Abstract: A lightweight structure is disclosed, in particular a lightweight structure for an aircraft which is formed from a large number of components which can be joined together by weld joining processes. According to the invention, the lightweight structure has a component thickness which is increased corresponding to the loads in the joint region of the at least one welded joint compared to a thickness of the component outside the joint region.

Abstract: A lightweight structure is disclosed, in particular a lightweight structure for an aircraft which is formed from a large number of components which can be joined together by weld joining processes. According to the invention, the lightweight structure has a component thickness which is increased corresponding to the loads in the joint region of the at least one welded joint compared to a thickness of the component outside the joint region.

Abstract: A meter measures a voltage across a quasi-diode, the voltage caused by a current flowing through a resistance which changes substantially exponentially with changes in a medium being sensed. The meter comprises a logarithmic current measuring circuit coupled to the resistance to provide a measurement output that is a logarithmic function of the current flowing through the sensing resistance. A switchable current source is controlled by a switching circuit to repetitively output first and second current values. A reference logarithmic circuit is connected to the switchable current source and is physically coupled to the logarithmic measuring circuit so as to be maintained at a substantially equal temperature value. The logarithmic reference circuit manifests a first voltage in response to the first current value and a second voltage in response to the second current value, both voltage values dependent upon the temperature of the logarithmic reference circuit.

Abstract: A processor is described for monitoring a sensor whose output signal follows a nonlinear curve in response to a linear change in a monitored phenomenon. The processor converts the sensor signal to a linear output proportional or equal to the phenomenon being monitored. The processor includes a memory for storing a table which includes a starting data point value S on the curve, a starting slope value S' to another data point on the curve, a starting curvature value S" for a succession of the data points on the curve and a plurality of rate of change of curvature values S'" for the curve. The values of S'" for a first region of the curve are calculated based on an initial output signal interval between data point values. The values of S'" for each succeeding region of the curve are based on increasing, by a preselected factor, the signal interval between data point values. The processor includes a calculation device for computing repeated aditons of the S', S", S'" values.

Abstract: The present invention relates to switching circuitry wherein a low-loss "drive" inductance is "charged" and "discharged" to provide the energy for turning a power switch on and off. The drive-inductance and a tapped-winding transformer co-act in a novel manner to provide a large "sweep-out" current that quickly turns off the power switch, the sweep-out time being extremely short.