Abstract: A photoactivation apparatus (200) separately delivers light to a plurality of wells of a multiwell plate (110). The device-includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (210) attached to a first surface of a substrate (220) such that when the photoactivation apparatus is positioned on the multiwell plate each of the light emitting diodes delivers light to one corresponding well. The light emitting diodes (210) may extend at least partially into the wells of the multiwell plate. A heat sink (250) and fan may be provided on the device to dissipate heat generated by the light emitting diodes. The components are preferably enclosed in a conveniently-sized housing (270). The housing may include one or more grips and air vents. The apparatus includes an interlocking lip (230) defining a recess which is sized to receive at least a portion of the multiwell plate. A power supply connected to the apparatus and configured to provide an equal voltage across each of the light emitting diodes.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission has a first shaft supporting two first pulleys. The two first pulleys each comprise a fixed disk portion and a moveable disk portion whereby axial movement of the moveable disk portions along the first shaft relative to the fixed disk portions changes an effective diameter of the two first pulleys. An articulating mechanism connects the moveable disk portions. The articulating mechanism has a body that is connected to the moveable disk portions. A second shaft extends generally parallel to the first shaft. Two second pulleys are journaled about the second shaft. The two second pulleys each has a fixed disk portion and a moveable disk portion. The two fixed disk portions are rotationally connected to the second shaft through a differential.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission has dual driving connections extending between a first shaft and a second shaft. The driving connections generally include a drive pulley, a driven pulley and a belt. The pulleys each comprise a fixed portion and an axially moveable portion. Movement between the two portions changes an effective diameter of the pulley. The moveable portions of the drive pulley are positioned next to one another on the first shaft and the moveable portions are interposed between the fixed portions of the drive pulleys. The fixed portions of the driven pulleys, on the other hand, are interposed between the moveable portions. The driven pulleys are free to rotate relative to the second shaft. A differential is positioned between the fixed portions of the driven pulleys, connects the two fixed portions and transfers the torque from the driven pulleys to the second shaft.

Abstract: Various configurations of a continuously variable transmission include a drive pulley, a driven pulley and a belt extending therebetween. The drive pulley is generally comprised of a moveable sheave half and a fixed sheave half. The moveable sheave half is freely rotatable relative to the drive shaft and the fixed sheave half. Torque is transferred between the moveable sheave half and the stationary sheave half through the use of a roller bearing and channel race arrangement; however, the roller bearings are freely translatable within the channel races. The continuously variable transmission also features a differential positioned between the two output pulleys and an articulating member positioned between the two input pulleys. These two members operate together to eliminate bucking of the belts caused by differences in driven speeds of the two driven pulleys in a parallel configuration of the variable speed transmission. Additionally, a method of assembling the transmission is also described.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission has dual driving connections extending between a first shaft and a second shaft. The driving connections generally include a drive pulley, a driven pulley and a belt. The pulleys each comprise a fixed portion and an axially moveable portion. Movement between the two portions changes an effective diameter of the pulley. The moveable portions of the drive pulley are positioned next to one another on the first shaft and the moveable portions are interposed between the fixed portions of the drive pulleys. The fixed portions of the driven pulleys, on the other hand, are interposed between the moveable portions. The driven pulleys are free to rotate relative to the second shaft. A differential is positioned between the fixed portions of the driven pulleys, connects the two fixed portions and transfers the torque from the driven pulleys to the second shaft.

Abstract: Various configurations of a continuously variable transmission include a drive pulley, a driven pulley and a belt extending therebetween. The drive pulley is generally comprised of a moveable sheave half and a fixed sheave half. The moveable sheave half is freely rotatable relative to the drive shaft and the fixed sheave half. Torque is transferred between the moveable sheave half and the stationary sheave half through the use of a roller bearing and channel race arrangement; however, the roller bearings are freely translatable within the channel races. The continuously variable transmission also features a differential positioned between the two output pulleys and an articulating member positioned between the two input pulleys. These two members operate together to eliminate bucking of the belts caused by differences in driven speeds of the two driven pulleys in a parallel configuration of the variable speed transmission. Additionally, a method of assembling the transmission is also described.

Abstract: An improved seal allows a fuel nozzle to be securely fastened to an aircraft refueling adaptor and the seal does not allow fuel to leak or spill. Significantly, the seal is simple to install and remove because the fuel nozzle does not have to be disassembled or removed from the fuel hose and the seal does not have to be bonded to the seal support. The seal is securely attached to the fuel nozzle without the use of adhesives because the seal is much stiffer than conventional seals, and the seal is mechanically retained in a deep annular groove in the seal support structure. The improved seal includes a body with a first leg, a second leg, a cavity and a projection which is attached to the first leg and it extends at least halfway across the width of the cavity. Desirably, the projection extends about two-thirds of the way across the width of the cavity.

Abstract: An improved fuel transfer pump is provided for use in transferring fuel within fuel tanks such as fuel tanks within an aircraft. The pump comprises a relatively compact and substantially modular pump assembly including a rotatably driven impeller carried at one end of an impeller shaft for relatively high flow transfer of fuel from a fuel inlet to a fuel outlet. The impeller shaft is rotatably supported within a pump housing by sets of angular contact bearings preloaded in a direction to prevent eccentric run-out or excessive axial end play in response to bearing wear over the operating life of the pump. In addition, an hydraulic motor is mounted within the pump housing axially between the bearing sets and is driven by a source of hydraulic fluid for rotatably driving the impeller shaft.

Abstract: A single piece molded sports racket includes a string frame defining an interior opening, a throat portion extending from the string frame and an integral grip/handle extending from the throat portion. The string frame further supports an integrally formed inwardly extending string flange having a plurality of apertures with corner radii extending therethrough. The string frame may be strung from either side facilitating the positioning of the string plane of the racket at alternative offset positions with respect to the center plane of the string frame of the racket. Embodiments are shown which provide for alternative string plane positions either tangential to one edge of the string frame or offset therefrom. In alternate embodiments, the position of the string frame may be selected between alternatives of coplanar alignment with the center plane of the frame or offset or tangential to the frame edge.

Abstract: An aircraft fueling nozzle includes a generally cylindrical nozzle body having an extending adaptor receiver housing within which a rotatable interlock ring is supported. A generally planar annular locking lug retainer overlies the interlock ring and is secured to the upper surface of the adaptor receiver housing. A valve seat is supported upon a center wall of the interlock ring and supports a valve seat which cooperates with a valve poppet for fuel flow control. The nozzle body defines a vertical channel within which a movable poppet link is disposed and movable. The interlock ring defines a downwardly extending plate which is rotatable between positions covering a portion of the vertical channel and exposing the vertical channel.

Abstract: An improved fuel transfer pump is provided for relatively high flow transfer of fuel from one aircraft to another during an inflight refueling procedure, wherein the fuel transfer pump includes a jet-type scavenge pump for evacuating residual fuel from a fuel line or manifold. The scavenge pump comprises a venturi element connected along a recirculation conduit through which a small fuel flow is diverted from the high pressure discharge side of the fuel transfer pump for return to the fuel tank. The recirculation fuel flow induces a vacuum in a suction throat of the venturi element, and this vacuum is coupled by a suction line to evacuate residual fuel from the fuel line or manifold to the fuel tank. A flow baffle is mounted along the recirculation conduit downstream from the venturi element to ensure flooding and priming of the scavenge pump.

Abstract: An aircraft fueling nozzle includes a nozzle body supporting a valve seal and valve poppet movable between an open and closed position. The nozzle body supports a trio of extending index pins together with a trio of spring-biased movable lock pins extending toward the receptacle end of the nozzle body. A nozzle collar is rotatably supported by the nozzle body and defines a trio of inwardly extending inclined ribs which receive and engage a conventional fueling adapter upon a to-be-fueled aircraft. A lock pin alignment ring is secured upon the upper edge of the nozzle body and defines apertures through which the index pins and lock pins extend. The apertures receiving the lock pins are elongated defining straight parallel sides while the apertures receiving the index pins are circular.

Abstract: Described is a set of improvements and added features to the commercial article a nozzle to connect a pressurized fuel carrying hose to a standardized aircraft fueling adapter. The adapter has a spring loaded poppet located centrally in its entrance opening; when that poppet is pushed inward by a poppet on the nozzle fuel can flow into the aircraft tank through an annular opening around both. The nozzle's job is to be easily secured to the adapter in a leaktight manner, then to push the poppets toward the interior of the adapter, and finally to retract, all without any possibility of a fuel leak by mis-assembly or maloperation, in minimum time and often in darkness.

Abstract: A ball valve coupling includes a pair of identical ball valve units adapted for mounting onto a respective pair of fluid flow conduits, such as fuel hoses in a fuel handling environment. The two ball valve units are releasibly connected in in-line, face-to-face relation by interengageable lock lugs, and further include individual ball valves rotatable between open and closed positions to control fluid flow therethrough. Each ball valve unit includes a safety lock-out key engaged by a lock lug on the other ball valve unit as the coupling is assembled, wherein the lock-out key precludes ball valve rotation to the open position unless the two ball valve units are fully and properly engaged in sealed relation. The lock-out key of each ball valve unit further precludes coupling disassembly unless the ball valve is first returned to the closed position.

Abstract: A vehicle turn signal malfunction warning system that alerts the vehicle driver when a turn signal indication is not cancelled after a predetermined time period comprises a modular housing that is plug-compatible with all standardized flasher units in use, requires no wiring to be connected to the turn signal system or to the vehicle electrical system. The system includes a full-wave rectifier connected across the inputs of the standard turn signal flasher, and is powered solely by the voltage derived from the turn signal system. The warning system includes a first time base circuit, a second time base circuit, a gating means, and a tone generator means. The first time base circuit is arranged to be fully charged by the first turn signal pulse through the full-wave rectifier, and to discharge approximately 2.5 seconds after the turn signal pulse train ends. The second time base circuit begins charging when the first time base is fully charged, and accumulates a charge until the first time base circuit resets.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for making an immersed fuel transfer pump free of possible sources of ignition for fuel-vapor mixtures when the pump is run dry. The bearings and face seals are cooled by hydraulic oil used to power the pump, preferably through connecting the case leakage port on a conventional multiple piston type hydraulic motor to the pump as a supply and ducting the leakage through the bearings and near the seals on its way to the reservoir. An auxiliary pump built into the centrifugal pump shaft increases flow over these critical parts via a closed loop. Leakage past the dynamic face seals is led overboard through a flame-quenching passage.

Abstract: A power amplifier includes an output stage comprising a pair of complementary MOSFET power transistors connected in push-pull fashion between the positive and negative poles of a split DC power supply, with the sources of the transistors connected together to ground. The input stage includes another pair of complementary MOSFET driver transistors having their gates connected together to the input signal. The drain signal of each of the driver transistors is resistor coupled to the gate of one of the power transistors, and biased so that the driver turns off as the power transistors turns on. The amplifier output signal is taken between the common point of the split DC power supply and ground.

Abstract: A modular nozzle system for refueling aircraft fuel tanks includes a nozzle valve linkage mechanism which permits the valve body to have a shorter length than previous designs. The nozzle may include a mechanical fuse for releasing the connection between the nozzle body and a fuel tank upon the application of predetermined forces. The nozzle may also include a swivel joint which facilitates positioning the nozzle for connection to a fuel tank. The nozzle may also include a quick disconnect assembly which facilitates connection of the nozzle to various hose end connection. The system also may comprise an assembly fixture for assembling the mechanical fuse and a test fixture for testing the release force of the mechanical fuse.

Abstract: A nozzle for an aerial refueling boom is disclosed in which the locking latches on the nozzle housing are operated by a solenoid which allows the latches to be moved to an unlocked position by the operator in the aerial refueling tanker. The nozzle embodies an inlet fitting at its forward end which is adapted to be fixed to the boom. A nondestructive detent arrangement releasably couples the nozzle housing to the inlet fitting so that if the housing is deflected at an excessive angle, it will break away from the fitting and thus the boom without damaging the boom.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for making an immersed fuel transfer pump free of possible sources of ignition for fuel-vapor mixtures when the pump is run dry. The bearings and face seals are cooled by hydraulic oil used to power the pump, preferably through connecting the case leakage port on a conventional multiple piston type hydraulic motor to the pump as a supply and ducting the leakage through the bearings and near the seals on its way to the reservoir. An auxiliary pump built into the centrifugal pump shaft increases flow over these critical parts via a closed loop. Leakage past the dynamic face seals is led overboard through a flame-quenching passage.