Abstract: A fuel nozzle guide and method of assembly/disassembly is disclosed with the nozzle guide having a frusto-conical hub section, an annular base, a pair of retaining tabs for securing the guide to the outer wall of a combustor bulkhead for limited movement relative to the bulkhead, and a radial inflow swirler. The method of assembly/disassembly comprises assembling/disassembling the nozzle guide in the bulkhead from the outer wall (cold) side of the bulkhead and mechanically connecting/disconnecting the nozzle guide to/from the outer wall of the bulkhead with mechanical fasteners.

Abstract: An automated method and apparatus for electrode discharge machining wherein method includes moving the tool holder to the electrode loader, automatically mounting an electrode into the tool holder and then testing the electrode for conformance to geometric and dimension tolerances and testing the electrode for proper alignment in the tool holder and thus proper alignment relative to the workpiece just prior to moving the tool holder to the workpiece area for machining. The apparatus includes a moveable servomechanism with a tool holder, an electrode magazine, and a sensor module for testing an electrode mounted in the tool holder. The sensor module has a recess configuration of conductive material complimentary to the electrode such that the electrode will make contact with the conductive material when inserted into the sensor module if the electrode is out of tolerance or misaligned in the tool holder.

Abstract: A method of combusting fuel in the combustor of a gas turbine engine is disclosed which includes injecting fuel and a first predetermined amount of airflow into the combustion chamber to form a fuel-rich, highly mixed, uniform distribution fuel-air spray pattern flowing downstream in the combustion chamber and introducing a second predetermined amount of airflow into the fuel air spray pattern from combustor air inlets positioned at a first predetermined distance downstream from the combustor dome with the first predetermined distance being greater than 0.75 times the dome height and said second predetermined amount of airflow being sufficient to cause rapid mixing and quenching of the rich fuel-air mixture to a lean fuel-air mixture.

Abstract: Cylindrical heat exchangers are typically constructed of a plurality of spiral passageways created by multiple concentric annuluses, with increasing diameters, overlaying one another. Each passageway, however, typically includes a corrugated sheet between such circular layers, and the corrugated sheet acts as an obstruction, thereby decreasing the pressure of an air stream as it passes therethough. The present invention is a cylindrical heat exchanger having a plurality of spiral passageways created by a spirally wound rectangular sheet, wherein the overlapping spiral layers, that are formed by the winding the rectangular sheet, are spaced apart by a plurality of radially aligned dividers. The dividers, along with an open interface layer that is interposed between the spiral layers, maintain the constant gap between the spirals. Therefore, manufacturing the cylindrical heat exchanger with spiral rather than concentric layers improves the process of manufacturing such devices.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for modifying the properties of a porous freeform fabricated part by increasing its density and reducing its porosity. The porosity and density of a freeform fabricated part are altered by packing the pores in a freeform part with an infiltrant, such as a preceramic polymer. The process includes drawing a vacuum on or pressurizing the freeform part while it is in an infiltrant bath, thereby forcing the infiltrant into the pores of the freeform part. After removing the densified freeform part from the infiltrant bath, the freeform part is subjected to a treating process, such that the infiltrant within the pores transforms to a ceramic or ceramic-containing phase to thereby increasing the density of the freeform part.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for producing a hole in a structure utilizing both an unmodulated beam and a modulated beam. The unmodulated beam first breaks through the structure, thereby forming a guide hole, and the modulated beam then produces a reaming effect by increasing the cross section of the hole to the size of the effective diameter of the modulated beam. The modulated beam increases the cross section of the hole because the modulated beam has a higher beam intensity than the unmodulated beam for a given beam radius.

Abstract: A system is provided for the semi-active damping of oscillations during vertical motion of an elevator car relative to a desired trajectory along a relatively lengthy elevator travel path. The elevator car is connected to a motor-controlled support rope in a manner allowing limited relative vertical motion therebetween. A soft spring and a controllable damping means are connected in parallel between the rope and the elevator car. The damping means may be a hydraulic piston and cylinder arrangement controlled via a variable orifice valve. The spring may be a gas-pressurized accumulator connected to the hydraulics of the damping means. A control system provides a motion command signal to control the motor for motion control and the variable orifice valve for damping oscillations.

Abstract: A technique for providing a signal representative of blade vortex interaction (BVI) noise for a multi-blade rotorcraft. The fluid (air) pressure at one, two, or more predetermined locations on a rotor blade is measured during at least one predetermined azimuthal segment of blade rotation during operation to provide respective pressure measurements. The pressure measurements are processed to provide a signal for use as a control variable in a control system for the active control of BVI noise. The pressure measurements are made within 10% blade chord length of the blade leading edge and preferably two or more are made between 65% and 95% of blade radial-length. The pressure measurements are filtered and the band of retained frequencies is between 20 and 48 times the rotor rotation frequency. An algorithm operative over a determined blade frequency range optimizes the signal for control use.

Abstract: A coolable airfoil is disclosed which includes an internal cavity, an external wall, a plurality of first apertures, and a plurality of second apertures. The external wall includes a suction-side portion and a pressure-side portion. The external wall portions extend chordwise between a leading edge and a trailing edge, and spanwise between an inner radial surface and an outer radial surface. The mean camber line of the airfoil passes through the leading edge and the trailing edge along a path equidistant between the outer surfaces of the pressure-side and suction-side walls. The first apertures, which are disposed in the external wall adjacent the trailing edge, extend a distance within the suction-side wall portion and exit the external wall through the pressure-side wall portion. The second apertures extend through the pressure-side wall portion and exit the pressure-side wall portion upstream of and in close proximity to the first apertures.

Abstract: A metal plate sleeve and method of manufacture is obtained by placing the cables (15) on strips of rubber-base putty, then compressing the whole into the corresponding shape, followed by crown molding until the described shape of the anchoring zone (14) is obtained, forming a metal plate sleeve (10) for a bundle of cables (15), configured in accordance with the first lower truncated cone area (10b), extending on top into a cylindrical portion (21), which in turn extends on top into a truncated cone area (10a). A cylindrical portion (21) expands outward in accordance with the respective cover shields (12) and positioning shields (13).

Abstract: An automotive seat switch assembly for controlling seat movement comprising a switch housing having front and back covers and a middle switch plate, where the middle switch plate has a plurality of conductors molded in and a plurality of conductor contact surfaces on its outer surface, and a plurality of switch actuator assemblies, where each actuator assembly comprises a contactor for electrically contacting a respective one of the contact surfaces, a contactor actuator slidably mounted to a rail for slidingly actuating the contactor, and a pari of spaced apart support posts extending from the housing upon which the rails are mounted, where the front cover encloses the switch actuator assemblies.

Abstract: A battery terminal connector cover and method of assembly where the connector cover has a hinged top wall and a bottom wall forming an enclosure with a battery post receiving aperture in the bottom wall and an attachment assembly for force-fit securement of a connector to the bottom wall in alignment with the post receiving aperture.

Abstract: A battery saver module for controlling courtesy and illuminated entry lamps having inputs for receiving input signals from door handle sensors, a trunk sensor, and an ignition switch and first output connected to illuminated entry loads and a second output connected to courtesy lamp loads. A control circuit selectively activates the first and second output responsive to input signals and includes a first timer for deactivating the first output after a first time period and a second timer for deactivating the second output after a second time period.

Abstract: A power delivery circuit for supplying load current to a load includes a current switch connected on the high potential side of a load. In order to detect a current condition, such as an over-current condition in the load, a current sensing and detection circuit preferably cooperates with the current switch wherein such switch comprises a multicellular device with a plurality of terminals. Such terminals include a first main current terminal connected to a source of high potential, a second main current terminal connecting a majority of device cells to the load, a first auxiliary terminal connected at one end to a minority of device cells so as to provide a current generally proportional to the main device current, and a second auxiliary terminal connected at one end to a majority of device cells.

Abstract: An electric starter having an electric motor with a rotatable shaft, a pinion gear for driving a flywheel, and a friction clutch for transmitting torque which includes a drive plate connected to the shaft and a friction coupling for frictionally transmitting torque between the drive plate and pinion gear wherein the coupling is compressible and a stop limits compression to a predetermined maximum compression so as to set a predetermined slip torque or limit torque transfer to a predetermined maximum torque.

Abstract: An automobile dome light assembly for mounting directly to a preinstalled headliner having a lamp housing with a bulb socket, power terminal connector and an integrally formed self-contained connector subassembly for securing the lamp housing directly to the headliner. The connector subassembly has a pivotal latching arm for clamping the headliner to the lamp housing with snap lock engagement of the latching arm to the lamp housing.

Abstract: A battery terminal connector having a molded metal body member forming a clamp portion for clamping to the terminal post of a storage battery and a base portion for connection to a primary battery cable and a non-molded metal support brace molded within the body member and having a plurality of electrical connector terminals projecting from the molded body member to provide auxiliary battery connections.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling an armature subassembly to a relay subassembly which includes (a) positioning the armature subassembly so the proximal end of the contactor is adjacent the upper wall of the relay frame and the armature is adjacent the front edge of the frame; (b) mechanically moving and holding the distal end of the contactor blade against the relay subassembly so that the armature is flush against the front edge of the frame; (c) mechanically moving and holding the proximal end of the contactor blade against the upper wall of the frame without inducing lateral movement or stress in the contactor blade; (d) relieving position-affecting stress on the contactor blade; (e) releasing the distal end of the contactor blade to assume a rest position so that the armature and front edge forms a gap; and (f) welding the proximal end of the contactor to the frame wall.

Abstract: A stamped metal battery post connector having a base portion for crimped connection to an electrical conductor and an integral contact portion for engaging a battery post with the contact portion having a first wall member with a first post-receiving aperture, a second wall member with a second post-receiving aperture and a threaded connector for drawing the first wall member toward the second wall member to clamp the connector to the battery post. The first and second post-receiving apertures are each formed with an annular surface having coined recesses to grippingly engage and penetrate the battery post to inhibit angular rotation.