Abstract: A pedal system including a support base, a first lever including a root portion and a terminal portion formed such that the terminal portion interfaces with the root portion at a bend in the first lever of a first predetermined angle, the root portion of the first lever being pivotally mounted to the support base such that the first lever is rotatable in a first plane of rotation about an axis of rotation at or near the support base, a second lever including a root portion and a terminal portion formed such that the terminal portion interfaces with the root portion at a bend in the second lever of a second predetermined angle, the root portion of the second lever being pivotally mounted to the support base such that the second lever is rotatable in a second plane of rotation about the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A garment and system includes a monitoring fabric comprising a first plurality of reflective yarns knitted or woven with a second plurality of stretchable yarns. The fabric exhibits both a light transmission property and a light reflection property. The amount of light transmitted through the fabric relative to the amount of light reflected by the fabric changes when the fabric stretches in response to motion, such as the motion induced by physiological activity (e.g., heart rate). The system includes at least one source of radiation having wavelength(s) in the range of 400 to 2200 nanometers and at least one detector responsive to such incident radiation. The source and detector are associated with the fabric such that the reception of incident radiation by the detector is directly affected by a change in the amount of light transmitted through the fabric relative to the amount of light reflected by the fabric when the fabric stretches.

Abstract: A method for forming temporary protective coatings and bondable surfaces is disclosed. In the method, a soluble layer is disposed on a material surface, such as the interior surfaces of cell walls of a web material. The soluble material is then removed or leached from the web material to form and expose a roughly textured, bondable surface for bonding with another material, such as AVCOAT insulation. Use of the soluble layer, therefore, enhances the bondability of any surface that requires good adhesion, such as where the surface is difficult to reach for conventional surface preparation techniques.

Abstract: A device for measuring and isolating noise-creating imbalances in a paired telecommunications line has an internal circuit which comprises a balanced center tapped termination consisting of precisely equal resistor pairs. The circuit includes an adjustable sine wave burst generator which generates a low voltage longitudinal ac signal that is transmitted across the balanced pathways. A differential amplifier in the circuit measures this difference and displays it in units of noise or balance. The output of the differential amplifier is transmitted to an analog-to-digital converter. A microprocessor collects the samples in an array, and filters the results for presentation on a display. Advantageously, the microprocessor provides for adjustable and selectable bandpass filtering.

Abstract: A garment and system includes a monitoring fabric that exhibits a light reflection property and substantially no light transmission property when the fabric is illuminated with light having wavelength(s) in the range of 400 to 2200 nanometers. The amount of useful light reflected by the fabric into an aperture of acceptance defined with respect to an axis extending from the fabric relative to the amount of light lost to the aperture of acceptance detectably changes when the fabric stretches in response to motion, as the motion induced by physiological activity (e.g., heart rate). The system includes at least one radiation source and at least one radiation detector, with the detector disposed in the aperture of acceptance.

Abstract: The “Ground Resistance Test” provides a circuit and test setup for measuring the resistance of earth grounds. The ground resistance test uses the central office battery from a working telephone pair to source current into the “Tested Ground”. First the quiescent voltage (Vo) on the Tested Ground with respect to a removable ground rod is measured and recorded. Then the ring side of a working pair is connected to the Tested Ground and the office battery draws current (I) from the Tested Ground. The voltage (Vi) on the Tested Ground with respect to the removable ground rod is again measured with dc current flowing. Voltage fall Vf is computed as (Vi?Vo). The ohms (R) of the Tested Ground is then displayed as R=Vf/I. In the event that central office battery is unavailable, the Ground Resistance Tester will provide an optional current rod and internal battery source.

Abstract: A locking assembly has a base and a rotary shaft which is capable of rotating relative to the base. The rotary shaft has a shaft body and a set of capture portions supported by the shaft body. The locking assembly further includes a set of detention mechanisms supported by the base. The set of detention mechanisms is arranged to (i) initially apply retention force to the set of capture portions to provide resistance against rotation of the rotary shaft from an initial angular position, and (ii) remove application of the retention force from the set of capture portions in response to an amount of rotational torque on the rotary shaft. The amount of rotational torque on the rotary shaft exceeds a predetermined threshold and is sufficient to substantially rotate the rotary shaft from the initial angular position.

Abstract: A guidable projectile has a nose member, a projectile body, and a nose member articulation assembly which couples the nose member to the projectile body. The nose member articulation assembly includes a stator attached to the nose member, a rotor attached to the projectile body, and rotational support hardware interconnecting the stator to the rotor. The stator defines a central axis. The rotational support hardware is constructed and arranged to guide rotation of the rotor around the central axis defined by the stator. Such a guidable projectile enables circuitry such as the driver of the stator and the power source to reside at fixed locations relative to the stator thus alleviating the need for slip rings which would otherwise present potential points of failure.

Abstract: A light-weight utility vehicle floorboard is provided having a pair of frame channels formed in an interior portion of the floorboard. The frame channels receive a pair of vehicle frame struts therewithin. The floorboard additionally has formed therein a plurality of load dispersing structural ribs (LDSRs) between the frame channels and sides of the floorboard. The LDSRs spread a force generated by a low-speed side impact to the floorboard such that the vehicle frame struts are not damaged. The LDSRs also transfer passenger loads exerted on the outer portions of the floorboard to the DS and PS frame struts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of vacuum bagging parts being adhered with an epoxy. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) beads are disposed into a cavity defined by the parts to be adhered. These beads will flow to all of the areas of the parts and will not stick to the adhesive. Next, a bagging material is placed over the parts and beads and vacuum is created underneath the material. This administers pressure to the bag which transfers the pressure to the beads and then the parts to ensure proper curing.

Abstract: A rear body panel for a golf car includes a seat support portion and a bag well portion disposed rearward from the seat support portion. The rear body panel also includes a pair of wheel wells disposed on opposite sides of the bag well portion. The seat support portion includes a discontinuous recessed flange, a lower end trim edge, and at least one tab for limiting movement of the rear body panel on the golf car. Stiffening ribs are also included adjacent the wheel wells, and hand hold apertures are further included. The bag well portion includes a front wall portion, a pair of outwardly sloped side walls, and a floor portion with an impact absorption feature.

Abstract: A reel mower assembly having a frame and a reel rotatably mounted to the frame. The reel is a casting having spatially separated end members and a plurality of cross members homogenously connected to the end members. One or more support rings can also be positioned between the end members and homogenously connected to the cross members. A drive is operable to rotate the reel about a reel axis.

Abstract: A walk-behind mower includes a frame, and a cutting unit connected to the frame and at least one cutting element. Interchangeable power unit support assemblies are each adapted to support either a reciprocating engine or a battery unit. One of the power unit support assemblies is releasably connected to the frame. An electric motor is provided to displace the cutting element. An output voltage generated by either the reciprocating engine or the battery unit mounted on the power unit support assembly energizes the electric motor.

Abstract: An explosive device detection system includes sensors and base station that detect and report on suspected Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) or landmine emplacement activity within a geographic area. When disposed within a geographic area, each sensor forms part of a wireless communications network which allows communication among neighboring sensors. As a sensor detects activity in its proximity, such as activity that indicates emplacement of an IED, the sensor transmits a reporting signal through the network to the base station. The neighboring sensors receive and transmit the reporting signal in a sequential manner toward the base station. Because the reporting signal takes multiple hops toward the base station, the sensors do not require large amounts of power to transmit the signal. Furthermore, the detection system allows detection of IED emplacement within the geographic area as the activity occurs.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism has a housing and a rotary actuator carried by the housing. The rotary actuator includes a shaft and armature disposed around at least a portion of the shaft. The armature is configured to rotate the shaft about a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The locking mechanism also has a cam carried by the shaft and a set of locking balls disposed between the cam and the housing. The locking mechanism has a locking assembly carried by the housing, the locking assembly being axially positionable between a locked position relative to the housing and a released position relative to the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and process which is a computer aided application using artificial intelligence modeling. This artificial intelligence model is able to predict the propensity for sheet metal parts to wrinkle when manufactured using a hydro forming process. The model uses geometric and material parameters to predict defects and facilitates defect predictions certainty into the ordinarily arduous redesign process directed at eliminating defects.

Abstract: A mechanical flight control system for a rotary-wing aircraft is disclosed. The flight control system comprises an upstream portion, a downstream portion, and a booster means for connecting the upstream portion to the downstream portion. The booster means may comprise dual concentric valve actuators and/or a variety of system load limiting features.

Abstract: Energy active composite yarns include at least one textile fiber member of either an elastic or inelastic material, and at least one functional substantially planar filament, which surrounds or covers the textile fiber member. The composite yarns can include an optional stress-bearing member, which also surrounds or covers the textile fiber member. The composite yarns may be multifunctional, meaning the functional substantially planar filament can exhibit combinations of electrical, optical, magnetic, mechanical, chemical, semiconductive, and/or thermal energy properties.

Abstract: An assembly for providing flexure to a blade of a rotary blade system, the assembly including an upper support plate having an upper curved surface, a lower support plate having a lower curved surface, and a yoke positioned therebetween. At least one of the upper and lower yoke surfaces having a layer of cushioning material positioned thereon and secured thereto. The layer of cushioning material extending along and following the general contour of yoke surface, and the layer of cushioning material directly contacting a support plate. Another embodiment is an assembly for providing flexure to a blade of a rotary blade system, including, an upper support plate having an upper curved surface, a lower support plate having a lower curved surface, and a yoke positioned therebetween and directly contacting the support plates wherein one of the curved surfaces is a non-circular arc that does not form part of the circumference of a circle.

Abstract: A hole saw includes a depth stop for limiting the depth of penetration of the hole saw into a workpiece. The blade of the hole saw includes a plurality of slots, one of which is used to receive the depth stop. The depth stop is mounted to the blade by positioning a portion of the depth stop within the slot and sliding the depth stop from an unsecured position to a secured position. Once in the secured position, a locking member is moved within the depth stop to secure the depth stop in place. In use, the blade is advanced through the workpiece until the depth stop contacts the proximal surface of the workpiece.