Abstract: A hydraulic actuator is disclosed that comprises a first, fixed portion and a second portion movable relative to the first portion. The second portion comprises a hydraulic actuating device for actuating a component, and the actuator further comprises an intermediate member configured to interconnect the first portion with the second portion and permit movement of the second portion relative to the first portion. The intermediate member is configured to convey hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuating device of the second portion through a body of the intermediate member.

Abstract: A fixture connection assembly includes separate connection and threaded stem components. The threaded stem component includes both threaded and non-threaded portions, where the threaded stem may be re-sized and still produce useful fitted stems from discarded portions.

Abstract: A patient care equipment support is transferable between a first device having a first spherical socket and a second device having a second spherical socket. The equipment support comprises an equipment supporting portion configured to support patient care equipment and a coupler extending downwardly from the equipment supporting portion. The coupler has first and second spherical portions configured for receipt in the first and second spherical sockets, respectively. The first and second spherical portions are rotatable within the respective first and second spherical sockets about a multitude of axes to compensate for misalignment between the coupler and at least one of the first and second spherical sockets during transfer of the equipment support between the first and second devices.

Abstract: A dual walled transfer tube connecting two sub-flow systems and conveying the system fluid from one subsystem to another when there are large radial and axial movements or offsets between the connecting ends of the subsystem. The dual walled transfer tube has a fitting at either end and a single ball joint proximate each fitting to allow the transfer tube to accommodate changes in radial position of the fittings. The dual walled transfer tube utilizes a main inner fluid passage and an outer secondary fluid passage, each fluid passage having a slip joint to allow the transfer tube to accommodate changes in axial length between the fittings.

Abstract: Aircraft including a powerplant mounted on an airframe and a rotor/wing rotatably mounted on the airframe. The rotor/wing has multiple blades extending outward from roots adjacent the airframe to tips opposite the roots and having internal conduits extending between inlets adjacent the roots and downstream outlets. The aircraft also includes multiple intermediate ducts having upstream ends including flanges and downstream ends slidably and pivotally connected to corresponding blade inlets. Moreover, the aircraft includes a manifold having an upstream end in fluid communication with the powerplant and multiple downstream ends including flanges connected to upstream ends of corresponding intermediate ducts. The aircraft further includes multiple covers connected to corresponding manifold flanges and covering corresponding intermediate duct flanges.

Abstract: A patient care equipment support is transferable between a first device having a first spherical socket and a second device having a second spherical socket. The equipment support comprises an equipment supporting portion configured to support patient care equipment and a coupler extending downwardly from the equipment supporting portion. The coupler has first and second spherical portions configured for receipt in the first and second spherical sockets, respectively. The first and second spherical portions are rotatable within the respective first and second spherical sockets about a multitude of axes to compensate for misalignment between the coupler and at least one of the first and second spherical sockets during transfer of the equipment support between the first and second devices.

Abstract: A P-trap device for plumbing drainage systems is shown. The device has a first tubing element having a pipe attachment bell at one end and a first coupler portion at the other end and a second tubing element having a pipe attachment bell at one end and a second coupler portion at the other end, wherein said first and second coupler portions are sized and shaped to be coupled together. The device further has at least one of said first or second tubing element being a generally unshaped section sized and shaped to trap water therein. A connector to releasably couple said first and second coupler portions together is included, the connector including a sealing gasket. The sealing gasket, first coupling portion and second coupling portion are sized and shaped to permit the first and second coupler portions to be coupled together over a range of angles to form a leak resistant joint without introducing stresses into the plumbing system.

Abstract: A fluid line assembly is disclosed that includes an outer fluid line and an inner fluid line disposed substantially within the outer fluid line. The inner and outer fluid lines each include a slip joint. In an embodiment of the invention, at least one of the slip joints includes a reservoir in communication with the interior of the corresponding fluid line. Among other things, the reservoir is suitable for receiving fluid from the corresponding fluid line as the fluid line assembly is contracted and expelling fluid into the corresponding fluid line as the fluid line assembly is extended. In another embodiment of the invention, the inner and outer fluid lines include a ball joint assembly.

Abstract: A continuous flexible conduit is formed from like-configured components, each having a male joint member and a female joint member with a passageway extending therethrough. The female joint member is over-molded about a corresponding male joint member to form a substantially fluid-tight articulating joint. In a method of producing the flexible conduit, a single-shot molding process is used to form each like-configured component, with each newly formed component indexed within the single-shot mold so that the male joint member is within the female mold cavity for the formation of the next component. In an alternative embodiment, a continuous conduit is formed of two different sets of like configured components—one set having only female joint members and the other set having only male joint members. A two-shot molding process is described for continuous production of the flexible conduit using these two sets of components.