Abstract: A flexible wall spring damper including opposed first and second rigid mounting members interconnected by a flexible side wall is provided. A spring damper chamber is included within the flexible wall and is interposed between the opposed rigid mounting members. A plurality of elastomeric particles are included in the damper chamber. A selectively pressurizable gas chamber is interposed between the rigid mounting members and the flexible side walls. In one embodiment of the invention, a flexible diaphragm connected to one of the rigid mounting members defines the selectively pressurizable gas chamber. In another embodiment of the invention, a spiral tube defines the flexible side wall and includes an inner chamber including the plurality of elastomeric particles. Relative movement between the opposed rigid mounting members operates to stress the flexible side wall and the plurality of elastomeric particles, and vary the volume of the selectively pressurizable gas chamber.

Abstract: A dry viscous spring damper is provided particularly adapted for absorbing shocks, dissipating energy and load carrying and leveling of a vehicle. The spring damper is comprised of a first housing member at least partially received in a second housing member and joined at the second housing member with an elastomeric shear spring. The spring damper has a first chamber separated from a second chamber by an elastomeric diaphragm. A valve is provided for selectively pressurizing the second chamber with pressurized gas or air. A plurality of elastomeric particles are included in the first chamber whereby relative movement between the housing members operates to stress the shear spring and the elastomeric particles, and vary the volumes of the first and second chambers.

Abstract: A shrouded type fluid coupling is provided with a valve in the shroud for permitting fluid flow through the shroud in one direction and for preventing fluid flow through the shroud in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A wear-resistant metallic article is provided which comprises a metallic substrate, a barrier layer of a metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, alloys of nickel, copper and alloys of copper on a surface of the metallic substrate and a layer of wear-resistant material bonded to the substrate, with the wear-resistant material including a mixture of nickel aluminide in a copper base matrix.

Abstract: The wear resistant insert is an annular ring of austenitic iron alloy. It has a peripheral surface which conforms to the exterior of the piston into which it is to be cast. A plurality of frangible tabs project outward from the periphery. When casting a piston, the insert is supported on a ledge in a die cavity. A predetermined amount of aluminum alloy is poured into the die cavity and the cavity is closed by a punch. The punch applies a force on the solidifying alloy. As the aluminum alloy shrinks during solidification, the pressure severs the frangible tabs allowing the insert to shift.

Abstract: A female quick disconnect coupling includes a locking mechanism which requires different forces to connect and disconnect a male coupling. A tubular housing is slidably mounted within a sleeve, and a pair of coil springs are mounted between the housing and the sleeve. Only one of the springs is compressed as the housing moves in one direction within the sleeve to permit a male coupling to be connected to the female coupling. Both springs are compressed as the housing moves in the other direction to permit the male coupling to be disconnected, thereby requiring a relatively high force to disconnect the couplings.

Abstract: A dust cap for a fluid coupling includes a generally cylindrical body which is mounted on the coupling and an end wall at one end of the cylindrical body. The end wall is provided with a slit therein for permitting another coupling to be inserted through the end wall and a stress relief opening at each end of the slit. A flexible and resilient flap covers each of the stress relief openings, and a fluid drain port is provided in the cylindrical body.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for maintaining tension on an endless drive member such as a belt or chain. A pulley or sprocket (10) is provided to impart a tensioning force to the drive member, the pulley being supported at one end of a torque arm (16) and the torque arm being pivotably mounted at its other end by a torque applying and oscillation damping assembly (18) comprising a lubricated elastomeric bushing assembly (26-34) and a coaxial, telescoped elastomeric spring assembly (36-48), whereby oscillations of the rubber spring, torque arm and pulley assembly are damped by the elastomeric bushing assembly. See FIGS. 1-3.

Abstract: A service connection including a first coupler adapter mounted to a service hose end fitting and a second coupler adapter mounted to a service fitting. In the illustrated embodiment, the adapters are threadedly connected to the hose end fitting and service fitting, respectively, and are provided with structure for effecting a quick connection between the adapters and, thus, between the service hose and service fitting. In one embodiment, the hose fitting adapter defines a rectilinear through passage, and in another embodiment, the hose fitting adapter defines a right angle turn flow passage. The hose fitting adapter is provided, in the illustrated embodiment, with a core depressor for engaging an opening in the core valve of the service fitting upon sealed connection of the adapters. The hose fitting adapter may be provided with a shutoff valve which is adapted to be opened by the engagement of the core depressor thereof with the core valve of the service fitting.

Abstract: A method for producing a machinable, high strength hot formed powdered ferrous base metal alloy is provided which comprises providing a particulate mixture consisting of, in weight percent, from about 1.0 to about 3.0 percent copper, from about 0.16 to about 0.35 percent sulfur, from about 0.4 to about 0.8 percent carbon, with the balance being iron plus from 0 to about 2 percent incidental impurities; forming this particulate mixture into a preformed article having a predetermined configuration; sintering the so-formed article at a temperature sufficient to produce the desired alloy; and subjecting the sintered article to a hot forming treatment to produce a hot formed, machinable, high strength ferrous base powdered metal alloy article having a density near theoretical.

Abstract: A hydraulic quick disconnect coupling wherein the female half is free of external moving parts and a spring loaded internal fitting is employed to maintain the halves in either coupled or uncoupled condition.

Abstract: A sintered powdered titanium alloy article is provided which has a density approaching theoretical and which is characterized by having physical properties similar to those of a wrought titanium alloy article having the same chemical composition.

Abstract: A tube bender construction for manual operation in bending a tube. The tube bender includes a mandrel defining a bending groove into which the tube is urged by a forming member mounted to the mandrel to swing about a bending axis of the bending groove. The tube to be bent is held against longitudinal movement during the bending operation by a tube holding member. Movement of the forming member about the bending axis is effected by manipulation of a pair of handles. The tube holding member is selectively retained in a retracted position spaced from the tube-retaining disposition by cooperating movement limiting structure on the tube holding member and structure in fixed association with the mandrel.

Abstract: A viscous spring damper including inner and outer members connected by an elastomeric shear spring and having a main fluid chamber defined therebetween for communication with a second fluid chamber in the inner member through a restricted orifice. The members are relatively movable for stressing the shear spring and varying the volumes of the chambers while fluid is transferred therebetween through the restricted orifice. An elastomeric bladder within the second fluid chamber is selectively chargeable with gas pressure for calibrating the damping characteristics, varying the initial spring rate or leveling a vehicle on which the damper is installed. Axially-spaced circumferential wear rings on the bladder minimize bladder abrasion against the inner wall of the inner member.

Abstract: A piezoelectric assembly with a flexible circuit interconnect is provided. The flexible circuit interconnect is comprised of a first flexible insulating base film including spaced electrically conductive circuit traces, a second flexible insulating film disposed over a portion of the first base film and a segment of the traces, and means for electrically connecting the traces to an electrical circuit. Also provided is a method for manufacturing a flexible circuit interconnect for a piezoelectric element comprising laminating spaced circuit traces on a flexible insulating base material to define a contact arrangement with a first set of terminal ends of the traces; attaching termination electrical connectors at a second set of terminal ends of the traces; mounting an insulating overlay to the base material for insulating a portion of the traces and electrical connectors; and, mounting a piezoelectric element to the contact arrangement.

Abstract: A tube bender construction for manual operation in bending a tube. The tube bender includes a mandrel defining a bending groove into which the tube is urged by a forming member mounted to the mandrel to swing about a bending axis of the bending groove. The tube to be bent is held against longitudinal movement during the bending operation by tube-holding structure arranged to clamp the tube against an extended groove portion of the mandrel. Movement of the forming member about the bending axis is effected by manipulation of a pair of handles which are arranged in offset manner to permit crossover of the handles and avoid interference between the user's hands thereon in the tube bending operation. The mandrel further defines an extension adapted for mounting thereof in a vise or the like. The handle connected to the mandrel is removably connected thereto as for removal when the mandrel is vise-mounted.

Abstract: A viscous spring damper for damping and levelling structural agitation comprising a first outer member joined to a connecting member by a first elastomeric shear spring, the first outer member including a first fluid chamber and a first elastomeric diaphragm. A second outer member is joined to the connecting member by a second elastomeric shear spring and includes a second fluid chamber and a second elastomeric diaphragm. The connecting member is comprised of a plurality of elastomeric flexible sections which are disposed to form a main fluid chamber communicating with the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber, and further includes restrictive orifice for restricting the flow of fluid in the main fluid chamber.

Abstract: The electroplating cell includes a reservoir of electroplating solution into which a workpiece supporting and locating structure is able to be lowered. The workpiece supporting structure supports and locates a plurality of semi-cylindrical bearing elements in a column around a cylindrical anode structure. A plating cavity is defined between the bearing elements and the anode structure. The anode structure includes a tubular anode basket having a plurality of apertures therein and a woven liner along its interior. A copper rod is attached to the anode basket and extends along its central axis for supplying electrical potential to pellets of the plating metal disposed within the anode basket and for rotating the anode basket. A plurality of vanes are attached to the exterior of the anode basket for rotation through the plating cavity to stir the plating solution.

Abstract: A quick disconnect coupling having locked valving wherein balls interposed between a shiftable valve element and a stationary guide and which normally emerge during valve seating are blocked by movement of a spring loaded sleeve responsive to high flow conditions from the male half to the female half.

Abstract: A tube bender construction wherein the forming member is swingably mounted to the form wheel to be adjustable toward and from the form wheel groove to accommodate variations in tube diameter and normal wear of portions of the tube bender during the life thereof. The form wheel defines a concave force transfer surface having an improved engagement with the tube to be bent so as to effectively improve maintained tube roundness for effectively minimized stress formation in the bent tube.