A system for operating a turbo machine to maintain bearing engagement, the system including a bearing assembly; a first displacement device adjacent a bearing race; a second displacement device disposed adjacent the bearing race opposite of the first displacement device; an effort supply system disposed adjacent to the first and/or second displacement devices; and one or more controllers configured to perform operations. The operations include generating a first effort input at the first and/or second displacement devices; adjusting a thrust loading at the bearing assembly; generating a second effort input at the first displacement device greater than the first effort input; and displacing the bearing race opposite of the thrust loading at the bearing assembly via the generated second effort input at the first displacement device.

A variable-stiffness actuator is to be installed into a flexible member and provide different degrees of stiffness to the flexible member. The actuator includes two hard members located apart from each other, and a shape-memory member connecting the hard members. The shape-memory member has a property of transitioning in phase between a first phase and a second phase. The shape-memory member is in a low stiffness state when in the first phase, and is in a high stiffness state when in the second phase. The actuator also includes a inducing member configured to cause a portion of the shape-memory member between the hard members to transition in phase between the first and second phases, and a urging member configured to urge the hard members in directions away from each other.

A load reduction assembly includes an annular bearing cone configured to extend between a bearing assembly and a frame assembly and form a first load path therebetween. The load reduction assembly further includes an annular recoupler member configured to extend between the bearing assembly and the frame assembly and form a second load path therebetween. The second load path is parallel to the first load path. The recoupler member includes a shape memory alloy configured to change stiffness in response to a change in a stress condition, thereby regulating an imbalance condition of a rotor shaft coupled to the bearing assembly.

A load reduction assembly includes an annular bearing cone configured to extend between a bearing assembly and a frame assembly and form a first load path therebetween. The load reduction assembly further includes an annular recoupler member configured to extend between the bearing assembly and the frame assembly and form a second load path therebetween. The second load path is parallel to the first load path. The recoupler member includes a shape memory alloy configured to change stiffness in response to a change in a stress condition, thereby regulating an imbalance condition of a rotor shaft coupled to the bearing assembly.

The following invention relates to smart material couplings, particularly to shape memory alloy drivetrain systems to mitigate against shock or blast.

There is provided an armoured land vehicle comprising:an armoured v shaped hull; a powerplant located within said chassis, at least one wheel set with a hub, and, at least one drive shaft comprising a shape memory alloy, wherein said drivetrain is located between and operably connected via drive couplings to said powerplant and the hub of the at least one wheel set, to provide drive to said at least one wheel set.

A support assembly for a load-bearing unit, a gas turbine engine including the support assembly, and a method of operation of the support assembly are provided. The support assembly includes a support element, a damper, and a variable stiffness member. The support element supports the load-bearing unit. The damper supports the support element and is configured to provide dampening of the load-bearing unit. The variable stiffness member is positioned between the damper and the load-bearing unit. The variable stiffness member is configured to provide a serial dampening of the load-bearing unit with the damper. The variable stiffness member includes a shape memory alloy.

A load reduction assembly includes an annular bearing cone configured to extend between a bearing assembly and a frame assembly and form a first load path therebetween. The load reduction assembly further includes an annular recoupler member configured to extend between the bearing assembly and the frame assembly and form a second load path therebetween. The second load path is parallel to the first load path. The recoupler member includes a shape memory alloy configured to change stiffness in response to a change in a stress condition, thereby regulating an imbalance condition of a rotor shaft coupled to the bearing assembly.

An electromechanical cylinder lock includes an outer lock shell and a rotatable lock barrel located therein which is controlled by dual locking features. A side bar or fence selectively blocks and permits rotation of the barrel with respect to the shell in response to insertion of a key into a keyway in the barrel. A slider bar is movable between a blocking position in which the side bar is prevented from permitting rotation of the barrel, and an unblocking position in which the side bar permits rotation of the barrel. Alternately, a blocking mechanism is provided to block motion of tumbler pins in the cylinder lock. A shape memory alloy actuator, such as a wire made of nitinol, disposed in the barrel is activated by an electric current in response to determination by an electronic control device whether an attempt to open the lock is authorized. Thermal interlock protection from external heating of the lock is also provided.

There is provided a reduction gear unit including: a pinion; a bearing that is located on each of both sides of the pinion; a large gear that meshes with the pinion; a gear case that stores therein lubricant oil, and accommodates the pinion and the gear; and pinion bearing caps each of which includes an annular portion, wherein the annular portion extends from outside of the gear case toward inside thereof and parallel to a pinion shaft, and includes an end portion in which an end surface in an extending-direction is provided on a side of the pinion with respect to an extended line of a gear-side end surface of an inner race of the bearing, and an inner peripheral surface of the end portion is formed so that a diameter is decreased from a gear-side end surface of an outer race toward the end surface.