Abstract: A viewing system for use in low visibility atmospheres, such as fog, rain, snow, dust, smoke, etc., particularly under nighttime conditions. A cyclically-operated pulsed light source illuminates the scene for brief instances. A shutter is operated in synchronism with the light source for transmitting to a human observer (or TV camera) light rays reflected from objects located selected distance intervals away from the light source; light rays from other zones or areas are excluded. By thus excluding light reflections from zones outside the selected distance interval, it should be possible to minimize glare associated with the excluded light, thereby improving the view of objects located within the selected distance interval.

Abstract: A military tank is equipped with an armored box structure in the space nolly occupied by the gun turret. A lid on the box structure is raisable to an inclined position suitable for the firing of a missile carried on the lid undersurface. As the missile is fired an explosive-charged line attached to the missile rear end is drawn out of the box structure onto the terrain (along the missile line-of-flight). By exploding the line charges it is possible to detonate enemy land mines in the vicinity of the charged line.

Abstract: A resilient hollow annular frustro-conical roller bearing whose wall thicss varies according to the roller diameter. Any abnormal load placed upon the roller causes an increase area of contact between the roller and the opposing race surfaces. The hollow annular construction of the bearing is such that the load causes the roller to be stressed substantially uniformly along its entire length.

Abstract: An add-on mechanism for high pitched sounds emitted by the tracks of miliy vehicles. Centerguide structures on the tracks are equipped with special U-shaped vibration dampers. Squeaks (high pitched sounds) associated with rubbing contact between the centerguides and the roadwheels are eliminated or minimized.

Abstract: An engine supercharger is modified to include an auxiliary turbine downstream from the main turbine wheel. The main shaft of the supercharger is tubular (hollow) to accommodate a second shaft. The opposite ends of the second shaft are suitably connected to the auxiliary turbine and an auxiliary fan that is located upstream from the main compressor wheel within the supercharger. An air-collection chamber of scroll-like configuration is arranged between the auxiliary fan and compressor wheel to receive air discharged from outer tip areas of the fan blades.

Abstract: A socket wrench modified by the addition of auxiliary gripper ribs to either prevent bolt head stripper action or to minimize the adverse effects of such stripper action. In one case the bolt head is initially formed to have grooves in its side surfaces mated to gripper ribs on the wrench. In an alternate arrangement the gripper ribs are designed as cutter devices to form grooves in the bolt side surfaces by the application of a hammering force on the wrench.

Abstract: A hoist that includes a winding drum for a load-lift cable mechanism. The um has two drum sections of slightly different diameter; end portions of the cable are wound in different directions on the drum sections, so that one cable section winds onto a drum section while the other cable section winds off the other drum section. The effect is to provide a very slow net cable motion related to the difference in drum section diameters. The hoist includes a latch mechanism adapted to suspend the load from the boom during certain periods of a load transfer operation.

Abstract: An automatic tire inflation/deflation system for a vehicle with pneumatic tires. The system may be incorporated into existing vehicles without modification of the axles, wheels or tires. A pressure-responsive bellows is utilized at each wheel to open or close the existing tire valve in accordance with air pressure values applied to the bellows exterior surface. A selector valve at the driver's station permits the human driver to remotely control the tire inflation or deflation process. During normal run operations, the air passage system is depressurized.

Abstract: An outrigger construction for raising and supporting selected portions of a railer or other wheeled vehicle, e.g. to provide a level stable vehicle attitude while the vehicle is located on sloping terrain. The principal feature of interest is a low-cost power mechanism for operating the outrigger. In one case the power mechanism comprises a winch-cable system. In another instance the power mechanism comprises a level-link assembly.

Abstract: A drive belt formed as a discontinuous belt structure with specially-formed nd connectors. The faces of the end connectors have large numbers of miniature interlockable hooking elements thereon for enabling the ends of the belt structure to be formed into a usable endless drive belt. The belt structure can be cut to varying lengths, such that one belt structure can be used to form a variety of different length belts. The belt ends can be connected together after the belt structure has been installed around a pulley system.

Abstract: A mechanism for supporting a conventional portable fire extinguisher wherein the support mechanism is modified or adapted to include an audible warning device such as a siren, whistle or bell. When a person removes the extinguisher from the support mechanism an audible warning sound is generated to alerted nearby individuals of the existence of a fire or the fact that the extinguisher may be in the process of being stolen. The individuals are thus alerted to the requirement for some action on their part.

Abstract: A power transmission that uses inertia forces. The drive member carries a urality of high density rollers that are acted on by centrifugal force. The driven member includes reaction surfaces that periodically move the high density rollers inwardly in opposition to the centrifugal force. As the rollers are moved inwardly they impart energy to the driven member, thereby producing a power transmission action. The reaction surfaces on the driven member are designed so that the system is responsive to speed and load changes.

Abstract: A valve mechanism for delivering time-spaced pulses of coolant air to coog passages within a turbine engine. The mechanism is designed for varying the pulse frequency to ascertain the affect that pulse frequency variations have on the cooling effect. The valve mechanism is manufacturable at relatively low cost, using standard shelf components and easily machined parts.

Abstract: A compressed air passage system carried by an axle on a road vehicle for nsferring compressed air from/to a central air pressure source to/from the associated vehicle wheel. The passage system comprises a specially-constructed duct installable in a clearance space between the axle housing and axle; an air transfer slip ring mechanism is arranged at the outer end of the duct to transfer compressed air across the interface between the non-rotating and rotating parts of the axle assembly. The system is specially designed to permit the air passage system to be added to a pre-existing axle construction with minimum modification of existing components.

Abstract: A turbine wheel for a hot gas turbine engine operable at relatively high peratures, e.g. above 2,000.degree. F., and high velocities, e.g. above 30,000 r.p.m. The blades are formed of temperature-resistant ceramic material. A special annular band of high tensile strength material is affixed to tip areas of the blades for translating centrifugal forces into compressive loadings on the blades. To compensate for differential thermal expansion of the band relative to the blades a localized cooling system is provided for selectively cooling the annular band without cooling the blades.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel-tire assembly wherein the tire has a low inflation pressure (large tire footprint) in a low vehicle speed range, and a large inflation pressure (small tire footprint) in a high vehicle speed range. The tire is partitioned into a series of circumferential compartments, with each compartment being provided with a valve mechanism for introducing air into the compartment and/or withdrawing air from the compartment as needed to maintain desired inflation pressures in the different vehicle speed ranges. The system is contained entirely in the wheel-tire assembly; no external air compressors or control valves are utilized.

Abstract: A hand held mechanism that can be applied to a conventional tire inflation valve on a vehicle tire to facilitate a tire deflation operation. The mechanism includes a rod-like element that automatically engages a tire check valve to open said valve for tire venting purposes. The mechanism also includes a hollow tubular called wall structure adapted to receive the sensing head of a conventional pressure gage, whereby the progress of the tire-deflation operation can be ascertained, as necessary to properly terminate the operation at a desired tire pressure. Mechanisms of the described type can be utilized on all wheels of a multi-wheeled vehicle to permit simultaneously deflation of all vehicle tires, thereby greatly reducing the time required to achieve a total tire deflation operation.

Abstract: In a rotary drive system, mechanical means for sensing turning torque gented by the load forces. The sensing means is designed to operate with minimal effect on normal operation of the drive system.

Abstract: In a military vehicle having an electric horn actuator circuit, the improent comprising the addition of a capacitor in the circuit at a location between a brush and contact ring assembly disposed within the vehicle steering column. The capacitor is electrically located in close connection to the brush-contact ring interface to respond effectively to voltage/current surges initiated at the brush-contact ring interface. The capacitor can be installed in existing vehicles in a retrofit operation.

Abstract: A hydro-mechanical transmission wherein the mechanical power path comprises three planet gears rotating at different speeds (for any given speed of the associated sun gear). The hydrostatic power path includes a different sun gear, three other planet gears, and a ring gear. Clutch mechanisms are arranged to selectively connect different ones of the mechanically-driven planet gears to associated ones of the hydrostatically-driven planet gears.The percentage of power through the hydrostatic and mechanical power paths varies according to the rotational speed of the output member (ring gear). The transmission occupies a relatively small space, while providing a multiplicity of different hydrostatic-mechanical power hook-ups.