Abstract: A tie bar or flexible coupling particularly adapted to interconnect a helicopter rotor arm and a rotor blade is provided with a pair of spaced-apart end bushings connected by an endless belt which belt is defined by a plurality of spaced-apart parallel wires suitably integrated by a polyurethane adhesive. A pair of spaced-apart annular clips located between the end bushings surround the belt and draw opposite sides of the belt inwardly toward an axis extending through the end bushings about which axis the tie bar is adapted to twist under load. Opposing surfaces of each clip against which the belt sides bear are curved to form convex bearing surfaces causing the belt sides to assume a corresponding convex shape thereby deflecting the outer or edge wires less than the inner or center wires resulting in a lower tensile force imposed on the outer or edge wires than the inner or center wires during twisting motion of the belt about the axis thereof.

Abstract: A fluid servo network having a servo fluid pressure responsive movable output member controlled by a variable area orifice the effective area of which is established by a movable servo valve which is actuated by lever means in response to a variable force input applied thereto. The lever means includes a main input lever responsive to the variable force input and an opposing variable feedback force which varies in response to the reaction of the output member to establish a force balance on the main input lever. The main input lever is attached to a roller loaded by a constant reference force and movable along a secondary lever mounted for pivotal movement about a fixed axis to vary the effective lever arm of the secondary lever which is attached to the servo valve. The input torque tending to close the servo valve is opposed by the torque derived from a characteristic orifice force unbalance acting through the secondary lever.

Abstract: A multiple disc brake having a brake actuating annular pressure plate energized by a plurality of circumferentially arranged fluid pressure responsive pistons housing brake adjusting/reset members including a deformable fixed tube and associated movable ball for deforming the same wherein the deformable tube is engageable with spaced apart fixed stops and spring actuated from one stop to a second stop upon release of the brake to establish a predetermined brake running clearance.

Abstract: A cylindrical heat shield provided with circumferentially spaced apart axially extending drive members adapted to engage the wheel and a plurality of brake rotor friction discs interleaved with a plurality of brake stator friction discs which discs are adapted to be urged axially into engagement to retard rotation of the wheel. The shield surrounds the plurality of rotor and stator discs and reduces undesirable heat influx to the wheel from the plurality of friction discs radially inward therefrom.

Abstract: Apparatus for cooling a disc brake or the like wherein a plurality of electrically conductive probes are arranged in circumferentially spaced-apart relationship radially outwardly from frictionally engageable disc portions of the brake and adapted to direct a high voltage, low amperage electrical flow to the frictionally engageable disc portions which are of opposite electrical polarity and separated from the probes by a predetermined air gap. A suitable high voltage electrical source is connected to the probes and the frictionally engageable disc portions to establish electrostatic discharge across the air gap.