Abstract: A joint assembly is provide between a machine element gear and a shaft or between two shafts. The joint is brought about by forming a predetermined configured surface on the exterior of the machine element and forming a similar configuration of the same general dimensions on a raised surface on the shaft. The shaft is initially inserted into the machine element in a light force fit so that the similar predetermined configurations on the machine element and the raised surface of the shaft are in alignment. A metal cylindrical torque ring is positioned over and surrounding the two mating and abutting predetermined surfaces. By the process of magneforming, the cylindrical torque ring is deformed inwardly to be tightly pressed against the predetermined surfaces, thereby spanning the exterior of those surfaces and providing a tight joint between the machine element and the shaft.

Abstract: A spreading tool which includes a hollow tube, a first ram member, and a second ram member. The hollow tube has a tubular wall with an axial throughbore and at least one opening extending through the tubular wall. The ram members are slidingly disposed within the throughbore, and at least one ram member is capable of extending beyond the outer edge of the hollow tube. The tool can be adapted for use with a force multiplying device which transmits an output force through a relative displacement between at least two spreadable tips. The first and second ram members are capable of being spaced apart by the force multiplying device such that the tool is capable of extending the expandable distance of the jaws and increasing the distance over which the output force is transmitted.

Abstract: A jam-tolerant geared rotary actuator, capable of performing in a normal operating mode and a jam-tolerant operating mode, which includes: an output spline member for releasably connecting the movable ring gear to the output ring; a decoupling member which includes an input shaft disposed within a hollow timing shaft, and a shear member for sensing excessive torque and initiating the jam-tolerant mode; a sun gear spline member for connecting the sun gear to the hollow timing shaft; an axial displacement member for engaging the output spline member with the movable ring gear and the output ring; and an input engagement member for releasably connecting the axial displacement member to the input shaft. The axial displacement member includes a decoupling bushing and a double threaded decoupling nut. The nut is disposed between the timing shaft and the decoupling bushing.

Abstract: A threaded joint assembly is provided comprising a first metallic workpiece having an internally threaded cylindrical opening, and a second metallic workpiece having an externally threaded cylindrical surface which is threadingly engaged with the internally threaded opening of the first workpiece. The interthreaded joint between the first and second workpieces are electromagnetically deformed into a permanent interference fit. In consequence of the magneforming process, individual threads at the joint are slightly flattened and squeezed together tip to root to provide a high axial and radial pre-load in the joint. Preferably at least the portions of the first and second workpieces defining the joint are hollow cylinders, and preferably the threads of the joint are tip relieved.

Abstract: A light weight, quiet and emergency safe, portable "jaws of life" spreading tool actuated by an electric motor. Full high torque at any position, with selectable spreading or cutting motions under high loads is achieved by the use of a rotary, multiple stage, speed reducing gearbox driven by the motor. The gearbox contains an input stage from the electric motor running on a 12 volt DC power supply, and a compound planetary output stage. The arms or jaws of the device are separately driven by the planetary or spindle gears and, for convenience, are attached to external rings on the gears, by heavy duty pins. The arms or jaws are removable for interchanging between cutting and spreading configurations, or replacement with general purpose arms capable of both cutting and spreading operations.

Abstract: A portable rescue tool which operates off electric power and which comprises a clutch mechanism for orienting high torque spreading and/or cutting motion that is produced by the portable rescue tool in a plurality of possible directions with respect to the portable rescue tool. The portable rescue tool comprises a rotary switch for controlling the operation of the portable rescue tool, a DC motor connected to the rotary switch for providing a high speed, low torque output, a gear reduction assembly coupled to the DC motor for decreasing the speed and increasing the torque of the DC motor output, an actuator assembly coupled to the gear reduction assembly for providing a low speed, high torque output, and a clutch mechanism associated with the actuator assembly for orienting the direction of the low speed, high torque output with respect to the portable rescue tool.

Abstract: A jam-tolerant rotary actuator 70 through the incorporation of shear lugs 84,92 formed on an inner input sun gear member 82 and on an inner movable output ring gear member 90 which correspond to recesses 88,96 formed in an outer input sun gear member 86 and in an outer movable output ring gear member 94, respectively, where, upon application of a maximum torque to either the inner input sun gear member 82 or the outer movable output ring gear member 94, the shear lugs 84,92 will shear thereby allowing the inner input sun gear member 82 to be movable independent of the outer input sun gear member 86 or the outer movable output ring gear member 94 to be movable independent of the inner movable output ring gear member 90, respectively.

Abstract: An asymmetry/overspeed brake unit designed to stop the rotation of a control surface and its attending drive set and attachment hardware in response to a mechanical overspeed condition or an electrical signal from a flight control computer. The asymmetry/overspeed brake unit comprising a brake housing having a rotatable main shaft running axially therethrough and a locking mechanism, a braking mechanism, a mechanical trip mechanism, and an electrical trip mechanism, all contained within the brake housing. The asymmetry/overspeed brake unit further comprising a mechanical reset mechanism and a trip indication mechanism, both contained within the brake housing.

Abstract: The use of two variable displacement over-center hydraulic motors 12,14 in conjunction with a torque-summing gearbox 16 for maintaining the torque output of a power drive unit 10 in a typical closed loop control system is described. The torque output of the power drive unit 10 is maintained as either the sum or the difference of the torque outputs produced by the two variable displacement over-center hydraulic motors 12,14, depending upon the required system performance. This present invention use overcomes the problems associated with a single variable displacement over-center hydraulic motor operating in the stick-slip zone.

Abstract: A drive shaft fitting or coupling having multiple symmetrically disposed spaced apart splines. The splines are configured with substantially flat perpendicular lateral surfaces, with defined upper corners, and the spacings between adjacent splines have radiused bases terminating in defined lower corners at the point of intersection with the lateral surfaces of the splines. The corners of the splines retard slippage and the radiused bases provide load distribution thereby reducing the stress imposed on the tubing at the interface between the coupling. In a specific embodiment, a circumferential recess is additionally formed in the fitting or coupling adjacent the inner ends of the splines to provide axial retention. In the coupling embodiment, one end is formed with exposed radially extending splines and spacings for engagement with a drive shaft and the other end is formed with an appropriate geometry for connection with other fittings and drive line components.

Abstract: A light weight, quiet and emergency safe, portable "jaws of life" spreading tool actuated by an electric motor. Full high torque at any position, with spreading or cutting motions under high loads is achieved by the use of a rotary, multiple stage, speed reducing gearbox driven by the motor. The gearbox contains an input stage from the electric motor running on a 12 volt DC power supply, and a compound planetary output stage. The arms or jaws of the device are separately driven by the planetary or spindle gears and, for convenience, are attached to external rings on the gears, by heavy duty pins.

Abstract: A torque transmission shaft assembly for connecting a drive shaft and driven shaft which are mutually spaced less than the length of the assembly. The assembly includes a rigid elongated hollow rod member having a body portion and first and second open end portions. Each end portion is adapted to receive either the drive or driven shafts, and is provided with internal involute splines for mating with corresponding external splines on the shafts to be connected by the assembly. The first end portion has an axially displaceable stop member and a biasing spring compressible by displacement of the stop member away from the open first end, for biasing the stop member against the shaft received in the first end portion. The second end portion has a rigid stop at the end of its internal splines, for abutting against the end of the shaft receivable therein.

Abstract: A rotary geared actuator for pivotally connecting a flap to a wing of an aircraft, includes at least two adjacent actuator slices rotatably coupled together, each actuator slice including a sun gear rotatably coupled to a drive shaft and having gear teeth with a curved profile to enable movement of the actuator slices with respect to each other in conformance with bending of the wing, planetary gears in surrounding and meshing engagement with the gear teeth of the sun gear, a movable ring gear in surrounding and meshing engagement with the planetary gears, and a fixed ring gear in surrounding and meshing engagement with the planetary gears on opposite sides of the movable ring gear, each fixed ring gear being in meshing engagement only with planetary gears of one actuator slice; at least one fixed side tie bar connecting each fixed ring gear with the wing; at least one movable flap side tie bar connecting each movable ring gear with the flap; securing pins for securing each fixed side tie bar to one fixed rin

Abstract: A rotary hinge actuator, for instance for rotating a wing flap relative to a wing in an aircraft, has a sun gear, several spindle gears around the sun gear and several annular gear sleeves around the sun gear and spindle gears. Each spindle gear has sections with external helical gear teeth which are slanted in the same direction and which respectively mesh with internal helical gear teeth on the annular gear sleeves. At least one of the sleeves is connected to the wing and at least another to the wing flap. Upon rotating the spindle gears the wing flap is rotated relative to the wing.

Abstract: The bidirectional, torque-limiting, drive and brake mechanism has an input and output drive shafts and a helical spring which is normally in interference fit with the mechanism housing and, in the torque transmitting mode of operation, is disengaged to permit torque transmission by a direct mechanical coupling between the input and output drive shafts. The torque-limiting component, which functions to interrupt transmission of rotation from the input drive shaft to the output drive shaft upon a predetermined torque load, is adjustable to a selected predetermined torque load in the field.

Abstract: A dual function torque limiter/no-back device for limiting torque to an output member and for preventing transmission of torque from such output member comprising a casing, an input member supported for rotation in the casing and connected to a source of rotary power to be driven by the latter. Also an output member is supported for rotation in the casing and connected to a load to be rotated. A drive coupling assembly is connected to the input and output members for transmitting torque from the input member to the output member and having torque response means operative at a predetermined torque value. A brake assembly is disposed in the housing and is operative to positions of engagement and disengagement.