Abstract: Test circuitry for exercising and testing the operability of antiskid and automatic braking control circuits in an aircraft braking system. The invention includes a digital processor communicating with an interface circuit associated with each antiskid control circuit and the automatic braking system valve drivers. Each such interface circuit includes an analog switch receiving an electrical stimulus from the processor and applying the same to various test points in the associated antiskid control circuit or automatic braking system valve drivers. An analog selector is connected to various test points in the antiskid control circuits and automatic braking system valve drivers to sense the responses to the electrical stimulus and to pass such responses to the processor to determine the operability of the antiskid and automatic braking control systems.

Abstract: A unique configuration for a torque tube assembly associated with a disk type brake comprises separable and replaceable keys and a separable and replaceable brake disk backplate. The keys are mounted in anti-rotation slots at the inboard and outboard ends of the torque tube and bolted to the barrel portion of the torque tube and are characterized by a radial extension that supports the separable backplate. The torque tube is a formed wrought metal tube that is mounted to the stationary portion of the brake housing via bolts that thread into the inboard end of the keys. In this configuration, the occurrence of a defective key and/or backplate does not require replacement of the total torque tube assembly.

Abstract: A process for providing a low haze, high transparent, high heat-resistant laminate by forming a preform laminate of a high heat-resistant layer covered on both surfaces by a non-glass protective layer with at least one said layer being an as-cast acrylic layer. This combination can be readily stored for long periods of time or used immediately after the formation thereof by peeling off one of the as-cast acrylic layers and applying a transparent flexible adhesive layer thereto. The transparent material can be added to the adhesive layer. Many other combinations and laminates can be formed from the preform high heat-resistant laminate since during the preparation thereof, haze is not introduced to the transparency via moisture, and contact with haze-forming release coatings is avoided.

Abstract: Apparatus for electrically controlling the application and release of aircraft brakes. In one embodiment, the invention includes a slurry clutch controlling a reciprocating member which is operatively connected to the pressure plate. In another embodiment of the invention, a torque motor is adapted to have an armature which comprises a ball screw, the ball screw being in engagement with a longitudinal drive rod interconnected with the pressure plate. Rotation of the armature causes the drive rod to move the pressure plate into forceful engagement with the brake disk stack or to retract the same. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a plurality of torque motors are interconnected with a bull gear which is operative for driving the pressure plate.

Abstract: A resilient liner for mounting within a hopper type receptacle which receives and discharges flowable bulk particulate material. The liner is comprised of one or more resilient panels each having a fluid tight envelope with a top and bottom sheet held in substantially spaced parallel relationship by a series of internal transverse seams or walls or by a layer of open celled foam when the internal pressure of the envelope is at least slightly higher than the ambient pressure outside the envelope. The panels are sufficiently resilient, that particles or chunks of material passing through the hopper striking the top of the envelope cause undulation of the top of the envelope which aids in maintaining the constant flow of particulate material through the receptacle. The panels may be protected by a wear resistant cover loosely covering the panels or integral with the panels.

Abstract: A pneumatic pad comprises reinforcement fabrics of parallel cords pre-formed to a specific radius through the edges of the pad and press-molded to a very flat pre-pressurized configuration. At least two orthogonally oriented reinforcement fabrics are embedded in elastomer and have lapped ends positioned in opposite covers of the pad such that each cover comprises at least three cord reinforcement plies two of which are oriented orthogonally with respect to the other.

Abstract: A flexible, fabric-reinforced, complex-shaped container comprises a fabric reinforcement material and at least one facing layer of a polymeric or elastomeric material, said fabric comprised of yarns capable of changing their effective lengths upon being shaped to a complex mold configuration and thereafter maintained in that shaped condition by curing of the composite material. The method of the invention comprises applying a differential pressure to the fabric reinforced composite in a concave mold having the desired complex configuration to move the composite into the mold cavities as the effective length of the yarns change to conform to the mold and thereafter curing of the composite so as to set the composite to the mold shape.

Abstract: A configuration for a sailboat mainsail comprises a rotating wind-mill like sail structure mounted on a rotating pedestal base. The wind driven rotating sail delivers power to the sailboat propeller through a flexible driveshaft and transmission and thus provides an ability to sail a particular desired course direction irrespective of the direction from which the wind is blowing.

Abstract: A friction pad configuration and a method and apparatus for fastening said pads to a disk core member wherein the base of the pad is formed with a plurality of extended tabs that are inserted in slots in the core and secured to the tabs of a pad on the opposite surface of the core by a clip that draws the base-to-base mounted pads together on the core. Alternatively, and for mounting on a single face surface of the core, U-clips are mounted on the tabs and inserted through the core to the opposite surface thereof and the ends of the U-clips are bent down into annular grooves in the face surface of the core to securely mount the pads to the core.

Abstract: A splicing unit for integrally joining ends of seal strip material to form a continuous annular seal ring comprises two reinforced elastomeric ply strips with an unreinforced elastomeric gum interposed between them to form an H-section configuration, the length of the unit being substantially the width of the seal strip while the thickness of the gum between the ply strips is substantially the thickness of the seal material to be joined. The ends of the seal strip are inserted between the legs of the H-section on either side of the unreinforced gum and cured to form the integrally spliced seal ring.

Abstract: An auxiliary sun visor that attaches to a vehicle's standard visor comprises a magnetizable plate affixed to the standard visor, a plastic transparent filter, and a single magnet having means for attachment of the filter. The auxiliary transparent filter is readily attached to the plate via magnetic attraction of the magnet and is movable for multi-angular positioning within the viewing area of the vehicle windshield.

Abstract: A conductor for transmitting an electrical signal from a signal generator on a rotating member to a signal detector on a relatively stationary member across the motion interface between the two members comprises at least one solid carbon graphite ring mounted coaxially between the two members and having a first annular surface in intimate contact with a mating conductive surface on the signal generator and having a second annular surface in intimate contact with a mating conductive surface on the stationary member that is electrically connected to the signal detector, said carbon graphite ring functioning as an electrical interconnection between the two members.

Abstract: A friction pad configuration and a method and apparatus for fastening said pads to a disk core member wherein the base of the pad is formed with a plurality of extended tabs that are inserted in slots in the core and secured to the tabs of a pad on the opposite surface of the core by a clip that draws the base-to-base mounted pads together on the core. Alternatively, and for mounting on a single face surface of the core, U-clips are mounted on the tabs and inserted through the core to the opposite surface therof and the ends of the U-clips are bent down into annular grooves in the face surface of the core to securely mount the pads to the core.

Abstract: In a friction component for brakes, clutches and the like, a core member is adapted for carrying a plurality of friction pads or cups on either or both of its surfaces. According to this invention a cylindrical metal bushing is positioned in an aperture through the core member to contact the bottoms of friction pads on the opposite surfaces of the core. The bushing has annular projections at the ends that make contact with the bottoms of the friction pads and passage of an electrical welding current through the assembly affects welding of the bushing projections to the bottoms of the pads and rigidly secures them to the core member.

Abstract: An improved aircraft wheel configuration obviates the hazard of wheel failure during take-off and landing situations when tire deflation occurs and the wheel accepts full loading on its flanges. The wheel is configured to provide a differential flange height between the inboard and outboard flanges such that the total load applied to the wheel is distributed equally between the flanges. Alternatively, and/or in addition the flanges are restructured to provide an increased section modulus and the inboard flange is designed to provide a wider contact surface.

Abstract: A filler neck assembly is mounted to a fueling port at one end and to a fuel tank through a tank entry nipple at the opposite end, which assembly provides a fuel path into the tank and a vapor recovery path out of the tank while being serviced from a fuel dispensing nozzle having vapor recovery means. The filler neck comprises a fuel delivery tube connected to the fueling port and to the inside of the tank through a baffle within the tank entry nipple. The baffle securely seats the tube within the tank. The fuel delivery tube is coaxially mounted within the bore of an outer tube having ribs on the inside surface of its bore, the outer tube also being connected to the fueling port and to the tank entry nipple. In a second embodiment the ribs are on the outside surface of the inner fuel delivery tube while the bore of the outer tube is a smooth surface.

Abstract: A signal communicator for transmitting an electrical signal from one member rotating relative to another member is in the configuration of a journal bearing and comprises at least one conically shaped annular graphite ring supported by inner and outer electrically conductive races. While one race is insulatively mounted on the rotating member and electrically connected to a condition sensor, the other race is insulatively mounted on the relatively stationary member and electrically connected to a signal detector, and the graphite ring is an electrical conductor interconnecting the sensor and detector via the two races. Alternatively, two opposing and contacting graphite rings are mounted in nonconducting carriers, one of the carriers keyed for rotation with the sensor while the other is mounted on the relatively stationary member.

Abstract: A splicing unit for integrally joining ends of seal strip material to form a continuous annular seal ring comprises two reinforced elastomeric ply strips with an unreinforced elastomeric gum interposed between them to form an H-section configuration, the length of the unit being substantially the width of the seal strip while the depth of the gum between the ply strips is substantially the thickness of the seal material to be joined. The ends of the seal strip are inserted between the legs of the H-section on either side of the unreinforced gum and cured to form the integrally spliced seal ring.

Abstract: A hose that will withstand pressure and vacuum as well as resist kinking or collapsing in which the wall structure includes at least two radially spaced layers of monofilaments of textile material with a layer of elastomeric material separating the layers. Also at least one additional layer of a fabric of aramid fiber is included in the wall as additional reinforcement. Construction is of relative lighweight and may be readily adapted to a floating hose construction.