Abstract: A radial piston device includes a housing and a pintle fixed thereto that includes an inlet and an outlet, each aligned with a pintle axis. A rotor is rotatably disposed around the pintle and includes radially oriented cylinders. A piston is axially displaceable in each cylinder and includes a head defining a spherical contact surface. A thrust ring is rotatably disposed within the housing about the rotor and is in contact with each piston, such that a rotation of the rotor rotates the thrust ring. An inner surface of the thrust ring defines a toroidal contact surface. A contact location between the spherical contact surface and the toroidal contact surface varies as the rotor rotates about the pintle. A drive shaft is engaged with the rotor, such that a rotation of the rotor rotates the drive shaft.

Abstract: A radial piston device includes a housing and a pintle fixed thereto that includes an inlet and an outlet, each aligned with a pintle axis. A rotor is rotatably disposed around the pintle and includes radially oriented cylinders. A piston is axially displaceable in each cylinder and includes a head defining a spherical contact surface. A thrust ring is rotatably disposed within the housing about the rotor and is in contact with each piston, such that a rotation of the rotor rotates the thrust ring. An inner surface of the thrust ring defines a toroidal contact surface. A contact location between the spherical contact surface and the toroidal contact surface varies as the rotor rotates about the pintle. A drive shaft is engaged with the rotor, such that a rotation of the rotor rotates the drive shaft.

Abstract: A bleed valve assembly includes a control assembly having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a passageway in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. A fluid inlet air pressure is greater than a fluid outlet air pressure. An electromechanical valve is disposed in the control assembly and provides selective fluid communication between the passageway and the fluid outlet. A valve assembly is disposed in the passageway of the control assembly and prevents fluid communication of non-gaseous fluid between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The valve assembly includes a float member and a float seat. A flow restrictor is in fluidic communication with the passageway and is configured to maintain a pressure within the assembly such that a change in a gaseous fluid pressure across the valve assembly is insufficient to close the valve assembly.

Abstract: An optical switching device comprises an optical waveguide formed from two light-transmitting materials having an interface between them, and in which the refractive index of one of the materials can be altered by an external influence; the other has a light path directed at the interface at an angle such that by varying the refractive index of the first material the light can either pass through the material or be reflected at the interface. By utilizing a plurality of such interfaces in sequence the light may be selectively switched along several different paths.