The bearing assembly includes one or more elastomeric members loaded in a precompression by a shim that includes a shape memory alloy. The shape memory alloy is configured to generate the precompression in the elastomeric members upon a temperature change.

A bearing assembly is for movably coupling a first member having a centerline and displaceable about a rotation axis perpendicular to the centerline and a second member displaceable about the centerline and/or another axis perpendicular to the centerline. The bearing assembly includes a laminated bearing having an inner axial end coupled with the second member and an outer axial end spaced from the inner end along the first member centerline and coupleable with the first member. A clutch mechanism releasably couples the bearing outer axial end with the first member when the first member angularly displaces about the rotation axis. The clutch mechanism preferably has a first portion connected with the bearing outer axial end, a second portion coupled with the first member and engageable with the first portion to couple the two members, and a biasing member spaces apart the two clutch portions when the first member is non-rotational.

A bearing assembly is for movably coupling a first member having a centerline and displaceable about a rotation axis perpendicular to the centerline and a second member displaceable about the centerline and/or another axis perpendicular to the centerline. The bearing assembly includes a laminated bearing having an inner axial end coupled with the second member and an outer axial end spaced from the inner end along the first member centerline and coupleable with the first member. A clutch mechanism releasably couples the bearing outer axial end with the first member when the first member angularly displaces about the rotation axis. The clutch mechanism preferably has a first portion connected with the bearing outer axial end, a second portion coupled with the first member and engageable with the first portion to couple the two members, and a biasing member spaces apart the two clutch portions when the first member is non-rotational.

An elastic bushing device of a traction device includes: an outer tube supported by a bogie; an inner tube into which a center pin is fitted, the inner tube being arranged at a radially inner side of the outer tube so as to be spaced apart from the outer tube and also arranged so as to be located higher in position than the outer tube; and an elastic body sandwiched between the inner tube and the outer tube. An outer peripheral surface, opposed to the elastic body, of the inner tube is inclined downward. An inner peripheral surface, opposed to the elastic body, of the outer tube is inclined upward. The elastic body has such a shape that a surface thereof located close to the inner tube is located higher in position than a surface thereof located close to the outer tube.

A rubber-metal spring unit is for use in bogies of rail vehicles, wherein the rubber-metal spring unit is arranged between an upper connection element, which is connected to the sprung mass, and a lower connection element, which is connected to the unsprung mass. The rubber-metal spring unit is configured as a conical layered spring composed of multiple alternately and concentrically arranged layers of elastomer material or rubber, on the one hand, and metal, on the other hand. The individual layers are formed as conical annular-shaped bodies, wherein the two conical surfaces of at least one of the conical annular-shaped bodies have different cone angles in relation to the common vertical axis of the concentric layers of rubber and metal which form the conical layered spring.

This application provides for flexible load bearing connectors (FLBCs) systems and methods and for monitoring, reporting, and responding to the performance and/or health of the FLBC. The system provided is an instrumented FLBC that can at least one of sense, record, report, react to and/or otherwise make use of performance and/or health information of the FLBC. The performance and/or health information can include any information related to movement (such as displacements and/or relative motions) of the FLBC and/or the system components the FLBC joins together and/or loads, vibrations, shocks, and environmental exposures the FLBC receives, transmits, supports, and/or experiences.

This application provides for flexible load bearing connectors (FLBCs) systems and methods and for monitoring, reporting, and responding to the performance and/or health of the FLBC. The system provided is an instrumented FLBC that can at least one of sense, record, report, react to and/or otherwise make use of performance and/or health information of the FLBC. The performance and/or health information can include any information related to movement (such as displacements and/or relative motions) of the FLBC and/or the system components the FLBC joins together and/or loads, vibrations, shocks, and environmental exposures the FLBC receives, transmits, supports, and/or experiences.

Motion control bearings and methods making such with the capability to monitor properties therein is provided. Devices and methods for creating and using motion control bearings for rotary wing aircraft in particular are disclosed using wireless communication and monitoring of multiple load, motion and health related information items related to the bearing and blade at the wing hub. Static and dynamic blade orientation provides additional information on flight regime, thrust vectors, and gross vehicle weight. Power is provided using kinetic energy power harvesting.

Motion control bearings and methods making such with the capability to monitor properties therein is provided. Devices and methods for creating and using motion control bearings for rotary wing aircraft in particular are disclosed using wireless communication and monitoring of multiple load, motion and health related information items related to the bearing and blade at the wing hub. Static and dynamic blade orientation provides additional information on flight regime, thrust vectors, and gross vehicle weight. Power is provided using kinetic energy power harvesting.

A snubbed isolator is provided having an increased capability for three-dimensional damping of vibrations for a component affixed or attached to a structure through the snubbed isolator, where the snubbed isolator is attached to the structure. The snubbed isolator includes a mounting plate for attaching to the structure, an elastomeric element, and a stem for mounting the component. The elastomeric element is disposed between the mounting plate and the stem.