Abstract: In a steam turbine inlet which includes an annular steam strainer stationarily positioned therein for stopping the passage into the turbine of large metal particles in the steam, the improvement in the strainer which comprises a plurality of spaced through holes in a major portion of the strainer circumference, the through holes being of differing diameters, with holes of like diameter being positioned in longitudinally-extending, circumferential zones, holes of the largest diameter being disposed in zones where metal particles are least likely to enter the holes, holes of smaller diameter being disposed in zones where metal particles are most likely to enter the holes, and a longitudinally-extending, circumferential zone in the strainer without holes where the particles velocity and direction of movement would be damaging to any holes located in such a zone, the through holes each having an entrance end on the outer periphery of the strainer, an exit end on the inner periphery of the strainer, and an interio

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the clutches in a vehicle powershift transmission. The control system includes a microprocessor which periodically executes an algorithm and which has a memory in which is stored a sequential set of time reference values and a sequential set of pressure values. The control system applies to each oncoming element a fill pressure pulse for fill periods which are unique for each element. The control system determines shift time values, subsequent to filling of the control elements, as a function of the fill period. The control system applies pressure signals to the control elements at times represented by the shift time values which are unique for each element. The control system determines, subsequent to a realignment time, realignment shift time values which are the same for all of the control elements.

Abstract: The hydraulically operated brake and clutch elements (controlled by proportional control valves) of a vehicle powershift transmission have fill pressures which are calibrated by a method wherein the output shaft of the transmission is disconnected from the vehicle drive shaft so that the transmission output shaft is free to rotate and certain ones of the plurality of the control elements other than the control element being calibrated are fully pressurized in order to prevent rotation of a part of the control element being calibrated. The engine is run at a predetermined speed and the pressure applied to the control element being calibrated is gradually increased while engine speed is monitored. When the monitored engine speed changes by predetermined amount, a value is saved corresponding to the calibration pressure. The transmission is automatically shifted to neutral if vehicle motion is sensed.

Abstract: A vehicle control system automatically controls both the engine and transmission of the vehicle in response to operator inputs and in response to sensed parameters. The control system has separate selectable operational modes--a constant ground speed mode and a constant engine speed mode.

Abstract: An inductive displacement transducer includes a primary and at least two secondary coils with a movable coupling member for varying the amount of mutual coupling therebetween as a function of the displacement of a movable member. The secondary coils are wrapped around magnetic cores which are embedded in a disc-shaped core structure. The coupling member comprises a pair of magnetic conductive arms disposed on either side of the core structure and attached to a shaft rotatably received by a central axial bore in the core structure. An end of the shaft may be attached to the movable member. A control circuit excites the primary coil with an excitation signal with abrupt repetitive transients so that voltage spikes appear in the secondary coils with an amplitude related to the amount of mutual coupling. The voltage spikes are integrated into a D. C. voltage with an amplitude of the voltage spikes and thus, indicative of the displacement of the movable member.