Abstract: A multi-legged equipment support, components thereof, and associated methods. The equipment support comprises a stand and an equipment holder. The stand includes a hub and multiple legs pivotable with respect to the hub. The legs are pivotable outward from stowed positions to preset operational pivoted positions. The user can select a preset operational pivoted position in which outward pivoting of a leg will stop based on moving an actuator between preset locations.

Abstract: An anti-cant indicator assembly, components thereof, and associated methods. The anti-cant indicator assembly indicates the orientation of a weapon with respect to vertical. The anti-cant indicator assembly includes a mount configured to mount to the weapon, a level including a vial containing a bubble and a pivot connection connecting the level to the mount. The pivot connection is configured to permit movement of the level with respect to the mount about the pivot connection between an operational position in which the bubble can be referenced by the user for indicating orientation of the weapon with respect to vertical, and a stowed position different from the operational position. The pivot connection can include a retainer configured to releasably retain the level in at least one of the operational position or the stowed position. The level can be selectively movable with respect to the mount to calibrate the anti-cant indicator.

Abstract: An out-the-front knife, components thereof, and associated methods. The out-the front knife can be a double-action spring-assisted knife. The knife includes a handle and a blade. The handle includes a rear end and a front opening opposite the rear end. The blade is movable with respect to the handle between stowed and deployed positions. In the stowed position, the blade is biased rearward. The knife includes an actuator movable in a deploying direction to spring the blade forward away from the stowed position toward the deployed position.

Abstract: A vibration isolator assembly includes a bellows component, a piston component, a shaft component, and a housing component, wherein at least one of the bellows component, the piston component, the shaft component, and the housing component is formed using additive manufacturing techniques.

Abstract: A self contained decorative planter for cultivating and displaying plants that comprises; a power supply, a hollow structure for accepting plants oriented with the root or base of the plant facing the inside of the structure, a reservoir in contact with an ultrasonic transducer for producing a water or nutrient vapor to distribute throughout the inside of the hollow structure, and a lighting system in which light is directed towards the outside surface of the structure. The hollow structure may take on wide range of decorative shapes with plants artistically arranged throughout with the leaf or flower portions oriented outward.

Abstract: A self contained decorative planter for cultivating and displaying plants that comprises; a power supply, a hollow structure for accepting plants oriented with the root or base of the plant facing the inside of the structure, a reservoir in contact with an ultrasonic transducer for producing a water or nutrient vapor to distribute throughout the inside of the hollow structure, and a lighting system in which light is directed towards the outside surface of the structure. The hollow structure may take on wide range of decorative shapes with plants artistically arranged throughout with the leaf or flower portions oriented outward.

Abstract: A vibration isolator assembly includes a bellows component, a piston component, a shaft component, and a housing component, wherein at least one of the bellows component, the piston component, the shaft component, and the housing component is formed using additive manufacturing techniques.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine rotor tip clearance and shaft dynamics system and method are provided. The system includes a gas turbine engine that is disposed within an engine case and includes a rotor. A rotor bearing assembly disposed within the engine case rotationally mounts the gas turbine engine rotor. Vibration isolators mounted on the engine case are coupled to the rotor bearing assembly, and are configured to provide linear and independently tunable stiffness and damping. A method includes determining the location of a gas turbine engine rotor rotational axis, disposing the gas turbine engine rotor in an engine case at the rotational axis location, mounting a plurality of vibration isolators that include a plurality of adjustment devices on the engine case, coupling each vibration isolator to the gas turbine engine rotor, and locking the gas turbine engine rotor at the rotational axis location using the plurality of adjustment devices.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for limiting the load on a rotor support structure when a rotationally mounted rotor becomes imbalanced. The rotor is rotationally mounted within a plurality of circumferentially spaced variable volume hydraulic fluid receptacles that at least engage the rotor and have hydraulic fluid disposed therein. Each of the variable volume hydraulic fluid receptacles is fluidly connected to a substantially fixed volume hydraulic fluid receptacle that has hydraulic fluid disposed therein and is coupled to the rotor support structure. When the rotor becomes imbalanced, the hydraulic fluid is continuously moved between the variable volume hydraulic fluid receptacles and the substantially fixed volume hydraulic fluid receptacle.

Abstract: Embodiments of a gas turbine engine assembly including a strut-based vibration isolation mount are provided, as are embodiments of a method for producing such a gas turbine engine assembly. In one embodiment, the gas turbine engine assembly includes a gas turbine engine and a vibration isolation mount. The vibration isolation mount includes, in turn, at least one three parameter axial strut having a first end attached to the gas turbine engine and having a second, opposing end configured to be attached to the airframe. The three parameter axial strut is tuned to minimize the transmission of vibrations from the gas turbine engine to the airframe during operation of the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A constant temperature LED driver circuit for controlling the rate of lumen depreciation and therefore useful lifetime of an LED array by keeping the LEDs at a fixed temperature. A temperature sensing means, which measures the temperature of the LEDs, is coupled to a variable power source that drives the LED array. The current provided to the LED array is adjusted in response to the temperature sensing means to ensure that the LEDs remain at a constant temperature regardless of changes in ambient temperature.

Abstract: An annular vibration isolator for a rotating shaft supported by a bearing is provided. The annular vibration isolator comprises an outer ring extending substantially entirely around the bearing, an arc portion having a contact portion extending toward the bearing, first and second axial portions enclosing a cavity, a first flange portion forming a first channel, a second flange portion forming a second channel, and the first and second flange portions forming a chamber within the cavity and forming a radial passageway connecting the chamber to the first and second channels, and a bellows disposed in the chamber and coupled to the radial passageway, the bellows adapted to receive a fluid from the first and second channels.

Abstract: A mounting assembly is provided. The mounting assembly comprises an outer ring having a plurality of insert portions, each of the plurality of insert portions extending toward the center of the outer ring and having an insert cavity, a plurality of vibration isolation assemblies, each of the vibration isolation assemblies disposed in one of the insert cavities, each of the plurality of vibration isolation assemblies comprising a first bellows portion and a second bellows portion, a passageway formed therein and connecting the first and second bellows portions, and a contact portion adapted to receive a force, an inner ring having a plurality of contact cavities, each contact cavity adapted to receive a contact portion from one of the plurality of vibration isolation assemblies, and a central ring coupled to the outer ring by the plurality of insert portions, and to the inner ring by a plurality of bridge portions.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine rotor tip clearance and shaft dynamics system and method are provided. The system includes a gas turbine engine that is disposed within an engine case and includes a rotor. A rotor bearing assembly disposed within the engine case rotationally mounts the gas turbine engine rotor. Vibration isolators mounted on the engine case are coupled to the rotor bearing assembly, and are configured to provide linear and independently tunable stiffness and damping. A method includes determining the location of a gas turbine engine rotor rotational axis, disposing the gas turbine engine rotor in an engine case at the rotational axis location, mounting a plurality of vibration isolators that include a plurality of adjustment devices on the engine case, coupling each vibration isolator to the gas turbine engine rotor, and locking the gas turbine engine rotor at the rotational axis location using the plurality of adjustment devices.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for limiting the load on a rotor support structure when a rotationally mounted rotor becomes imbalanced. The rotor is rotationally mounted within a plurality of circumferentially spaced variable volume hydraulic fluid receptacles that at least engage the rotor and have hydraulic fluid disposed therein. Each of the variable volume hydraulic fluid receptacles is fluidly connected to a substantially fixed volume hydraulic fluid receptacle that has hydraulic fluid disposed therein and is coupled to the rotor support structure. When the rotor becomes imbalanced, the hydraulic fluid is continuously moved between the variable volume hydraulic fluid receptacles and the substantially fixed volume hydraulic fluid receptacle.

Abstract: A constant temperature LED driver circuit for controlling the rate of lumen depreciation and therefore useful lifetime of an LED array by keeping the LEDs at a fixed temperature. A temperature sensing means, which measures the temperature of the LEDs, is coupled to a variable power source that drives the LED array. The current provided to the LED array is adjusted in response to the temperature sensing means to ensure that the LEDs remain at a constant temperature regardless of changes in ambient temperature.

Abstract: An alarm clock with bedpost pressure sensor including an alarm clock in data communication with a pressure sensor that can be placed under a bedpost. The pressure sensor determines whether or not a bed is occupied based on the weight of the bed and its contents. If the pressure sensor detects that a bed is occupied then an alarm may sound, and if detects that the bed is unoccupied then the alarm is terminated.

Abstract: An annular vibration isolator for a rotating shaft supported by a bearing is provided. The annular vibration isolator comprises an outer ring extending substantially entirely around the bearing, an arc portion having a contact portion extending toward the bearing, first and second axial portions enclosing a cavity, a first flange portion forming a first channel, a second flange portion forming a second channel, and the first and second flange portions forming a chamber within the cavity and forming a radial passageway connecting the chamber to the first and second channels, and a bellows disposed in the chamber and coupled to the radial passageway, the bellows adapted to receive a fluid from the first and second channels.