Abstract: The invention relates generally to apparatus for electrostatic image development and, in particular, apparatus that implement a magnetic brush with a drum photoconductor. According to an aspect of the invention, a method and apparatus for developing an electrostatic image are provided implementing a drum photoconductor and a magnetic brush contacting the drum photoconductor. The magnetic brush includes a mixture of toner and hard magnetic carriers.

Abstract: The invention relates to cleaning systems for electrographic processes and, in particular, to detecting leaks in such processes. A process and apparatus for sensing leaks is provided in an electrographic process cleaning system of the type configured to have a particle collection container. According to an aspect of the invention, a pressure is sensed that is indicative of pressure inside the particle collection container.

Abstract: A mechanism for cleaning the surface of an operative element of a reproduction apparatus. The cleaning mechanism includes an elongated web of cleaning cloth material. A first support provides a supply of the elongated web of cleaning cloth material, and a second support provides a take-up for the elongated web of cleaning cloth material. A back-up member is located in operative association with the element of the reproduction apparatus to be cleaned, the elongated web of cloth material passing over the back-up member in supply of the cloth material from the first support to the second support. A support is provided for the back-up member, which enables caster and gimbal movement of the back-up member to align the back-up member with the element of the reproduction apparatus to be cleaned.

Abstract: The fusing assembly in an electrophotographic copier has a paper travel path passing between a pair of opposed air cooling plenums. Each plenum has an air supply plate confronting the travel path with slots for directing cooling air onto the moving paper. The lower plenum plate includes upstanding ribs parallel to the paper travel path for guiding the moving paper and spacing the paper from the plate to improve airflow by decreasing airflow impedance.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of damping in load-carrying members, particularly those load-carrying members that carry a load between a plurality of masses that are subject to induced cyclic distortion or vibration. According to an aspect of the invention, a damped structural member is provided that carries a load between a first mass and a second mass. The damped structural member comprises a load-carrying member that carries the load between the first and second masses, and at least one damping member nested with the load-carrying member. The damping member and the load-carrying member move relative to each other during cyclic distortion of the load-carrying member thereby dissipating distortion energy at a damping interface between the damping member and the load-carrying member. The damping member bears essentially only cyclic loads induced by cyclic bending mode movement of load-carrying member. A method for damping a structural member is also provided.

Abstract: A novel energy hydraulic media is disclosed comprising a microgel dispersion. The microgel dispersion is a Non-Newtonian fluid. This microgel dispersion is useful in devices that utilize a hydraulic fluid, such as hydraulic energy transmission systems and mechanical energy absorbing devices. Examples include hydraulic brake systems, liquid springs, and dynamic damping devices such as aircraft landing gear shock struts, car bumpers, and automobile shock absorbers. Methods of transmitting hydraulic energy and for dissipating kinetic energy using this microgel dispersion are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is relates to CVI/CVD furnace apparatus. More specifically, the invention is directed to a sealed gas inlet for a high temperature CVI/CVD furnace. A method and apparatus are provided for preventing gas leakage around a gas inlet extending through a hole in a susceptor floor in a CVI/CVD furnace. According to the invention, the gas inlet is sealed to the susceptor floor with sufficient intimacy to block leakage of gas through the hole around the gas inlet while allowing the gas inlet to cyclically translate through the hole due to thermal expansion and contraction induced by thermal cycles in the CVI/CVD furnace.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making thick fibrous structures. More particularly, the invention relates to a simplified needle-felting process wherein loose fiber is accreted into a thick fibrous structure by repeatedly driving a multitude of felting needles into the loose fiber, the felting needles penetrating all the way through the fibrous material at the beginning of the process, and penetrating only part way through the fibrous material at the end of the process. The processes according to the invention eliminate one or more intermediate steps of forming coherent fibrous layers that were previously thought necessary in the prior art in order to form a thick fibrous structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a susceptor lid for use in a CVI/CVD furnace. More specifically, the invention is directed to a lid configured to consecutively run CVI/CVD and heat treatment processes without opening the furnace. The susceptor lid according to the invention comprises a susceptor lid body having a gas exhaust hole; and, an exhaust lid disposed over said gas exhaust hole, said exhaust lid being configured to move within the CVI/CVD furnace from a first position wherein said exhaust lid covers said gas exhaust hole to a second position wherein said gas exhaust lid at least partially uncovers said gas exhaust hole.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of high temperature composites made by the chemical vapor infiltration and deposition of a binding matrix within a porous structure. More particularly, the invention relates to pressure gradient processes for forcing infiltration of a reactant gas into a porous structure, apparatus for carrying out those processes, and the resulting products. The invention is particularly suited for the simultaneous CVI/CVD processing of large quantities (hundreds) of aircraft brake disks.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of forming fibrous structures by needling processes. A process is provided for achieving a desired Z-fiber distribution in a fibrous structure by controlling transport depth during formation of the fibrous structure in a series of needling passes. Each needling pass generates a portion of Z-fiber bundles that penetrate adjacent fibrous layers, the Z-fiber bundles penetrating only those adjacent fibrous layers that need more Z-fiber bundles to attain a predetermined number of Z-fiber bundles within each fibrous layer.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of aircraft shock struts, of the type having a piston cylinder and a piston head, for slowing movement of an aircraft structure toward the ground, particularly during landing or take-off. The invention provides a more constant change in pressure across the piston head, that is generally independent of piston head speed, relative to the prior art. The piston head has a damped valve poppet received within the piston head moveable from a first position wherein the damped valve poppet covers a pressure relief orifice to a second position that uncovers a pressure relief orifice, thereby providing a more constant change in pressure across the piston head.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of dynamometer testing of aircraft wheel and brake assemblies and, more particularly, relates to the simulation of brake and landing gear vibration dynamics on a dynamometer. The test apparatus and method according to the invention employ a pitch beam that simulates bogie pitch motion, and a walk beam that simulates landing gear walk.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of braking systems, particularly those braking systems that utilize linkages to transmit brake-generated loads from a wheel and brake assembly to a braked vehicle. According to an aspect of the invention, a damped brake rod is provided for attachment to a structure, the structure having at least one wheel and brake assembly. The damped brake rod comprises a rod-like member for attachment to the brake assembly and the structure to resist rotation of the brake assembly relative to the structure, and a bending mode coulomb damper attached to the brake rod that damps cyclic bending mode movement of the rod-like member during braking. The bending mode coulomb damper bears essentially only cyclic loads induced by cyclic bending mode movement of the rod-like member generated during braking. A method of damping a brake rod is also provided.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of electrical resistance heaters, especially heaters for tubes, pipes, or flexible hose. More particularly, the invention is directed to an electrical heater formed as a strip that is permanently set in the shape of a helix. According to an aspect of the invention, an electrical heater is provided comprising a flexible electrical insulation strip bounded by a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge, wherein the flexible electrical insulation strip is permanently set as a helix such that the first longitudinal edge is adjacent to the second longitudinal edge; and, a flexible electrical heating element encapsulated within the electrical insulation strip.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of composite brake disks formed from fibrous structures. A brake disk according to the invention comprises an annular fibrous structure having two opposing generally planar faces and a binding matrix permeating the annular fibrous structure. Two outer portions are adjacent the planar faces, and an inner portion is disposed between the two outer portions. The two outer portions have lesser tensile strength parallel to the planar faces and greater resistance to wear than the inner portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of high temperature composites made by the chemical vapor infiltration and deposition of a binding matrix within a porous structure. More particularly, the invention relates to pressure gradient processes for forcing infiltration of a reactant gas into a porous structure, apparatus for carrying out those processes, and the resulting products. The invention is particularly suited for the simultaneous CVI/CVD processing of large quantities (hundreds) of aircraft brake disks.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of forming fibrous structures. A fibrous structure according to the invention has an upper group of fibrous layers and lower group of fibrous layers subjacent the upper group of fibrous layers. A multitude of Z-fiber bundles cohere the fibrous layers, each fibrous layer within the upper group of fibrous layers having a portion of the multitude of Z-fiber bundles originating in that fibrous layer and passing through a number of fibrous layers disposed beneath that fibrous layer without passing through all of the fibrous layers disposed beneath that fibrous layer. The number of fibrous layers penetrated by the Z-fiber bundles is constant within the first portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of high temperature composites made by the chemical vapor infiltration and deposition of a binding matrix within a porous structure. More particularly, the invention relates to pressure gradient processes for forcing infiltration of a reactant gas into a porous structure, apparatus for carrying out those processes, and the resulting products. The invention is particularly suited for the simultaneous CVI/CVD processing of large quantities (hundreds) of aircraft brake disks.