Abstract: A removable hoisting apparatus for use on an aircraft to hoist cargo and people into the aircraft. The removable hoisting apparatus comprises a base member, a telescoping mast member, a boom member, and a hoist assembly carried by the boom member. The base member is of negligible weight and is adapted for attachment to the floor of the aircraft. The telescoping mast has a bottom portion and a top portion. The bottom portion is releasably connected to the base member, and the top portion is releasably connected to the bottom portion. The top portion extends through an opening in the aircraft. A shoulder member is connected to the top portion, and a boom member is connected to the shoulder member. A rigid link member connects the boom member to the aircraft. The removable hoisting apparatus can be quickly removed from the aircraft by releasing only three quick-release fasteners, leaving only the base member attached to the aircraft.

Abstract: A direct drive servo-valve wherein rotational motion of a drive motor rotor is converted into linear motion of a spool valve. The drive motor includes a shaft which has affixed to the end thereof a ball which engages the spool valve. The ball is affixed to the shaft by providing a bore internally of the shaft which is disposed eccentrically to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The ball has a portion thereof ground of so as to provide an integral protrusion which is received within the bore in the end of the shaft. The ball is permanently affixed to the shaft by brazing the protrusion into the bore and a planar surface which surrounds the base of the protrusion to the end of the shaft against which it mates.

Abstract: An improved anchor device or fastening member which is particularly suited for use in the attachment of various fixtures and equipment to masonry, concrete, and other hard and/or friable substrates includes a head and a shank depending therefrom. The shank has a first threaded portion having a predetermined thread angle and a predetermined hardness, and a second threaded portion having a predetermined thread angle and a predetermined hardness. The first threaded portion is proximate to the head and the second threaded portion extends from the first threaded portion. The thread angle of the first threaded portion is different than the thread angle of the second threaded portion. In addition, the hardness of the first threaded portion is softer than the hardness of the second threaded portion. This provides for a more ductile anchorage when the fastening member is engaged with the substrate.

Abstract: A fuel tank for a motor vehicle has a connecting portion which extends around an opening in the tank wall which is closed by a holding cover, with the interposition of a sealing ring. The connection between the connecting portion and the holding cover is made by a fixing means urging the holding cover towards the connecting portion. The sealing ring is disposed in a groove in the connecting portion or the holding cover and the cross-sections of the groove and the sealing ring are so selected that, in its operative position of closing the opening, the holding cover is supported directly by the end surface of the connecting portion, bearing against that end surface.

Abstract: A fuel delivery unit includes an installation holder accommodating at least a first reservoir with a fuel pump arranged therein, a fuel filter and a cover closure for a fitting opening in a fuel tank. The fuel delivery unit additionally includes a second reservoir which in the installation position is disposed beside the first reservoir and communicates therewith. The first and second reservoirs are accommodated by the installation holder displaceably and/or pivotably relative to each other at least between a fitting configuration and an installation configuration. At least one reservoir at least in the installation configuration is arranged at least partly outside the projected area of the cover closure in the tank.

Abstract: A novel fastener member and a novel method of assembly are provided for engagement of the fastener member with a female member having an internally threaded bore. The fastener member includes a threaded shank portion and a novel point at a work entering end thereof. The point includes a radiused portion which is engaged within the female member threaded bore to start engagement of the fastener member therewith. In certain embodiments, the point further includes an unthreaded portion, which has a diameter that is slightly less than a minor diameter of the shank portion, connecting the radiused portion and the threaded portion. The radiused portion has a maximum diameter which is slightly less than a minor diameter of the threaded bore. The radiused portion may take many forms and, for example, may be spherical; partially spherical; or formed from a predetermined number of radiused portions integrally formed with each other.

Abstract: A improved tilt rotor aircraft comprising an airframe, at least one wing member coupled to the airframe, and at least one tilt rotor assembly carried by the at least one wing member. The improved tilt rotor aircraft includes a low-height tunable downstop assembly for isolating static and dynamic lateral loads between the tilt rotor assemblies and the wings. The low-height tunable downstop assembly comprises a pivotable striker assembly having an adjustable stiffness, and a cradle assembly adapted to releasably receive the striker assembly. The low-height tunable downstop assembly isolates yaw loads while providing a stiff vertical support.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel fastener having a tamper indicating tool engaging drive head. The fastener has a shank including a threaded shank portion. The fastener also has 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 inner head is joined to the outer head such that the inner head is positioned between the outer head and the shank. Extending portions extend from tool engaging surfaces of the inner head. In use, the fastener is driven into an assembly via a proper tool that engages with the outer head. The outer head shears off the fastener when the desired torque is achieved, leaving only the shank within the assembly and the inner head exposed.

Abstract: A trim actuator for actuating mechanical controls in an aircraft flight control system in response to signals from a pilot having a stepper motor, a gear train member coupled to the stepper motor, an output member coupled to the gear train member. The trim actuator has a locked mode in which the mechanical controls are held in a fixed position relative to the aircraft, and a non-interference mode in which the mechanical controls are free to be moved by the pilot without interference from the aircraft flight control system. The non-interference mode and the locked mode are both achieved by the stepper motor.

Abstract: A tow bar for connecting a vehicle to an object to be towed which reduces impact related structural damage to the vehicle. The tow bar is positioned within the vehicle bumper wherein the bumper contains a section for concealing the tow bar and wherein the tow bar positioned within the bumper, when in a non-towing mode, is movable relative to the bumper, and wherein the tow bar can also be configured into a non-slidable towing configuration.

Abstract: A skin for an automotive interior trim panel is provided comprising a first skin portion and a second skin portion. First skin portion comprises a receptacle and a second skin portion comprises a protrusion. When connected, a portion of the protrusion in mechanical engagement with a portion of the receptacle to join the first skin portion and the second skin portion.

Abstract: A headlamp adjustor which includes an adjustor output shaft that is engageable with a reflector of a headlamp assembly. The adjustor output shaft extends from a housing, and a worm gear generally in the housing is spur gearably engaged with the adjustor output shaft. Drive structure is engaged with the worm gear such that actuation of the drive structure causes at least a portion of the drive structure to thread into at least a portion of the worm gear, thereby causing the adjustor output shaft to translate relative to the housing and adjust the position of the headlamp reflector.

Abstract: A gear pump having two meshing gears which are each assigned to a shaft and which are each driven by a driving unit. The driving units are controllable by a control unit such that the shafts rotate at a definable angular velocity. The control units having a symmetrical construction, and a control device provided in each control unit, each control device being connected to the other by way of a data line.

Abstract: Improved articles of manufacture are disclosed, together with methods for preparing such articles, whereby the surface of a graphite or comparable substrate is first densified with carbon to reduce surface porosity while still retaining sufficient surface texture to enhance the adherence of a subsequently applied boron coating.

Abstract: A bed knife blade assembly for a reel-type lawn mower having a frame rotatably supporting a cutting reel. The bed knife blade assembly comprises a clamp plate having a flange with a locking surface, and a blade insert having a tab cooperating with the locking surface to restrict movement of the blade insert relative to the clamp plate. The clamp plate is adapted to be coupled to the frame such that the flange biasedly engages the tab to further restrict movement of the blade insert relative to the clamp plate.

Abstract: A novel low cost limited angle torque DC brushless servomotor is disclosed. The motor itself is a modified standard low cost DC brush motor which is modified by removing the brush assembly and substituting in its place an appropriately configured multiconductor flexible circuit which is coupled between a controller, the commutator and a magnetic rotor shaft angular displacement sensor. The flexible circuit has a dual function—it provides on one hand the conduit for electrical communication between the controller and the commutator and on the other hand between the sensor and the controller. Part of the circuit is supported between a bearing assembly and the commutator and flexes in consonance with the controlled limited angular rotation of the rotor without affecting performance or reliability of the motor. The rest of the circuit remains stationary during motor operation. The bearing assembly supports the sensor and is used to mount the motor in a housing for a pneumatic servovalve or the like.

Abstract: A prop rotor hub includes a constant velocity joint in the same plane as a prop blade yoke. Torque is transmitted from a shaft to the blades through the CV joint, hub plates attached to the CV joint, and the yoke, which is attached to the hub plates. Providing all elements in a substantially planar arrangement results in a hub assembly which has significantly less height than a traditional design. The hub itself is in-plane with the yoke, resulting in a more efficient torque transmission from the mast to the rotor.

Abstract: A drive tool having a top portion which is engageable with a drive source and a lower portion engageable with a fastener. The drive tool includes an axial load assist mechanism configured to urge the lower portion and upper portion of the tool away from each other (i.e. relative movement) such that a generally axial force is applied to the fastener engaged with the lower portion of the tool. As a result, the amount of upper body axial force an operator must apply to the drive tool to install the fastener is reduced.

Abstract: A position light for use on an aircraft, the position light having a base member coupled to the wing tip portion, a lens coupled to the base member, a light source interior to the lens member, and a reflector member pivotally coupled to the base member, the reflector member being adapted to reflect light from the light source in selected directions and at selected intensities. The position light may be installed on a tilt rotor assembly of a tilt rotor aircraft so that light is reflected in selected directions and at selected intensities, regardless of whether the tilt rotor assembly is in an airplane mode, a helicopter mode, or any position therebetween.

Abstract: A fuel tank for a motor vehicle is provided in its interior with a component for reducing fuel surge movements. To avoid troublesome noises produced by fuel movement the component comprises a wall element at a spacing from the end of the tank that is the front end or the rear end in the direction of travel. The wall element extends at least over a substantial part of the height and the width of the tank and is so shaped that the wall element surfaces extend at least predominantly not in planes which extend perpendicularly to the direction of travel, to prevent fuel from impacting unimpededly against those surfaces perpendicularly thereto. Those surfaces thus represent divisions in the fuel tank. The volume of the fuel between the wall element and the respective tank wall surface to be shielded is not sufficient to produce noises which are a nuisance when travel movements occur.