Abstract: A low cost sensor is described. The sensor is responsive to the component of a force applied to the sensor relative to an axis of the sensor. The sensor comprises rigid, spaced-apart support members. At least one pair of electrically-conductive elements are positioned to move with the support members in response to the force, contact and compress against one another as the force component varies relative to the axis such that the electrical impedance between the two elements changes as said component of force changes.

Abstract: A shaft coupling working on the principle of an Oldham's coupling in which rotary members are connected by pairs of guide links (20,26). Additional guide links (28,38), displaced at an angle of 90.degree. to one another, are provided between the first rotary member (14) and the intermediate member (16) and between the intermediate member (16) and the second rotary member (18). The pivotal axes of the additional guide links extend in a crossed direction to the rotational axis of these members. These additional guide links provide resistance against axial forces in the coupling but do permit the coupling to operate with radial misalignment of the input and output shaft.

Abstract: An avionic tray assembly comprising a tray (12) having upper and lower surfaces (28, 30) with an opening (24) is formed in the tray to let the passage of air therethrough. A U-shaped channel member (26) is secured to the lower surface of the tray beneath the peripheral edge (40) of the opening with the opening located above a central portion of the channel to create an overhanging lip above the channel. An elastomeric gasket is located in the channel with a lower portion occupying substantially all of the space within the channel and beneath the overhanging lip and an upper portion extending out of the channel and above the surface of the tray to engage and support an object positioned above the opening in the tray.

Abstract: A latch housing of molded plastic has a flanged surface that makes surface contact around a rectangular cutout in a dimpled or recessed area of a metal panel flush with the panel surface. Four extended retainers having a lightly tapered bottom edge retain the housing in the panel. A latch having a stepwise tapered end resides within the housing with the end passing through a vertical slot in a rear wall of the housing. A spring is connected between an integral hook on the housing and the forward end of the latch to keep the latch normally in the locked position. An opening in the housing allows a finger to engage the latch and release it from the locked position.

Abstract: A constant velocity coupling characterized by a hub made of a rigid material, a plurality of torque transmitting elements made of a rigid material, and elastomeric sections connecting the hub and the torque transmitting elements. The coupling consists of a female half and a male half and offers the advantage that the two halves may be molded in a single cavity mold, with the mating portions characteristic of the male half being added after the molding has been accomplished.

Abstract: A spring for creating adjustable torsional resistance between two members which are pivotal relative to each other. The spring comprises a stack of axially aligned elastomer torsion rings (30). A locking ring (34) is secured to and separates adjacent torsion rings, one locking ring being associated with each torsion ring. The assembled stack is firmly attached to one of the pivotal members (14). There is connecting sleeve (46) engageable selectively with each locking ring and with the other relatively pivotal member. The number of torsion rings exposed to pivotal motion between the members to vary the torsional resistance of the spring is determined by engagement between the connecting sleeve and selected locking rings.

Abstract: A vibration isolating and sealing device for mounting a fan having a propeller rotatably secured within a housing, said device comprising an outer, substantially square frame; an inner substantially square frame; a generally "S" shaped flexural membrane disposed between and connecting said inner to said outer frame; said membrane being made of elastomer, and wherein the inner frame has a central bore configured to channel air to the propeller of the fan.

Abstract: An improved coupling comprises a driving member rotatable about a first axis, a driven member rotatable about a second axis and a plurality of intermediate floating members disposed between and coupling the driving and driven members so that the rotation axes of the driving and driven members intersect at a common point when the members are angularly misaligned. The floating members are each elongated in one direction. Each floating member has (1) its elongated central axis extending radially with respect to the rotation axes through the common point and lying in a common plane with the elongated central axes of the other floating members, (2), an outer radial end defined by a convex spherical end surface having a center of curvature coincident with the common point, and (3) an inner radial end defined by a concave spherical end surface having a center of curvature coincident with the common point.

Abstract: A pump inpeller and a method for its manufacture wherein the impeller is made of two different synthetic plastics using a co-injection molding process. One plastic, used to fabricate a core section of the impeller, is a rigid thermoplastic material. The other plastic, used to fabricate the vanes section, is a thermoplastic elastomer. The latter is injected after the rigid thermoplastic material.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing and securing a plug-in electronic unit or the like to or from an avionics tray comprises a threaded spindle carrying a transverse pin at one end thereof and having an arrangement of three concentric sleeves located about the spindle. Stop members are provided to limit the movement of the sleeves in both axial directions along the threaded spindle. A rotatable grip is fitted about the innermost of the three concentric sleeves at that end of the sleeve remote from the transverse pin. A ring member is positioned about the middle of the three sleeves and cooperates with an extended flange of the latter to define an annular recess which contains a resilient element. A torque-limiting arrangement is provided between the rotatable grip and a co-operating surface portion of the middle of the three sleeves.

Abstract: A constant velocity, "Tri-Pot" type joint comprises first and second members respectively rotatable about first and second axes and a coupling for connecting the first and second members. The coupling comprises three trunnions rotatable with the first member. The trunnions have respective radial axes extending radially from and perpendicular to the first rotation axis and intersecting the first axis at a common intersecting point. The coupling also comprises rods connecting the trunnions to the second member, and laminated elastomeric bearings, disposed about the trunnions for carrying in compression torque transmitted between the first and second members and for carrying in shear axial misalignment of the first and second members and relative angular motion between the first and second members about the common intersecting point.

Abstract: A tactile sensor for sensing an object in contact therewith. In its preferred form, the sensor comprises a plurality of layers disposed in a sandwich arrangement. A top layer is comprised of a flexible, electrically-insulating material and a plurality of parallel flexible conductive rods. A bottom layer is comprised of an electrically-insulating material and a plurality of parallel conductive rods that extend at right angles to the conductive rods of the top layer, thus forming a sensory array comprising a plurality of superimposed intersection points arranged in a grid pattern. An intermediate layer is comprised of a resilient, electrically-insulating material in which is disposed a plurality of parallel conductive posts that extend perpendicular to the plane of the three layers. These posts are comprised of a resilient conducting material.

Abstract: Laminated elastomer bearings of the type comprising alternating bonded layers of resilient material and non-extensible material are improved by forming at least some of the resilient layers of at least two different stocks having different elasticity characteristics.

Abstract: An improved Bartlett type flexible coupling includes cylindrical laminated elastomeric bearing means between opposing cylindrical bearing surfaces and substantially flat laminated elastomeric bearing means between opposing flat bearing surfaces. One disclosed embodiment is an improved high angle fixed joint coupling comprising additional spherical sections connected to both of the driving and driven members and to each other so as to fix the axial position of each driving and driven member while allowing the members to rotate about axes which extend at an angle between 0.degree. and 90.degree.. The cylindrical and flat laminated elastomeric bearing means comprise alternating layers of an elastomeric resilient material and a nonextensible material to provide a more reliable coupling with improved performance.

Abstract: A flexible fluid conductive coupling for use with fluid flow systems has short fluid conductive cylindrical sections having different diameters so chosen that the smaller diameter section may fit within, and well clear of, the larger. A pair of external mating flanges are provided at the end and near the end, respectively, of the larger and the smaller cylindrical section, and a combination coupling and seal laminated from alternating layers of resilient and rigid materials is held in compression between these two flanges. The facing surfaces of the flanges are shaped to provide for the desired motion or displacement. The slight extension of the smaller cylindrical section into the larger provides a stagnation region between the two cylindrical sections, thereby protecting the seal from abrasive injury which might be caused by particulate matter in the fluid stream.

Abstract: Vibration isolators are manufactured by a co-injection molding process. Outer and inner parts of the isolators are molded first from a rigid or stiff thermoplastic material such as polystyrene and intermediate spring-like parts of the isolators are made of a thermoplastic elastomer such as copolymer of butadiene and styrene formed and bonded to the outer and inner parts in a subsequent molding step.

Abstract: An improved coupling device for joining two rotatable members which may undergo misalignment is disclosed. The device includes a plurality of balls for operatively coupling the two rotatable members. One disclosed embodiment of the coupling device is a plunging joint and another disclosed embodiment of the coupling device is a fixed joint. The joints can be used independently or, alternatively both types of joints can be combined in tandem to provide an improved transmission drive. Each joint is connected between a driving member and a driven member. The coupling device comprises laminated bearing units of alternating layers of resilient and nonextensible materials. The units are designed to carry in compression torque loads transmitted through the device.

Abstract: A laminated device such as a bearing or coupling comprising an inner and an outer housing with a laminate therebetween of alternating resilient and non-extensible layers wherein at least one of its resilient layers is made of a material characterized by having a damping coefficient different from that associated with the material of at least one other resilient layer and preselected so as to improve the uniformity of the strain distribution within the laminate and, thereby, the low temperature operating characteristics of the device. In another embodiment of the invention, at least one of the resilient layers is comprised of discrete portions or segments, each having a nominal damping coefficient preselected so as to improve the bearing's operating characteristics in low temperature applications.

Abstract: A bearing for carrying compressive radial loads comprising alternating bonded layers of a resilient material of a uniform modulus of elasticity and layers of a non-extensible material, all generally concentrically formed about a common center axis. The fatigue life of the bearing under torsional and compressive loads is enhanced by progressively decreasing both the length and thickness of each layer of resilient material with increasing radii, so that a substantially equal strain is carried across each layer of resilient material in response to each torsional load and the shape factor of each of the layers of resilient material remains substantially constant or increases with increasing radii.

Abstract: A blade retention system for use in a fully articulated rotor head of a rotary wing aircraft is described. The retention system comprises a separate elastomeric bearing means for carrying loads in compression and accommodating motions about the respective flapping, lead-lag, and pitching axes of the rotor head in shear for each type of motion about the respective flapping, lead-lag and pitching axes of the rotor head.