Abstract: A method of forming a pultruded shaped composite material comprising carbon fiber having a diameter not greater than 0.001 inch aligned linearly with a degree of waviness defined by an average amplitude to length (A/L) ratio of less than 0.9 percent in a matrix is formed around the fiber and solidified or cured into a rigid form that will not melt during subsequent processing steps to prevent an increase in waviness during subsequent processing steps. The compressive strength of the composite material approaches the tensile strength of the material. The matrix material consists essentially of a resin present in the range of about 10 to 50 percent by volume of the composite material. The A/L ratio is determined by measuring the distribution of angularity found in the aligned carbon fibers in a selective cross section cut at five degrees to the fiber plane, wherein the standard deviation for a 300 sample angularity measurement is not greater than 0.88 degrees.

Abstract: An improved helicopter landing gear assembly to substantially increase useful service life. The crosstubes are constructed of a material that allows use of thicker crosstubes thereby reducing the operating stress in the crosstubes and helping to increase the fatigue life, while at the same time preserving the required energy absorption characteristics. The inside and outside of the crosstubes are shot peened to help increase the fatigue life. The crosstubes are formed in an unstable temper condition thereby reducing the stress that is induced into the part during formation, and thus helping to increase the fatigue life. The straps are connected to the crosstubes by fasteners located at the sides of the straps and closer to the neutral bending axis of the crosstube so that the fasteners and the fastener holes are subjected to lower stress levels. The combination of these improvements results in a substantially increased life of the landing gear assembly.

Abstract: A method of replicating surface textures by providing a laminar, dimensionally stable, flexible mold having an impression of the surface texture to be formed on one side thereof, applying a layer of fluid casting material to the flexible mold, and partially curing the resinous material wherein the impression is transferred to the partially cured resinous material. The flexible mold and layer of partially cured resinous material are then secured to a recipient surface, and the material is fully cured, and the flexible mold removed, leaving a surface texture on the recipient surface.

Abstract: An earth-boring bit has a bit body, at least one cutter rotatably secured to the bit body and including a plurality of teeth formed integrally with the cutter and arranged in circumferential rows thereon. A pair of ribs is formed on at least one of the flanks of at least one of the teeth. The ribs are spaced apart to define a central depression therebetween extending through the crest of the tooth. A thickness of wear-resistant material fills the depression. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wear-resistant material is applied over the ribs, crest, and a portion of the ends and flanks of the tooth, wherein the thickness of the wear-resistant material over the depressions greater, preferably 1/8 inch, than that elsewhere on the tooth.

Abstract: An incremental object or part fabrication method includes the step of determining the dimensional boundaries of the part, the dimensional boundaries including x, y, and z dimensions. A reference surface is provided and a first incremental layer of mold material is formed on the reference surface. The first incremental layer of mold material is selectively interrupted to define at least one dimensional boundary of the part. A first incremental layer of part material is formed upon at least the reference surface, wherein a second reference surface is defined by the first incremental layers of mold and part material. The steps of forming incremental layers of mold and part material are repeated until the object is fully fabricated and all dimensional boundaries are defined.

Abstract: An air powered motor 10, mounted inside an outer cover 11 to effect the movement of a mirror 12 in one or more axis 35. The pneumatic motor is coaxial with a threaded and pivoted rod 13 and contains a rotor or ring gear 14 with vanes 15 arrayed around the exterior of the gear. Pressurized air is introduced into the motor, against the vanes 15, causing a center piece or gear 16 to rotate about the operating rod 13 attached to a mirror mounting plate 17. As a result, the mirror rotates on its hinge 18. The direction of air flow from the fluid source can be reversed with a control valve, causing the mirror to rotate in the opposite direction. The mirror's rotation about its axis is controlled from a remote location, such as the cab of a large truck, by moving the air control valve.

Abstract: A fluid impervious polymeric membrane separating a resilient pad from a railroad crosstie and having a width substantially greater than the resilient pad to resist moisture and mechanical forces in penetration between the concrete tie and the pad. The width is also sufficient to resist moisture penetration between the peripheral edges of the pad and the membrane. The width of the membrane is sufficient to extend essentially to the edge of the shoulder to limit lateral movement of the membrane caused by forces exerted by passing trains. Also, the membrane is substantially wider than the pad to extend essentially to the shoulder and insulator to resist lateral movement. Further, the pad is notched at a mid region adjacent to the insulator and clamp, with wider in regions, the notch resisting longitudinal movement of the membrane. The plastic material is selected from a group consisting of high density polyethylene, high molecular weight high density polyethylene and ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.

Abstract: A trailer with wheels located near its rearward end and a connecting arm extending from a mid-region of the forward end of the trailer. The connecting arm includes a gooseneck with a ball receptacle to connect with a ball protruding upwardly from the truck bed. A shroud is connected to the forward end of the trailer beneath the connecting arm and a powered hydraulic cylinder is carried inside the shroud and includes a rod extending downwardly to raise and lower the front of the trailer. A stabilizer arm terminating in a foot portion is carried by the shroud to extend downwardly and co-extensively with the rod to protect the hydraulic cylinder and rod from loading other than by the weight of the trailer and its load.

Abstract: An earth-boring bit has a bit body and at least one saddle member secured to the bit body to receive and support each of a pair of ends of a journal member. A cutter is mounted for rotation on the journal member and a bearing is defined between the cutter and journal member. A lubricant reservoir is formed in the journal member to receive a quantity of lubricant and is in fluid communication with the bearing. A seal means is provided between the cutter and journal member to retain lubricant in the bearing. A hydrostatic-pressure compensator is disposed in the lubricant reservoir in communication with hydrostatic-pressure in the borehole in which the bit operates. The hydrostatic-pressure compensator responses to hydrostatic-pressure to equalize a pressure differential across the seal means. An internal-pressure compensator is disposed in the lubricant reservoir and is responsive to the internal pressure of the lubricant to prevent the lubricant from being extruded past the seal means.

Abstract: An improved earth-boring bit the rolling cone variety and an insert for use therein is provided. A superabrasive element is coated with at least one layer of metallic material. The superabrasive element then is placed in a receptacle cavity in a pre-formed hard metal jacket. The superabrasive element then is brazed or infiltrated to the hard metal jacket. Metallurgical and mechanical bonds between the superabrasive element, the at least one layer of metallic material on superabrasive element, the braze or infiltrant binder material, and the fracture-tough material of the hard metal jacket retain the superabrasive element in the cavity of the hard metal jacket. Improved earth-boring bits according to this embodiment of the present invention provide abrasion-resistant earth-boring bits of the rolling cutter variety. Such improved bits, and the inserts therefore, are formed without resort to high-temperature, high-pressure processes.

Abstract: An earth-boring bit has a bit body and at least one cutter rotatably secured to the bit body. The cutter has a plurality of teeth formed integrally thereon and arranged in circumferential rows. Each of the teeth includes an outer end, an outer end, a pair of flanks and a crest substantially transversely connecting the ends and flanks. The crests of the at least one of the plurality of teeth has an inverted radius formed therein at at least one intersection of the ends and crest. A wear-resistant material is applied over at least the crest and a portion of at least the ends and flanks of the at least one of the plurality of teeth, wherein the thickness of the wear-resistant material over the inverted radius is substantially greater than elsewhere on the tooth.

Abstract: An earth-boring bit has a bit body and at least one cutter rotatably secured to the bit body. The cutter has a cutter shell surface including a gage surface intersecting a heel surface. A plurality of hard metal inserts are arranged in generally circumferential rows on the cutter and include a heel row of heel inserts on the heel surface of the cutter and a gage row of gage inserts on the gage surface of the cutter. At least one scraper insert, formed of material more wear-resistant than that of the cutter shell surface, is secured to the cutter shell surface generally at the intersection of the gage and heel surfaces. The scraper insert includes a gage and a heel insert surface. The gage and heel surfaces of the scraper insert converge to define a cutting edge for engagement with the sidewall of the borehole, the insert surface defining a positive rake angle with respect to the sidewall of the borehole of between 0 and 15 degrees.

Abstract: An earth-boring bit has a bit body and at least one cutter rotatably secured to the bit body. The cutter has a plurality of teeth formed integrally thereon and arranged in circumferential rows. Each of the teeth includes an inner end, an outer end, a pair of flanks and a crest substantially transversely connecting the ends and flanks. The crests of the at least one of the plurality of teeth has a depression formed therein that extends from the outer end of the tooth to an intermediate point along the crest, a remainder of the crest defines a raised crest portion. A wear-resistant material is applied over at least the crest and a portion of at least the ends and flanks of the at least one of the plurality of teeth, wherein the thickness of the wear-resistant material over the depression is substantially greater than elsewhere on the tooth.

Abstract: An earth-boring bit has a cutter provided with hard gage inserts that protrude from the gage surface of the cutter to engage the side of the borehole for holding gage. The gage insert has a substantially flat, polygonal face, the sides of the polygonal face defining at least a pair of sharp cutting edges and at least a pair of cutting surfaces that define a negative rake angle with respect to the sidewall of the borehole that is being sheared by the gage insert. The face, cutting edge, and cutting surface of the gage insert are formed of a super-hard and abrasion-resistant material such as polycrystalline diamond or cubic boron nitride. The body of the insert is formed of a hard, fracture-tough material such as cemented tungsten carbide. The improved gage inserts are secured into sockets in the gage surface of the rolling cone cutter by interference fit.

Abstract: A pultruded shaped composite material of carbon fiber having a diameter not greater than 0.001 inch aligned linearly with a degree of waviness defined by an average amplitude to length (A/L) ratio of less than 0.9 percent, the matrix formed around the fiber and solidified or cured into a rigid form that will not melt during subsequent processing steps to prevent an increase in waviness during subsequent processing steps. The matrix material consists essentially of a resin present in the range of about 10 to 50 percent by volume of the composite material. The A /L ratio is determined by measuring the distribution of angularity found in the aligned carbon fibers in a selective cross section cut at five degrees to the fiber plane, wherein the standard deviation for a 300 sample angularity measurement is not greater than 0.88 degrees.