Abstract: To reduce the length of a tube thickened by swaging and to provide acceptable efficiency in use of material and vessel length for a high performance pressure vessel, the tube is locally corrugated, then conventionally swaged and subsequently pressurized to remove the corrugations.

Abstract: A readily assembled and disassembled coupling designed to sustain both axial and torsional loads. The coupling has two tubular elements that are held together by a locking ring inserted from outside the coupling after the connection is made. The end of the first tubular element fits into a section of enlarged diameter in the end of the second tubular element. The shoulder in the bore of the second at the transition point between the enlarged and normal diameter is formed into a helix. A matching helix is formed on the edge at the end of the first element. A peripheral annular groove is provided in the outer diameter of the first element and a similar groove is provided in the inside diameter of the second element. When the two elements are fitted together with their helices in contact to make the connection, the groove in the second element overlies the groove in the first element. A slot in the wall of the second element provides access to the grooves to permit the insertion of the locking ring.

Abstract: A torsional damper integral with a torsion bar wherein the damper is not directly connected to any support structure. Torque applied by the torsion bar to the damper on one side of the damper's mid length is equilibrated by torque exerted by the torsion bar to the damper on the opposite side of its mid length. In this manner, a part of the torsion load is transmitted to the energy dissipating damper.

Abstract: A frictional suspension damping system is provided whereby vehicular oscillations due to an uneven terrain may be controlled by electrically regulated frictional braking device adapted to restrain the rotational movement of a remote torsion bar. Each wheel having an associated torsional member may be so damped. A centralized processor may be used for simultaneous control of a plurality of friction brakes.

Abstract: A method of detecting very small structural flaws at loads below those which cause the flaws to propagate is disclosed. Certain phenomena and relationships of fracture mechanics are utilized in conjunction with the generation, detection and interpretation of thermal emission signals indicative of plastic deformation of the tested material.

Abstract: A method of making high performance torsion bars from austenitic stainless steels which comprises the steps of fabricating a blank complete with splined ends and torsion working said blank below the Md temperature of the material to a stress value above 80-90% of its ultimate. Prior working may be done in tension at below the Md temperature, and subsequent precipitation hardening may be added to the basic process.

Abstract: A process of manufacture to produce low cost pressure vessels from a length of metal tubing by use of localized heat and/or axial tensile force to shrink the diameter of the tubing at selected locations of a predetermined starting length approximately one diameter long and many diameters apart to permit subsequent separation to form open-ended pressure vessels. Subsequent conventional swaging operations could thicken and reduce the end diameters so they can be threaded.