axis by the spaced guide plates of a support structure. A yieldable force-bias element, such as a helical spring in compression, is constrained between the guide plates, and structure is provided for transmitting the applied force from the slide assembly to the biasing element to cause the slide assembly to displace and the biasing element to yield in response to the applied force. The force limiter is suitable for use, in a preferred mode, with cargo-container spreaders which are adapted to attach to and detach from cargo containers. The spreader carries a plurality of locks which are adapted to register with and engage complementary lock receiving structures on each container.

Abstract: An exhaust gas return valve actuating rod has first and second rod portions adapted for connection between an exhaust gas control valve and throttle linkage. The rods are interconnected by an eccentric connecting element which is spring connected to one of the rods and connected by a thread connection to the other rod. The eccentric connecting element enables convenient length adjustment of the connecting rod, even when it cannot be seen by the mechanic.

Abstract: The present drying drum includes a roller supported drum jacket which is connected at one end thereof to a drive shaft by means of radially extending arms whereby the drive shaft extends coaxially with the rotational axis of the drum jacket. The drive means proper are guided relative to said drive shaft by guide means forming part of the drive shaft itself or either by a bearing surface forming part of a spur gear connected to the drive shaft. The drive means are further connected through a guide rod with an abutment means for taking up the drive reaction.

Abstract: An actuating rod for interconnecting a throttle with an exhaust gas return valve has first and second rod portions which are interconnected in force transmitting relation by a spring. The second rod portion is bent to extend parallel to the first rod portion over part of its length and has a loop surrounding the first portion and engaging the spring.