Abstract: In certain embodiments, the improved safety ladder and harness assembly described herein incorporates a harness coupling designed to slide freely within the vertical member of a safety ladder so long as the forces exerted on the coupling are small. Any significant external force applied to the coupling, such as the application of a worker's weight, will result in a braking and holding action by the coupling until the external force or weight is removed. In one embodiment, the apparatus incorporates a substantially cylindrical coupling body having a braking lever extending from the front side, an upper braking nub extending from the upper portion of the coupling body in the same direction as the braking lever, and a lower braking nub extending from the lower portion of coupling body in the opposite direction as the braking lever.

Abstract: A disk assembly includes an assembly housing having a front end for inserting/retrieving therethrough a disk storing thereon computer-accessible data. The front panel is mounted at the front end and has a slot for passing therethrough the disk. USB connectors are mounted on the front panel for electrically connecting therethrough a peripheral device to a computer case. The computer case can conveniently mount therein such a disk assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved vibration cancellation device designed to overcome many of the shortcomings inherent in prior devices. In many embodiments, the vibration cancellation device is smaller in scale than prior designs, facilitating more versatility with respect to design options. The device of the present invention achieves a smaller size partly due to the use of suspension springs having an offset, rather than a parallel arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus for mounting two or more tail rotor hubs to a tail rotor mast. The apparatus comprises a mast having an externally-splined inboard section shaped and sized to mate with an internal spline on an inboard trunnion. The inboard trunnion is mechanically fixed to the one or more outboard hubs via a torsionally-rigid connection. The outboard portion of the mast is designed to have reduced torsional stiffness, so that torque is transmitted to the outboard trunnions through the inboard trunnion rather than through the mast.

Abstract: A vibration isolator (10) for isolating the vibration of two bodies that are connected together is disclosed. The vibration isolator (10) comprises an inner cylinder (16) and a pair of outer housings (12, 14) concentrically bonded together with elastomer structures (18, 20) to form two chambers (22, 26) that are joined by a tuning port (24). The elastomer structures (18, 20) may serve both as the seals for the chambers (22, 26) and the compliant spring members in the isolator (10). The isolator (10) connects to a vibrating body by a spherical bearing (28). The chambers (22, 26) and tuning port (24) are filled with an inviscid fluid (34) and pressurized to prevent cavitation. In certain embodiments, pressure within the isolator (10) is maintained by a volume compensating device (30) connected to the chambers (22, 26) via a small diameter orifice (36).

Abstract: A support assembly for supporting a rotating shaft relative to a structure in which a first magnetized member is attached to the shaft for rotation therewith, a support member is connected to the structure and at least one damper member connects the support member to a second magnetized member for supporting the second magnetized member in a portion relative to the first magnetized member. The respective magnetic fields of the first and second magnetized members are such that radial deflective movement of the shaft, and therefore the first magnetic member, causes corresponding radial movement of the second magnetized member which is dampened by the damping member.

Abstract: A support assembly for supporting a rotating shaft relative to a structure in which a first magnetized member is attached to the shaft for rotation therewith, a support member is connected to the structure and at least one damper member connects the support member to a second magnetized member for supporting the second magnetized member in a portion relative to the first magnetized member. The respective magnetic fields of the first and second magnetized members are such that radial deflective movement of the shaft, and therefore the first magnetic member, causes corresponding radial movement of the second magnetized member which is dampened by the damping member.

Abstract: A DC electrical power generation system for aircraft having primary and emergency generation systems is disclosed. The system includes a transmission driven power generator, a dedicated generator control unit and a distribution network for providing sufficient capacity to all electrical loads on the aircraft. The emergency power system includes at least one engine driven starter generators, with an associated controller unit and associated distribution network for providing sufficient backup capacity to electrical loads assigned thereto.

Abstract: A pylon conversion system (100) for operating a pylon (12) on a tiltrotor aircraft (10) between an aircraft mode and a helicopter mode is disclosed. The system (100) comprises first and second pylon conversion actuators (102,104) each having a retracted position and an extended position which corresponding to the aircraft mode and the helicopter mode. A first gearing system (156) is operably coupled to the first pylon conversion actuator (102) and to a first primary power unit (110), a first backup power unit (112) and a first clutch (138). A second gearing system (158) is operably coupled to the second pylon conversion actuator (104) and to a second primary power unit (114), a second backup power unit (116) and a second clutch (142). An interconnect drive train (126) is operably coupled to the first and second clutches (138, 142) such that the first and second pylon conversion actuators (102, 104) are operable between the extended position and the retracted position.

Abstract: A fluid level indicator (22) indicating the level of a fluid (14) in a chamber (12) having a piston (16) is disclosed. The fluid level indicator (12) has a housing (24) that is positioned adjacent to the chamber (12). A plurality of magnetic pins (28, 38) are moveably disposed within the housing (24). The magnetic pins (28, 38) have a first position and a second position. At least one of the magnetic pins (38) shifts from the first position to the second position when the piston (16) is aligned therewith, thereby indicating the position of the piston (16) within the chamber (12) and indicating the level of fluid (14) within the chamber (12).