Abstract: The present invention's vibration/shock amelioration device, as typically embodied, has a geometric device axis and includes two axial endplates, an intermediate support structure, and at least six truncated-conical resilient (e.g., elastomeric) elements. The intermediate support structure is equidistant between the endplates and lies in a geometric bisector plane that is perpendicular to the device axis. Each resilient element has a geometric conical axis, a larger-diameter axial end, and a smaller-diameter axial end. The resilient elements are fixed between the support structure and an endplate and are arranged symmetrically with respect to the device axis whereby the conical axes intersect the device axis at oblique angles and the smaller-diameter axial ends are closer to the bisector plane than are the larger-diameter axial ends. The intermediate support structure can include a single rigid piece, or a composite unit having a pair of rigid members and a resilient (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention, as variously practiced, implements electrorheological fluid (ERF) as a bearing lubricant. Various modes of an inventive rolling element bearing apparatus provide for electrification of inventive electrode components, viz: (first mode) two annular disk electrodes, opposite each other and perpendicular to the two raceway surfaces; or, (second mode) electrically conductive inner and outer races, having an electrically conductive spacer therebetween; or, (third mode) plural electrodes, radially embedded in a race. An ERF lubricative coating remains on one or both raceway surfaces in accordance with Winslow effect principle (first and second modes) or edge effect principle (third mode).

Abstract: In one general aspect, a shaftless external propulsion system as described herein provides a sleeve configured to be externally mounted over a hull of a marine vehicle. In addition, the shaftless propulsion system provides a rotor and a first stator mounted on the sleeve. The rotor includes a rotor hub that cooperates with a rotor bearing to enable the rotor to rotate about the sleeve, the rotor further comprising rotor blades attached to the rotor hub. The rotor and the first stator are disposed between a collar located at a first end of the sleeve and a collar hub located at an opposite end of the sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention, as variously practiced, implements electrorheological fluid (ERF) as a bearing lubricant. Various modes of an inventive rolling element bearing apparatus provide for electrification of inventive electrode components, viz: (first mode) two annular disk electrodes, opposite each other and perpendicular to the two raceway surfaces; or, (second mode) electrically conductive inner and outer races, having an electrically conductive spacer therebetween; or, (third mode) plural electrodes, radially embedded in a race. An ERF lubricative coating remains on one or both raceway surfaces in accordance with Winslow effect principle (first and second modes) or edge effect principle (third mode).

Abstract: The present invention, as variously practiced, implements electrorheological fluid (ERF) as a bearing lubricant. Various modes of an inventive rolling element bearing apparatus provide for electrification of inventive electrode components, viz: (first mode) two annular disk electrodes, opposite each other and perpendicular to the two raceway surfaces; or, (second mode) electrically conductive inner and outer races, having an electrically conductive spacer therebetween; or, (third mode) plural electrodes, radially embedded in a race. An ERF lubricative coating remains on one or both raceway surfaces in accordance with Winslow effect principle (first and second modes) or edge effect principle (third mode).

Abstract: A bearing washer is inserted into a horizontally elongated recess formed within the top flat surface of an upper tapered wedge of a support assembly through which equipment is adjustably positioned on a foundation. The upper wedge is vertically and horizontally adjusted in slidingly positioned contact with a lower tapered wedge along inclined surfaces within a recess formed therein before attachment of the tapered wedges to each other by horizontal fastener bolts extending through the upper wedge and the lower wedge. In such adjusted position of the wedges, a convex surface on the inserted bearing washer is in contact with a concave surface within a recess formed in the top surface of the upper wedge to support the equipment in close spaced relationship thereabove. Slidable adjustment of the wedges is limited by a recess shoulder in the lower tapered wedge to avoid excessive loading of the fastener bolts under severe shock and vibration conditions imposed on the equipment positioned on the foundation.

Abstract: A structural power transmitting component embodies a shaft and a gear or pulley held threadedly positioned on the shaft by four nuts while interconnected by a torque transmitting wedge and key. The shaft is especially configured to establish structural interrelationships with the nuts, wedge, key and gear so as to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the component as well as to maintain the wedge and key deformed under engagement by the nuts to avoid development of internal clearances during start-up and stoppage of torque transmission to thereby preclude generation of noise during such operational start-up and stoppage of transmission through the component.

Abstract: At least two rigid segments of a tapered bearing sleeve are interconnected y deformable elastomeric sections for rotational support of a shaft or pin about a fixed axis established within a housing into which the bearing sleeve is inserted and held therein by an adjustment closure ring under axial pressure of a spring through which radial clearance between the sleeve segments and the shaft varied during transient loading of the shaft, is minimized to reduce vibrational noise and wear.

Abstract: Angularly spaced sector portions of a bushing element attached by its annr flange to a housing, adjustably positions angularly spaced bearing elements and wedge-shaped spacers for bearing support of a shaft with desired radial and axial clearances maintained by fasteners extending into the housing parallel to the shaft axis from the flanges of the bushing and the bearing elements to accommodate radial adjustment, while fastener studs extending perpendicular to the shaft axis through enlarged holes in all of the elements of the bearing assembly accommodate axial adjustment before attachment of the bearing elements in their adjusted positions to the housing is finalized.

Abstract: An axially elongated tube is slideably and pivotally supported within a tlar housing from which the tube extends rearwardly for connection to a source of vacuum. The vacuum is selectively applied through the tube from a flattened forward end thereof to a workpiece after the tube is slideably displaced rearwardly from a retracted to an extended position within the housing. A hand grip on the housing enables it to be manually held in operative relation to the workpiece. A support assembly pivotally mounted on the housing adjustably positions a heating jaw electrically connected by a switch on the housing to a power supply for performance of heat sealing operations on the workpiece.

Abstract: A coupling stud assembly for coupling together a pair of flanges. A stud ing a tapered surface is inserted into respective overlapping through-holes provided in the flanges so that a space is defined between the stud and inner walls of the holes. A wedge is fitted into the space and is pressed by a wedge spacer so as to tighten contact between the stud and the inner walls of the through-holes. Nuts are provided on threaded ends of the stud to securely couple the flanges together. This arrangement provides a tight, vibration-free coupling between the flanges.

Abstract: Bearing apparatus for submarine mast fairing or other cylindroid member, turing at least one stave bearing which is made an integral part of the fairing or other cylindroid member and which is tangentially and supportively engaged by a complementary structural bearing which is coupled with the submarine sail or other supporting structure. Utilization of the stave bearing surface rather than the cylindroid member surface in the bearing engagement permits utilization of superior materials for the mating elements and consequent improvement in wear, noise and maintenance characteristics of the bearing assembly. For some embodiments an adjustable housing for the complementary bearing allows for wear of the stave bearing and complementary bearing by providing adjustability of the clearance distance at the interface between these two mating elements. Additional structural support can be provided by one or more bushings, molds and/or other reinforcement members.

Abstract: An angularly reciprocating pivotable yoke, driven by a motor or a power t, is attached to respective ends of an abrasive coated cable or wire blade to draw the blade back and forth over a workpiece and provide cutting thereof, particularly in close quarters where little clearance is provided adjacent a workpiece. A telescoping housing includes a movable protective cover for protection of both the user and the mechanism. A safety switch is provided for preventing operation of the mechanism when the protective cover does not cover moving parts of the mechanism. A pivotable support for attachment of the ends of the blade to ends of the pivotable yoke is preferably of cylindrical form and which has a slotted aperture for receiving the blade and a recess for receiving an enlarged blade end, preferably formed by a piece of tubing crimped to the blade.