Abstract: A drive axle assembly includes a non-rotating spindle having a cylindrical body defining an internal cavity and an axle shaft assembly mounted within the internal cavity for rotation about an axis. A seal assembly is positioned within the internal cavity to provide a sealed chamber between the axle shaft assembly and the non-rotating spindle. A first air passage is formed within the cylindrical body and includes an air inlet to be in fluid communication with an air supply and an air outlet in fluid communication with the sealed chamber. A second air passage is formed within the axle shaft assembly and receives air input from the sealed chamber and includes an air output to be associated with at least one tire.

Abstract: A pedal system particularly tailored to a Fly-By-Wire (FBW) flight control system includes a double gradient linkage assembly. The double gradient linkage assembly includes a damper system and a spring system that improves yaw axis (azimuth) control of the aircraft. Control is only required when a change in the yaw axis state is demanded. Since only minimal displacement inputs to such a FBW flight control system is required, the travel of the pedals are exceeding compact, such that pilot workload is significantly reduced through the reduction in the frequency and magnitude of aircraft control inputs.

Abstract: A turbine blade airfoil assembly includes a cooling air passage. The cooling air passage includes a plurality of impingement openings that are isolated from at least one adjacent impingement opening. The cooling air passage is formed and cast within a turbine blade assembly through the use of a single core. The single core forms the features required to fabricate the various separate and isolated impingement openings. The isolation and combination of impingement openings provide for the augmentation of convection and film cooling and provide the flexibility to tailor airflow on an airfoil to optimize thermal performance of an airfoil.

Abstract: An extended impingement cooling structure to cool outside an air supply plenum comprises an inner wall; an impingement sheet; a series of supports to maintain the inner wall in spaced relation to the impingement sheet, and a baffle supported between the inner wall and the impingement sheet. The baffle has a collector plenum area that receives impingement cooling air from the air supply plenum and a channel in fluid communication with the collector plenum and extending outside the air supply plenum with openings to allow impingement cooling air to pass therethrough and having a series of lands extending into the channel wherein the lands are located in proximity to impingement cooling air outlets in the inner wall.

Abstract: A method for controlling a closure drive system of a motor vehicle utilizes a control device that includes a pinch protection circuit. A supply voltage across the control device is measured, and depending on the supply voltage, a differentiation is made as to whether the pinch protection circuit is operated with pinch protection parameters for a stationary vehicle or a moving vehicle.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch assembly includes movable centrifugal weight reaction surfaces that provide for actuation at varying rotational speeds. A radially movable front plate with a ramped surface changes the radial position at which the centrifugal weight begins moving the front plate axially to compress a clamp spring and begin clutch actuation. An axially movable back plate moves axially to change the magnitude of compression caused by axial movement of the front plate. The changes to clamping force corresponding to movement of the reaction surfaces of the centrifugal weight change the rotational speed required to beginning and maintain actuation of the clutch assembly.

Abstract: A load bearing assembly in an elevator system includes a plurality of discernable markings on an external surface of the assembly. A monitoring device includes at least one detector that detects locations of the markings along the length of the assembly. Changes in spacing between markings provides an indication of belt loading conditions and provides an ability to determine a condition of the belt relative to whether a replacement of the belt may be necessary. A variety of markings and a variety of detecting arrangements are disclosed.

Abstract: An airfoil temperature control arrangement includes a resistive heater element. A plurality of detectors allow a controller to gather resistance information at various intervals along the resistive heater element. Determining the resistance of the corresponding portions of the heater element allows the controller to utilize a known relationship between resistance and temperature for the material selected to make the resistive heater element. In one example, a nickel alloy or other material having a high coefficient of resistance is chosen to provide the controller with the ability to determine a temperature for each portion of the heater element. The determined temperature information is used, for example, to monitor whether any portion of the heater element has become delaminated from the airfoil surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heavy duty suspension system including a frame and a pair of spaced apart trailing arms. The trailing arms each include a forward portion pivotally supported by the frame and extending longitudinally to a rearward portion. An axle has opposing end portions pivotally supported respectively on the trailing arms. A V-rod includes first and second spaced apart ends extending to a common third end with the first and second ends preferably pivotally attached to the frame. The third end is preferably pivotally attached to the axle. The V-rod provides lateral stability and defines a pinion angle with the trailing arms. Preferably, the longitudinal length of the V-rod and the length of the trailing arm from the pivotal attachment on the frame to the pivotal attachment on the axle are of equal length to provide a constant pinion angle during movement of the suspension system.

Abstract: An adjustable shock absorber is provided that includes a body having a fluid passageway with first and second passages in fluid communication with one another. A valve assembly is arranged between the passages and includes a plunger that is adjustable between a plurality of positions corresponding to a plurality of fluid flow positions. The valve assembly includes a metering valve having a orifice in a disc, and the plunger includes a needle with a portion disposed in said orifice to provide flow area. The flow area is changed when the plunger moves. The valve assembly also includes a blow-off valve in which the disc is biased to a closed position by a spring arranged between the plunger and the disc. Movement of the plunger changes the loading on the spring. An adjustment knob has a cammed surface that cooperates with the plunger so that as the adjustment knob is rotated the cammed surface moves the plunger.

Abstract: A system for indicating the amount of material in a brake lining includes a frictional brake surface and a brake lining having a sensor for detecting when the temperature of the brake lining exceeds a predetermined temperature. A brake actuation system actuates the brake lining against the frictional brake surface. A controller counts the number of temperature detections and the number of brake actuations during a predetermined period and produces a first signal when a ratio of the number of temperature detections to the number of brake actuations is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the controller produces a second signal when the ratio of the number of temperature detections to the number of brake actuations is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value and less than the first predetermined value. The invention further includes a method for determining wear based upon this structure.

Abstract: A motor assembly that is useful for operating various devices on a vehicle includes a unique arrangement for securing a detector arrangement within the motor assembly. The detector arrangement includes a first portion that is supported on a shaft associated with the rotor portion of the assembly. A second portion of the detector arrangement is supported by a flange, which is associated with the stator of the assembly. The second portion of the detector assembly includes a printed circuit board that is received within a recessed housing formed on the flange. The recessed housing includes at least one surface that abuts the circuit board into a position where cooperating locking features operate to secure the printed circuit board in a desired position on the flange.