Abstract: A system for inhibiting no-back brake device creep includes a motor, a ballscrew assembly coupled to the motor, a no-back brake device coupled to the ballscrew assembly, and at least one damper coupled to the ballscrew assembly. The damper varies a damping characteristic based on an operational state of the motor.

Abstract: A hydrostatic release mechanism is provided which comprises a sealed housing having an interior volume and a tunnel adapted to receive a tether extending therethrough. A depth sensor is mounted to the sealed housing and has a diaphragm covering an opening between the interior volume and the ambient conditions. A trigger is contained within the sealed housing and is operably connected to the diaphragm and a firing mechanism. The firing mechanism is actuated by movement of the trigger in response to inward movement of the diaphragm when the pressure on the diaphragm exceeds a predetermined force. The firing mechanism includes a piston having a blade which moves in response to the expanding gases from a pyrotechnic cartridge and passes through the tunnel thereby severing the tether extending therethrough.

Abstract: A non-reciprocating Stirling-cycle machine which overcomes problems associated with high drive mechanism forces and vibration that seriously hamper reciprocating Stirling-cycle machines. The design employs Wankel rotors instead of the reciprocating pistons used in prior Stirling machines for effecting the compression and expansion cycles. Key innovations are the use of thermodynamic symmetry to allow coupling of the rotating compression and expansion spaces through simple stationary regenerators, and the coordination of thermodynamic and inertial phasing to allow complete balancing with one simple passive counterweight, which is not possible in reciprocating machines. The design can be scaled over a wide range of temperatures and capacities for use as a cryogenic or utilitarian refrigerator or to function as an external heat powered engine.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a Joule-Thomson cryostat or refrigeration system in which an expansion valve can be commandably actuated to partially withdraw the core of the expansion valve in order to dislodge and flush contaminants that have collected in the valve passageway, to open the expansion valve to increase flow to accelerate cooldown, and to control flow to regulate the amount of refrigeration produced.