Abstract: A fuel control system for providing steady state fuel flow to a gas-turbine engine comprises a pulse-width modulated, solenoid-operated fuel metering valve, an engine speed transducer, and a remote microprocessor communicating with the valve and the speed transducer through an optical fiber. The valve is operated by a direct current signal which is pulsed at a frequency substantially higher than the natural frequency of the valve spring/plunger system, whereby the plunger remains axially displaced from the valve seat to provide continuous flow through the valve. The amount of axial plunger displacement and, hence, the fuel flow rate are prescribed by the pulse width of the signal directed through the valve.

Abstract: A valve stem oil shield comprises a cup-shaped deflector having a radial flange with an aperture therein for the acceptance of the valve stem. An annular grommet of U-shaped cross-section is disposed between the deflector and the valve stem to mechanically secure the oil shield to the valve stem. Leg portions of the grommet slidably engage the deflector thereby to effect a seal between the deflector and valve stem.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprising an improved socket having a longitudinally extending crimped area that reduces the area of contact of a conventional pin therewith.

Abstract: A retainer mechanism for a safety belt includes a retraction reel on which the safety belt web is wound and first and second locking members mounted adjacent the reel and movable relative to the frame to clamp the web itself or allow the web to move. Displacement of the second locking member, and thus of the first locking member, may be caused e.g. by an inertia mechanism on the reel and/or by an acceleration/de-celeration sensitive mechanism and/or by a projection adjacent the end of the web.

Abstract: A gas generant composition devoid of azides which yields solid combustion products which are easily filtered rendering the gases useful for inflating automobile occupant restraint bags.

Abstract: A multiple fluid feed system for, for example, a turbine engine, comprises a fuel tank, a fuel pump, and means for switching fuel flow from said pump between a return to tank condition and an engine supply condition. A starting fuel reservoir has a cylinder with a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet. A piston in the cylinder is movable from a start position to a run condition in response to movement of the switching means from the return to tank condition to the engine supply condition. A supply of starting fuel is disposed in the reservoir and is biased out of the reservoir upon initial movement of the piston.

Abstract: A regenerative incinerator comprises a combustion chamber, a regenerator having a plurality of discrete segments each of which has a heat exchange material therein and a valve for sequentially directing contaminated gas, purge air and cleansed gas to and from discrete segments of said regenerator, selectively.

Abstract: A solid fuel turbine engine comprises a centrally disposed axially extending shaft having an annular combustion chamber disposed thereabout intermediate the ends thereof. A compressor is mounted at one end of the shaft for delivering air to the combustion chamber to provide the principal source of oxygen for combustion and a turbine is mounted at the other end of the shaft. The turbine is driven by combustion gases and drives the compressor. An annular solid fuel charge is disposed in the combustion chamber for producing combustion gases.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating pigtailed lens assemblies employing iterative micropositioning and empirical means to accurately align an optical fiber with an axis of a spherical lens at the focal point thereof, whereupon the fiber is fused to the lens by a laser beam directed through the lens along the alignment axis.

Abstract: A machine for hemming a panel having a fixed die with an edge contour complementary to an edge of the panel, a movable die head having prehemming and hemming dies thereon with edge contours, respectively, complementary to the edge contour of said panel, a single fluid actuator, and a cam controlled linkage for effecting both vertical and lateral movement of both said hemming die and said prehemming die relative to said fixed die upon operation of said actuator.

Abstract: A valve comprising a circular butterfly that is rotatable about an axis extending diametrically of a cylindrical valve housing. The butterfly has two axially spaced seal surfaces on the periphery thereof that, in conjunction with complementary axially spaced seats on the valve housing, control the flow of air to or from an annular plenum that surrounds the valve housing.

Abstract: An airbag attachment system for an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint system comprises a cannister having a shoulder on a peripheral edge flange for seating of a metal rod disposed in a channel in the airbag. The edge flange of the cannister is reentrantly folded about the rod to retain the airbag on the cannister.

Abstract: A firing circuit for deploying a pair of air bags comprises four circuit legs connected in parallel across a voltage supply via a diode shunted with a resistor. The first and second circuit legs each comprise in series a safing sensor, a squib, and a crash sensor, with each sensor being shunted by a like resistor whose resistance is substantially greater than the nominal resistance of the squibs. The third and fourth circuit legs each preferably comprise a resistor in series with a capacitor, with the resistance of the series resistor being significantly greater than that of the resistor shunting the grounded diode. Five bridges interconnect the four circuit legs so as to provide multiple firing paths and continued circuit viability notwithstanding the presence of one or more "faults" in the instant firing circuit.

Abstract: A blade erection damper for a folding propfan blade comprising a blade hammer on the propfan blade engageable with a fluid-filled frangible capsule to dampen erection of the blade.

Abstract: A firing circuit for deploying a pair of air bags comprises two circuit legs connected in parallel across a voltage supply. Each circuit leg comprises in series a safing sensor, a squib, and a crash sensor, with each sensor being shunted by a like resistor having a nominal resistance substantially greater than the nominal resistance of the squibs. A first diode bridge comprising a pair of oppositely-biased diodes extends between a first pair of junctions on the circuit legs located between the safing sensors and the squibs thereof. A second diode bridge comprising a pair of oppositely-biased diodes extends between a second pair of junctions on the circuit legs located between the squibs and the crash sensors thereof. A third diode bridge comprising oppositely-biased diodes connected in series also extends between the latter pair of junctions on the circuit legs.

Abstract: An improved blade folding system for a propfan propulsion system comprises a fan blade journaled for rotation from a folded position substantially tangentially related to the housing of an engine to a radially extending run condition.

Abstract: A gear system for driving a pair of rotary loads, such as a pair of helicopter rotors operating in ambient air, with a single rotary input comprises a planetary gear train, the sun gear of which is driven by the rotary input, and the planetary gear carrier and annulus gear of which respectively drive the loads via output shafts coupled thereto by suitable first and second coupling means, respectively. Where rotary outputs of substantially equal torque are desired, as where the rotors are of like dimension, one of the output couplings further comprises speed-reduction gearing and/or means for driving an auxiliary unit with the second output. An idler gear is further employed where the rotors are to rotate in opposite directions.

Abstract: A system for venting excessively high pressure gas incident to deployment of an airbag comprising a diaphragm that is rupturable upon the occurrence of a threshold pressure internally of the airbag to instantaneously release said pressure.

Abstract: An air bag firing circuit comprises a firing path including in series a safing sensor, a squib, and a crash sensor. Each sensor comprises normally-open switch means operated by an inertial mass and shunted by a resistor. A battery maintains a known voltage across the firing path while suitable control means checks the integrity of the firing path by reading and comparing the voltages achieved at various points thereabout. The control means further tests each sensor individually by sequentially operating suitable test means incorporated therein, such as means for biasing the inertial mass of each sensor towards its switch means to operate same, while determining the effect of such testing on the voltages achieved about the firing path.

Abstract: A knee bolster for protecting the passengers of a motor vehicle comprises one or more deformable members positioned generally forward of each vehicle passenger; ultrasonic sensors for determining the position of the knees and tibiae of each passenger within the motor vehicle relative to the deformable members; and means responsive to the sensing means for articulating and translating each deformable member relative to the vehicle interior and, hence, relative to the knees and tibiae of each passenger corresponding thereto to provide optimum protection to the passengers in the event of a subsequent collision or marked vehicle deceleration.