Abstract: A tube checking system is made up of a template placed on a flat metallic surface, and a series of adjustable holding fixtures places at selected positions along the template. The template has a computer aided layout of a plan view of a formed tube inscribed on a film with selected check points along the layout showing the height and angle of the tubing above the check point. Each holding fixture is adjustable as to height and angle, is indexed to align to the check point, and has a switchable on off magnet in the base to secure the fixture in position.

Abstract: An optical inspection device for measuring the squareness of tube cuts. The optical inspection apparatus includes a tube guide for permitting rotation of the tube whereby its end wall thickness is positioned in the path of a light beam whose output end is magnified and projected on a viewing screen. Variations in the squareness of the tube end may be visually inspected by an operator on the viewing screen.

Abstract: A system for measuring the cladding thickness on aluminum sheets which includes a cylindrical probe holder with four evenly spaced contact points surrounding a low temperature coefficient torroidal ferrite core which provides a signal to an aluminum cladding thickness signal processing circuit comprising a crystal oscillator, low drift detector, and push button calibration instrument portion thereby enabling drift free repeatable measurements.

Abstract: A set of two cutting units are located on the end of a tool to be rotated. The cutting units are radially aligned and on a bevel. Each blade on each cutting unit has a radial rake of at least 60 degrees, a clearance angle, and serrations cut at an angle normal to the cutting edge to provide a series of points extending along that cutting edge.

Abstract: An index bar is secured to a machined and leveled surface of a base. One side of the bar is machined to be contacted and to act as a buttock plane. The bar has a series of in line holes positioned for lengthwise indexing. A second index bar, secured to the base, has a series of matching holes and the bar is positioned parallel to the buttock plane. The index bars are used for alignment for scribing header locations on the base. Headers, contoured with respect to the base surface and with respect to the buttock plane, are formed and while on the scribed line and while contacting the base and the buttock plane surface, are secured to the base. The secured headers are vertically aligned and held in that position to provide the critical lines for forming a master model.

Abstract: A fiberglass fabric wherein a selected number and pattern of yarns have been coated with an aluminum coating is preimpregnated with epoxy or other resin system and laid up as an integral part of a composite structure of the type having a honeycomb core and a plurality of fiberglass plies. Multiple plies of fiberglass fabric which include the yarns coated with an aluminum coating may be utilized in edgeband fastener areas for increased electrical continuity without loss of mechanical strength of composite parts.

Abstract: An aircraft door having an electrically operated latching device (601) engaged only when electrical power is applied. Latch logic permits release by actuation of a switch (603) on the pilot's panel, by loss of electrical power (602), by a knob on the control cabin side (605) or by a key from outside the control cabin (604). The aircraft door controlled by the electrically operated latching device (601) further includes a decompression override mechanism (606).

Abstract: A support rail structure which provides cooling air for removing heat from instruments. The support rail structures provide uniform cooling along each support rail regardless of instrument orientation within the instrument panel assembly. A system which includes the combination of instrument panel support rail and cooling manifold discharges a continuous flow of forced convection air along the base of the support rail. Valves are shown which provide flow-through cooling for cathode ray tube instruments. The instrument panel support rail structures enable a method of supplying conditioned air when concentration of instrument panels dictate that the air conditioning system be integrated within the panels.

Abstract: An induction heating coil having fluoroplastic coated polyimide tape wrapped windings for providing a bonded, solid monolithic structure. The induction heating coil includes a cooling fin of predetermined length extending in interleaved relationship between a plurality of consecutive turns of current-carrying coil windings. A plurality of fluoroplastic coated polyimide sheets are fused to the coil body between the coil body and a fluoroplastic face sheet forming the outer wear surface of the induction heater coil, thereby providing a non-stick surface for release of hot melt adhesives.

Abstract: A drain structure for facilitating the draining of liquid condensate from inside an aircraft whenever air pressures inside and outside the aircraft are substantially equal. A pressure-sensitive apparatus is provided in conjunction with a drain opening through the aircraft's outer skin so that liquid can pass through the drain opening only while the apparatus is open. The apparatus includes a housing and a valve in the form of a slider movable within the housing to open and close the apparatus in response to the pressure differential between the inside and the outside of the aircraft. The housing defines a liquid passageway between the inside of the aircraft and the drain opening, and the slider closes the apparatus by blocking this liquid passageway whenever there is a substantial pressure differential between the inside and the outside of the aircraft.

Abstract: A scanning angle tracker which includes a laser beam and a beamsplitter for developing two beams which intersect on a scanning mirror. The scanning mirror sweeps the two beams across a retro-reflective tape on the object. Return signals are generated for processing to provide the desired angular information.

Abstract: A remotely controlled system for mechanically positioning an aircraft airflow vane for the purpose of calibration wherein a stepper motor drives the vane to a predetermined position in response to electronic system control disposed at a point remotely located with respect to the aircraft airflow vane.

Abstract: A drill bit pointer machine includes a laser micrometer for measuring the pilot diameter and transmitting the data to a microprocessor through a digital readout. The microprocessor is programmed to manipulate the data and define the operation of a stepper motor which produces the required motion necessary for adjusting the machine workhead stop for utilization in the subsequently performed semi-automatic grinding cycle.

Abstract: Method and structures for enhancing the conductivity of graphite composite materials for lightning protection and prevention of attachment of lightning to fasteners. The integral lightning protection system for composite aircraft skins, including skins with fasteners penetrating into fuel tanks, utilizes nickel-plated graphite fibers (24) which are woven into the outer layer of fabric of the structural component (10) requiring protection.

Abstract: A drill bit pointer machine includes a laser micrometer for measuring the pilot diameter and transmitting the data to a microprocessor through a digital readout. The microprocessor is programmed to manipulate the data and define the operation of a stepper motor which produces the required motion necessary for adjusting the machine workhead stop for utilization in the subsequently performed semi-automatic grinding cycle.

Abstract: Aircraft gas-turbine engines (10) are often mounted and supported by strut type structures (12) which contain fuel, oil, electrical and hydraulic engine supply lines. The engine fan (18) is surrounded by a belt (24) made of tough flexible material designed to restrict travel of broken fan blade pieces, ingested objects or other debris (20). The forward strut section (12), adjacent the belt (24), is located outside of the maximum belt deflection envelope (26) except for the engine right and left cowl hinges (62 and 64) and its support structure (30), which structure (30) is made collapsible. This collapsible cowl hinge structure (30) utilizes mechanical fuse connections (68) which upon a dislocation force from the belt (24) allows the structure (30) to disconnect from the strut support structure (12).

Abstract: "I" beam or web structures of laminated composite material or sheets are being stiffened by transverse webs stiffeners having a tubular configuration with flattened end portions. The flattened end is inserted between the laminated web material or sheets and cured therewith to form an integral stiffened web structure.

Abstract: A star coupler bulkhead connector for equalizing signal levels over different transmission paths where one of the transmission paths includes pressure bulkhead penetration. The signal path which includes pressure bulkhead penetration comprises a data bus including a plurality of optical fibers directly coupled from the mixer element of the star coupler through the bulkhead.