Abstract: A sealing system comprises a pair of clamping members and a sealing member between them. The sealing member is defined by a generatrix following a closed-loop curve around a longitudinal axis. In a cross-section in a plane that includes the longitudinal axis, the generatrix of the sealing member can have a substantially diagonal orientation between the clamping members. When an axial clamping force is applied, the clamping force is converted by the sealing member into a compression force that is greater than the clamping force along the generatrix.

Abstract: In a most general form the sealing system of the invention may be described as a system comprised of a pair of clamping members and a sealing member between them. The sealing member is defined by a generatrix following a closed-loop curved line around the longitudinal axis. In any partial cross section in a plane perpendicular to a projection of a tangent of the closed-loop curved line onto the plane P, the generatrix of the sealing member has a substantially diagonal orientation between the clamping members. When the clamping members are moved towards each for clamping the sealing member, the axial clamping force is magnified and converted into a compression force along the generatrix.

Abstract: The kinematic mount includes first and second plates and three connectors. The first plate has three grooves therein. The grooves are spaced 120 degrees apart from one another. The second plate has three indentations therein. Each of the indentations is located at a respective apex of an equilateral triangle. Each of the three connectors include first and second surfaces. The first surface is configured to contact a respective groove along two substantially parallel contact lines each having opposing ends. The first surface is formed such that each of the two contact lines is curved near its opposing ends. The second surface is coupled to the first surface. The second surface is configured to contact a respective indentation along an annular contact line. The curved ends of the contact lines prevent the connector from binding to the first plate when the kinematic mount is highly loaded.

Abstract: The kinematic mount includes first and second plates and three connectors. The first plate has three grooves therein. The grooves are spaced 120 degrees apart from one another. The second plate has three indentations therein. Each of the indentations is located at a respective apex of an equilateral triangle. Each of the three connectors include first and second surfaces. The first surface is configured to contact a respective groove along two substantially parallel contact lines each having opposing ends. The first surface is formed such that each of the two contact lines is curved near its opposing ends. The second surface is coupled to the first surface. The second surface is configured to contact a respective indentation along an annular contact line. The curved ends of the contact lines prevent the connector from binding to the first plate when the kinematic mount is highly loaded.

Abstract: The kinematic mount is used to repeatedly couple two components together. The kinematic mount includes a connector that has a partial spherical surface and a partial cylindrical surface coupled to and substantially opposing the partial spherical surface. The connector includes a bore there-through from the partial spherical surface to the partial cylindrical surface. The bore has a first opening at the spherical surface and a second opening at the cylindrical surface, where a diameter of the first opening is different to a diameter of the second opening to account for loose tolerances of the kinematic mount, such as non coincidental or co-located geometric centers of the partial spherical surface and a partial cylindrical surface or a deviation of a threaded hole in a V-groove formed in a first plate from the center of the V-groove. In some embodiments, the diameter of the first opening is smaller than the diameter of the second opening.

Abstract: The kinematic mounting system includes a first component, a second component, and at least one connector. The first component defines at least one cavity therein, while the second component defines at least one groove therein. The connector includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is configured to press-fit within the cavity defined by the first component. The second surface is coupled to the first surface and is configured to contact the groove of the second component along two substantially parallel contact lines, while the first and second components come to a tight contact in their interface. The first and second components may be an engine block and an engine bedplate.

Abstract: The kinematic mount preferably includes a first plate, a second plate, and a three connectors. The first plate has three indentations therein, where the indentations are each located at respective apexes of an equilateral triangle. The second plate has three grooves therein, where the grooves are spaced 120 degrees apart from one another. Each connector comprises a first surface and a second surface. The first surface forms an annular contact line between the first surface and one of the indentations. The second surface is coupled to the first surface and defines two substantially parallel contact lines between the second surface and one of the grooves. In a preferred embodiment, the first surface defines a spherical surface and the second surface defines a cylindrical surface.

Abstract: The kinematic mount preferably includes a first plate, a second plate, and a three connectors. The first plate has three indentations therein, where the indentations are each located at respective apexes of an equilateral triangle. The second plate has three grooves therein, where the grooves are spaced 120 degrees apart from one another. Each connector comprises a first surface and a second surface. The first surface forms an annular contact line between the first surface and one of the indentations. The second surface is coupled to the first surface and defines two substantially parallel contact lines between the second surface and one of the grooves. In a preferred embodiment, the first surface defines a spherical surface and the second surface defines a cylindrical surface.

Abstract: A safety hose coupling and method are disclosed for a coupling assembly made up of a hollow male member and a hollow female member with a valve mounted therewithin and a lock actuation means movable first in one direction from a neutral position so that the male and female members can be assembled in a first locking position and locked in such position when the locking means is returned to neutral position. Then the locking means is moved in a direction opposite to the one direction and the male and female members moved further together to a second locking position and to open the valve whereby the locking means is then returned to neutral position to lock the male and female members together with the valve in open position.

Abstract: A six degree of freedom micromanipulator is disclosed which may be interposed between the fingers and the remainder of a robotic arm's structure for increasing the accuracy with which an arm's fingers may be positioned independently of the accuracy achievable through motions originating at or near the arm's shoulder. Included in the structure are a base plate and yokes; drive rods and trunnions; drive rod ends; and a manipulator plate and yokes. Motor driven push-pull assemblies may be used in place of the elongated drive rods and their associated trunnions to electrically control the position of the manipulator plate.