Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for the manufacture of aircraft engine cylinder barrels to prevent their premature failure due to hairline cracks or specks thought to be caused by caustic stress corrosion cracking during black oxide treatment. Machined aircraft cylinder barrels immersed into a black oxide chemical bath composed of a solution containing about 60% sodium hydroxide, about 0% sodium nitrate, and about 40% sodium nitrite most effectively prevents specks and hairline cracks. Since residual stresses from machining also contribute to the probability that specks or hairline cracks will occur during black oxide treatment, the maximum selected number of cylinder barrels essentially free of detectible specks or hairline cracks determines the maximum number of cylinder barrels to be machined on a given set of tool bits.

Abstract: A fastener (10) being pressable into a metal sheet in a way safe against rotation and pressing out having a head (12), the side of which after insertion facing the metal sheet is having radially positioned ridges (22), which, when setting the fastener (10), are pressed into the metal sheet, wherein a cylindrical thread-carrier (14) is positioned in the centre of said ridges (22) projecting through the metal sheet beyond the other side of the metal sheet and which in the vicinity of the side of the head (12) facing the metal sheet in the set state is having a surrounding annular recess (20) into which the material of the metal sheet displaced during the setting can be pressed.

Abstract: A front structure for a motor vehicle comprising a front support connected to a vehicle frame member at a first connection location and to an engine support structure at a second connection location. Upon impact of the front structure of the motor vehicle with another object, the front support transfers energy from the impact to the first connection location, thereby reducing energy transferred to the support members.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake system includes a hydraulic accumulator that stores much of the energy generated upon brake pedal depression. The stored energy can be used to maintain the brakes in their fully engaged state and to help return an applied brake pedal to its released position, in which case return fluid flow to the master cylinder is damped to avoid undesirable severe kickback of the brake pedal. A booster is provided to automatically boost the energy storage capacity of the accumulator during normal brake and hold cycles in order to provide sufficient energy accumulation to compensate for relatively severe pressure drops occurring, e.g., during prolonged periods of storage at extremely low temperatures. The booster may comprise an indexing arm that is acted upon by the system's brake pedal to selectively move a variable thickness spacer on the indexing arm into and out of engagement with the accumulator.

Abstract: A rivet feed slider configured to sequentially receive rivets from a rivet delivery path and feed the rivets to a rivet transport tube using an air supply. The rivet feed slider includes a rivet receiving chamber which is configured to sequentially receive the rivets, and an aperture is in communication with the rivet receiving chamber. The aperture allows air to flow from the air supply through the rivet receiving chamber to the rivet transport tube such that a rivet which is disposed in the rivet receiving chamber is moved into the rivet transport tube. The rivet feed slider also includes additional apertures which allow air to flow from the air supply to the rivet transport tube when the rivet receiving chamber is not aligned with the air supply. Hence, the air flow from the air supply to the rivet transport tube is not substantially disrupted.

Abstract: An all-electric riding greens mower includes a frame which is supported for movement upon a plurality of ground engaging wheels and upon which are supported a modularly interchangeable power source and a plurality of reel lawn mowers. An electric motor provides driving torque to enable movement of the mower between and over golf course greens or other surfaces to be mowed, electric motors provide driving torque for each of the reel lawn mowers. The interchangeable power source provides electrical energy for driving the electric motors, including the primary mover and the electrical motors for the reel type lawn mowers. The modularly interchangeable power sources may comprise a bank of batteries, a motor/generator set, a fuel cell, or a combination of these. The power source may be easily exchanged in the field for another, freshly charged power source. Exchange occurs using either a fixed change stand or a mobile change stand.

Abstract: A tank system for a motor vehicle is provided with at least one fuel tank, at least one connection, connecting conduit, or opening which is provided in the tank wall and which is closed by a closure, or at least one passage through the tank wall or through a closure. At least one cover is gas-tightly mounted on the outside to at least one region of the tank. The cover with the tank wall defines a space which is closed off with respect to the ambient atmosphere and within which is arranged the at least one connection, connecting conduit, opening, or passage.

Abstract: A rivet carrier for use in association with a driver for driving rivets into a work piece. The rivet carrier includes mounting structure for mounting the rivet carrier on the driver. A body portion of the rivet carrier is in communication with the mounting structure for receiving and retaining the rivet for engagement by the driver. Angled rollers are disposed in the body, and there are pivotable arms in the body. A resilient member retainably engages the pivotable arms. The rollers are retained in recesses in the body, and at least a portion of the pivotable arms defines at least a portion of the recesses. Preferably, a pair of outlet vents are provided in the body of the rivet carrier for venting air which is used to drive the rivet. One outlet vent may be proximate the other outlet vent to create laminar air flow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to carbon-matrix composites, such as carbon-carbon composites, and a method for forming them by forming a fabric of fusible and infusible fibers which can be processed and carbonized to form a composite. The methods disclosed herein permit preparation of composites which are particularly thin, uniform, and highly pure. The invention also relates to preprocessed fabrics and precarbonized composites, such as those comprising carbon or oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers and fusible polyacrylonitrile fibers.

Abstract: A motorized headlamp adjuster which is operably connectable to a control circuit and which is engageable with a headlamp assembly. Specifically, the headlamp adjuster includes an adjuster output shaft which is engageable with a reflector of a headlamp assembly. The headlamp adjuster includes a housing, and the adjuster output shaft extends from the housing. The adjuster output shaft preferably has a sealing member thereon which seals with the housing. Preferably, an external surface of the housing also has a sealing member thereon for engaging and sealing with the housing of the headlamp assembly when the headlamp adjuster is installed. As such, the headlamp adjuster is sealed, and seals with a headlamp housing when installed. Preferably, the headlamp adjuster does not include several complex components and is relatively easy to assemble.

Abstract: Described is an interior trim panel (20) and method of manufacturing same comprising the steps of: providing a foam trim panel (22), treating the foam panel with a coating composition containing a polymerizable polymer, and an organofunctional silaceous material; and shaping and curing the treated panel to a desired configuration so that the organofunctional silaceous material reacts and cures to assist in the foam panel retaining its desired configuration.

Abstract: A blow-molded plastic carrier for a motor vehicle radiator fan has at least one opening for cooling air to pass therethrough, means for fixing at least one fan thereto and at least one integrated liquid container or the like. The carrier has a preferably metal reinforcing insert around which the plastic material of the carrier is molded and at least partially penetrates therethrough. The reinforcing insert has fixing means for fixing the carrier in position and for mounting further functional components thereto.

Abstract: A high-precision pyrotechnic initiator is well adapted for rapid, precise ignition of solid and liquid energetics. A rigid housing, for example formed of an SiC-treated semiconductor substrate material, contains a pyrotechnic. When ignited, the reaction, or explosion, of the pyrotechnic is confined to the housing. The release of energy creates a hot particulate in which the formation of solid byproducts is mitigated or eliminated. The flame is directed through an outlet. In one embodiment, a microcapillary tube may be placed in communication with the outlet, the tube including a primary front vent and secondary side vents, which serve to increase system efficiency and reliability. A dual bridge wire may be provided for improving system reliability. The resulting assembly thereby performs the combined functions of both an igniter and a flash tube and a complete ignition train is provided in a manner that overcomes the limitations of the conventional configurations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel anvil for a rivet setting machine configured to drive a rivet into a workpiece within a riveting process. The anvil has a cavity therein configured to accommodate a deformation of the rivet and the workpiece during the riveting process. The cavity is defined by a main portion configured to support the workpiece during the riveting process and a relief portion that is proximate to the main portion. The relief portion is configured to provide an area into which the workpiece and the rivet deform during the riveting process. The relief portion includes at least one relief pocket configured to maintain an area which remains unoccupied by the workpiece and the rivet throughout the entire riveting process. The relief portion does not substantially hinder the workpiece and rivet during the riveting process and allows the workpiece and rivet to freely deform during the riveting process.

Abstract: A six-axis alignment and installation tool having a multi-component base unit and a plurality of multi-component interchangeable units. Some of the degrees of freedom are provided by the components of the base unit, and the remaining degrees of freedom are provided by the components of each interchangeable units. The alignment and installation tool has two modes of transportation: levitation by air bearings, and rolling by removable casters.

Abstract: Torque information of a rotating machine may be determined by counting a number of discrete samples representing a rotation of a rotating component. If the number of discrete samples representing the rotation of the rotating component changes, it may be assumed that the torque has changed due to a change in loading placed on the rotating machine. The amount of change in torque may be determined by determining the amount of change in the number of discrete samples representing the rotation of the rotating component.

Abstract: A pressure indicator according to the present invention monitors the pressure of the fluid in a vessel. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a closed pressurized gas volume behind a dimpled metal diaphragm. In normal operation, the force of the fluid pressure acting on the external surface of the diaphragm overcomes the force of the gas pressure acting on the internal surface of the diaphragm to hold the diaphragm in a concave geometry. In the event of a sufficient loss of fluid pressure, the force of the gas pressure acting on the internal surface of the diaphragm will overcome the force of the fluid pressure acting on the external surface of the diaphragm, thereby moving the diaphragm into a convex geometry. A viewing window disposed in the side of the vessel can be used to view the pressure indicator and determine the shape of the indicator diaphragm.

Abstract: Plastic bonded explosive (PBX) compositions utilizing CL-20 as the oxidizer, and particularly when the CL-20 is blended with particular combinations of binders and/or plasticizers, have been found to yield synergistic chemical combinations which demonstrate higher energy density and increased penetration power and impetus in military weapons and similar applications.

Abstract: A fastener having a tamper-evident sleeve thereon. The fastener has a shank and a double-headed driving portion that is integrally formed with the shank. The double-headed portion includes an outer head for driving the fastener into a work piece or nut and an inner head for removing the fastener from an assembly. The sleeve is on the inner head and prevents a tool from being engaged with the sleeve for removal of the fastener without there resulting some indication that someone has removed or tried to remove the fastener.