Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for error-compensated counting of Hall states for motor position feedback and/or commutation. An indicated Hall state is detected by digital Hall state sensors and a duration of the Hall state is compared to a specified time period. When the duration exceeds the specified time period, the indicated Hall state is compared to one or more valid Hall states and a position counter is changed for valid states. When the indicated Hall state is invalid, the position counter is not changed. The Hall state sensors may be connected to logic means and may detect the position of a rotor of a permanent magnet motor relative to a stator. When noise induces a change in an indicated Hall state, corresponding noise-induced effects on the position counter may be may be removed through error-compensated counting.

Abstract: Described is an energy-absorbent component for a motor vehicle, for example as a bumper, which is in the form of a blow-molded hollow body of thermoplastic material enclosing a foam filling on all sides. The hollow body comprises a plurality of chambers therein. The chambers are each closed in themselves and they each respectively accommodate a foam filling affording a differing energy absorption capability.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lawn mower device having a drive configured to rotate a shaft in a first and second direction. A drive wheel is coupled to the shaft and is coupled to a driven wheel by a drive belt. A tensioning system is shown coupled to the drive belt. The tensioning system has a first idler plate configured to bias a first idler pulley against the drive belt when the drive is rotating the shaft in the first direction and a second idler plate configured to bias a second idler plate against the drive belt when the drive is rotating the shaft in a second direction. A brake mechanism is further coupled to the tensioning system. The brake mechanism is configured to resist the rotation of the driven wheel.

Abstract: A greensmower having a cutting reel and a traction member and an independent electric circuit and motor for driving each. A handle is attached to the reel for mower guidance by an operator in a walk-behind position. Separate electric controls are connected to each motor for separate speeds for each motor and thereby control the clip rate of the mowing. There are low battery power read-outs and automatic shutoffs. Provision is made for traction powering of the mower even when the reel motor is not operating because of low battery power. A lift-out battery pack is shiftably mounted on the mower for producing the desired force of the mower on the ground.

Abstract: An autofeed speed rivet tool and method which does not require a mandrel to be constantly withdrawn and re-stocked, is very efficient and can be used in a flow line application without requiring the line to be stopped to re-load the tool with rivets. A flexible tube carries rivets to a tool, along a guide wire. A flexible, inner tube may carry the rivets, and nylon balls may be provided on an outer tube where the nylon balls work as joints, and allow the outer tube to compress without shortening the center line. The tool may incorporate a plurality of inventive concepts, such as spoons with pivotable blades which grip the mandrel very much forward of the end of the mandrel, a transfer mechanism, rivet centering mechanisms and a mechanism for longitudinally managing the mandrel.

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 flow control valve system has a housing that defines a flow path, a throttle element disposed in the flow path, and a linkage assembly coupled to the throttle element and oriented substantially outside the flow path. With such an orientation, the linkage assembly has minimal effect on a pressure gradient or pressure drop within the flow control valve system. As such, the linkage assembly allows the flow control valve system to deliver fluid from a fluid input channel to a fluid output channel at a relatively large volume flow rate.

Abstract: A system and method for mounting a golf bag onto a golf car in a secure position includes a first attachment member arranged on the golf bag. A second attachment member is arranged on the golf car. The first attachment member presents an engagement surface operable to matingly engage a complementary engagement surface on the second attachment member. One of the first and second attachment members defines a male insertion portion and the other attachment member defines a female receiving portion. The first and second attachment members cooperatively mate upon movement of the golf bag in a linear direction relative to the golf car.

Abstract: A device and method of removing a rivet which has been installed on a work piece. The method includes clamping a hand held device having springs onto the work piece, engaging a drill with a drill bit of the hand held device, the springs applying a pre-load force to the drill bit, operating the drill, thereby causing the springs to apply an increased load force to the drill bit and causing the drill bit to drill into a button of the rivet, unclamping and removing the hand held device from the work piece, and using a compression tool to remove the rivet from the work piece. The compression tool includes a push out portion configured to push out the rivet, and a recess is disposed generally opposite the push out portion for catching the rivet as the rivet is pushed out.

Abstract: A light source produces a pump wave that is used to pump a parametric device. The parametric device is configured at or near its degeneracy point and produces a broadband output. The broadband output is directed to a remote location where chemical agents may be located. The broadband output may be transmitted through or scattered from the remote location and chemical agents located at the remote location may absorb portions of the broadband output. The broadband output may be collected and dispersed to produce channels or sub-bands that are detected by a detector array. The detector array may multiplex the intensities of the sub-bands and produce an absorption spectrum. The absorption spectrum may be compared to a library of known chemical agents and the presence of a chemical agent at the remote location can be determined in or near real time.

Abstract: An automatic rivet loading module which includes a pusher mechanism, a gripper mechanism, a mandrel receptacle, mechanisms for moving mandrels in the mandrel receptacle, and a tool activation device. The gripper mechanism receives a rivet, and a mandrel is moved through the rivet such that the rivet threads onto the mandrel. The gripper mechanism moves out of the way while the pusher mechanism pushes the mandrel down. The pusher mechanism then retracts, and the gripper mechanism closes and is ready to receive another rivet. This process is repeated until the mandrel is full of rivets. The mandrel receptacle is rotatable such that the loaded mandrel swings to a position under the tool activation device to be loaded into a rivet tool. As the loaded mandrel is swung under the tool activation block, a new mandrel is swung under the gripper mechanism, in position for loading with rivets.

Abstract: A method of attaching an axle of a golf car to a leaf spring of the golf car, comprising the steps of aligning the leaf spring adjacent the axle and a bottom plate, inserting an end of a fastener initially through a first aperture associated with the axle and subsequently through a second aperture of the bottom plate and securing the leaf spring between the axle and the bottom plate by securing the fastener at the bottom plate, enabling improved access for assembly and service.

Abstract: A vessel (10) designed to operate efficiently as both a catamaran and air cushion vessel can travel at low speed (e.g. Froude number (Fn)=0-0.3) in a catamaran or displacement mode and at high speed (e.g. Froude numbers (Fn)=0.3 or more) in an air cushion or dynamically supported mode. The vessel (10) includes molded catamaran hulls (11, 12) with parabolic waterlines, a flexible, air cushion seal system (16, 17), surface piercing propellers (20) and a propulsion system (e.g. combined diesel and gas turbine). There are preferably auxiliary gas turbines for generating lift air pressure. Forward mounted independently stabilizing foils (30), can optionally facilitate ride stabilization and load compensation at high and low speeds. The foils also generate transverse roll forces to improve high speed maneuvering.

Abstract: A greensmower having a cutting reel and a traction member and an independent electric circuit and motor for driving each. A handle is attached to the reel for mower guidance by an operator in a walk-behind position. Separate electric controls are connected to each motor for separate speeds for each motor and thereby control the clip rate of the mowing. There are low battery power read-outs and automatic shutoffs. Provision is made for traction powering of the mower even when the reel motor is not operating because of low battery power. A lift-out battery pack is shiftably mounted on the mower for producing the desired force of the mower on the ground.

Abstract: A flight control system for a rotorcraft to prevent the adverse effects of the vortex ring state is disclosed. In the flight control system of the present invention, selected control inputs are sent the rotorcraft prior to the onset of the vortex ring state. In the preferred embodiment, the control inputs are transient, do not require input from the pilot, and do not affect the flight path of the rotorcraft.

Abstract: An integrated three function valve (ITFV) that combines the functions of a bypass valve (e.g. 183a, 185a, 161a) into a single assembly is disclosed. The ITFV allows continued operation after any two failures.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lawn mower device having a drive configured to rotate a shaft in a first and second direction. A drive wheel is coupled to the shaft and is coupled to a driven wheel by a drive belt. A tensioning system is shown coupled to the drive belt. The tensioning system has a first idler plate configured to bias a first idler pulley against the drive belt when the drive is rotating the shaft in the first direction and a second idler plate configured to bias a second idler plate against the drive belt when the drive is rotating the shaft in a second direction. A brake mechanism is further coupled to the tensioning system. The brake mechanism is configured to resist the rotation of the driven wheel.

Abstract: An underwater mine warfare countermeasure system is disclosed in which an air cushion vehicle carries a magnetic field generating system capable of generating a magnetic field pattern beneath the vehicle which extends sufficiently far from the vehicle in all directions to activate a magnetically responsive detonator in a mine while the vehicle is out of range of the explosive force of the mine. The magnetic field generating system generally is composed of a plurality of closed loop coils mounted on the deck of the vehicle, one coil being horizontal and in the plane of the deck, and another three being in vertical planes spaced along the length of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for facilitating maintenance of one or more vehicles. On each vehicle, a control subsystem includes one or more controllers that obtain information pertaining to a condition of the vehicle. A base computer communicates wirelessly with the control subsystem. The base computer and controller(s) interpret the information. This system allows the performance of a fleet of vehicles to be monitored automatically.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for use with a hydraulic control mechanism of a hydraulic tool. The hydraulic control mechanism is attached to the hydraulic tool to provide a desired hydraulically powered function. The mechanism allows the hydraulic control mechanism to be used with either a constant volume hydraulic system or a constant pressure hydraulic system. The mechanism provides a valve chamber and a valve member positioned within the valve chamber. The valve chamber communicates with both a central passageway and a cross passageway of the hydraulic control mechanism. The valve chamber defines a valve seat proximate to one of the central and cross passageways. The valve member is displaceable within the valve chamber and is configured such that, depending on the position of the valve member within the valve chamber, the hydraulic control mechanism can be used with either a constant volume hydraulic system or a constant pressure hydraulic system.