Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, regulating a power plant containing a gas turbine assembly operated in an open cycle which essentially comprises a compressor for the combustion air, a combustion chamber and a gas turbine. A heat exchanger is arranged following the turbine exhaust and in the heat exchanger there is utilized the thermal energy still contained in the exhaust gases of the gas turbine. In order to regulate the output of the gas turbine, a variable quantity of compressed air is returned into the flow path of the combustion air to a stage operating at a lower pressure.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus which harmlessly purges all fluids which leak from the fittings of a turbofan aircraft engine. Purging is achieved by passing a low speed flow of ventilating air along the exterior walls of the engine combustor section. This is accomplished by enshrouding the engine core with a cylindrical cowl. A space between the cowl and the engine combustor makes an annular shaped cavity. Ports in the cowl allow air to be brought into the cavity from the bypass ducting of the engine. The rapidly moving volume of air thus brought in vaporizes any fuel which leaks into the cavity. The vaporized air/fuel mixture is then exhausted into the hot gas plume emitted from the rear of the core engine.

Abstract: The adaptation of a compressed-fluid (such as compressed-air) powered turbine in conjunction with the use of a flywheel as a hybrid propulsion system for nonstationary applications, such as vehicle drive, is shown and its practicality demonstrated. This propulsion system requires a nonpolluting fluid, such as air, and a source of mechanical or electrical energy to compress said fluid and energize said flywheel, both of which act as energy storage media. An expander/compressor unit, such as a turbine, is used for converting the stored energy of said compressed-fluid into shaft power by expanding said fluid, and recovering the braking energy during vehicle deceleration by compressing and storing the atmospheric air (if air is used). Said flywheel is used not only for providing peak powers necessary for vehicle acceleration but also for recovering the braking energy during vehicle deceleration and refilling said compressed-fluid in an emergency.

Abstract: In a radial piston pump-radial piston motor drive system, a centrifugal replenishing pump is provided integral with the pump driving means. The radial-piston pump, radial piston motor, centrifugal replenishing pump, and most of the fluid circuit, including fluid sump are all contained within a unitary housing to provide a compact self-contained pump-motor hydrostatic unit.

Abstract: A device to increase the efficiency of a conventional, air-to-air heat pump in the heating mode when the outside temperature falls below a selected value comprising a solar evaporator coil in refrigerant flow communication with the refrigerant connecting lines of the heat pump between the indoor condenser and the compressor to supply the additional heating capacity. Means are provided for selectively directing refrigerant through the solar evaporator coil when the temperature of the air surrounding the solar evaporator coil rises to a predetermined level and the temperature or pressure of the refrigerant within the heat pump connecting lines falls to a preselected point.

Abstract: An optical waveguide having variations in diameter is produced by controlling the drawing rollers. Predetermined diameter variations along the length of an optical waveguide reduce dispersion in multimode waveguides. These diameter variations are produced by varying the rotational speed of the pulling rollers, by varying the diameter of the pulling rollers, by moving the pulling rollers axially or by moving a tensioning roller during the drawing process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the vaporization of a mixture of two liquefied gases in chemical equilibrium with a binary compound thereof. The apparatus comprises an enclosed vessel having a liquid zone and a vaporized gas zone. A liquid supply means, in fluid communication with the liquid zone, passes the mixture to be vaporized as a liquid from a supply source into the vessel. A heating element, having a housing disposed about it, extends downward through a portion of the interior of the vessel and is adapted to supply sufficient heat to vaporize a gaseous mixture from the liquid zone. Means for superheating and removing the vaporized gaseous mixture from the vessel are provided. The method of vaporization comprises withdrawing the mixture as a liquid from a supply source and passing it into the vessel to form a liquid phase.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing capillary and other tubes within a refrigeration machine. A capillary retainer clip having a plurality of sections affixed thereto is mounted within a refrigeration machine such that the sections extending therefrom form elongated openings and spaced regions therebetween. The tubes are inserted between the sections such that the sections are displaced as the tube is slid through the opening to the spaced region. When the tube is in the spaced region the sections then return to their original position securing the tube within the spaced region.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided with a continuous length of capillary material that extends via an opening in the refrigerator wall into contact with an evaporator in an enclosed evaporator space and with an externally disposed condensor. A hygroscopic liquid is contained in the continuous length of capillary material for absorption of moisture in the evaporator space and for elimination of moisture outside the refrigerator wall. The two ends of the continuous length of capillary material are arranged in liquid-transmitting contact with each other so that the hygroscopic liquid flows in a closed circuit.

Abstract: Means for insulating and chilling a canned beverage such as beer or soft drink including a cylindrical cup-shaped liner structure disposed within a conventional foam beverage can holder and lying within a portion of the annular "dead air" cavity between a beverage can situated therein and the side walls of the foam holder. The outer wall of the inner cup wall and the inner wall of the outer foam cup walls define an annular space containing a reusable refrigerant. The reusable refrigerant is a freezable fluid, preferably a liquid chemically treated into a gellatenous state for being frozen in conventional refrigerator freezers. In the frozen state the gel will chill and keep chilled beverage disposed within a container placed within the inner cupshaped liner. The top portion of the liner is constructed for light press fit engagement with the side walls of the foam holder for sealably containing the gel therein in a non-frozen state.

Abstract: A lock has a bolt and a key-operated barrel at right angles, and with their axes coplanar. A pinion has teeth which engage teeth on the bolt and teeth on an extension of the barrel. The pinion, bolt and barrel are in a longitudinally split housing, held together by screws, the pinion having a slot to receive one of the screws. The barrel lock moves a latch plate transverse to its axes, so as to extend into a slot in the housing to prevent movement of the barrel.

Abstract: A combination lock of the tumbler wheel type having a plurality of tumbler wheels journaled for rotation on a stationary tumbler post within a lock case and means such as a driving cam for rotating the tumbler wheels to angular positions for unlocking the lock, wherein the lock case is provided with inclined ramp surfaces adjacent one end of the stack of tumbler wheels and a torque adjustment member having spring finger formations movable on the inclined ramp surface is adjustable responsive to insertion and operation of a tool into the lock mechanism chamber of the case to apply selected spring compression forces to the tumbler wheel stack and adjust the tension or torque properties thereof.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and apparatus for continuous hydrostatic extrusion wherein the pressure of the hydrostatic fluid is used to apply the blank to be extruded firmly against the walls or the bottom of a groove provided in a rotor, in such a way that the blank is entrained by the rotor without slipping to an extrusion chamber from which the blank is spontaneously extruded through a die. The invention finds use in particular for continuous extrusion of metal and alloys, including those which have a low degree of ductility.

Abstract: In a hydraulic press for forming sheet material, a vertically extending forming cavity is formed in a horizontally extending press stand between a pair of spaced forming pads extending between the inner surfaces of the press stand, and an elastically deformable member extends between the respective end of each of the forming pads for supporting the same. A tool carrier, with an upstanding tool support member having a tool forming depression on each side thereof on which sheet material is formed, is movable into and out of the forming cavity on respective support and guide rails which are engaged by respective support and guide rollers on the tool carrier. The tool carrier divides the forming cavity into a pressure seal on each side of the upstanding tool support member. A pressure medium is injected into each of the pressure cells to form the sheet metal.

Abstract: Apparatus for swaging the tips of ballpoint pens comprises three identical working rollers each having a conical running surface and a conical or otherwise rotatively contoured working surface. The conical running surfaces roll on a conical seat whose apex coincides with the axes of the three conical running surfaces of the rollers, thereby to avoid slippage.

Abstract: A method of hot forming bends or deflections in preconsolidated metal matrix composite panels comprised of unidirectional filaments of boron, borsic, alumina, or graphite in aluminum or titanium base metals without limitation of orientation of the filaments relative to axes of the formed bends or deflections.

Abstract: A metal working hand tool and a method for its use are disclosed for making a two piece, four sided, metal trophy column. The first column part is a housing formed with a first piece of sheet metal forming three sides of the column with longitudinal clasp portions at the terminating edges of the first and third of these sides. The second column part is a decorative insert formed from a second piece of sheet metal forming the fourth one of the sides of the column, having longitudinal clasp engaging portions at the terminal edges thereof which engage the clasps on the housing. The hand tool is an L shaped body with a first slot in the short segment thereof for securing a first end of the first piece of sheet metal while it is being sequentially bent over the adjacent sides of the body forming the three sided housing with its longitudinal clasp portions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that significantly increases the sensitivity and flexibility of laser optoacoustic spectroscopy, with reduced size. With the method, it no longer is necessary to limit the use of laser optoacoustic spectroscopy to species whose absorption must match available laser radiation. Instead, "doping" with a relatively small amount of an optically absorbing gas yields optoacoustic signatures of nonabsorbing materials (gases, liquids, solids, and aerosols), thus significantly increasing the sensitivity and flexibility of optoacoustic spectroscopy. Several applications of this method are demonstated and/or suggested.

Abstract: A breath tester includes an electronic detector providing an information signal with an amplitude level which varies as a function of the alcohol content in the breath under test. An anomaly detector circuit stores a signal related to the peak of the information signal, and continually compares this peak value with the instantaneous value of the information signal. When the difference between the peak signal level and the instantaneous signal level exceeds a preset amount, the output display of the breath tester is modified to indicate the analysis process has been disturbed by an anomalous chemical substance.

Abstract: The sensitivity to moisture of polystyrene sulfonate coatings on piezoelectric crystals in moisture detectors is unstable in the presence of acid gases. The sensitivity of these coated crystals can be stabilized by contacting the polymer with an acid gas.

Abstract: An engine knocking meter detects a pressure in a cylinder by a pressure sensor, clips a detected signal by a clipping circuit to cut low level noises, supplies an output signal of the clipping circuit to a filter circuit to eliminate noises having frequencies which lie beyond a frequency band of a knocking signal, and supplies an output signal of the filter circuit to a gate which is driven within a given crank angle under the control of a signal from a crank angle sensor mounted on a crank shaft of an engine, for separating the knocking signal.

Abstract: A mass and force meter with a frame, a load-support and a measuring system, wherein the mass or force to be measured acts indirectly on the tension of two transversally vibrating, pre-loaded strings excited by electronic means, so that the resultant frequency changes serve for calculating the magnitude of said mass or force in a computing device. Both strings, a first transmission element for the transmission of a pre-loading force and a second transmission element for the transmission of a force depending on the load to be measured are fixed to a force distributor.

Abstract: A cabin display unit accepts information from a plurality of sources such as the petot static tube, a static air pressure source, a temperature source, cabin pressure source and the like and converts the data to corresponding electrical valves. The valves are multiplexed and converted to a digital value and applied to a micro-processor which calculates, from the data, the aircraft's true air speed, outside temperature, altitude, etc., and displays the calculated information on a cabin display unit.

Abstract: The heat of combustion K.sub.1 of a gas is determined by burning the gas in air in a chamber and cooling the combustion products with air to a final temperature equal to the air and gas input temperature. With mass flowmeters, the gas flowrate W.sub.1, the cooling air flow rate W.sub.3, a T.sub.2 temperature sensor, and a sensor for the cooling air input temperature T.sub.3 are employed with a computer to derive K.sub.1 as follows: ##EQU1## where K.sub.3 is the specific heat of the cooling air. Alternatively an outlet temperature T.sub.1 may be substituted for T.sub.2.

Abstract: Flow rate in a fluid passage is measured by making corona discharge in a section of the fluid passage to cause partial ionization of the fluid and measuring a current produced in a DC circuit including a pair of electrodes disposed in the fluid passage downstream of the corona discharge section. Variations in the relationship between the measured current and the flow rate with difference in inherent conductivity among fluids are evadable by measuring a basic current through the DC circuit while the corona discharge is interrupted and regulating a voltage for either ionization or measurement based on the basic current.

Abstract: In a spirometer, a breath transmission passage has first and second ends open to the atmosphere and a restriction between the first and second ends. An elongated conduit has a first port at one end, a second port at the other end, and a third port intermediate to the first and second ports to form a first flow measurement passage in the conduit between the first and third ports and a second flow measurement passage in the conduit between the second and third ports. The first end of the breath transmission passage at a point near the restriction is interconnected to the first port, and the second end of the breath transmission passage at a point near the restriction is interconnected to the second port. A source of bias gas is connected to the third port. The difference between the rate of gas flow through the first and second flow measurement passages responsive to inhalation from the exhalation to the breath transmission passage is sensed to provide a bipolar indication thereof.

Abstract: A device for checking the level of a liquid in a tank, for example a car fuel tank, has an electrical resistance probe partly immersed in the liquid and energized with a constant current. The voltage across the probe at switching on is stored and used as a reference for comparing with the increased voltage after the element has been heated to a value dependent on the length of resistor cooled by the liquid.

Abstract: An intake channel pre-conditioner for a fluid sampler wherein prior to fluid sampling, fluid is drawn from a fluid body to be sampled by a pressure source communicating with the channel. The drawn fluid is passed along most of the length of the intake channel and then expelled by the pressure source.

Abstract: An apparatus for non-destructively testing concrete comprises a tri-wheel platform having a transducer mounted adjacent each wheel and mechanically coupled to the concrete to be responsive to vibration. An aperture is formed in the center of the platform equispaced from the three transducers. Vibrations are imparted to the concrete that emanate outwardly toward the transducers by manually striking the concrete through the center aperture with a rubber tipped impact rod. The transducers generate electrical signals responsive to the amplitudes of detected vibrations which are a function of the structural continuity of the concrete. Electronic circuitry monitors the outputs of the transducers and makes comparisons of the signals to determine whether a flaw exists in the concrete within the region bounded by the three transducers.

Abstract: In the illustrated embodiment, ultrasonic transmitter/receiver elements are arranged along a curved formation within a housing containing a coupling medium which is a good conductor of ultrasonic energy (for example a water medium) and are successively excited to direct ultrasonic beam energy via the coupling medium to an ultrasonic window of the housing. The transducer elements are mounted at different angular orientations such that their beam paths converge external to the ultrasonic window. The curvature of a carrier for the transducer elements may be controlled to adjust the distance of the point of convergence beyond the window without changing the length of the acoustic path in the coupling medium, or the transducer elements and/or ultrasonic window may be bodily shifted to simultaneously change the length of the acoustic path and the distance of the convergence point beyond the window.

Abstract: A differential pressure to electrical signal transmitter has a pair of flat barrier diaphragms and a central control diaphragm located between the barrier diaphragms. First chambers between one of the barrier diaphragms and the control diaphragm, and a first length of capillary tubing connected between the first chambers and one chamber of a remotely located sensor capsule, are filled with a first incompressible fill liquid. Second chambers between the other barrier diaphragm and the control diaphragm, and a second length of capillary tubing connected between the second chambers and another chamber of the sensor capsule, are filled with a second incompressible fill liquid. The fill liquids are made to pump up their respective flat barrier diaphragms to cause the latter to have a dome shape and hence to be free from "oil canning." A chamber on the outside of one barrier diaphragm is pressurized with a first fluid, and a chamber on the outside of the other barrier diaphragm is pressurized with a second fluid.

Abstract: A digital piezoresistive pressure transducer is provided wherein a pressure differential causes the resistance of two equal, diffused piezoresistances to change by equal but opposite amounts. The variable resistance of the two piezoresistance elements is utilized to correspondingly vary the time duration of two distinct voltage levels. The ratio of the time duration of the two voltage levels bears a linear relationship to the differential pressure across the transducer that enables the various values of pressure to be determined.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for measuring strain in a solid object, wherein the apparatus is arranged to use the deflection of a light guiding structure as a strain responsive element for determining the amount of applied stress to be measured. The apparatus typically comprises a curved light guiding structure including a medium of given refractive index surrounded by a medium of lower refractive index than that of the medium of given refractive index; means for injecting light into the structure and means for analyzing the change in the propagation characteristics of the light emerging from the structure; and, means for attaching and maintaining the light guiding structure to the solid object in such a way that stresses acting upon the object are translated into changes of the curved form of the structure, creating changes in the propagation of the injected light whereby the strain in the object can be determined.

Abstract: A transmission shift control has a member movable in an arcuate pathway between forward and reverse drive positions and through a neutral position intermediate the forward and reverse drive positions. A pair of levers are positioned on opposite sides of the member and are movable to a position for embracing the member and maintaining the member at the neutral position.

Abstract: A power transmission apparatus in which a crank shaft of an internal combustion engine, an input shaft of a speed-change mechanism and an output shaft of the speed-change mechanism are arranged in three parallel rows, the input shaft being provided at an end portion with a torque convertor drivingly coupled to the crank shaft. At least two gears are provided on the input shaft and are in mesh with respective gears rotatably mounted on the output shaft. The output shaft is provided at an intermediate portion between the two gears thereon with a shift member which is connected for common rotation with the output shaft but is slidable thereon in axial direction. Between each end surface of the shift member and a facing surface of the gear on the output shaft there is interposed a dog clutch comprising pins on one surface and pin openings in the other surface.

Abstract: A differential including a housing having an internal surface defining a chamber, a drive gear secured to the housing externally thereof, a pair of side gears within the housing, a spider within the housing and between the side gears and extending into the housing at spaced locations on the internal surface, pinions journalled on and carried by the spider within the housing and engaged with the side gears, elongated recesses in the internal surface at the spaced locations, and noncircular thrust washers interposed between the internal surface and the corresponding one of the pinions, the washers being a size and shape to be tightly received within the recesses and about the sides thereof for a substantial distance to fix the washer against rotation relative to the housing.

Abstract: A manually operable valve in a power tongs assembly has, in combination therewith, an electro-hydraulic interface module. The interface module comprises an electrically responsive solenoid valve connected in hydraulically parallel path to the manually operated valve. The manually operated valve may be selectively disenabled and the electrically responsive valve simultaneously enabled to permit electrical control of the power tongs assembly.

Abstract: A method of machining a workpiece after preheating consists in that the workpiece material to be removed by a cutting tool is subjected immediately before the removal operation to intense localized heating and notching by a plasma jet, with a groove being formed on the surface to be machined. To this end, a plasma torch is positioned ahead of the cutting tool so that the angle between the direction of the cutting speed and the plasma jet axis ranges from 0 to 45 degrees, and the angle between the direction of feed of the cutting tool and the plasma jet axis from 10 to 45 degrees.

Abstract: A non metallic member is inserted in the tube through which the bar stock is fed into and worked upon by the machine tools, such for instance, as a screw machine, and which serves to center and align the bar stock with the feed fingers.

Abstract: Means for operable mounting a power saw upon a base support such as a work bench. The mounting means is adapted and arranged to permit a power saw supported therein to be rotated in a horizontal plane and tilted in a vertical plane to perform various functions and to be inverted in the mounting means to perform additional functions. The mounting means is applicable to known power saws and various makes and is manually transportable and readily erectable on any form or base support such as a work bench.

Abstract: An automatic photographic paper cutter cuts photographic prints from a strip of photographic paper which bears cut indicia indicating the locations of desired paper cuts. An indicia sensor is positioned in fixed relationship with respect to the paper cutter knife assembly at a distance less than the shortest length of print to be cut. The paper cutter derives and stores a feed-after-sense signal, which represents the length the paper strip must be fed after a cut indicium is sensed in order for the strip to be cut at the desired cut location represented by that cut indicium. During automatic operation of the paper cutter, the photographic paper strip is advanced until a cut indicium is sensed, is advanced by an additional distance determined by the feed-after-sense signal, is stopped, and is cut at the desired cut location.

Abstract: A feed apparatus for conveying articles to a rotary cutter for cutting the articles lengthwise into segments. To obtain nearly equal sized segments while cutting randomly sized articles, the feed apparatus receives the articles one at a time between feed belts spaced radially about the cutter center line. These belts are supported to move radially outward in unison to accommodate each article thereby aligning the articles with the cutter center line prior to cutting.

Abstract: A programmable rhythm unit is disclosed for electrically simulating sounds of a plurality of rhythm instruments being played in selected ones of a plurality of different rhythmic patterns. A variable frequency oscillator cooperates with a counter/divider and decoder circuit to provide a predetermined number of beats or pulses per measure at a tempo which may be varied by the user. Also provided is a plurality of keyed audio circuits which each produce a characteristic burst of output signals that simulate the audible output or voice of a corresponding rhythm instrument. Switching means are provided whereby the user can select any of the voices to play at any beat position. In addition an alternate beat pulse source is provided which can be selected by the switching means to play any of the voices at a particular beat position every other measure. A pseudo-random generator is also included which may be selected to play any of the voices at a random beat position in each measure.

Abstract: A tuning device for use in tuning a musical instrument includes sensing means operable for sensing a first electrical signal having a certain frequency bandwidth and corresponding to an acoustical musical note produced by the musical instrument, filtering means coupled to the sensing means and operable for filtering the first signal to produce a second electrical signal having a substantially smaller frequency bandwidth, the second signal being representative of the musical note, dividing means coupled to the filtering means and operable for dividing the frequency of the second signal to produce a third electrical signal, generating means operable for producing a reference electrical signal representative of a musical note for tuning the musical instrument, and comparing means coupled to the dividing means and the generating means and operable for comparing the third signal and the reference signal to each other and for producing a fourth electrical signal when the third signal is within a predetermined frequ

Abstract: An optical metronome using sheets of music of non-sagging sheets of translucent material with notes spaced according to their value and vertically aligned measures on a display panel of light columns formed of vertical bars of triangular cross-section in white reflectors with an angular air gap and a light source for each bar. Circuitry coordinates sequential lighting of the bars in proper musical tempo and properly placed downbeat and is also attached or attachable to electronic organ circuitry or stands alone with automatic turn-off of lights to the bars if organ not counting.

Abstract: An improved shell reloading machine in which a swinging toggle linkage positioned below the tool head and shell carriage permits the incorporation of a swaging operation for the preparation of the primer cavity and the addition of an indexing mechanism for the automatic advance of the shell plate.

Abstract: A mechanism for releasably holding and pre-heating a model, prior to launch of the model by and from a gun. The model is initially held in a collar of the mechanism in the breech of the gun, and is pre-heated by an induction coil and an r-f current. The coil is then removed, and the model and the collar are propelled forward through the breech by pressurized hydrogen gas, with the breech being closed and with the heated model being inserted into the launch tube (i.e., the "barrel") the gun. The gun is then fired, and the heated model is launched, without any significant cooling of the model. Some advantages of this mechanism are a quick "heat-and-fire" cycle, and the simplicity in structure and in operation of the mechanism.

Abstract: A control system for a fluid pressure-actuated cylinder or the like includes a pump supplying fluid from a reservoir to a control valve which may be selectively operated to cause cylinder extension or retraction and to immobilize the cylinder at a selected position. A unidirectional flow device connects an accumulator to the flow passage between the control valve and cylinder to smooth pressure fluctuations which can otherwise occur when the control valve is closed and which can otherwise produce erratic cylinder motions. Means are provided to relieve excessive pressure in the accumulator, at times when the control valve is shifted to release fluid from the cylinder, without in the process causing unwanted cylinder drift from feedback of the fluid from the accumulator to the cylinder.

Abstract: A vehicle includes first and second drive transmission assemblies, each having a control element and associated control valve for selectively establishing forward and reverse operation thereof. A control system therefore includes a plurality of master and slave cylinders for individually moving the control elements, a first manual control for operating the transmission assemblies at substantially the same speed and direction, and a second manual control for controllably altering or overriding the first manual control for steering purposes.

Abstract: Flat folded four-panel case is set up in a vertical takedown plane. The case is pulled out of the plane and manipulated to cause the four panels to move relative to each other so that the case assumes a diamond shape. The case is then partially erected. Next, one of the panels is held fixed (with the others being free to move) and a bottom flap is folded inwardly. This transmits forces to the panels so that the diamond shape changes to a square shape and the case is fully erected.