A compliant connector for a connection system in an internal combustion engine includes a cylindrical connector housing and a plurality of constant strain beam springs at one end of the connector housing to act as a self-centering/self-aligning mechanism in the connection system.

A radially compliant gear is provided to reduce transmitted shock loads and/or resist jamming as a result of debris entering its mesh with another gear. The radially compliant gear includes a hub adapted to rotate about an axis, and a compliant rim. The hub includes a first surface that faces radially inwardly. The rim includes external gear teeth and a second surface that faces radially outwardly. The rim is mounted to the hub through the first and second surfaces to allow localized radial defl...

In one embodiment the article includes a metal support having a top surface, a well provided in the top surface of the support and extends downwardly into the support, the well is defined by a floor at the bottom thereof, second fibers anchored in spaced relationship in the floor of the well and extending therefrom to a level short of the top surface of the support, a diamond substrate disposed over and covering the well, the substrate is larger than the well and has portions thereof in direct o...

A compliant wheel includes a compliant band and a plurality of web spokes extending transversely across and inward from the reinforced compliant band for attachment to a hub. The compliant band bends to comply with a contact surface and to envelope obstacles. The web spokes transmit load forces between the compliant band and the hub through tension in the web spokes not connected to the ground contacting portion of the wheel. The outer surface of the compliant band may be formed to include a tre...

A derailleur, and more particularly, to a bicycle derailleur device that is compliant and self returning. There is a derailleur for moving a chain from one location to another while maintaining parallel alignment to a set of gears that mounted to a cycle. Specifically, the derailleur has a first and second rigid segments, parallel to each other, where the first segment means is fixed to the cycle and the second segment means is free to traverse from a first to a second position. In addition ther...

A compliant stator motor is disclosed. In one implementation, the motor (200) includes a rotor (210), a stator (220) having main and auxiliary windings, an outer motor case (230), and a group of isolators (240) positioned between the stator (220) and outer motor case (230) to enhance forces applied to the foundation (260) due to excitation of the auxiliary windings. In another implementation, the motor (300) includes a rotor (310), a stator (320) including main and auxiliary windings, linear bea...

The present invention relates to clutches for selectively transmitting torque, and more particularly, to compliant centrifugal clutches. A compliant clutch (10) may have a plurality of engagement members (42 and 44), preferably at least three, and more preferably at least six. Each engagement member has an outer edge that is movable toward an interior surface of a receiving member (28), such as a drum. Flexible segments (70 and 72) may connect the engagement members to each other. In embodiment,...

A compliant link has a first member adapted to be connected to a linear actuator and a second member adapted to be connected to a component to be moved by the linear actuator, said members being interconnected by a connecting rod which is moveable relative to both the first and second members, springs acting between the first and second members and the connecting rod to oppose relative movement between the connecting rod and the first and second members when an axial load below a first predeterm...

This is an improved straight leak-off seal for use in pressurized equipment with shafts. A sleeve is compliant to pressure differentials and conforms to the shaft while it is rotating, reciprocating, or at rest. Within the stress limits of the sleeve the seal has a centralizing effect on the shaft and acts as a constant flow self-regulating valve.

Compliant, nonstrumming, high strength composite cable for sonobuoy suspension system. Nonabsorbent relatively inelastic strands of textile yarn are bound onto an elastomeric warp strand by two counterwound helixes of textile stretch yarn. The inelastic yarn forms random transverse loops along the cable by protruding outwardly through the openings between the helical windings.