Abstract: A piston-type air brake actuator includes a cylinder having an internal sliding surface of substantially uniform cross-section, a piston dimensioned to have a substantially air tight, axially slidable fit within the cylinder, and a pushrod rigidly secured to the piston for engagement with a pivoting operating shaft of a disc brake. The piston is provided with a compliant peripheral seal to permit articulation of the piston as the pushrod engages the operating shaft during pivoting motion of the operating shaft.

Abstract: A mechanical device for use in the control of mechanical forces. The device comprising first and second terminals which, in use, are connected to components in a system for controlling mechanical forces. These terminals are moveable with respect to one another. The device further comprises means connected between the terminals to control the mechanical forces at the terminals. These mechanical forces are proportional to the relative acceleration between the terminals, wherein the proportionality term is either a fixed constant or a variable function.

Abstract: A damper includes: a cylinder: a piston rod inserted to be movable linearly in the cylinder; a guide member provided with a coupling hole to which an insertion portion of the rod member is coupled at a center thereof, and provided with first and second grooves at an outer circumferential surface thereof; a fixed damping member fitted into the first groove and adhered to an inner surface of the cylinder; and a movable damping member up and down movably fitted into the second groove and selectively adhered to the inner surface of the cylinder.

Abstract: A cam member 5 is disposed within a first chamber R1 such that the cam member 5 is rotatable but non-movable in the axial direction. The cam member 5 is non-rotatably connected to a rotor 3 through a connection shaft portion 52 piercing into a piston 4. A second cam mechanism 10 is disposed between the cam member 5 and the piston 4. When the cam mechanism 7 causes the piston 4 to move from the second chamber R2 side to the first chamber R1 side in accordance with rotation of the rotor 3 in one direction, the second cam mechanism 10 allows the piston 4 to move from the second chamber R2 side to the first chamber R1 side by the same amount of movement. When the second cam mechanism 10 causes the piston 4 to move from the first chamber R1 side to the second chamber R2 side in accordance with rotation of the rotor 3 in the other direction, the cam mechanism 7 allows the piston 4 to move from the first chamber R1 side to the second chamber R2 side by the same amount of movement.

Abstract: An automatic lowering mechanism for a toilet seat comprises a device for translating the rotational movement of the toilet seat into a lateral movement which is used in conjunction with a pneumatic compression cylinder to retard the descent of the toilet seat so that it comes to gently rest upon a toilet bowl. This mechanism for translating the motion of the toilet seat from a rotary to a lateral motion as well as the pneumatic compression cylinder can easily be replaced without removal of the entire automatic toilet seat lowering mechanism.

Abstract: An active suspension system for use with a mass suspended relative to a movable structure and subject to external forces such as the chassis of off-road vehicles, and in particular the hull of heavy combat vehicles, has a passive hydropneumatic suspension system (PHSS) connected to a servopump and an accumulator, and wherein the servopump transfers fluid energy between the accumulator and the suspension system, in accordance with sensed operating conditions which are inputted to a processor whose output commands the velocity of the servopump to control the pressure and volume relationships of the PHSS and accumulator to improve the ride of said vehicle and to substantially reduce energy requirements when operating off-road.

Abstract: The floating structure has limited heave oscillations. A long member has a lower end coupled to the seabed. An extensible tensioner is coupled between a platform deck and the upper end of the long member. The tensioner suspends the upper end of said long member and applies a predetermined tension thereto. The tensioner includes anti-heave force-exerting means for exerting downward-acting forces on the floating structure.

Abstract: An active suspension system for use with a mass suspended relative to a movable structure and subject to external forces such as the chassis of off-road vehicles, and in particular the hull of heavy combat vehicles, has a passive hydropneumatic suspension system (PHSS) connected to a servopump and an accumulator, and wherein the servopump transfers fluid energy between the accumulator and the suspension system, in accordance with sensed operating conditions which are inputted to a processor whose output commands the velocity of the servopump to control the pressure and volume relationships of the PHSS and accumulator to improve the ride of said vehicle and to substantially reduce energy requirements when operating off-road.

Abstract: A track adjusting flow controlling mechanism sets the optimum tension or "controlled sag" in the endless track of a track type vehicle. A piston and associated valve assembly control flow of pressurized fluid to a track adjusting clyinder. Movement of the piston tensions the track with substantially no sag ("S") and subsequent retraction of the piston provides correct track tension with an optimum track sag ("S"). Supply of pressurized fluid to the piston and valve assembly is controlled by the vehicle operator from the operator's station. Conventional track adjusting operations require considerable time and effort and are often an undesirable task. In view of this, the adjusting task is often neglected with the resulting rapid wear of the track and related components. The subject track adjusting mechanism provides a quick and simple operation to provide proper track adjustment.

Abstract: A steering mechanism with time derivation wherein a servo member dependent upon an angular velocity of a steering wheel is connected in the manner of a gear system by means of a summing gear mechanism with a servo member dependent on an angle of the steering wheel turn and also with a servo member dependent on an angle of the wheel turn of steered vehicle wheels. A gear element of the summing gear mechanism pertaining to the servo member dependent on the angular velocity is supported toward a housing by way of a resilient support. The servo member dependent on the angular velocity is positively turned off with respect to its action on the summing gear mechanism if the steering wheel angle exceeds a specific limiting angle.