Abstract: An aircraft vehicle includes a body, including a front portion and a rearward tail portion, a single panel door constructed and arranged to close an access opening defined in a lower portion of the body, and a linkage between the body and the door. The linkage is constructed and arranged to move the door generally rearwardly and upwardly when the door is moved from a closed position to an opened position, so that the door is positioned below and adjacent to the rearward tail portion.

Abstract: Methods and systems for three-dimensional imaging through turbulence such as produced by the Earth's atmosphere are described. A first light source may direct an output of pulses to a target through atmospheric turbulence. A first image sensor, for example a time of arrival sensor or focal plane, may receive light from the first light source and may be used to record two-dimensional images or image slices of the target. A second light source may also be used. A second image sensor may receive light reflected from the target. An atmospheric point spread function may be derived or calculated by a means for multiframe blind deconvolution from one or more images of the target received at the second image sensor. The point spread function may be used to deblur or improve the resolution of each of the two-dimensional image slices from the first image sensor. The two-dimensional image slices may be combined to form a three-dimensional image of the target.

Abstract: The invention provides a cage nut assembly having a nut member and a cage member. The nut has a threaded aperture therethrough. The cage is capable of encaging the nut such that the nut has a limited range of movement within the cage in at least one dimension. The cage has an aperture therein sized and located to allow access to the threaded aperture of the nut within the range of movement of the nut. The cage has a plurality of protrusions, such as dimples or tabs, extending therefrom. At least one of the protrusions is formed in halves which abut against one another to define a seam therebetween. The protrusions are capable of being welded to a mating surface to secure the cage to a mating surface, and, substantially contemporaneously, the halves of the at least one protrusion are capable of being welded together along the seam.

Abstract: A window assembly cooperating with a window frame on a golf car includes a first window pane selectively coupled to the window frame. A second window pane is selectively coupled to the window frame and offset from the first window pane. A first pair of retaining members are arranged on the window frame in an installed position and movable between a retaining position wherein the retaining members retain the first window pane in an upright position and a release position wherein the retaining members are disengaged from the first window pane. Each of the first pair of retaining members are defined by a rigid frame having an integrally molded elastomeric body.

Abstract: A window assembly cooperating with a window frame on a golf car includes a first window pane selectively coupled to the window frame. A second window pane is selectively coupled to the window frame and offset from the first window pane. An intermediate window pane is arranged between the first and second window panes and is movable between an upright position wherein the first, second and intermediate window panes collectively define a transparent barrier at the window frame and a collapsed position wherein the intermediate window pane is moved to a position alongside the second window pane thereby defining a passage at the window frame between the first and second window panes.

Abstract: An improved lift boat includes a hull, a plurality of legs (preferably three), a plurality of pads, one pad attached to each leg, and a jacking mechanism for moving each upward and downward. Recesses in the hull receive the pads when the lift boat is underway. Preferably, the total bottom surface area of the pads is at least 30% of the surface area of the deck of the lift boat Preferably, the total bottom surface area of the pads is large enough such that, when the boat is loaded to capacity and is jacked up, the pads exert pressure of less than 7 p.s.i. on the sea floor. Preferably, the pads are partially recessed into the hull and extend laterally outward from the hull when the boat is underway to provide increased stability to the lift boat when it is underway.

Abstract: A locking device with a solenoid release actuator includes a housing, a plunger axially slidable within the housing, a biasing member for biasing the plunger in a first direction, one or more locking balls, and the locking balls disposed in an aperture in the housing, the plunger having a portion thereof containing at least one recess for receiving the balls, a member to be locked being held in a first locked position with the plunger in a first locking position and the balls in a radially outward position, the plunger being positioned axially such that the recesses therein are not in alignment with the apertures, and a solenoid coil disposed in the housing around the plunger, for inducing a magnetic force to move the plunger against the biasing member such that the recesses align with the apertures and the balls are movable radially inward into the recesses thereby releasing the locked member.

Abstract: A planetary gear system includes a planetary gear assembly having a first planetary gear, a second planetary gear rotatable relative to the first planetary gear, and a torquing mechanism. The torquing mechanism generates a torsional spring force of the planetary gear assembly to cause the first planetary gear to rotate along a first direction and the second planetary gear to rotate along a second direction, opposite to the first direction. As a result, the teeth of the first planetary gear contact teeth of a corresponding first stationary ring gear and the teeth of the second planetary gear contact teeth of a corresponding second stationary ring gear. The torquing mechanism, along with the configuration of the planetary gear assembly, minimizes or eliminates the presence of gaps between the contacting teeth of the planetary assembly and the stationary gear rings and minimizes backlash within the planetary gear system.

Abstract: A reel type mower having a mobile structure and a ground engaging traction member rotatably coupled to the mobile structure. The ground engaging traction member imparts traction movement to the mobile structure for movement on the ground at a ground speed. A power device is supported on the mobile structure and outputs a driving force to the ground engaging traction member. A bed knife is supported by the mobile structure having a cutting edge that cooperates with a grass cutting reel rotatably supported on the mobile structure. A collection apparatus is engagable with the mobile structure or removable from the mobile structure for collecting the grass clippings. A guard device is pivotally coupled to the mobile structure and is positionable in a closed position concealing the grass cutting reel and an opened position revealing the grass cutting reel.

Abstract: Position sensing of movable elements including but not limited to machine components is disclosed. Motion of a movable element can produce motion of a magnetic field, which can be detected by magnetic sensors. The motion and/or variations of a magnetic field and/or a magnetic flux may be produced by any combination of a motion of the sensors, associated magnets, or associated magnetic material. Magnetic sensors may be capable of measuring either rotary, or linear motion, or both. Such sensors can provide indication of an incremental position change, an absolute position, or both. Absolute position and high-resolution position sensing may be produced for measurement of either linear and/or angular motion. Suitable magnetic sensors include, but are not limited to, Hall effect devices and/or magneto-resistive elements, and may include multi-element magnetic sensors. Suitable signal conditioning and/or control means such as control electronics can be used to receive output signals from the sensors.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to staggered arrays of laser diode bars positioned on stepped support structures. Optical waveguides may direct the outputs of the individual diode bars to a desired location, for example, a common output plane. The optical waveguides may be glass plates in certain embodiments. Waste heat generated by the diode bars may be removed from the support structures at certain locations and as a result, the diode bars may be closely positioned with respect to each other. By closely positioning the laser diode bars and directing the diode bar outputs to a desired orientation, the effective brightness and fluence may be increased for a given output area and operational power compared to the prior art. Associated methods of manufacturing staggered array couplers and producing high-power pump energy are also described.

Abstract: A rivetless nut plate has a nut, a holding bracket, a member and a nut retainer. The nut is provided with an aperture therethrough and is secured within a bracket portion of the holding bracket by the retainer but also is permitted limited movement within the bracket portion. The holding bracket further includes a tubular portion having inner and outer walls. The inner wall is tapered such that the member is positioned against the inner wall. Upon an axial force being applied to the member through the aperture of the nut, the member is pushed through the tubular portion from the first end to the second end in order to expand the inner wall and force the outer wall into engagement with the wall of the workpiece. A tool is provided to push the member through the tubular member and can be incorporated into either a manual or automatic process.

Abstract: A governor system for limiting the ground speed of a vehicle and maintaining an idle speed of the engine. The governor system includes a first feedback shaft operably coupled with a transmission of the vehicle to provide a first feedback torque in response to a ground speed of the vehicle. A second feedback shaft is operably coupled with the engine to provide a second feedback torque in response to a revolutionary speed (RPM) of the engine. A ground speed governor system is coupled between the first feedback shaft and the throttle system of the engine for limiting operation of the throttle system in response to the first feedback torque, thereby limiting ground speed. An idle speed governor system is coupled between the second feedback shaft and the throttle system of the engine for actuating the throttle system in response to the second feedback torque, thereby maintaining a desired idle speed.

Abstract: An arbor assembly includes a shank mounted to the chuck of an electric drill, an adaptor which supports a hole saw mounted to the shank, and a sleeve for locking and unlocking the adaptor and the shank. Rotational forces from the drill are transferred to the adaptor to rotate the hole saw. The sleeve slides along the outer surface of the shank and allows a user to quickly change the hole saw. With the sleeve in the unlocked position, the adaptor easily slides out of the shank, a new adaptor is inserted into the shank, and the sleeve is then placed in the locked position prior to rotation of the drill.

Abstract: A support system, a bracket assembly, and a damping member for use in supporting a rotating shaft. A support system including a fixed bracket; a bracket assembly; and a bearing. The bracket assembly having a first damping member having a first fixed end and a second movable end, the first fixed end being securably attached to the fixed bracket and the second movable end being movable in a first plane aligned with the shaft. The bracket assembly further having a brace securably attached to the second movable end of the first damping member. The bracket assembly further having a second damping member having a first end and a second end, the first end being securably attached to the brace and the second end being movable in a second plane that is aligned with the shaft and is generally perpendicular to the first plane.

Abstract: Oscillation and other disturbance damping is provided for a system having a load driven by an electric motor, e.g., an electromagnetic actuator. Damping is achieved using feedback in an active mode, where power is supplied in a normal operation mode of the electromagnetic actuator. Feedback may be provided by measured force (or torque) transmitted between the actuator and load mass. A gear train or other mechanical advantage device may be connected between the electromagnetic actuator output and load, this combination forming an electromechanical actuator (EMA). Instead of force or torque, acceleration of the load may be used as a feedback signal. In one embodiment, active mode damping uses the motor's actual current as a feedback signal. In certain or all active damping versions of the invention, a high pass filter is preferably used to receive feedback signals and filter out low frequency feedback. Alternatively, damping is achieved in an inactive (passive) mode of motor operation, e.g.

Abstract: A method of controlling a greens mower, wherein the greens mower includes a motor drive system variably driving a grass cutting reel and a traction system. The method includes sensing an operating parameter, comparing the operating parameter to a predetermine parameter and outputting a control signal to the motor drive system in response thereto, and further outputting a user signal to a display member representative of the control signal to alert an operator of the operating parameter. The method may also be used to control a fleet of greens mowers using a master controller. In this regard, the master controller may include an administrator or supervisor function preventing an operator from changing any predetermined parameter.

Abstract: A nut assembly includes a base plate and a nut. The base plate includes a bearing surface with bore for the passage of a bolt or the like therethrough. The nut includes a bearing surface engaged with the bearing surface of the base plate. The said nut includes a bore engageable with a bolt or the like passing through the bore of the base plate. The base plate may include foot members disposed around the bore of the base plate.