Abstract: A handlebar vibration damping assembly (HVDA) (10) that is used in combination with a conventional two-wheeled vehicle's handlebar (80) assembly having a right grip (82), a left grip (84) and a center section (86). The HVDA (10) is comprised of a weight (12) having a first end (14), a second end (16), an outer surface (18) and a cavity (20) that extends into the second end (16). A spring (22) has a first end (24) and a second end (26), with the first end (24) inserted into the cavity (20) on the weight's second end (16). In order to maintain the HVDA (10) within the handlebar, a bolt (32) having a head (34) and a tip (36) along with an insert (38) having a bore (40), an insert nut (44) and a second nut (48) are utilized. The second end (26) of the spring (22) extends into the insert bore (40). Once the HVDA (10) is securely placed within the handlebar (80) the weight (12) can vibrate in any excitable direction 90-degrees of the centerline of the handlebar and can oscillate at different frequencies.

Abstract: An intake or exhaust valve for an internal combustion engine has a rocker arm with a pivot between its ends, one end of which is engaged by the pushrod, and the other end engages the valve stem. An adjustable stop has two positions for the rocker arm pivot; a rest position where there is no movement of the pivot, and an upper lock position where the pivot moves in response to the pushrod, and there is a reduction in the opening of the valve. A progressive rate spring compresses as the pivot moves towards the upper lock position, thereby modulating valve opening for relatively slow start (or stop) of valve stroke with accelerating (or decelerating stroke), as the progressive rate spring compresses (or expands). Relatively thinner and thicker Belleville springs are used in series to produce a progressive rate spring. The lock position of the pivot elevated above the rest position is determined by a hydraulic block trapping oil in a closed chamber.

Abstract: An intake or exhaust valve for an internal combustion engine has a rocker arm with a pivot between its ends, one end of which is engaged by the pushrod, and the other end engages the valve stem. An adjustable stop has two positions for the rocker arm pivot; a rest position where there is no movement of the pivot, and an upper lock position where the pivot moves in response to the pushrod, and there is a reduction in the opening of the valve. A progressive rate spring compresses as the pivot moves towards the upper lock position, thereby modulating valve opening for relatively slow start (or stop) of valve stroke with accelerating (or decelerating stroke), as the progressive rate spring compresses (or expands). Relatively thinner and thicker Belleville springs are used in series to produce a progressive rate spring. The lock position of the pivot elevated above the rest position is determined by a hydraulic block trapping oil in a closed chamber.

Abstract: A twin tube shock absorber having inner and outer tube with an annular reservoir between the tubes. A piston in the inner tube divides the inner tube into an upper chamber and a lower chamber and valves through the piston control stiffness of the shock absorber. An acceleration sensitive valve assembly mounted in the base valve makes the shock absorber “soft” upon downward acceleration of the wheel of the vehicle in which the shock absorber is mounted. The valve assembly includes a port for fluid communication between the lower chamber and a conduit, and an inertial mass blocking the port in a port-closed position and not blocking the port in a port-open position. The inertial mass is normally in a lower port-closed position in absence of downward acceleration of the tubes of the shock absorber. Upon downward acceleration of the tubes, the inertial mass moves upwardly toward a port-open position where fluid flow through the port is not blocked.

Abstract: An acceleration sensitive shock absorber has a tubular housing and a piston assembly in the housing dividing the housing into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The piston is connected to the wheel of a vehicle and the housing is connected to the chassis of the vehicle. Fluid can pass between the upper and lower chambers with a restricted flow rate during either extension or compression of the shock absorber. There is a first port for providing fluid flow from the lower chamber to the upper chamber upon downward acceleration of the wheel. A movable inertia valve in the piston assembly opens the first port when acceleration of the wheel of the vehicle is greater than a predetermined magnitude for increasing flow between the chambers. In addition, there is a first orifice downstream from the first port for creating hydraulic pressure which biases the inertia valve in an open position in response to fluid flow between the chambers.

Abstract: Present gas turbine engines fail to effectively and efficiently position and locate the components making up the engine to more effectively improve engine cost, serviceability and efficiency. The present gas turbine engine utilizes an external central frame which enhances engine cost, serviceability and efficiency. For example, a front plate structure of the external central frame is removably attached to a combustor section, a rear plate structure of the external central frame is removably attached to a compressor section and a plurality of elongate tie members extend between the front plate structure and the rear plate structure.

Abstract: An acceleration sensitive shock absorber has a tubular housing and a piston assembly in the housing dividing the housing into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The piston is connected to the wheel of a vehicle and the housing is connected to the chassis of the vehicle. Fluid can pass between the upper and lower chambers with a restricted flow rate during either extension or compression of the shock absorber. There is a first port for providing fluid flow from the lower chamber to the upper chamber during downward acceleration of the wheel. A movable inertia mass in the piston assembly opens the first port during downward acceleration of the wheel of the vehicle for increasing flow between the chambers. A pocket beneath the inertial mass applies sufficient pressure to the inertial mass to retain it in a port-open position during fluid flow after acceleration has decreased.

Abstract: An acceleration sensitive shock absorber has a tubular housing and a piston assembly in the housing dividing the housing into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The piston is connected to the wheel of a vehicle and the housing is connected to the chassis of the vehicle. Fluid can pass between the upper and lower chambers with a restricted flow rate during either extension or compression of the shock absorber. There is a first port for providing fluid flow from the lower chamber to the upper chamber upon downward acceleration of the wheel. A movable inertia valve in the piston assembly opens the first port when acceleration of the wheel of the vehicle is greater than a predetermined magnitude for increasing flow between the chambers. In addition, there is a first orifice downstream from the first port for creating hydraulic pressure which biases the inertia valve in an open position in response to fluid flow between the chambers.

Abstract: A modified McPherson strut has inner and outer tubes which are connected to the wheel of a vehicle. A piston within the inner tube is connected to a piston rod which is connected to the body of a vehicle. The piston divides the inner tube into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, with the upper chamber being in fluid communication with an annular gallery formed between the inner and outer tubes. Normal damping is provided by fluid passing though metering valves in the piston between the upper and lower chambers. The strut also includes an accumulator gallery inside the bottom of the outer tube with a foot valve for restricted fluid flow from the lower chamber into the accumulator gallery and essentially unrestricted flow from the accumulator gallery back into the lower chamber. An acceleration sensitive inertial mass in a bypass passage is normally closed and opens upon upward acceleration of the tubes during strut compression.

Abstract: A twin tube shock absorber has concentric inner and outer tubes connected to the wheel of a vehicle. A piston in the inner tube is connected to the chassis of the vehicle and divides the interior of the inner tube into upper and lower chambers. Fluid passes between these chambers and an annular reservoir between the tubes for absorbing shock in a conventional manner. An orifice is provided through the sidewall of the lower portion of the inner tube and is surrounded by a lower sleeve, which normally keeps the orifice closed. Upon upward acceleration of the tubes, the sleeve essentially remains fixed in space. The relative movement between the sleeve and tubes aligns a passage through the sleeve with the orifice and permits fluid to flow from the lower chamber below the piston to the annular reservoir. This provides a softer shock absorber when high upward acceleration is felt by the tubes of the shock absorber and a stiffer shock absorber during times when there is no large upward acceleration.

Abstract: A shock absorber which is inertia responsive in both compression and extension strokes to provide rapid flow in either direction responsive to rapid large changes in loading as caused by a bump or dip. The inertia responsive valving is located in the piston or the piston rod or both affording simple shock absorber body design and simple cooling. The inertia responsive valving members are longitudinally slidable and of substantially uniform cross section so as to be substantially immune to acceleration forces due to turns and are substantially insensitive to pressure changes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the high energy rate forming of metal. A mold (11) of cage-like construction and of the shape to which the sheet metal is to be formed is lined with sheet metal and a liquid medium. A number of explosive charges are then placed at strategic locations within the liquid medium and detonated, causing deformation of the sheet metal and taking up by the metal of the shape defined by the mold. The mold is normally buried in a pit and supported therein during the deformation process. The cage-like structure of the mold enables air trapped between the sheet metal and the mold to escape during the deformation process. A method of forming boat hulls using this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An adjustable shock absorber includes a valve in the piston which has a flow path. The valve can be adjusted both rotationally and longitudinally to alter different characteristics of the flow path.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for baking products within a package while insuring sterility therein and preventing damage to the product during the cooling step.

Abstract: Disclosed are suspension devices for motorcycles, in which the rear wheel is rotatively supported by rear ends of right and left side swing arms front ends of which are pivotally connected to rear low-portion of the vehicle frame, one end of a link lever pivotally supported at its center portion by rear upper-portion of the frame is pivotally connected to the swing arms via a rod member at each side of the rear wheel and other end of said link lever is pivotally connected to upper end of a spring member, and lower end of said spring member is pivotally connected to a position of each swing arm.