Abstract: A lawnmower reel and drive motor assembly with a mower frame and a reel and post supported by the frame. The motor has an opening which receives the post, and the motor is supported by the post in mounting the motor on the frame. The post has a slot therethrough, and a flat spring extends through the slot and abuts the motor and the post to thereby releasably hold the motor relative to the frame.

Abstract: In a process for producing a cover skin of thermoplastic polyurethane for the instrument panel of a motor vehicle, a preform is produced from thermoplastic polyurethane by extrusion and is thereafter expanded by increased internal pressure in a blow molding mold.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for moveable control fins extending from the surface of a missile. The locking mechanism includes a pin extending thru the outer surface of the missile into an opening provided in the movable fin. A link is pivotally connected between each of the pins and a slide member disposed internally of the missile and carried by a guide. The links are in a close to dead center position when the pins are extended into the openings in each of the fins. Upon a command signal from a controller, preparatory to missile launch, a restraining device holding the slide is removed and a spring commences movement of the slide toward a position which will take the links past their dead center position upon which additional springs which are loaded around each of the pins are activated to positively move the slide and extract the pins from the openings in the fins.

Abstract: A pylon conversion system (100) for operating a pylon (12) on a tiltrotor aircraft (10) between an aircraft mode and a helicopter mode is disclosed. The system (100) comprises first and second pylon conversion actuators (102,104) each having a retracted position and an extended position which corresponding to the aircraft mode and the helicopter mode. A first gearing system (156) is operably coupled to the first pylon conversion actuator (102) and to a first primary power unit (110), a first backup power unit (112) and a first clutch (138). A second gearing system (158) is operably coupled to the second pylon conversion actuator (104) and to a second primary power unit (114), a second backup power unit (116) and a second clutch (142). An interconnect drive train (126) is operably coupled to the first and second clutches (138, 142) such that the first and second pylon conversion actuators (102, 104) are operable between the extended position and the retracted position.

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 stiffness of the cross members may be performed independently of the optimization of the vertical stiffness 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 process for manufacturing a metallized substrate using the island coating method, includes depositing a coating layer containing a radiation curable non-volatile film former. The coated part is then vacuum metallized to form the metal islands of the present invention. A layer of clear resinous protective dielectric topcoat containing a radiation curable non-volatile film former is then deposited to completely cover the layer of metal islands while maintaining the aesthetic properties of the metallizing island coating system at a reduced cost and with minimal variability among parts.

Abstract: An instrument panel of an automotive vehicle includes a rigid retainer preformed with an air bag opening and a recessed ledge extending about the opening. A separately formed door is installed on the opening and hinged to the retainer along one edge. The remaining three edges overlie the ledge to prevent inward movement of the door. The retainer and door are placed in a cavity of a mold tool in spaced relation to an outer skin and foam constituents are reacted therebetween to develop a foam layer. A foam seal is provided at the interface of the ledge and door to prevent the escape of foam past the ledge.

Abstract: A method and system for advancing the state of commutation of an electronically commutated brushless D.C. motor. Impending motor stall is detected by measuring current flow through the motor windings to ascertain magnetic saturation. Upon such detection, a time sequence is started and if a change of state has not occurred within the time sequence, the state is advanced to the next succeeding state.

Abstract: A fluid level indicator (22) indicating the level of a fluid (14) in a chamber (12) having a piston (16) is disclosed. The fluid level indicator (12) has a housing (24) that is positioned adjacent to the chamber (12). A plurality of magnetic pins (28, 38) are moveably disposed within the housing (24). The magnetic pins (28, 38) have a first position and a second position. At least one of the magnetic pins (38) shifts from the first position to the second position when the piston (16) is aligned therewith, thereby indicating the position of the piston (16) within the chamber (12) and indicating the level of fluid (14) within the chamber (12).

Abstract: A vehicular seat (10) including a seat bottom (12) and a seat back (14). In one embodiment, the seat bottom (12) and seat back (14) are formed from a blow molded frame (16) including side walls (18) extending generally upwardly from a bottom panel (20). A support mat (32) comprising fabric/rubber webbing extends across a central cut-out region (28) in the bottom panel (20) and supports an inflatable cushion (48) comprising a series of air cells (50). An extensible upholstery or trim cover layer (56) covers the inflatable cushion (48) and is joined to the frame (16). In a second embodiment, the seat bottom (12) and seat back (14) are formed from a blow molded shell (62). An intermediate layer (64) of plastics material is provided on the shell (62) beneath an upholstery layer (68). An opening in the shell (62) allows the intermediate layer (64) to be expanded outwardly from the shell (62) as the pressure within the shell (62) is increased.

Abstract: An improved tilting rotor aircraft, a control system for an elongated shaft, and a method of controlling an elongated shaft are provided. Sensors are utilized to detect an amount of twist on a flexible and elongated shaft. A controller receives the signal and generates a command signal. A plurality of actuators receive the command signals and compensate for the twist in the flexible and elongated shaft.

Abstract: A redundant ice management system and method to de-ice and anti-ice an aircraft member (150) is provided. The system comprising a primary ice management sub-system (154) for providing thermal ice management to the aircraft member and a secondary ice management sub-system (172) for providing back-up thermal ice management to the aircraft member (150) in the event of a failure by the primary ice management sub-system (154). The system provides primary and secondary de-ice and anti-ice capabilities to the aircraft member (150) before and during airborne operation.

Abstract: A golf car having a hydraulic fluid brake system. The hydraulic fluid brake system is implemented as a disk brake system which is responsive to hydraulic fluid pressure generated from a master cylinder. A brake pedal and associated linkage provides input to a master cylinder to generate a hydraulic fluid pressure to control a brake caliper assembly. The brake pedal has a range of travel, where a first portion of the range defines a service mode of operation and a second portion of the range defines a parking mode of operation. In the parking mode of operation, the brake pedal and linkage engages a detent to maintain application of the brake to provide a parking mode of operation. An accumulator in the brake system provides an input force to maintain hydraulic fluid pressure sufficient to retain a parking mode of operation.

Abstract: A self-lock and self-retained structural fastener assembly (10) is disclosed. The fastener assembly (10) comprises a plate member (12) having an opening (14) and a pair of receivers (16, 18). A retainer (20) that has a threaded opening (22), a pair of oppositely disposed spring fingers (24, 26) and a pair of oppositely disposed hooks (28, 30) is coupled to the plate member (12) by lockably inserting the hooks (28, 30) within the receivers (16, 18) of the plate member (12) to form a fastener housing (32). A stud (34) is rotatably positioned within the fastener housing (32). The stud (34) has a boss (36) and first and second threaded sections (38, 40) extending in opposite directions from the boss (36). The stud (34) has an uninstalled position wherein the first threaded section (38) is threadably engaged with the threaded opening (22) of the retainer (20).

Abstract: A system and method of passive ranging for a luminous target which employs a prior knowledge of atmospheric attenuation of spectral frequencies to determine range by comparing the intensities of a frequency component, that is attenuated by propagation through the atmosphere, with a frequency component that is not.

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 tilt rotor assembly is actuated by a conversion actuator. The improved tilt rotor aircraft includes a low-height tunable downstop assembly for absorbing oscillatory vibration loads, such as pitch loads and yaw loads. 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 striker assembly is attached to the tilt rotor assembly and the cradle assembly is attached to the wing member. A plurality of sensor modules are bonded to the cradle assembly. The sensor modules include a plurality of strain gages arranged to sense shear strain in the cradle assembly. The sensor modules are electrically coupled to sensor circuits and flight control computers.

Abstract: A method and system for creating a precision approach for an aircraft to a position on the ground from a location above the ground is disclosed. The system comprises a display unit onboard the aircraft that displays a digital moving map, a database onboard the aircraft that contains digital terrain elevation data and obstacle data, a global positioning receiver that identifies the in flight position of the aircraft and an input device use to select the position on the ground displayed on the digital moving map. A processor that is also onboard the aircraft is communicably linked to the display unit, the database and the global positioning receiver. The processor generates the digital moving map on the display unit from the digital terrain elevation data and obstacle data and creates an approach derived from global positioning system data for the aircraft to the position on the ground selected on the digital moving map based upon the in flight position of the aircraft.

Abstract: A cowl assembly for a vehicle and its method of assembly includes providing first and second separable cowl parts 34, 36 adjustable between connection points on the vehicle and a latch mechanism 38 connects the first and second cowl parts for handling as a unit and for lateral adjustment of the length of the unit; and the first and second cowl parts respectively including first and second portions 62, 66 thereon configured to engage one another to providing relative movement between said first and second cowl parts for actuating the latch mechanism between locked and released positions in response to lateral adjustment of the cowl parts for connection to the vehicle.

Abstract: A system of inflatable air cells (3,10) is constructed and installed in a seat (2) at locations that are strategic to the comfort of the user. The air cells are selectively pressurized to a desired comfort level and in addition, in response to a vehicle impact, are controlled by valves (62, 80) to have a occupant impact protection pressure therein for protecting the occupant against impact with the vehicle seat.