Abstract: A method of engaging an automated breakout assembly includes receiving, by a tow socket having a rotatable sleeve multiple mating connectors, a cable into the tow socket through a slot. The cable comprises a tow ball. Each mating connector is electrically coupled to an electrical conductor. The method includes receiving, by the rotatable sleeve, the randomly-aligned tow ball through an entrance. The method includes rotating a cam configured to rotate the rotatable sleeve to substantially align the mating connectors of the tow socket with connectors of the tow ball such that each electrical conductor electrically coupled to a mating connector couples to a corresponding connector of the tow ball. The method includes transferring a tow loading force between the cable and the tow socket by moving the cable.

Abstract: A cable bend limiter provides one or more joints including alternating sleeves and outer ball sections enclosing inner ball sections. Friction is controlled by washers at, or low friction surface treatments on, either side of the outer ball sections.

Abstract: A method of engaging an automated breakout assembly includes receiving, by a tow socket having a rotatable sleeve multiple mating connectors, a cable into the tow socket through a slot. The cable comprises a tow ball. Each mating connector is electrically coupled to an electrical conductor. The method includes receiving, by the rotatable sleeve, the randomly-aligned tow ball through an entrance. The method includes rotating a cam configured to rotate the rotatable sleeve to substantially align the mating connectors of the tow socket with connectors of the tow ball such that each electrical conductor electrically coupled to a mating connector couples to a corresponding connector of the tow ball. The method includes transferring a tow loading force between the cable and the tow socket by moving the cable.

Abstract: A cable bend limiter provides one or more joints including alternating sleeves and outer ball sections enclosing inner ball sections. Friction is controlled by washers at, or low friction surface treatments on, either side of the outer ball sections.

Abstract: A tow body and associated method have an acoustic projector that can be rotated about a vertical plane while the tow body is being towed through the water. In some embodiments, the tow body and method allow the tow body to be coupled to a tow cable while the tow cable is being towed through the water and under tension.

Abstract: An electrical feed-through assembly and method of making an electrical feed-through assembly provide an electrical feed-through assembly that can survive exposure in a high pressure liquid, for example, seawater at least 9000 psi, for substantial periods of time, for example, twenty years, without substantial leakage of the high pressure liquid into or through the electrical feed-through assembly.

Abstract: A flextensional transducer for use in surface ship applications requiring the capability of withstanding underwater explosive shock is described. The transducer includes a plurality of ceramic stacked drivers disposed between an elliptical outer shell having opposing slots disposed along an inner surface of the shell and a flextensional limiting support block. The drivers are mounted on ball joint sockets which allow pivoting during high acceleration loading conditions. The support block further has a pair of curved surfaces which will generally follow, in close proximity, the inner surface of the shell and a member coupled to the opposing slots of the elliptical shell. The block can be fixed to a rigid mount disposed over at least one end of the transducer using a plurality of tie rods.

Abstract: An elastomer support for a sonar transducer includes a ceramic stack electromechanical driver, a pair of rigid support members, and a pair of elastomer layers disposed between the ceramic stack electromechanical driver and the support members. The elastomer support provides effective mechanical stress reduction in the ceramic stack driver, as well as, a simple, reliable heat dissipation means for the transducer.

Abstract: The nozzle includes an axially extending discharge passage of circular cross-section and having a convergent entrance portion, a constricted throat which is axially and circumferentially convex, and an enlarged diameter exit portion which is concave in the axial direction as well as in the circumferential direction. The annular wall which defines the axially concave exit portion terminates perpendicular to the extreme end of the nozzle. By virtue of the shape of the passage, the plasma is discharged from the nozzle at supersonic velocity and substantially in the form of a collimated stream so as to effect faster and squarer cutting of a metal workpiece.

Abstract: The drive modules of a magnetostrictive transducer are fabricated from interleaved permanent magnet disks (samarium cobalt) and high-strain, low-permeability magnetostrictive lanthanide alloy (Terfenol-D) disks to form a stack of such interleaved materials of substantially uniform magnetic field distribution in the stack. Two such stacks in side-by-side relationship provide a series-aiding magnetic circuit completed through high-permeability flux return pole pieces at their ends thereby providing a substantially uniform magnetic field distribution in the stack. Each stack has longitudinally-extending and electrically-insulated planar cuts and each flux return pole piece is a laminate of thin sheets of high-permeability electrically-insulated steel to reduce eddy current losses resulting from the AC field. The steel sheets are constrained by a nonmagnetic end-block into which the steel sheets are inserted and bonded.

Abstract: A locking type of connector assembly consists of two connector halves, one half having a more compliant surface in pressure contact with a surface of the other half. The surfaces have mating protrusions and recesses which are in pressure contact. The torque required to misalign the mating surfaces after tightening the connector is sufficiently great to prevent loosening of the connector by vibration.

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/00322 Sec. 371 Date May 14, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date May 14, 1979 PCT Filed May 14, 1979 WO80/02526 Nov. 27, 1980The ends (14,16) of cylindrical bushings 10) in which pins rotate bear relatively heavy loads. This can lead to a slight internal deformation of the bushing (10) which can interfere with free rotation of the pin. Such a problem is encountered, for example, with track pin bushings. A solution to this problem is to contour the ends (14,16) of the bushing (10) so that the inner diameter thereof flares (28,30) outwardly toward the bushing ends (14,16). This has not previously been accomplished via a single relatively non-critical operation. In the present invention a first end (14) of a cylindrically bored tube (10) is compressed radially inwardly sufficient to force it to a reduced internal diameter (18).

Abstract: A unitary bogie pad has a base portion, an intermediate portion, and a cap portion each of a generally round horizontal cross sectional configuration. The base portion is of a columnar configuration, the intermediate portion has outer annular walls sloping generally inwardly, and the cap portion is of a generally domed configuration. The base portion has a bottom surface and an outer surface hingedly connected to the bottom surface.

Abstract: An end face seal assembly has a seal ring of a first material, a support ring of a second material and a load ring of a third material serially connected together. The first material has a higher durometer scale hardness than the third material, and the second material is different and has greater rigidity than the first and third materials. The seal assembly has a preselected geometric relationship in use in a severe service environment rotary joint.

Abstract: First and second tractors are connected by a coupling device in a first row, and a third tractor is disposed in substantially parallel relation thereto in a juxtaposed second row. An implement assembly is connected to one of the first and second tractors and to the third tractor for moving material obliquely away from the normal longitudinal direction of working movement of the tractors. Preferably, a second implement assembly is connected to the other one of the first and second tractors and to the third tractor for similar operation when the triple tractor assembly travels in a reverse direction as a unit.

Abstract: A hardenable insert for use with a reversible track link in an endless track assembly to be interposed between the worn side of a used track link and a track shoe applied thereto. The pad includes a matrix which is formed of a deformable binder or filler material, an uncured resin flowable in its uncured state and rigid when cured. The resin impregnates the pad. The pad also includes a plurality of rupturable capsules dispersed throughout the pad, the capsules containing a curing agent for the resin so that when the pad is interposed between the worn side of a reversible track link and a track shoe, and the track shoe is clamped to the track link, the pad will deform to conform to irregularities at its interface with the track link and the capsules will rupture to cause the curing agent to cure the resin to rigidify the pad and thereby provide a smooth interface to prevent loosening of the track link and the track shoe during subsequent use.

Abstract: A walking working vehicle has a plurality of separate, movable feet positioned along side portions of the vehicle. Elements are provided for connecting each foot to the frame and the power source for controllably moving each foot in a preselected manner sufficient to move the vehicle along the ground at a substantially constant velocity and maintain the frame of the vehicle substantially parallel to the ground.

Abstract: An endless track assembly comprises a plurality of pivotally interconnected links with each pair of adjacent links having an annular seal assembly mounted therebetween. The seal assembly comprises an elastomeric crescent-shaped seal having a lip disposed in sealing contact with a sealing surface defined in the track assembly. An annular elastomeric load ring is disposed within the seal to urge the lip into such sealing contact. A metallic reinforcing ring, disposed between the lip and the load ring, is preferably bonded only to the lip.

Abstract: A pair of tractors are disposed in side-by-side relation, and are coupled by a single rigid link which may be reversed in position to vary the relative positioning of the tractors forwardly and rearwardly, to in turn determine the positioning of an implement carried by the tractors.

Abstract: An overrunning load control for a hydraulic jack includes a pair of variable orifice means in series, with the degree of metering of one of such orifices being determined by fluid pressure in the end of the hydraulic jack resisting the load. The degree of metering of the other variable orifice may be selectively chosen, through actuation of a relatively low pressure hydraulic pilot system.