Abstract: A track tension system including a hydraulic cylinder coupled between a drive frame and idler of a track system, an accumulator and a hydraulic valve that controls flow between the cylinder and accumulator. The cylinder extends and retracts to change the distance between the drive frame and idler which increases and decreases, respectively, tension on the track system. The hydraulic valve can be opened to allow flow between the cylinder and accumulator, and closed to block flow between the cylinder and accumulator. Control factors can be monitored to control valve position. An overload pressure relief can allow flow between the cylinder and accumulator when the hydraulic valve is closed and pressure in the cylinder reaches overload pressure. An orifice can allow constricted flow between the cylinder and accumulator when the hydraulic valve is closed. A check valve can connect the track tension system to a vehicle hydraulic system.

Abstract: A track tension system including a hydraulic cylinder coupled between a drive frame and idler of a track system, an accumulator and a hydraulic valve that controls flow between the cylinder and accumulator. The cylinder extends and retracts to change the distance between the drive frame and idler which increases and decreases, respectively, tension on the track system. The hydraulic valve can be opened to allow flow between the cylinder and accumulator, and closed to block flow between the cylinder and accumulator. Control factors can be monitored to control valve position. An overload pressure relief can allow flow between the cylinder and accumulator when the hydraulic valve is closed and pressure in the cylinder reaches overload pressure. An orifice can allow constricted flow between the cylinder and accumulator when the hydraulic valve is closed. A check valve can connect the track tension system to a vehicle hydraulic system.

Abstract: An actuator system which may incorporate a motor, a motor controller connected to the motor, a processor connected to the motor controller, and a switch connected to the processor for engaging the motor to open and close an actuator shaft. The switch may have a position which is a test mode. Selecting the position of test mode may cause the motor to move the actuator shaft to a certain position to verify operation of the actuator shaft. The actuator shaft may stay in the certain position while the switch is in a position of test mode. The system may also incorporate a spring attached to the actuator shaft. If power fails to the motor, then the actuator spring or another mechanism may return the actuator shaft to a fail safe position. The test mode may alternatively be selected at a controller via the communications bus to the processor.

Abstract: An actuator system which may incorporate a motor, a motor controller connected to the motor, a processor connected to the motor controller, and a switch connected to the processor for engaging the motor to open and close an actuator shaft. The switch may have a position which is a test mode. Selecting the position of test mode may cause the motor to move the actuator shaft to a certain position to verify operation of the actuator shaft. The actuator shaft may stay in the certain position while the switch is in a position of test mode. The system may also incorporate a spring attached to the actuator shaft. If power fails to the motor, then the actuator spring or another mechanism may return the actuator shaft to a fail safe position. The test mode may alternatively be selected at a controller via the communications bus to the processor.

Abstract: An actuator system which may incorporate a motor, a motor controller connected to the motor, a processor connected to the motor controller, and a switch connected to the processor for engaging the motor to open and close an actuator shaft. The switch may have a position which is a test mode. Selecting the position of test mode may cause the motor to move the actuator shaft to a certain position to verify operation of the actuator shaft. The actuator shaft may stay in the certain position while the switch is in a position of test mode. The system may also incorporate a spring attached to the actuator shaft. If power fails to the motor, then the actuator spring or another mechanism may return the actuator shaft to a fail safe position. The test mode may alternatively be selected at a controller via the communications bus to the processor.

Abstract: A configurable wall module having selectable home screens, custom menu navigation, and incorporating functional design. The display utilizes fixed segments. menu navigation and configuration which may be facilitated with soft keys having indicative labels associated with them. The parameters may be accessed from categories by soft keys via two-level menu navigation. Certain parameter value and setpoint entries may be effected with up/down keys. Module configuration may be performed by a user. To provide such user capability, the module may be programmed and configured by an installer with a software configuration tool used in connection with the building automation system associated with the module.

Abstract: An actuator system which may incorporate a motor, a motor controller connected to the motor, a processor connected to the motor controller, and a switch connected to the processor for engaging the motor to open and close an actuator shaft. The switch may have a position which is a test mode. Selecting the position of test mode may cause the motor to move the actuator shaft to a certain position to verify operation of the actuator shaft. The actuator shaft may stay in the certain position while the switch is in a position of test mode. The system may also incorporate a spring attached to the actuator shaft. If power fails to the motor, then the actuator spring or another mechanism may return the actuator shaft to a fail safe position. The test mode may alternatively be selected at a controller via the communications bus to the processor.

Abstract: A thermostatic mixing valve for mixing a hot fluid and a cold fluid to produce a tempered mixed fluid stream is disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, the thermostatic mixing valve includes a cold fluid inlet for passing a flow of cold fluid, a hot fluid inlet for passing a flow of hot fluid, and an outlet for passing a flow of tempered fluid. A fluid flow regulator may be used to regulate the relative flow of cold fluid from the cold fluid inlet and hot fluid from the hot fluid inlet to produce the flow of tempered fluid at the outlet. A pressure reducing element may be situated in the hot fluid inlet upstream of the fluid flow regulator. The pressure reducing element may, for example, help increased the temperature stability of the tempered fluid at the outlet given variations in the temperature and/or pressure of the hot and/or cold fluids presented at the hot fluid inlet and the cold fluid inlet of the valve.

Abstract: A configurable wall module having selectable home screens, custom menu navigation, and incorporating functional design. The display utilizes fixed segments. menu navigation and configuration which may be facilitated with soft keys having indicative labels associated with them. The parameters may be accessed from categories by soft keys via two-level menu navigation. Certain parameter value and setpoint entries may be effected with up/down keys. Module configuration may be performed by a user. To provide such user capability, the module may be programmed and configured by an installer with a software configuration tool used in connection with the building automation system associated with the module.

Abstract: A filament assembly is disclosed for providing an electron beam to an ion source volume to ionize molecules or particles in the ion source volume. The filament assembly includes an electron lens which accelerates electrons emitted by the filament and focuses the electrons into a beam.

Abstract: A robotic assembly is provided that simulates the size, appearance and movement of a human torso. The torso includes a unique combination of high speed rotary and linear actuators arranged in a geometry that enables anatomically correct human-like movement, and which provides sufficient internal room and mounting surfaces for the actuators and related equipment such as hydraulic or pneumatic lines, electronic control circuits, valves, and audio playback devices. A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides up to nine degrees of freedom. The upper torso includes a pair of rotary arm actuators ("rotacs") for rotating arms up to 200 degrees. The rotacs are pivotally attached to a centrally located mounting structure for up-and-down motion (shoulder shrugging) and for forward-and-back motion (shoulder forward).

Abstract: A system and method for launching projectiles, such as fireworks projectiles, which explode in the air into a pyrotechnic display. The projectile includes a shell constructed from a binding agent and an explosive additive which explodes the shell into small particles. The explosive additive, which may be nitrocellulose, causes the exploded particles to be rapidly burned and consumed to form lightweight, inert flakes that fall harmlessly to the ground. The projectile is aimed and launched by a launcher using a compressed gas to rapidly expel the projectile from a launching tube. Once in the air at a predetermined location in the sky, an electronic fuse inside the projectile operates to detonate the projectile into its intended pyrotechnic display. The fuse is extremely accurate and enables detonation of the projectile at precise altitudes. An electronic control system controls launching and detonation of the projectiles in a precise and repeatable manner.

Abstract: A system and method for movement of self-propelled vehicles in-line along a rail under external control is intended to ensure safe spacing between vehicles to avoid collisions. Each vehicle is driven by its own variable speed motor. The speed of the vehicles is controlled by a stationary cam extending beside the rail. The edge of the cam rises and falls in a predetermined manner and is sensed by a cam follower on each vehicle. The cam follower is coupled to a transducer which produces a control signal for varying the vehicle speed in response to the rise or fall of the cam edge. Each vehicle pulls along a tail which extends behind the vehicle and is guided for motion alongside the edge of the cam.

Abstract: A crane has a twin post and a twin boom construction and provides for numerous degrees of freedom. The crane is a trailer and uses the weight of a vehicle to which it is attached for stability when it is in an operating mode. The crane has wheels which may be lifted off the ground to allow its positioning by a vehicle to which it is attached.

Abstract: Gripping apparatus for restraining the gun barrel on an armored vehicle comprises a pair of gripping jaws pivotally supported within a housing and connected by a first pair of toggle links to a movable carriage within the housing such that the jaws are opened and closed upon movement of the carriage, a pair of locking members slidably carried on the carriage and adapted to enter apertures in the sides of the housing to lock the carriage at a predetermined location at which the jaws are closed and the toggle links of the first pair are in substantially a straight line relationship, and a second pair of toggle links connected to the locking member and to an actuator rod so as to enable the toggle links of the second pair to assume an over-center position upon the locking members being received in the apertures for positively locking the carriage in the predetermined location.

Abstract: A portable folding bridge crane comprises a power unit having a folding tongue assembly for enabling the unit to be towed as a trailer by a vehicle, a crane rail assembly carrying a movable bridge crane thereon, a pair of support members pivotally connected to the unit and to an intermediate location of the rail assembly, first hydraulic actuators for pivoting the support members with respect to the unit to raise and lower the rail assembly, second hydraulic actuators for simultaneously pivoting the rail assembly with respect to the support members to maintain the rail assembly horizontal, and a pair of legs pivotally supported at the front of the rail assembly for movement between a stowed position at which the legs lie adjacent to the rail assembly and an operating position at which the legs are extended to engage the ground.

Abstract: A filament assembly which includes spaced posts with slotted ends for positioning a filament. The ends of the filament are secured to the posts in tapered holes which receive a pin or screw to provide electrical contact and tension the filament.

Abstract: A projectile holding apparatus or rack includes a plurality of spring-biased steel bands for securing a plurality of projectiles in the rack. Each of the securing steel bands may be individually moved to release or secure projectiles disposed within corresponding projectile storage tubes. The steel bands include a part to at least partially spiral around a projectile such that projectiles of different lengths may be accommodated. A gang control may be used for simultaneously locking and unlocking the projectiles within the projectile storage tubes. The gang control is further operable to move all of the securing bands from their releasing positions to their securing positions.