Abstract: An improved method of producing a powdered metal aluminum base bearing material is provided. A bearing strip composed of three layers of sintered aluminum base particles which has been roll clad to a rigid backing layer is subjected to a heat treatment procedure in a continuous manner at a temperature of from about 700.degree. F. to about 900.degree. F. for at least thirty seconds and then cooled at a rate of at least 100.degree. F./hr. Bearings made from the resulting material show dramatic fatigue life improvement in comparison to that obtainable with currently available powdered metal aluminum bearing materials.

Abstract: A method for bonding a coating material to a substrate wherein the properties of the substrate material need to be precisely controlled which comprises providing a substrate which is to be coated, supplying a brazing material adapted to come into contact with and coat at least a part of the substrate, positioning a sheet of coating material distributed in a polytetrafluoroethylene fibrous material in close proximity to said substrate, heating said substrate and coating and brazing materials to a temperature which starts melting of said braze material wherein said heating is done by an induction generator thereby allowing for precisely controlled heating effect, and cooling said substrate, braze and coating material, thereby bonding said coating material to the substrate.

Abstract: A releasable push-to-connect tube fitting wherein a collet receiving the tube end is provided with longitudinally extending inner slots permitting constriction of the inner end of the collet about the tube end in the made-up condition of the fitting. The slots are sized so as to limit the constriction so as to maintain the outer diameter of the inner end of the collet greater than the minimum diameter of the confronting camming surface of the fitting body member, thereby effectively positively retaining the collet in the body member upon assembly of the fitting elements. The collet further includes an enlarged outer end exposed exteriorly of the fitting body in the made-up arrangement of the fitting for facilitated fingertip manipulation of the collet in releasing the tube from the fitting when desired. The collet is retained in the outer end of the body by constrictive deformation of the body outer end portion after installation of the inner portion of the collet therein.

Abstract: A hydraulic solenoid valve having a self-contained spool positioning spring and washer solenoid tube assembly. The valve body is provided with a novel arrangement of ports providing for minimized pressure differential between the opposite ends of the valve chamber so as to facilitate positioning of the spool and permit utilization of a light biasing spring and high force solenoids. The port configuration permits minimizing the overall height of the valve body while yet providing for a relatively large cross section tank port, providing the desirable low pressure differential between the opposite ends of the valve chamber. The biasing assemblies further provide for reduced effect of the pressure differential on the spool valve end shafts, thereby further facilitating repositioning of the spool in the neutral position by the biasing springs.

Abstract: A female coupling includes an outer housing and a cartridge removably mounted in the housing. The cartridge includes a retainer sleeve which is stationary within the housing, a valve body and a spool attached to the valve body which are slidable axially within the housing, and a valve which is slidable axially within the valve body. A seal on the retainer sleeve seals a port in the spool when the female coupling is connected to a male coupling, and the spool is axially movable relative to the seal to relieve the internal pressure in the female coupling during connection and disconnection of the male coupling. A piston is slidably mounted within the valve body to assist in closing the valve during disconnection.

Abstract: An insulative coupling for coupling a first tube to a second tube for fluid flow therebetween. The coupling includes an insulative washer and an insulative bushing cooperating with a flange connector associated with one of the coupling body elements to provide an electrically insulative connection between the coupled tubes. An O-ring is utilized in conjunction with a face seal radially inwardly of the washer to provide a high pressure seal between the coupling elements. The washer and bushing include axially extending flange portions having snug fits with associated components of the coupling to provide for facilitated and accurate assembly.

Abstract: A method for bonding a high temperature resistant polymeric material to an aluminum base substrate is disclosed using an alkaline bath comprising an alkali metal salt, an alkali metal carbonate and a water soluble salt of an alkaline earth metal selected from the group consisting of calcium, barium, strontium and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A metal article such as a piston for a diesel engine has at least one portion which includes a matrix composite reinforced by inorganic ceramic fibers, wherein the density of fibers and/or the fiber orientation in the matrix composite is varied to provide superior resistance to thermal fatigue while having superior strength and wear characteristics.

Abstract: A self-stabilizing dry viscous spring damper is provided for absorbing shock that is particularly resistant to instability due to nonaxial deformation. The damper comprises opposed first and second outer housing members which are elastomerically associated with a shear spring. A selectively pressurizable gas chamber is provided having a subchamber disposed in association therewith which includes, preferably, a plurality of elastomeric particles. A rigid structural assembly with deformable bushing and metal bearing members is included in the damper for stabilizing the device upon relative compressive movement of the first and second outer housing members. That is, the deformable bushing is provided to allow controlled nonaxial deformation to a maximum predetermined limit. Past this maximum deformation limit nonaxial forces are entirely carried by the rigid assembly.

Abstract: A dry viscous spring strut is provided having at least a top outer housing member, a bottom outer housing member, a shear spring elastomerically associating the top outer housing member to the bottom outer housing member, a selectively pressurizable gas chamber, a subchamber disposed in association with the gas chamber including a plurality of elastomeric particles, a rigid structural member associated with the top outer housing member, and a bearing portion associated with the bottom outer housing member to receive the structural member. The structural member is received in the bearing portion to bear side loading forces to the strut and to limit nonaxial deformation of the strut. Relative movement between the top and the bottom housing members operates to stress the shear spring and the elastomeric particles, vary the pressurization of the gas chamber and subchamber, and vary the positioning of the structural member relative to the bearing portion to absorb shock and dissipate energy imparted to the strut.

Abstract: A flareless tube fitting having a nose portion defining a sharp biting edge for sealingly retaining a tube end with a body member 11 of the fitting. Vibration forces acting on the tube end outwardly of the fitting are blocked from passing to the biting edge by a rounded support outwardly of the sleeve nose portion. The rounded support is formed by a tilting of a deflectible portion of the ferrule extending outwardly from the deformable ring portion and caused to be tilted so as to urge the ring portion radially inwardly into the tube end by the threaded advance of the nut member on the body member in the makeup of the fitting.

Abstract: A self-stabilizing dry viscous spring damper is provided for absorbing shock that is particularly resistant to instability due to nonaxial deformation. The damper comprises opposed first and second outer housing members which are elastomerically associated with a shear spring. A selectively pressurizable gas chamber is provided having a subchamber disposed in association therewith which includes, preferably, a plurality of elastomeric particles. A rigid structural assembly with deformable bushing and metal bearing members is included in the damper for stabilizing the device upon relative compressive movement of the first and second outer housing members. That is, the deformable bushing is provided to allow controlled nonaxial deformation to a maximum predetermined limit. Past this maximum deformation limit nonaxial forces are entirely carried by the rigid assembly.

Abstract: An inorganic composition adapted for use in bonding a high temperature resistant polymeric material to an aluminum base substrate is provided. The composition is obtained by reacting a first inorganic compound containing chromium and oxygen with a second inorganic compound containing at least one element selected from the group consisting essentially of calcium, barium and strontium to form a reaction product containing chromium, oxygen and at least one element selected from the group essentially consisting of calcium, barium and strontium. A method of bonding a high temperature resistant polymeric material to an aluminum base substrate using the above composition is also provided.

Abstract: A valve structure (10) wherein a main valve (11) is controlled by a pilot valve (15) which is normally selectively positioned by the coaction of a solenoid coil (17) and plunger (16). A manual override structure (22) is provided for selectively permitting normal control of the pilot valve by the solenoid, or causing a fast repositioning of the plunger against the action of the normal biasing spring 50 thereof.

Abstract: A cartridge solenoid poppet valve (10) arranged to use a single size pilot valve (31) with any one of a set of a plurality of different size sets of valve seat members (14) and poppet valves (24). Pilot guides (175) are provided having different transverse extents to accommodate such different size valve members. The valve further includes a flatted pilot guide (32) defining flow passages communicated between a transfer chamber (35) and a pilot valve chamber (30) in which the pilot valve (31) is disposed. A T-slot (58) is provided in the solenoid plunger (38) extending fully diametrically thereacross and the pilot valve includes a T-shaped connecting head (71) received therein. The plunger (38) and plug (41) define cooperating stop surfaces (67,70) for maintaining a small spacing between the plunger and plug at all times. Solenoid structure (53) includes a parallelepiped frame (46) defining a space with the solenoid coil (44) received therein.

Abstract: A tube connection having a resilient seal ring captured between a support structure at the inner end thereof and a retaining structure at the outer end thereof within an outwardly opening recess of a fitting body. The support structure is retained to the distal end of the tube to be connected against axially inward displacement therefrom. Close fits are provided between the elements of the fitting so as to effectively preclude extrusion of the seal material therebetween from the sealing space. The retaining structure in certain embodiments is defined by an annular projection on the nut member extending into the recess. In certain embodiments, the retaining structure is disposed outwardly of the recess and the sealing sleeve extends outwardly into engagement therewith. In one illustrated embodiment, the sealing sleeve is defined by an O-ring. In a number of the embodiments, the support structure is formed integrally with the tube end.

Abstract: A cartridge solenoid poppet valve (10) arranged to use a single size pilot valve (31) with any one of a set of a plurality of different size sets of valve seat members (14) and poppet valves (24). Pilot guides (175) are provided having different transverse extents to accommodate such different size valve members. The valve further includes a flatted pilot guide (32) defining flow passages communicated between a transfer chamber (35) and a pilot valve chamber (30) in which the pilot valve (31) is disposed. A T-slot (58) is provided in the solenoid plunger (38) extending fully diametrically thereacross and the pilot valve includes a T-shaped connecting head (71) received therein. The plunger (38) and plug (41) define cooperating stop surfaces (67,70) for maintaining a small spacing between the plunger and plug at all times.

Abstract: An electrical control circuit particularly adapted for providing high current pulses in a wide frequency pulse range. The circuit is comprised of a timing and control circuit, a high power switching circuit, and an interfacing isolating circuit. The timing and control circuit includes a plurality of variable frequency pulse generators whose outputs are distinguished and combined to form a single wave signal. The power switching circuit includes a plurality of high speed switches for applying high current pulses to a load in associated response to the wave signal. The isolating circuit includes a plurality of isolating switches for insulating the timing and control circuit from interference from the power switching circuit while permitting the timing and control circuit output to control the application of higher energy and frequency pulses by the power switching circuit to a load than was heretofore available.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting the frequency of operation of a radio frequency circuit including an inductive loop having an adjustable exposed inductor portion is provided. The frequency of operation of the circuit is first detected with means for detecting a parameter relating to and representing the frequency of operation. The adjustable inductor portion is associated with a selectively movable actuator device coupled to the frequency detecting means and a source of signals representing a predetermined frequency of operation for the circuit. A control circuit means, preferably a computer, is coupled to the detecting means and to the source of signals to provide an output control signal when the detected frequency of operation bears a predetermined relationship to the predetermined frequency of operation.

Abstract: A device is provided for sensing the condition of a pneumatic tire preferably of the type used on an automobile wherein the tire is mounted on a tire rim and the tire is subject to normal vibrations. The device comprises a housing, a band for mounting the housing to the tire rim, a sensor for monitoring the condition within the tire, circuitry operatively connected to the sensor for generating radio signals indicative of the tire condition, power supply operatively connected to the circuitry and a receiver for receiving the radio signals. The power supply includes a piezoelectric reed having a base portion and an end portion. The base portion is elastomerically bonded to the housing. A tuning mass member is mounted to the end portion and is configured for mating abutment against stop members which limit the flexure stroke of the piezoelectric reed and inhibit compound bending of the reed.