Abstract: The present invention includes a method and system configured to analyze a plurality of parts, each of the parts having at least one part characteristic. The method includes the steps of establishing at least one repository of the part characteristics, establishing a relationship between at least a portion of the parts and a cost characteristic; and, analyzing the portion of the parts in response to the relationship.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and system configured to analyze a plurality of parts, each of the parts having at least one part characteristic. The method includes the steps of establishing at least one repository of the part characteristics, establishing a relationship between at least a portion of the parts and a cost characteristic; and, analyzing the portion of the parts in response to the relationship.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and system configured to analyze a plurality of parts, each of the parts having at least one part characteristic. The method includes the steps of establishing at least one repository of the part characteristics, establishing a relationship between at least a portion of the parts and a cost characteristic; and, analyzing the portion of the parts in response to the relationship.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and system configured to analyze a plurality of parts, each of the parts having at least one part characteristic. The method includes the steps of establishing at least one repository of the part characteristics, establishing a relationship between at least a portion of the parts and a cost characteristic; and, analyzing the portion of the parts in response to the relationship.

Abstract: A method for predicting performance of a future product is disclosed. The method includes generating historical data for at least one product and generating a Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) for the at least one product. The method also includes determining a relationship between an FMEA indicator of the FMEA generated for the at least one product and the historical data for the at least one product. The method further includes generating an FMEA for the future product and applying the determined relationship to the FMEA indicator from the FMEA generated for the future product to predict performance for the future product.

Abstract: A method for predicting performance of a future product is disclosed. The method includes generating historical data for at least one product and generating a Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) for the at least one product. The method also includes determining a relationship between an FMEA indicator of the FMEA generated for the at least one product and the historical data for the at least one product. The method further includes generating an. FMEA for the future product and applying the determined relationship to the FMEA indicator from the FMEA generated for the future product to predict performance for the future product.

Abstract: A clip for securing lobster trapping equipment to a buoy. The clip has an elongate tubular body through which a rope attached to a lobster trap is threaded. The rope is then threaded through a buoy loop and clipped to the outer wall of the elongate tubular body by a pair of hooks. The clipped rope extends through a slot formed between the pair of hooks. The slot has oppositely facing sets of teeth which grab the rope and prevent its release under normal rope tensions, ie rope tensions caused by the motion of the sea. However, under certain extreme rope tensions, such as a whale entangled in the rope, the teeth are specifically designed to be unable to hold the rope under the extreme tension and will allow the rope to slip back through the teeth, slot and hooks to become disengaged with the outer wall of the clip and from the buoy.

Abstract: A camshaft in an internal combustion engine encounters various torques during operation which produce torsional vibrations leading to excessive noise and reduced gear life. An active inertia absorbing system includes a camshaft gear integrally formed with a carrier. The carrier has a plurality of bores having a predetermined diameter. A plurality of weights are positioned within the bores and have a predetermined diameter less than the predetermined diameter of the bores so that the weights are free to move within the bores. The mass of the carrier and the weights establish an inertia which acts in opposition to the torques applied to the camshaft for absorbing the torsional vibrations of a camshaft.

Abstract: A flexible coupling formed from sheet material and having preselected stiffness characteristics is incorporated between an engine output member and an input member of a mechanism to reduce the linear vibration levels of the system in use and to accommodate a preselected amount of misalignment therebetween. The flexible coupling has radially outer and inner edge portions, and a formed intermediate portion connecting them which in cross section has a generally truncated V-shape. A preferred embodiment has an annular body with the intermediate portion thereof having conical outer and inner walls, a relatively flat end wall, and blended corners connecting the walls and edge portions. When used between a diesel engine and an electric generator set the formed flexible coupling shifted the major structural resonances away from the normal operating range and greatly reduced the linear vibration levels thereof.

Abstract: A heat pipe radiator coating of a fibrous material provides protection for the radiator, such as a heat pipe, pumped loop, etc., while allowing good emissivity and heat rejection. Fibers are constructed from fiberglass, glass, quartz, saphire, diamond, carbon carbon, tantalum, stainless steel, aluminum, beryllium, and copper, and may be coated with a variety of metallic materials.

Abstract: The existing couplings used for transmission of torque uses a combination of mechanical springs or a combination of dampening devices such as cylindrical openings having pistons spring-biased therein. The cylindrical openings also have viscous fluid introduced therein and dampen the torque applied thereto. A coupling apparatus is provided for resiliently transmitting torque including a pin assembly positioned in mechanical connection between an annular plate member and a gear member, dampening backlash motion including a pin assembly and a mechanism for biasing a piston into contact with one of the gear member or annular plate member, and lubricating the interface between the components having relative oscillation therebetween. An interface between the moving parts, the annular plate and the gear, is providing and a lubrication system is provided to lubricate the interface.

Abstract: Balancing devices or systems have been used to compensate for the periodic unbalanced forces generated by the reciprocating movement of the piston and connecting rod assemblies of an engine. These devices in the past have reduced serviceability, increased engine component complexity, increased cost and have reduced reliability. The subject device provides a simple, inexpensive, more serviceable and reliable balancing system. A plurality of individual bearing supports are removably attached to the engine, a pair of balancing shafts are rotatably positioned in the supports and a thrust pin is isolatingly mounted between the support and the shaft. A pair of o-rings are mounted about each end of the pin and is positioned in the support at least partially isolating the pin from the engine. The center of the pin has a plurality of seating surfaces thereon which have an oil film between the seating surfaces and a groove in the shaft.