Abstract: The process of removing embedded particulates from the pore surfaces of an ngine air cleaner (pleated paper type) is facilitated by blowing pulses (or jets) of compressed air through the filter media in the reverse flow direction. The invention relates to the employment of a fluidic oscillator for producing the air pulses. The oscillator is used in a switching mode such that alternate pulses are applied to different air cleaner sections. Overall objective is to achieve an effective cleaning action with a relatively small quantity of compressed air.

Abstract: An engine-transmission disconnect mechanism that includes mating splines spline grooves on a drive collar-shaft assembly. End areas of selected splines are set back from the collar-shaft interface to facilitate meshed engagement of the splines and grooves when the engine is operated. The mechanism can be shifted between the connect and disconnect modes while the engine is running.

Abstract: A pilot-actuated valve for controlling outflow of pressurized fire-supprent fluid from a thick-walled container. The valve includes a stepped piston that is disposed in an internally stepped housing. To effect a discharge cycle an annular pressurizable chamber is vented to reduce the pressure on one face of the piston, thereby enabling unbalanced pressure forces to rapidly move the piston toward a flow-control diaphragm; an annular cutter on the leading end of the piston ruptures the diaphragm to permit outflow of pressurized fire suppressant. The valve is characterized by leak-free operation during standby periods, and rapid fluid discharge during the actuation cycle.

Abstract: In a tracked vehicle, especially a military vehicle, it is proposed to coruct individual track pads so that their terrain-engagement surfaces are formed by a series of laminations; individual laminations have their mating surfaces bonded together to interrupt and resist shearing forces. A particular aim of the invention is to improve the service life of the track pad, especially as regards prevention of fracture, cracks and chunking in the terrain-engaging surface of the pad.

Abstract: Schematically disclosed is an engine control apparatus wherein cylinder psure is sensed before and after the top dead center position. Desired cylinder pressure curves are stored in a microcomputer for a range of engine speed-load combinations. By electrically comparing the actual pressure-time curve with the desired pressure curve for the existing speed-load combination it should be possible to generate an error signal representing deviation of actual engine performance from the desired performance, i.e., a permissible plus or minus band following the desired curve. The invention would provide a control action using only three parameters, namely engine speed, engine load and cylinder pressure.

Abstract: It is proposed to construct a low cost simulated ballistic missile for training purposes or as a military decoy. The invention contemplates the use of standard I-beams, reinforced pipe, and cement filler to provided missile stages that duplicate the weight and overall dimensions of the actual missile stages. The beams are welded into a columnar cross-sectional shape sized to fit into the reinforced pipe. Principal advantage of the invention is the achievement of a structurally strong simulated missile at relatively low manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A novel transducer able to detect ultrasonic surface waves over a wide frency band. The transducer is essentially a grid or series of bars connected in parallel or series. The sensitivity of the transducer increases proportionally with frequency for constant surface wave amplitude. The transducer detects surface waves by providing a resistance change across the transducer output terminal proportional to the surface wave strain. The output voltage can be calibrated to give a direct reading of the surface wave amplitude. The coupling problems which are inherent in most transducer configurations are drastically reduced for this strain sensitive detector. The modulation of the grid excitation voltage provides a means for mixing two signals by giving the direct product of the signals in time. Complicated filtering functions can be built into the grid detector by varying the bar spacing in a manner analogous to the piezoelectric interdigital grid transducer.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved track shoe for use on an endless track vehe, e.g., a military tank. The shoe includes an elastomeric pad equipped with an endless reinforcement band encircling the exposed peripheral edge surface of the elastomer to prevent such excessive pad deformation as would contribute to premature pad failure, i.e., cracking, pitting or chunking.

Abstract: In a tank or similar military vehicle having a main weapon located atop a tary basket, the improvement comprising one or more ammunition storage magazines located within the vehicle hull behind the basket. Transfer mechanisms are employed to move individual rounds of ammunition from the storage magazines into a rammer located within the basket. The rammer moves the ammunition round upwardly into the firing chamber of the weapon. The system is designed to provide storage capacity for large numbers of ammunition rounds. Another design objective is to provide a transfer mechanism that accomplishes a weapon loading cycle in a relatively short time span.

Abstract: A laboratory testing mechanism for determining conformance of an optical iation detector to prespecified time response requirements, comprising an electrically-operated shutter and a fast-moving rotary disc located between a radiation source and the detector under testing. Proximity switch associated with the disc provide electrical signals representing the time at which the window of the detector is initially exposed to the radiation source and selected elapsed time intervals thereafter.

Abstract: A system for replacing electrical batteries in electrically powered vehicles in a minimum period of time on the order of one minute or less. Carriage-elevator structure is arranged in front of a battery charging station to transfer selected batteries between the charging station and a parked stationary vehicle. The vehicle and the charging station are provided with roller support units adapted to bear the battery weight and permit manual push-and/or pull shift of individual batteries to or from the aforementioned elevator. The system enables a substantially discharged battery to be removed from a vehicle and replaced with a fully charged battery in a very short time, e.g. about one minute.

Abstract: A D.C. lamp system having a number of small zener diodes arranged in eleccal parallelism with various lamp current supply wires. The zener diodes are sized so that the collective wattage ratings of the zeners is equal to the arithmetical product of the D.C. supply voltage and the summation of the safe amperages of the lamps in the system. In event of normal lamp burnout, any tendency of the other lamps to also burn out due to excessive current surge is countered by the action of the zener diodes; potential excess current is drained through the zener diodes to ground. A large number of small zener diodes are used in preference to one large zener diode, thereby minimizing the need for heat sinks or special cooling means required by a larger zener diode.

Abstract: A segmented annular clutch plate for use in any conventional clutch plate chanism. The segments are of equal arcuate dimension so that they are interchangeable. Each segment possesses the same annular uniformily serrated surface. Each segment may be provided with a key-slot mating connection to restrict the radial movement of the clutch plate while in operation. The clutch plates are designed and oriented so that in the clutch assembly the plates in one set of plates have different numbers of segments than the plates in the other set of plates, whereby adjoining plates can have only two segment joints in axial alignment at any one instant.

Abstract: An ammunition handling system for use in a military tank to provide for sage of individual ammunition rounds and automatic transfer thereof to the tank main gun when necessary. The rounds are stored in protected positions within the hull remote from the gun. Transfer of individual rounds to the gun is effected through a rotary carousel located beneath the tank basket. The carousel moves independently of the basket to deliver rounds into the basket in any basket position; the gun can be reloaded without returning to a fixed load position.

Abstract: A periscope for a military land vehicle to provide observation capability er hills or other obstacles. The periscope includes two telescopic tubes movable at different rates to position a sight head assembly at different elevated positions; a relatively large movement of the head assembly is achieved even though the vehicle has a relatively low silhouette. The sight head asembly includes two connected heads individually movable in the azimuth and elevational planes to provide complete scan of the terrain and airborne objects. The Commander of the vehicle can control the periscope while seated in one position, as necessary in a vehicle having very limited personnel space.

Abstract: In an anti-skid braking system, an improved sensor responsive to forces aciated with decleration of the vehicle road wheel. The sensor comprises a housing driven at a speed related to road wheel speed; an annular inertia mass is connected to the rotary housing via a multi-convolution hair spring wound to bias the inertia mass against the direction of housing rotation. Deceleration of the housing causes the inertia mass to angularly advance relative to the housing. A cam-follower mechanism translates the angular advance into linear motion of an output stem member located on the housing rotational axis. Stem member movement can be used to effect pulse control of the anti-skid braking system.

Abstract: A spare tire carrier attachable to the underside of a trailer or other vele not equipped with an interior spare tire storage space. The carrier includes three or more transversely extending roller support units located to underlie a surface of the tire when it is in its stored position. During manual movement of the spare tire to or from its stored position the rollers turn on their rotational axes to facilitate tire motion. The carrier can be constructed in different sizes for use with different vehicles and spare tire sizes. The carrier is preferably formed from standard commercially-available structural components, such as rods, bars and tubes, thereby facilitating use on military vehicles where the low volume usage does not warrant an expensive tooling investment.

Abstract: An add-on debris deflector for use on trailers or tractors to meet temporary situations when the trailer or tractor is operated in other than its conventional mode. The deflector is designed for installation on the vehicle without special tools or vehicle modification. It is especially useful on military tractor-trailer systems in which the use of a permanent debris deflector on the trailer might present structural interference between the deflector and a part of the tractor during vehicle turning action.

Abstract: A non-magnetic compass for use in a moving military land vehicle, comprising a rapidly rotating platform having a north star-seeking columnar element that carries a sun-seeking telescope. Fibre optic bundles transmit sun rays from the telescope to a selected light sensor in a stationary circular sensor system concentric with the platform rotational axis. During one instant during each rotating cycle of the platform the telescope will sight the sun while the columnar element is simultaneously oriented to the north star; light rays are transmitted from the scope to a north-oriented sensor in the sensor system. The columnar element and telescope are periodically adjusted to take into account the geographical location of the vehicle and time of year.

Abstract: An annular resilient band structure designed for installation on a ground hicle to provide tractive propulsion force and vehicle suspension force. Resilient suspension function is achieved by an annular resilient leaf spring core encapsulated within an elastomeric sheath. Load transfer between the ground or vehicle and the band structure is obtained by plies or cords trained along the surfaces of the core between non-extensible beads at opposite side edges of the band structure. Propulsion capability is achieved by metallic drive shoes rivetted onto edge areas of the elastomeric sheath.