Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved vibration cancellation device designed to overcome many of the shortcomings inherent in prior devices. In many embodiments, the vibration cancellation device is smaller in scale than prior designs, facilitating more versatility with respect to design options. The device of the present invention achieves a smaller size partly due to the use of suspension springs having an offset, rather than a parallel arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus for mounting two or more tail rotor hubs to a tail rotor mast. The apparatus comprises a mast having an externally-splined inboard section shaped and sized to mate with an internal spline on an inboard trunnion. The inboard trunnion is mechanically fixed to the one or more outboard hubs via a torsionally-rigid connection. The outboard portion of the mast is designed to have reduced torsional stiffness, so that torque is transmitted to the outboard trunnions through the inboard trunnion rather than through the mast.

Abstract: Described is a metallized article, and a method for making the same, comprising a substrate having a polyurethane basecoat disposed thereon and with a layer of electrically discrete metallic islands of a corrosion prone metal disposed on the basecoat. A cross-linked polyurethane top coat, which is bound to an organosilane, preferably an epoxy silane, is disposed on and encapsulates the discrete metallic islands. The organsilane is also bound to the metallic islands.

Abstract: A control system utilizes hydraulic power only to control a fixed-wing aircraft horizontal stabilizer trim control surface with no electrical control devices except for a cockpit pilot/co-pilot initiated 3-position spring-centered toggle trim switch, a backup electrical motor and a standard electronic logic pilot interface. The toggle trim switch controls two solenoid valves which control the operation of a directional control valve. The control system also includes a hydraulic motor, a rate control valve, a blocking-bypass valve, a shutoff valve with an integrated position sensor and a gear set driving an acme threaded output shaft for elevating or lowering the horizontal stabilizer trim control surface on command by the pilot. The control system controls the horizontal stabilizer trim control surface angular displacement rate as a function of angular position by means of a mechanical feedback linkage between the spool of the rate control valve and the horizontal stabilizer trim control surface.

Abstract: A method of forming a return flange on an automotive trim component is provided. The trim component has an inner surface, an outer surface, at least one rib extending from the inner surface, a flange and a hinge. The return flange is formed by contacting the rib with the inner surface of the flange by rotating the flange about the hinge and securing the flange to the rib.

Abstract: A metallized composite includes a thermoplastic sheet and at least one discontinuous layer of metal within the thermoplastic sheet. The discontinuous metal layer can be disposed between two thermoplastic layers that are bound together, such as by melting the layers together, pressing, or by use of an adhesive. The metallized composites of the invention can be employed as reflective surfaces, such as are used as mirrors or substitutes for chrome trim on automobiles. A particularly preferred metal as a component of the discontinuous layer of the composite is indium.

Abstract: A turf care system and method for injecting a liquid/seed mixture into soil, such as the crown of an established turf stand, using simultaneously fired pulses of high-pressure liquid jets of the mixture shot toward the ground. The liquid, typically water, is mixed with dry grass seed shortly before being delivered to a high-pressure liquid/seed pumping system, which uses an accumulator and sequencing valve to produce at regular repetitive intervals pulses of the liquid/seed mixture under high pressure. These pulses are delivered to an elongated hydraulic manifold having multiple nozzles pointed downwardly, which are spaced from one another and the ground by predetermined distances. The momentum of the high-pressure jet of liquid/seed mixture issuing from each nozzle cuts through overlying vegetation to deposit the seeds into the crown of the soil at predetermined desired depth.

Abstract: A greens mower having cutting units powered internally. The motor to power the cutting unit is located inside the cutting unit thus eliminating the need to balance the weight of the motor outside the cutting unit and also eliminating the need for belts, chains, gears or couplers to transfer power from the motor to the cutting unit.

Abstract: A vibration isolator (10) for isolating the vibration of two bodies that are connected together is disclosed. The vibration isolator (10) comprises an inner cylinder (16) and a pair of outer housings (12, 14) concentrically bonded together with elastomer structures (18, 20) to form two chambers (22, 26) that are joined by a tuning port (24). The elastomer structures (18, 20) may serve both as the seals for the chambers (22, 26) and the compliant spring members in the isolator (10). The isolator (10) connects to a vibrating body by a spherical bearing (28). The chambers (22, 26) and tuning port (24) are filled with an inviscid fluid (34) and pressurized to prevent cavitation. In certain embodiments, pressure within the isolator (10) is maintained by a volume compensating device (30) connected to the chambers (22, 26) via a small diameter orifice (36).

Abstract: A skid landing gear for a helicopter, in which the directional stiffnesses of the cross members of the skid landing gear have been de-coupled from one another, such that optimization of the longitudinal stiffniess of the cross members may be performed independently of the optimization of the vertical stiffniess and fatigue life of the cross members. In order to de-couple the stiffnesses in the skid type landing gear, two approaches are employed. In the first approach, the skid landing gear has non-symmetric-section cross members and/or distribution of different materials within the cross-section for de-coupling the vertical stiffness of the cross members from the longitudinal stiffness, such that placement of the ground resonance frequency may be optimized, while retaining the vertical stiffness properties essential for optimizing vertical energy attenuation and fatigue life.

Abstract: A support assembly for supporting a rotating shaft relative to a structure in which a first magnetized member is attached to the shaft for rotation therewith, a support member is connected to the structure and at least one damper member connects the support member to a second magnetized member for supporting the second magnetized member in a portion relative to the first magnetized member. The respective magnetic fields of the first and second magnetized members are such that radial deflective movement of the shaft, and therefore the first magnetic member, causes corresponding radial movement of the second magnetized member which is dampened by the damping member.

Abstract: A support assembly for supporting a rotating shaft relative to a structure in which a first magnetized member is attached to the shaft for rotation therewith, a support member is connected to the structure and at least one damper member connects the support member to a second magnetized member for supporting the second magnetized member in a portion relative to the first magnetized member. The respective magnetic fields of the first and second magnetized members are such that radial deflective movement of the shaft, and therefore the first magnetic member, causes corresponding radial movement of the second magnetized member which is dampened by the damping member.

Abstract: A sensor plug for use in sensing a plurality of operating conditions of a gearbox is disclosed. The sensor plug includes a body defining an axis. A probe end is formed at one end of the body and is particularly adapted for attaching to an oil drain plug of the gearbox. A plurality of sensors are located within the body for sensing operating conditions of the gearbox through the probe end. Examples of the sensors located within the body include a vibration sensor, a temperature sensor, and a pressure sensor.

Abstract: A motor vehicle comprising a lighting device disposed on a motor vehicle; the lighting device configured to emit light and aim at least a portion of the light in the direction of and illuminate a wheel well of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for determining the amount of fuel in the fuel tank of a motor vehicle. The fuel tank has a main storage reservoir which is provided with a filling level meter for determining the respective fuel therein and a reserve reservoir which is of substantially smaller volume in comparison with the main storage reservoir, which is closed in itself, and which is supplied with fuel by a pump from the main storage reservoir. After the main storage reservoir is emptied, the fuel reserve which is then still contained in the reserve reservoir is calculated as the difference of a defined volume of the reserve reservoir (12) and the fuel consumption summed over time.

Abstract: Percentage concentrations of constituents or color components of a sample are determined using a spectral analyzer with a wide illumination spot size and detector. The analyzer irradiates the sample, picks up diffuse reflectance of individual wavelengths from the sample and spatially separates the diffuse reflectance into a response at individual wavelengths. The result is to simultaneously detect the intensities of the individual wavelengths in parallel from the sample being analyzed. Percentage constituents of a composite substance can be determined or, alternatively, the components of color in a sample can be determined by analyzing wavelengths of reflected light.

Abstract: A blow molded article comprising an inwardly projecting rib and a mold loose piece, the inwardly projecting rib comprising a wall portion formed around an inwardly projecting mold loose piece. In method form, the present invention relates to a blow molded article having at least one inwardly projecting rib, the method comprising the steps of providing a mold having a cavity defined therein by a cavity wall, providing a mold loose piece disposed on the cavity wall, introducing a parison into the cavity, and introducing the mold loose piece into the parison.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a constituent sensing system including a container for holding a flowable product. A moveable member is positioned within the container for moving the flowable product within the container in a manner which simulates a flow of the flowable product. A probe is positioned proximate to the moving flowable product for analyzing the moving flowable product.

Abstract: A metallized article and method for making the article, including a substrate having a polyurethane basecoat disposed thereon, with a layer of electrically discrete metallic islands of a corrosion prone metal disposed on the basecoat. A cross-linked polyurethane topcoat, containing an aminosilane, is further disposed on an encapsulates the discrete metallic islands.

Abstract: A lawnmower with a tractor and a gang of mowers pivotally supported by the tractor for up and down motion when moving on the ground. A mower support arm is pivoted on the tractor and has a pivot axis for each of the mowers, and a camming action is created by the up and down mower movement and that causes the pivot axis to move horizontally relative to the tractor to thereby avoid having the mowers move horizontally, and it maintains a constant spacing between the mowers and avoids having the mowers collide when moving up and down. Shorter length mowers can thus be used in the gang and they follow the ground contour more closely.