Abstract: Strain-hardened steel alloys having a high tensile strength are prepared by cold working of alloys whose microstructure includes grains in which laths of martensite alternate with thin films of stabilized austenite. Due to the high dislocation density of this microstructure and the tendency of the strains to move between the martensite and austenite phases, the strains created by cold working provide the microstructure with unique mechanical properties including a high tensile strength. Surprisingly, this is achieved without the need for intermediate heat treatments (patenting, in the case of steel wire) of the steel between cold working reductions.

Abstract: Total wrist prosthesis comprising a radial component with a stem for fixation into the radius, a carpal component with one or more stems for fixation into the capitate and an intermediate bearing component which articulates with the radial component and allows rotational movement of the carpal component relative to the radial component plus hinged movement in two transverse planes. The radial component body may have a concave or convex surface to articulate with a matching surface on the intermediate bearing component. The carpal body may have a projection which is received in a recess in a base surface of the intermediate bearing component, and which has a pair of lugs that are received in an annular groove in the recess for an axially secure connection that allows small relative rotational movement as permitted by tendons and ligaments of the wrist.

Abstract: A transfer case having an input shaft driven by a powertrain, a first output shaft adapted for connection to a first driveline and a torque transfer mechanism. The torque transfer mechanism includes a friction clutch assembly operably disposed between the first output shaft and the second output shaft and a clutch actuator assembly for generating and applying a clutch engagement force to the friction clutch assembly. The clutch actuator assembly includes an electric motor, a geared reduction unit and a clutch apply operator. A control system including vehicle sensors and a controller are provided to control actuation of the electric motor.

Abstract: A carbon steel alloy that exhibits the combined properties of high strength, ductility, and corrosion resistance is one whose microstructure contains ferrite regions combined with martensite-austenite regions, with carbide precipitates dispersed in the ferrite regions but without carbide precipitates are any of the interfaces between different phases. The microstructure thus contains of four distinct phases: (1) martensite laths separated by (2) thin films of retained austenite, plus (3) ferrite regions containing (4) carbide precipitates. In certain embodiments, the microstructure further contains carbide-free ferrite regions.

Abstract: A transfer case having an input shaft driven by a powertrain, a first output shaft adapted for connection to a first driveline and a torque transfer mechanism. The torque transfer mechanism includes a friction clutch assembly operably disposed between the first output shaft and the second output shaft and a clutch actuator assembly for generating and applying a clutch engagement force to the friction clutch assembly. The clutch actuator assembly includes an electric motor, a geared reduction unit and a clutch apply operator. A control system including vehicle sensors and a controller are provided to control actuation of the electric motor.

Abstract: Carbon steels of high performance are disclosed that contain dislocated lath structures in which laths of martensite alternate with thin films of austenite, but in which each grain of the dislocated lath structure is limited to a single microstructure variant by orienting all austenite thin films in the same direction. This is achieved by careful control of the grain size to less than ten microns. Further improvement in the performance of the steel is achieved by processing the steel in such a way that the formation of bainite, pearlite, and interphase precipitation is avoided.

Abstract: A transfer case having an input shaft driven by a powertrain, a first output shaft adapted for connection to a first driveline, a second output shaft adapted for connection to a second driveline, an interaxle differential operably disposed between the input shaft and the first and second output shafts, and a torque transfer mechanism. The torque transfer mechanism includes a friction clutch assembly operably disposed between the first output shaft and the second output shaft, and a clutch actuator assembly for generating and applying a clutch engagement force to the friction clutch assembly. The clutch actuator assembly includes an electric motor, a geared reduction unit, and a clutch apply operator. A control system including vehicle sensors and a controller are provided to control actuation of the electric motor.

Abstract: A prosthesis includes an aperture with an arcuate wall incorporating a locking bone screw having an internally threaded annular collar with a circumferential cut-out allowing the collar to expand and contract. The collar may have an arcuate outer surface to engage and rotate in an arcuate wall of an aperture. The screw may include a head at one end of a screw shank, a first thread on the screw shank extending from the screw end remote from the head towards the head. A second thread on the shank may be adjacent the head. The screw may also include a threadless section of shank or lag between the first and second thread. The shank supporting the second thread may be tapered such that it expands the collar when screwed into the collar.

Abstract: A load-limiting device for using in a braced frame structure is provided. The load-limiting device may be placed in a braced frame and connected to the braces of the braced frame. The load-limiting device is able to limit the lateral loads induced in the structure during a dynamic event by plastic and ductile deformation. The load-limiting device, by limiting the dynamic loads in the braced frame, may protect other less ductile areas of the structure from the loads that might lead to extensive damage, member failure and/or structural collapse. The load-limiting device is positioned within a braced frame structure and may be easily removed after it has undergone plastic deformation and replaced with an undeformed load-limiting device. The load-limiting device exhibits elastic strength to survive, without deformation, minor load scenarios. The device is suitable for retrofitting in existing structures that are susceptible to dynamic activity and that have inadequate dynamic loading capacity.

Abstract: A carbon steel alloy that exhibits the combined properties of high strength, ductility, and corrosion resistance is one whose microstructure contains ferrite regions combined with martensite-austenite regions, with carbide precipitates dispersed in the ferrite regions but without carbide precipitates are any of the interfaces between different phases. The microstructure thus contains of four distinct phases: (1) martensite laths separated by (2) thin films of retained austenite, plus (3) ferrite regions containing (4) carbide precipitates. In certain embodiments, the microstructure further contains carbide-free ferrite regions.

Abstract: A payload adapter consists of a body that when hollow includes a plurality of stiffeners—radial and/or circumferential—or alternatively a core for carrying shear loads. The body may include a first annular face sheet, a second annular face sheet and a plurality of stiffeners connecting between the first annular face sheet and the second annular face sheet. The combination of the annular hollow body and the plurality of stiffeners or the same face sheets combined with an in-filled core results in an axial frequency and a lateral (pitch) frequency for the payload adapter that provides superior vibration isolation. Constrained layer damping is incorporated into the design for additional vibration attenuation.

Abstract: A transfer case is provided and includes a first output shaft driven by a powertrain and operably interconnected with a first pair of wheels, a second output shaft selectively driven by the first output shaft and operably interconnected with a second pair of wheels and a transfer gear assembly operably disposed between the first output shaft and the second output shaft for transferring drive torque from the first output shaft to the second output shaft. The transfer gear assembly includes a first transfer gear in selective drive connection with the first output shaft, a second transfer gear in meshed engagement with the first transfer gear, a third transfer gear in drive connection with the second transfer gear and the second output shaft. A clutch pack is operably disposed between the first output shaft and the first transfer gear for selectively establishing drive connection therebetween.

Abstract: A transfer case having an input shaft driven by a powertrain, a first output shaft adapted for connection to a first driveline, a second output shaft adapted for connection to a second driveline, an interaxle differential operably disposed between the input shaft and the first and second output shafts, and a torque transfer mechanism. The torque transfer mechanism includes a friction clutch assembly operably disposed between the first output shaft and the second output shaft, and a clutch actuator assembly for generating and applying a clutch engagement force to the friction clutch assembly. The clutch actuator assembly includes an electric motor, a geared reduction unit, and a clutch apply operator. A control system including vehicle sensors and a controller are provided to control actuation of the electric motor.

Abstract: A transfer case having an input shaft driven by a powertrain, a first output shaft adapted for connection to a first driveline, a second output shaft adapted for connection to a second driveline, an interaxle differential operably disposed between the input shaft and the first and second output shafts, and a torque transfer mechanism. The torque transfer mechanism includes a friction clutch assembly operably disposed between the first output shaft and the second output shaft, and a clutch actuator assembly for generating and applying a clutch engagement force to the friction clutch assembly. The clutch actuator assembly includes an electric motor, a geared reduction unit, and a clutch apply operator. A control system including vehicle sensors and a controller are provided to control actuation of the electric motor.

Abstract: A transfer case having an input shaft driven by a powertrain, a first output shaft adapted for connection to a first driveline, a second output shaft adapted for connection to a second driveline, an interaxle differential operably disposed between the input shaft and the first and second output shafts, and a torque transfer mechanism. The torque transfer mechanism includes a friction clutch assembly operably disposed between the first output shaft and the second output shaft, and a clutch actuator assembly for generating and applying a clutch engagement force to the friction clutch assembly. The clutch actuator assembly includes an electric motor, a geared reduction unit, and a clutch apply operator. A control system including vehicle sensors and a controller are provided to control actuation of the electric motor.

Abstract: Carbon steels of high performance are disclosed that contain a three-phase microstructure consisting of grains of ferrite fused with grains that contain dislocated lath structures in which laths of martensite alternate with thin films of austenite. The microstructure can be formed by a unique method of austenization followed by multi-phase cooling in a manner that avoids bainite and pearlite formation and precipitation at phase interfaces. The desired microstructure can be obtained by casting, heat treatment, on-line rolling, forging, and other common metallurgical processing procedures, and yields superior combinations of mechanical and corrosion properties.

Abstract: Strain-hardened steel alloys having a high tensile strength are prepared by cold working of alloys whose microstructure includes grains in which laths of martensite alternate with thin films of stabilized austenite. Due to the high dislocation density of this microstructure and the tendency of the strains to move between the martensite and austenite phases, the strains created by cold working provide the microstructure with unique mechanical properties including a high tensile strength. Surprisingly, this is achieved without the need for intermediate heat treatments (patenting, in the case of steel wire) of the steel between cold working reductions.

Abstract: A transfer case is provided and includes a first output shaft driven by a powertrain and operably interconnected with a first pair of wheels, a second output shaft selectively driven by the first output shaft and operably interconnected with a second pair of wheels and a transfer gear assembly operably disposed between the first output shaft and the second output shaft for transferring drive torque from the first output shaft to the second output shaft. The transfer gear assembly includes a first transfer gear in selective drive connection with the first output shaft, a second transfer gear in meshed engagement with the first transfer gear, a third transfer gear in drive connection with the second transfer gear and the second output shaft. A clutch pack is operably disposed between the first output shaft and the first transfer gear for selectively establishing drive connection therebetween.

Abstract: Carbon steels of high performance are disclosed that contain a three-phase microstructure consisting of grains of ferrite fused with grains that contain dislocated lath structures in which laths of martensite alternate with thin films of austenite. The microstructure can be formed by a unique method of austenization followed by multi-phase cooling in a manner that avoids bainite and pearlite formation and precipitation at phase interfaces. The desired microstructure can be obtained by casting, heat treatment, on-line rolling, forging, and other common metallurgical processing procedures, and yields superior combinations of mechanical and corrosion properties.

Abstract: Carbon steels of high performance are disclosed that contain dislocated lath structures in which laths of martensite alternate with thin films of austenite, but in which each grain of the dislocated lath structure is limited to a single microstructure variant by orienting all austenite thin films in the same direction. This is achieved by careful control of the grain size to less than ten microns. Further improvement in the performance of the steel is achieved by processing the steel in such a way that the formation of bainite, pearlite, and interphase precipitation is avoided.