Abstract: A high-performance tourniquet for use in rugged environments is disclosed. The tourniquet includes a strap which surrounds an extremity to apply pressure to the extremity. The strap is coupled with a latching mechanism which is operated via a handle to tighten the tourniquet. The ends of the tourniquet are configured to couple via a buckle system enabling a buckle frame to be passed over a buckle tongue. Alternatively, a quick-release stab-lock style fastener buckle may be used to couple the ends of the tourniquet. In either case the tourniquet is designed to enable a victim to personally don the tourniquet and apply the correct pressure. A handle protruding from the outer surface of the tourniquet may be rotated to tighten the tourniquet and apply pressure by moving the tourniquet ends relative to one another. The handle may be pulled outward to quickly undo the pressure.

Abstract: A high-performance tourniquet for use in rugged environments is disclosed. The tourniquet includes a strap which surrounds an extremity to apply pressure to the extremity. The strap is coupled with a latching mechanism which is operated via a handle to tighten the tourniquet. The ends of the tourniquet are configured to couple via a buckle system enabling a buckle frame to be passed over a buckle tongue. Alternatively, a quick-release stab-lock style fastener buckle may be used to couple the ends of the tourniquet. In either case the tourniquet is designed to enable a victim to personally don the tourniquet and apply the correct pressure. A handle protruding from the outer surface of the tourniquet may be rotated to tighten the tourniquet and apply pressure by moving the tourniquet ends relative to one another. The handle may be pulled outward to quickly undo the pressure.

Abstract: A device and method used for locking three shafts of an automatic transmission during tightening of a shaft-retaining nut. The device has a housing with a sidewall defining a fluid chamber and a tip at the first end of the housing. A fluid passage extends through the tip from the fluid chamber at one end of the tip and a clutch apply port at a second, opposite end of the tip. A tube, such as a coupling, is mounted to the housing sidewall through which a fluid passage extends in fluid communication with the fluid chamber. A compressed gas conduit is mounted to the coupling and is in fluid communication with the coupling fluid passage. As a park mechanism on the transmission is applied, a predetermined amount of air pressure from the compressed gas conduit is applied through the coupling, housing and tip to the clutch apply port, thereby locking the three shafts of the automatic transmission together. The shaft retaining nuts are tightened and the device can be released, thereby releasing the shaft.

Abstract: A device and method used for locking three shafts of an automatic transmission during tightening of a shaft-retaining nut. The device has a housing with a sidewall defining a fluid chamber and a tip at the first end of the housing. A fluid passage extends through the tip from the fluid chamber at one end of the tip and a clutch apply port at a second, opposite end of the tip. A tube, such as a coupling, is mounted to the housing sidewall through which a fluid passage extends in fluid communication with the fluid chamber. A compressed gas conduit is mounted to the coupling and is in fluid communication with the coupling fluid passage. As a park mechanism on the transmission is applied, a predetermined amount of air pressure from the compressed gas conduit is applied through the coupling, housing and tip to the clutch apply port, thereby locking the three shafts of the automatic transmission together. The shaft retaining nuts are tightened and the device can be released, thereby releasing the shaft.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism includes a housing adapted to be rotated by an automotive engine, a shaft having first and second sections and a first end adapted to be an input to a transmission, and first and second clutch devices positioned with the housing. The first clutch device, which includes a planetary gear set, can be connected to the first section of the shaft to rotate the shaft. The second clutch device can be connected to the second section of the shaft to rotate the shaft. The planetary gear set provides a gear splitting system for use in doubling the number of gear ratios supplied by the transmission.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism includes a housing adapted to be rotated by an automotive engine, a shaft having first and second sections and a first end adapted to be an input to a transmission, and first and second clutch devices positioned with the housing. The first clutch device, which includes a planetary gear set, can be connected to the first section of the shaft to rotate the shaft. The second clutch device can be connected to the second section of the shaft to rotate the shaft. The planetary gear set provides a gear splitting system for use in doubling the number of gear ratios supplied by the transmission.

Abstract: A constricted glow discharge chamber and method are disclosed. The polarity and geometry of the constricted glow discharge plasma source is set so that the contamination and energy of the ions discharged from the source are minimized. The several sources can be mounted in parallel and in series to provide a sustained ultra low source of ions in a plasma with contamination below practical detection limits. The source is suitable for applying films of nitrides such as gallium nitride and oxides such as tungsten oxide and for enriching other substances in material surfaces such as oxygen and water vapor, which are difficult process as plasma in any known devices and methods. The source can also be used to assist the deposition of films such as metal films by providing low-energy ions such as argon ions.