Abstract: An air conditioning system (10), being powered by a supply of compressed air, includes an air cycle machine (12) and incorporates a pair of regenerable bed filters (44,46). In operation, the filters are alternately cycled in and out of service with one of the filters receiving pressurized air for filtration from the air cycle machine compressor (30), while a backflow of purge air is passed through the other filter to remove accumulated contaminants from the bed thereof, thereby regenerating the filter. The purge air comprises conditioned air from the air cycle machine turbine (32). The contaminant laden purge air discharging from the filter being cleansed, is passed to a subatmospheric pressure region (77) in the ram air duct (20) upstream of the air cycle machine fan (28) and downstream of the heat exchangers (22, 24) for venting therefrom to the atmosphere via the fan (28).

Abstract: A method and control system for modulating a starter turbine (14) speed to a predetermined reference speed to prevent crash engagement with a turbine engine (16) during restart. The turbine engine (16) is coupled to the starter turbine (14) by a ratchet and pawl clutch (17), and crash engagement is prevented by modulating the starter turbine (14) speed to the predetermined reference speed, which is below a minimum pawl engagement speed, until the pawls have locked-in. A control system (10) in accordance with the present invention includes an electronic control (18) section and a mechanical pneumatic actuation means (20) which operate to limit the speed of the starter turbine (14) to the predetermined reference speed which is below the minimum speed at which crash engagements occur. The electronic control (18) provides an adjustment signal (26) corresponding to the difference between a sensed starter turbine speed signal (24) and a reference speed signal (49).

Abstract: An air cycle machine (10) has a first stage turbine (60) mounted to a central portion of a common shaft (12), a compressor (50) mounted to the central portion of the shaft (12), a second stage turbine (30) mounted to a first end of the shaft (12), and a fan (40) mounted to a second end of the shaft (12), all for rotation therewith about a longitudinal axis (14). The first and second stage turbines (60, 30) are operative to extract energy from a flow of compressed air for driving the shaft (12), and the fan (40) and the compressor (50), in rotation about the axis (14).

Abstract: The sorbent of the present invention is useful in adsorbing petroleum-based products such as oil and gasoline, particularly from the surface of water. This sorbent, which is comprised of about 5 wt. % to about 70 wt. % cured, cross-linked resin and about 30 wt. % to about 95 wt. % fibers, selectively adsorbs the petroleum-based product due to its hydrophobicity.

Abstract: A vanity mirror (27) is carried by a primary sunshade (24) stored above the headliner (5) of a motor vehicle. Lighting (117) for use with the mirror is disposed in the headliner remote from the primary sunshade and mirror. Secondary sunshades (13) are stored in either the headliner or roof pillars for operation completely independently of the primary sunshade.

Abstract: A pneumatic starter (10) incorporates a pawl and ratchet clutch assembly (50) having a ratchet member (46) mounted to a drive member (40) powered by an air expansion turbine (20), and a plurality of pawls (48) disposed circumferentially about the ratchet member (46) and operable in engagement therewith to transmit rotational drive torque from the drive member (40) to a driven member (60). Each of the pawls (48) is supported on a pivot pin (54) for pivotal movement into and out of engagement with the ratchet member (46) and translation between a engaged and drive position and a disengaged and retracted position to effectuate a change in the location of the center of gravity (93) of the pawl relative to its pivot axis (55). Preload springs (54) are provided for biasing the pawls (48) to pivot radially inwardly into engagement with the ratchet member (46).

Abstract: Improved axial compliance in a scroll compressor 10 between a fixed scroll 11 and an orbiting scroll 13 is achieved by providing at least one dynamic back pressure chamber 25 disposed behind the orbiting scroll 13. A pressurized fluid is bled from a selected one of compression pockets 19 through a port 21 formed in the orbiting scroll 13 into the dynamic back chamber 25 to provide varying on sub-cycle basis back pressure to reduce friction between the fixed and orbiting scrolls. A static back pressure chamber 27, also disposed behind the orbiting scroll 13, may be provided into which pressurized fluid is bled from a selected one of the compression pockets 19 to provide an additional back pressure on the scroll 13 which is substantially constant over the cycle.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fiber reinforced article using a fiber preform 10 suitable for impregnating with a curable resin to form the fiber reinforced article. The fiber preform 10 is formed by fitting a plurality of preformed seamless fabric envelopes 20 over an inner mold body 30 one over another in a layered fashion. An outer mold body 40 is placed over the completed fiber preform 10 prior to injecting a curable resin into the mold cavity 50 housing the fiber preform 10. The preform 10 comprises an innermost seamless fabric envelope 20A preformed to closely match a desired contour of the inner surface of the manufactured article, an outermost seamless fabric envelope 20B preformed to closely match a desired contour of the outer surface of the manufactured article, and an intermediate layer of at least one intermediate seamless fabric envelope 20C disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A pneumatic starter (10) incorporates a pawl and ratchet clutch assembly (50) having a ratchet member (46) mounted to a drive member (40) powered by an air expansion turbine (20), and a plurality of pawls (48) disposed circumferentially about the ratchet member (46) and operable in engagement therewith to transmit rotational drive torque from the drive member (40) to a driven member (60). Each of the pawls (48) is supported on a pivot pin (52) for pivotal movement into and out of engagement with the ratchet member (46) about its pivot axis (55). Preload springs (54) are provided for biasing the pawls (48) to pivot radially inwardly into engagement with the ratchet member (46). A weight ball (82) is disposed in a slot (80) extending along each pawl (48) so as to define a travel path between the toe end (47) and the heel end (48) thereof.

Abstract: An air cycle machine (10) having a plurality of wheels mounted on a common shaft (20) for rotation therewith about a longitudinal axis (12), including a compressor rotor (60) and a turbine rotor (50) mounted to a central portion (20c) of the shaft in back to back relationship, the turbine rotor (50) being operative to extract energy from a flow of compressed air for driving the shaft (20), and the compressor rotor (60), in rotation about the axis. An annular disc-like member (14) is disposed coaxially about the shaft (20) and extends radially outwardly between the turbine rotor (50) and the compressor rotor (60). A venting and sealing assembly (210, 220, 230) is operatively disposed between the shaft (20) and the annular member (14) intermediate the turbine rotor (50) and the compressor rotor (60) whereby a limited flow of compressor outlet air and a limited flow of turbine inlet air are vented to a low pressure region other than the turbine air flow circuit.

Abstract: A pneumatic starter (10) incorporates a pawl and ratchet clutch assembly (50) having a ratchet member (46) mounted to a drive member (40) powered by an air expansion turbine (20), and a plurality of ferromagnetic pawls (48) disposed circumferentially about the ratchet member (46) and operable in engagement therewith to transmit rotational drive torque from the drive member (40) to a driven member (60). Each of the pawls (48) is supported for pivotal movement into and out of engagement with the ratchet member (46). Springs (54) are provided for biasing the pawls (48) to pivot radially inwardly into engagement with the ratchet member (46). At least one magnet (82) is disposed in operative association with and radially outwardly of each pawl (48), whereby the ferromagnetic pawls (48) are held by the magnets (82) out of engagement with the ratchet member (46) when the driven shaft (60) is rotating at a speed above a desired reengagement speed.

Abstract: A pitch change system (30) for varying the pitch of the blades (16) of a multi-bladed propulsor (10) comprises a pitch change actuation assembly (40) and a pitch change drive assembly (70) for selectively actuating the pitch change actuation assembly (70) whenever it is desired to change blade pitch. The pitch change actuation assembly (40) comprises a ballscrew (42), a ballscrew nut (44) threadably mounted to the ballscrew (42), and a pitch stop assembly (100) having a retractable feather stop (135) which in its normal position prevents the ballscrew (42) from driving the ballscrew nut (44) to move the blades (16) beyond the coarse pitch setting corresponding to blade feather, but in its retracted position permits the ballscrew (42) to drive the ballscrew nut (44) to move the blades (16) through feather to a desired reverse pitch setting.

Abstract: A pitch change actuation system is disclosed for adjusting the pitch of a variable pitch propeller blades (120) operatively connected for pitch change to a pitch change actuator piston (140). A pitch change control system (10) is operatively connected to the pitch change actuator piston (140) for selectively pressuring the pitch change actuator piston to effectuate a desired change in the pitch of the propeller blades (120). The pitch change control system (10) comprises a primary electrohydraulic valve (30), a protection valve (60), an electronic controller (20) and a protection solenoid (50). During normal operation, the primary electrohydraulic valve (30) is modulated under control of the electronic controller (20) to effect pitch change.

Abstract: A pitch change actuation system for changing the pitch of the blades (16) of a prop-fan propulsor (10) comprises a translating pitch change actuator (30) and a flexible feather latch member (50) including a feather stop (56) and a feather latch (58), the feather latch member (50) being selectively releasable so as to permit the pitch change actuator (30) to drive the blades (16) through feather to a desired reverse pitch setting. Pitchlock lugs (96) and (98) operatively engage a pitchlock screw lug (97) on a pitchlock screw (80) to provide pitchlock screw stops at full reverse pitch and feather, respectively, with the pitchlock lug (98) being selectively displaceable so as to permit the pitchlock screw (80) to rotate when the pitch change actuator (30) is translated to drive the blades (16) through feather to reverse pitch.

Abstract: A pressure regulating flow control apparatus comprises a flow metering valve (10) for controllably discharging a fluid from a spring-biased throttling spool (30) thereof to a fluidic device at a regulated pressure and a pressure modulting valve (100) operatively associated with the throttling spool (30) of the flow metering valve (10) for modulating the fluid pressue in subchamber (18) of the metering valve (10) to alter the position of the throttling spool to adjust the regulated pressure in response to fluid temperature over a relatively large temperature range so as to compensate for the variation of fluid viscosity with fluid temperature.

Abstract: A pitch change actuation system is disclosed for adjusting the pitch of a variable pitch propeller blade (20) rotatably mounted to a hub (10) of the propeller. The pitch change actuator comprises a blade actuation piston (30) operatively connected to the propeller blade (20), a pitchlock piston (50) having a longitudinally directed annular shaft (56) extending therefrom about the shaft (34) of the blade actuation piston (30), pitchlock assembly (130, 140, 150) operatively interconnected between the pitchlock piston (50) and the blade actuation piston (30) for restraining inadvertent blade pitch reduction, bias spring (60) for exerting a preload force against the pitchlock piston (50), and fluid supply conduit (70) operatively interconnected in fluid communication between control valve (100) and the pitch change actuator.

Abstract: A fan inlet and diffuser apparatus (30) is provided with a lobed mixer (60) for intermixing fan bypass air (25) with a flow of fan discharge air (27). The fan inlet and diffuser apparatus (30) is particularly adapted for use in a inducing a flow of cooling air (21) through an upstream heat exchanger (20) and thence directing a portion (23) of the cooling air passing from the heat exchanger to the inlet side of the fan (14) of an air cycle machine (10), while directing the remaining portion (25) to bypass the fan (14) and pass into the central outlet flow passage (52) flowing over the mixing ejector (60) which imparts a directional swirl to the bypass flow (25) and a counter swirl to the fan discharge flow (27) passing from the fan outlet through the interior of the mixer (60), thereby enhancing the mixing of these two flows within the passage (52).

Abstract: A lightweight propulsor blade (10) is constructed 10 of a hollow internal spar (30) and an exterior airfoil shell (20) which defines and encompasses a hollow interior cavity (26). The internal spar (30) is disposed within the cavity 26 and extends spanwisely from its tip portion to terminate in a spar root portion (40). The spar has at least forward and aft spanwisely extending, chordwisely spaced, hollow box-like cavities (52A, 52B), a leading edge shear web (53) projecting chordwisely forward from the forward cavity (52A), a trailing edge shear web (55) projecting chordwisely rearward from the aft cavity (52B), and an intermediate chordwise shear web (57) spanning the space between and interconnecting the forward and aft cavities (52A, 52B). An additional intermediate box-like cavity (52C) may be incorporated in the intermediate chordwise shear web (57) in spaced relationship between the forward and aft cavities (52A, 52B).

Abstract: To ensure retentioin of the blade tongue 16 of a prop-fan blade 10 within a receiving slot 24 in the disc arm 20 of the fan hub 4 even under the high centrifugal forces exerted on the blade 10 while rotating at high rpm, at least one pair of retaining pins 30 and 40 are provided. First seating grooves 32 and 42, respectively, are provided on opposite faces 15 and 17 of the blade tongue 16 and holes 34 and 44 are drilled transversely through the disc arm 20 so as to form corresponding second seating grooves 36 and 46, respectively, on opposite side walls 26 and 28 of the slot 24. The first and second seating grooves are arranged opposite of and parallel to each other such that each pair of grooves 32 and 36 form a retention channel between the first face 15 of the tongue 16 and the opposed side wall 26 of the slot 24 and aligned with the holes 34 and 44 for receiving the retaining pins 30 and 40 thereby locking the blade tongue within the slot 24.

Abstract: Preloading and retention of a variable-pitch, light-weight propeller blade (10) are achieved through a retention assembly wherein the blade shank (20) is retained within a hub arm (24) with an inboard angular contact pitch change bearing (30) and an outboard angular contact anti-rocking bearing (50) which is elastomerically preloaded. The outboard bearing (50) is disposed intermediate a bearing race (34) on the shank (20) and an annular frusto-conical rigid support member (62) which is biased outboardly against the anti-rocking bearing (50) by an annular frusto-conical body (72) of elastomeric material selected to impart a desired stiffness and/or damping effect to the retention assembly.