Abstract: An apparatus and a method is disclosed for configuring a spring arm retaining ring which is contained by a groove that is put into a bore, such that the concentricity of the ring to a male part which is installed into the bore is limited to an extent that allows the ring to enter a tapered bore leading to the ring bore, and compresses the outside diameter of the ring. The male part that is installed into the bore includes a configuration which cooperates with the retaining ring, and may or may not be a portion of the part, or assembled to the part. The combination of the ring disclosed and the cooperating portion allows a retaining ring to be installed by pushing the male part, that is to be retained in the bore, into the bore.

Abstract: An exhaust system hanger has a flat serpentine spring encapsulated by an elastomeric block. The spring provides the stiffness to support and retain accelerations. The elastomeric member provides an absorptive member for noise and a dampening means for vibration.

Abstract: A conduit assembly has a retainer with a pair of retaining elements. The first of the retainers maintains a seal in the housing assembly. The second retainer retains the conduit in the housing. One of the retainers has arms with an overall U-shape including at one end, one of the arms being coupled with its ring and at the other end, the arm includes a mechanism for abutting the annular bead to retain the conduit in the housing. The arms include an insert which may be of different material to retain the conduit within the housing.

Abstract: This invention discloses a device by which fuel flow within a pressurized fuel system can accurately be measured to determine if the flow of fuel falls within an acceptable range. If the device detects that the fuel flow is not within normal operating ranges of the fuel system, then the device will provide a warning indication that a malfunction or fuel leakage is present in the fuel system or shut off power to the fuel pump providing the flow of fuel. The detection device can either be a device which detects the actual flow of the through the fuel line, or a device which detects the pressure within the fuel line. By this invention, a pending malfunction, such as fuel filter blockage or leaking fuel line, can be ascertained before the malfunction becomes a serious problem.

Abstract: A quick connect assembly for use with tubular conduits is disclosed as comprising a housing with flange portions which prevent separation of the conduits by abutting with the retaining insert of a retainer element. When desired, the conduits can be separated by depressing surface areas attached to flexion configuration arms thereby providing clearance between the flange portions and the retaining inserts so the retaining element can be pulled away from the housing.

Abstract: A variable shock absorbing compressional mounting apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing assembly having first and second housing portions, with the second housing portion being operable to move slidably partially inwardly and outwardly relative to the first housing portion, and a cylindrical, elongated elastomer member having a cylindrical, serpentine-shaped spring therein disposed coaxially within said housing assembly. The elongated elastomer member and elongated serpentine-shaped spring operate cooperatively to provide damping characteristics which vary with the compressional and tensional forces exerted on the elastomer member. When the apparatus is secured to two structures moving towards and away from each other in an oscillatory fashion with varying force, the apparatus operates to dampen the oscillatory motions of the structures in accordance with a first damping characteristic until a predetermined force is reached.

Abstract: A means is disclosed by which the operational temperature of a sealed relatively rotating device may be achieved at lower than recommended operational temperatures for the elastomer compound used as the sealing material.

Abstract: A swivellable fitting assembly has a housing with a stem with a rotatable nipple on the stem. The rotatable nipple is sealed and spaced from the nipple to enable rotation of the nipple or housing with respect to one another.

Abstract: A bleed-down connector assembly is described which employs a rotatable cap for controlling the axial movement of the conduit in the connector housing between the sealed and bleed-down positions. The cap is mounted concentrically over the housing for both rotational and axial movement with respect to the connector housing. The cap includes a wall portion which is formed to engage a retainer associated with the connector assembly for retaining or maintaining the conduit in the housing. The housing is formed to provide a ramp of varying axial length and the cap is formed with a plurality of depending spring-like tabs which engage the ramp and limit the axial movement of the cap with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A swivelable quick connect assembly for use with tubular conduits is disclosed as comprising a housing having an axial bore for receiving one end of the conduit, an elastomeric ring-like seal is disposed in the bore for providing a fluid tight seal between confronting portions of the conduit and the housing, an annular bushing is disposed in the bore for positioning the seal and for guiding the one end of the conduit into nesting relationship with the bore, and a retainer is detachably secured to the housing and is cooperable with an annular projection on the conduit for securing the conduit in its operative position within the bore, the retainer having resilient deformable portions which are adapted to snap over the locking wall upon insertion of the conduit into the housing bore.

Abstract: A port is described which will lock on to a standard hose and clamp nipple end, and accommodate more axial mis-match between the axis of the port and nipple than is normally experienced in the fabrication of piping to join between two devices. A releasing member which will release the male from the port can also be included. When two ports are used in a sleeve-like device 20 in FIG. 1, and releasers 18 in FIG. 1, pipe 12 can be joined to nipple 14 as shown. Sleeve 20 can be slipped (and shipped) completely on to pipe 12, allowing installation of pipe 12 by simply positioning pipe 12 in the installed position, and sliding sleeve 20 over nipple 14. Removal requires operating releaser 18 and moving sleeve 20 back onto pipe 12. The system easily replaces existing hose and clamp installations, but is repairable in the field with a hose and clamps.

Abstract: A fluid-tight coupling device comprising at least one lock sleeve to secure a flexible rolling diaphragm to a dirt shield and/or inner cylinder of an air adjustable shock absorber. The coupling device incorporates the use of tapered angles on the inner cylinder and dirt shield of the shock absorber. A tapered angle is also incorporated on the lock sleeve. The lock sleeve holds the flexible rolling diaphragm to the dirt shield and inner cylinder without the use of threads, crimps or adjustable clamping assemblies.

Abstract: A swivelable quick connect assembly for use with tubular conduits is disclosed as comprising a housing having an axial bore for receiving one end of the conduit, an elastomeric ring-like seal is disposed in the bore for providing a fluid tight seal between confronting portions of the conduit and the housing, an annular bushing is disposed in the bore for positioning the seal and for guiding the one end of the conduit into nesting relationship with the bore, and a retainer is detachably secured to the housing and is cooperable with an annular projection on the conduit for securing the conduit in its operative position within the bore, the retainer having resilient deformable portions which are adapted to snap over the locking wall upon insertion of the conduit into the housing bore.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing friction at the interface between a liquid and a solid. A solid interface member includes a plurality of apertures over the entire surface which are to be in contact with the liquid. The apertures are of a size and dimension such that the surface tension of the liquid will not allow the liquid to pass through the apertures, but which will allow a gaseous material with less surface tension than the liquid to pass therethrough. The gaseous material is thereafter motivated through the apertures to interpose a gaseous layer at the liquid solid interface which reduces the drag coefficient therebetween, which would otherwise result from relative motion between the solid interface member and the liquid.

Abstract: A swivelable quick connect assembly for use with tubular conduits is disclosed as comprising a housing having an axial bore for receiving one end of the conduit, an elastomeric ring-like seal is disposed in the bore for providing a fluid tight seal between confronting portions of the conduit and the housing, an annular bushing is disposed in the bore for positioning the seal and for guiding the one end of the conduit into nesting relationship with the bore, and a retainer is detachably secured to the housing and is cooperable with an annular projection on the conduit for securing the conduit in its operative position within the bore, the retainer having resilient deformable portions which are adapted to snap over the locking wall upon insertion of the conduit into the housing bore.

Abstract: A releasable, swivelable, quick connector assembly comprises a tubular male member, a tubular female member having an end portion configured to mate with the male member when inserted therewithin, and a retainer member including means for preselectively resisting assembly of said male member into said female member where said retainer is preassembled onto male member and where said retainer is preassembled into said female member.

Abstract: A union enabling a rigid pipe to replace a flexible hose in applications where there is no relative movement of the points connected by the pipe and union. The new union accommodates the movements required for installation and removal, and accommodates the tolerances that are encountered during all manufacturing and assembly steps.

Abstract: A holder for protection and handling of a brittle electrical conductor element, such as a ceramic superconductor, limited in its ability to withstand tensile and compression forces exerted thereon and bending along its axial length beyond a predetermined arcuate path. The holder has a flexible housing which encompasses and protects the superconductor element. A helically disposed strengthening element is integral with the housing. The strengthening element resists tensile forces exerted on the housing in an axial direction and resists radially imposed forces on the housing isolating the superconductor element from these forces. The strengthening element also provides for limited arcuate bending of the housing for limiting the bending beyond a predetermined arcuate path.

Abstract: The method disclosed allows the bending of tubular structures with much smaller radius bends than is normally acceptable for the diameter of the tubing section that is being bent. The method is very useful for making various fittings which perform bent routing functions in piping systems. The method also allows more controllable stretching of the tube metal, because stretching is done prior to bending of the angle.

Abstract: A swivelable quick connect assembly for use with tubular conduits is disclosed as comprising a housing having an axial bore for receiving one end of the conduit, an elastomeric ring-like meal is disposed in the bore for providing a fluid tight seal between confronting portions of the conduit and the housing, an annular bushing is disposed in the bore for positioning the seal and for guiding the one end of the conduit into nesting relationship with the bore, and a retainer is detachably secured to the housing and is cooperable with an annular projection on the conduit for securing the conduit in its operative position within the bore, the retainer having resilient deformable portions which are adapted to snap over the locking wall upon insertion of the conduit into the housing bore.