Abstract: The present subject matter relates to devices, systems, and methods for indicating degradation in a component having one or more elastomeric elements. For example, a degradation indicator can include an indicator element in communication with at least a portion of the one or more elastomeric elements, wherein the indicator element is configured to show visible degradation or damage when a specific and predetermined condition of the one or more elastomeric elements is reached.

Abstract: Rotary dampers and systems for use and installation within a rotary winged aircraft, and related methods, are provided herein. In some aspects, a rotary damper includes a housing having a rotor assembly positioned inside the housing. The rotary damper may further include at least one resilient member disposed adjacent to an outer portion of the housing. The at least one resilient member is externally visible from outside of the rotary damper. In some aspects, the resilient member includes a torsional spring of the rotary damper. In certain aspects, the resilient member is disk shaped and slidable within a portion of the rotary damper. In some aspects, at least one primary liquid orifice is provided in a portion of the at least one rotor member. In some aspects, at least one pressure equalization port is disposed within a portion of the rotor assembly.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to devices, systems, and methods for indicating degradation in a component having None or more elastomeric elements. For example, a degradation indicator can include an indicator element in communication with at least a portion of the one or more elastomeric elements, wherein the indicator element is configured to show visible degradation or damage when a specific and predetermined condition of the one or more elastomeric elements is reached.

Abstract: Rotary dampers and systems for use and installation within a rotary winged aircraft, and related methods, are provided herein. In some aspects, a rotary damper includes a housing having a rotor assembly positioned inside the housing. The rotary damper may further include at least one resilient member disposed adjacent to an outer portion of the housing. The at least one resilient member is externally visible from outside of the rotary damper. In some aspects, the resilient member includes a torsional spring of the rotary damper. In certain aspects, the resilient member is disk shaped and slidable within a portion of the rotary damper. In some aspects, at least one primary liquid orifice is provided in a portion of the at least one rotor member. In some asects, at least one pressure equalization port is disposed within a portion of the rotor assembly.

Abstract: Elastomeric journal bearing assemblies, systems, and methods are provided in which and at least one structural element is arranged between adjacent pairs of a plurality of elastomer sections arranged about a center axis. In such arrangements, the disclosed assemblies, systems, and methods redistribute stresses throughout the depth of elastomeric journal bearing more efficiently than conventional configurations.

Abstract: An aircraft rotary wing motion control fluid device providing motion control and with wireless sensing of at least one fluid property inside the fluid device is provided. The wireless sensing system is integrated with at least one of the first and second aircraft rotary wing motion control fluid device bodies. The wireless sensing system includes at least one fluid property sensor in sensing proximity to the at least one fluid chamber and a communications device for wirelessly conveying a measurement made by the at least one fluid property sensor to a remote location.

Abstract: An aircraft rotary wing motion control fluid device providing motion control and with wireless sensing of at least one fluid property inside the fluid device is provided. The wireless sensing system is integrated with at least one of the first and second aircraft rotary wing motion control fluid device bodies. The wireless sensing system includes at least one fluid property sensor in sensing proximity to the at least one fluid chamber and a communications device for wirelessly conveying a measurement made by the at least one fluid property sensor to a remote location.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension mount (20) for connection of a first vehicle body—structure (22) with a second vehicle body structure (24). The mount including a suspension mount damping liquid damper pumper member (42).

Abstract: A powered construction ground compactor for use by a worker compacting a construction foundation material. The powered construction ground compactor includes a lower foundation interfacer for interfacer engaging the construction foundation to be compacted, a powered compacting large moving mass, the powered compacting large moving mass forcing the foundation interfacer into construction foundation material to be compacted, an upper handle for holding by the worker compacting the construction foundation material, a handle moving mass vibration absorber, the handle moving mass vibration absorber including a moving mass, the moving mass movingly coupled to the upper handle wherein the moving mass oscillates relative to said compacting moving mass.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension mount for connection of a first vehicle body structure with a second vehicle body structure, the mount including a first outer container member, a second outer cap member, the second outer cap member having a nonelastomeric center axial shaft and an outer elastomeric cap with the outer elastomeric cap grounded radially outward to the first outer container member, the nonelastomeric center axial shaft longitudinally extending inward into the first outer container member along a shaft axis, with the nonelastomeric center shaft having a terminal end distal from the outer elastomeric cap.

Abstract: A controllable secondary suspension system (20) for vehicle cabs (18) and the like which flexibly suspends and controls movement of the vehicle's cab (22) relative to the vehicle's frame (24). The system (20) includes at least one flexible support (26), which are preferably two spaced apart air springs flexibly suspending the cab (22) relative to the frame (24), at least one controllable fluid damper, and preferably two spaced-apart controllable fluid dampers, such as Magnetorheological (MR) fluid dampers (28, 28'), interconnected between the cab (22) and the frame (24). In one aspect, the system (20) may include at least one sensor, such as a relative position sensor (30), for providing relative vibration information between the cab (22) and the frame (24), and a controller (36) for processing the relative vibration information to determine current to be supplied to the controllable fluid damper (28) to control the degree of damping thereof.

Abstract: A method for automatically calibrating a controller (44) for a controllable damping system (40), for example, the suspension and damping system for a truck seat or cab, includes the steps of receiving a initiation signal that is checked against criteria to ensure that calibration is actually intended. The seat (20) or other body (ex. a vehicle cab) is then moved to a first limit position, where a sensor (50, 50') reads a position signal, and to a second limit position, where another position signal is read. Preferably, a midpoint, or neutral position is calculated from the measured position signals, and the seat (20) or other body is moved to this neutral position. A range of movement is determined from the first and second position signals. Preferably, end stop limits are calculated as predetermined fractions of the range of movement value. All values are stored for use by the controllable damper system (40).

Abstract: The invention relates to magnetorheological (MR) fluid devices and the process of controlling the force in exercise equipment by utilizing the MR fluid devices. The MR fluid devices include rotary and linear acting varieties and are useful for controlled forces in exercise bicycles, recumbent exercisers, ski machines, rowing machines, and stair stepper machines. The rotary MR fluid device is comprised of a rotor supported by bearings and received within a housing. An MR fluid is received adjacent the rotor and within a cavity in the housing and the MR fluid is controlled by an applied magnetic field to vary the operating torque resistance. Spring biasing the rotor allows for relaxed tolerances. Optimization of the Ri/Ro ratio is described which reduces the size and weight of the device. The linear acting version utilizes simple extensible pumps and an external MR fluid valve to provide a modularized system.

Abstract: A semi-active control method for a controllable fluid damper used in seat supports. The present method filters a relative displacement signal phase shifting the relative displacement sine wave by an angle from greater than 0.degree. through an angle less than 90.degree. to get a relative rate. The sign of the relative rate is compared to that of an absolute velocity curve obtained by integrating the absolute acceleration value obtained by an accelerometer attached to the controlled seat. If the signs are the same, the output to the damper is set to a minimum; if the signs are different, the value is set at the absolute velocity multiplied by an input gain. Endstop limits can be implemented with this control method.

Abstract: A controllable fluid damper is employed in a seat suspension system. A microprocessor receives successive signals from a displacement sensor and computes a rate of displacement. This displacement rate is used to determine an appropriate control signal for the damper to provide the desired isolation of the seat occupant from the vibration input to the frame. A rate control method is disclosed as a preferred control technique for providing the desired isolation, although both the control hardware and method can be used independently.