Abstract: A fan suitable for use in a refrigerator includes a motor frame having a bracket insertion hole, a bracket including a cylindrical portion fitted into the bracket insertion hole so as to project from the motor frame and a bearing, a stator including a stator core, a stator coil wound on the stator core, and a molded layer molded from a synthetic resin so as to cover the stator core and the stator coil, the stator being disposed on an outer periphery of the cylindrical portion projecting from the bracket insertion hole so as to be supported by the cylindrical portion and the motor frame, a rotor including a rotational shaft inserted into the cylindrical portion so as to be rotatably mounted via the bearing on the bracket and having both ends, a rotor yoke disposed on one end of the shaft opposite to the motor frame so as to cover the stator, and a rotor magnet disposed on an inner circumferential face of the rotor yoke so as to be opposed to an outer circumferential face of the stator core with a gap between t

Abstract: In a turbine rotor, a thermal mismatch between various component parts of the rotor occurs particularly during transient operations such as shutdown and startup. A thermal medium flows past and heats or cools one part of the turbine which may have a deleterious thermal mismatch with another part. By passively controlling the flow of cooling medium past the one part in response to relative movement of thermally responsive parts of the turbine, the flow of thermal medium along the flow path can be regulated to increase or reduce the flow, thereby to regulate the temperature of the one part to maintain the thermal mismatch within predetermined limits.

Abstract: A helicopter rotor cover system to prevent ice formation on the rotors. The system is comprised of a main rotor cover and a tail rotor cover providing an enclosed space around the rotors, a tubular member connecting the enclosed spaces of the two covers and a hot air blower to blow hot air into the two covers. The covers and the tubular member are made from a fabric impermeable to water. The covers have adjustable outlet openings to allow flow of heated air to all portions inside the covers. The covers also have grommets for water drainage. For ease of installation and removal, the covers may have separate pieces or openings that are joined with hook-and-loop fabric fasteners. The main rotor blade covers have oval ribs distributed along the rotor blades to reduce the contact area between the blades and the covers and facilitate flow of air. A portable gas tank and a portable battery provide fuel and electricity for the hot air blower.

Abstract: A rotary actuator (18) is provided, including an actuator assembly (20). The actuator assembly includes a torque tube (24) formed of a shape memory alloy, a super elastic NiTinol return spring (26) having a proximal end (46) and a distal end (44), and a torque tube heating element (30) positioned near the torque tube. The torque tube (24) includes a proximal end (32) and a distal end (34). The return spring and torque tube are connected at their ends, with the torque tube being pretwisted while in a martensitic state relative to the spring. Activation of the heating element causes the torque tube to enter an austenitic state in which it returns to its previous untwisted configuration. Removal of heat allows the torque tube to return to a martensitic state, further allowing the return spring to retwist the torque tube. Further provided is a unique locking assembly (22) for use with the actuator assembly.

Abstract: A cooling control apparatus controls a plurality of cooling members. The apparatus has a monitor which monitors states of predetermined combinations of the cooling members and a controller which controls the cooling members based on the states monitored by the monitor.

Abstract: A fluid moving device (100) includes a rotatable assembly (101), and a plurality of fan blades (102-04) disposed circumferentially around and extending outward from rotatable assembly (101), at least one of plurality of fan blades (102-04) includes shape memory alloy. The fan blade which includes shape memory alloy transforms into a predetermined shape memory state when the fan blade experiences a predetermined temperature which may be as a result of a predetermined temperature of surrounding fluid passing over fan blades (102-04) when rotation of rotatable assembly (101) is at a given speed. The shape memory state increases or decreases volume flow of surrounding fluid when rotatable assembly (101) is rotating at substantially a constant speed. The speed is substantially constant which limits noise generated from fluid moving (100) device while volume flow rate of the fluid moving device is being changed.

Abstract: A propeller pitch control apparatus for an aircraft in which the vector sum of the aircraft forward speed and the propeller rotational tip speed is a selected fraction of the speed of sound, the fraction based on percent power and altitude, to maximize efficiency and minimize noise.

Abstract: The installation links a supply conductor to an electrical device for de-icing a blade using at least one cable with a first stretch linked to the supply conductor by a connector and to a second stretch with an overhead hook in the form of flattened half loop, itself linked to the device for de-icing the blade by a second connector fitted on the blade, possibly via a straight and flat third stretch and a second overhead hook. The first hook is of nonscreened structure, with an elongate part of substantially flattened rectangular transverse section and with a concavity pointing towards a device for retaining and articulating the blade on a hub.

Abstract: The installation for removing electrostatic charge and passing lightning current between a conductor of each blade of the rotor and a metallic part of the hub comprises at least one conductive member integral with the member for linking the blade to the hub in its angular deflections, and in electrical continuity with the conductor of the blade and held elastically in permanent contact with a conductive terminal integral with the hub and in electrical continuity therewith.

Abstract: The invention relates to a propeller ice protection system having more evenly distributed sliding contact wear resulting in reduced maintenance, and a method of operating the system. According to the invention, polarity of a DC potential applied to the sliding contacts is periodically reversed in order to more evenly distribute brush wear. Specific hardware embodiments and various polarity reversing schemes are disclosed.

Abstract: An engine cooling system with a blade angle controllable cooling fan. The system has a water temperature sensor, a controller and a pitch actuator. The sensor senses a cooling water temperature and outputs a temperature signal. The controller generates a blade angle control signal on the basis of the temperature signal. The pitch actuator is placed in the interior of a hub of the cooling fan and adjusts a blade angle of the cooling fan in response to the blade angle control signal of the controller.

Abstract: A hot air/cold air dual-mode electric fan including a vane assembly having an electric heating coil in the mica sheets of each vane, a bakelite mount fixedly secured to the vane assembly and having a circuit board with backward female contacts, a barrel mounted inside a holder in front of a motor and having separated carbon brushes, a shaft mounted within the barrel and coupled to the motor and having male contacts respectively connected to the female contacts and separated copper rings respectively disposed in contact with each carbon brush, and a control circuit for controlling power supply to the electric heating coils and regulating its heating temperature, so that the vane assembly produces currents of cold air when the motor is started and power supply is cut from the electric heating coils by the control circuit, or currents of hot air when the motor is started and power supply is connected to the electric heating coil by the control circuit.

Abstract: A wind-driven apparatus for converting the kinetic energy of wind into mechanical energy. This invention incorporates a wind collector that is rotated upon an elevated turntable in order to position the wind collector as required. This turntable incorporates both a covered track and casters so as to provide weather protection. Additionally, a shroud secured to the entrance to the wind collector helps direct the wind energy against the wind collector.

Abstract: An electric fan includes a vane assembly fastened to a hub connected to a base plate in front of a motor output shaft of the motor by a connector and two bearings, which vane assembly is consisted of a plurality of vanes, of which each is comprised of an electric heating element covered by two aluminum alloy blades with radiating fins thereon and electrically connected to the two opposite ends of an external power supply through a switch with an adjustable thermostat in series to control the "on" or "off" and the temperature of the heating elements.

Abstract: Electrically deformable material such as piezoelectric material is used to deform a deflectable flap on an airfoil such as a helicopter blade. The electrically deformable material is controlled to deflect the flap in a manner to control vibrations transmitted from a helicopter blade to the helicopter air frame. In a preferred embodiment, the electrically deformable material and mechanical linkages are segmented along the length of the rotor blade. In this way, differential actuation of the deformable elements results in variable flap deflections along the length of the rotor.

Abstract: Thermally actuated flow diverters for gas turbine engines are provided which include an arrangement of vanes in spaced overlapping array, which direct, e.g. coolant air flow to rotating engine components, each vane having 3 foil components joined at 3 hinge points. That is, a leading foil positioned on the suction side of the vane, a trailing foil pivotably mounted to a rearward portion of such leading foil at a first pivot axis and a third foil positioned on the pressure side of the vane connecting a forward portion of such leading foil and such trailing foil at second and third pivot axes respectively. Either the third foil or the leading foil is fixedly mounted to engine walls of the same material, the other of these two foils defining an actuation link that is expandable and contractable relative to such walls; the third foil having a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than that of the leading foil.

Abstract: A wiring harness is provided with connectors which are electrically and physically attached to terminal wires extending from the electrical resistance deicer heater and cables extending from a power supply so that the connectors when assembled, establish the desired electrical connection, the assembled connectors being secured to a bracket fastened to the hub of a propeller, blade with a portion of the bracket being engageable with the assembled connector bodies to hold the connectors in assembled position on the hub.

Abstract: A multiple blade aircraft propeller hub has a bulkhead supporting concentric slip rings connected by slide blocks to the aircraft electrical system. Electrical conducting flexible leads connect the slip rings to electrical heating elements or de-icing boots carried by the propeller blades. Each of the leads includes an elongated flexible braided copper tube for conducting electricity and which loosely surrounds a flexible multiple strand stainless steel cable, and an extruded flexible vinyl insulating tube loosely surrounds the braided tube. The leads provide for minimizing stresses and metal fatigue in the electrical conducting braided tube with changes in blade pitch and thereby provide for a substantially extended service life.

Abstract: Disclosed is a temperature-sensing member including a columnar or hollow cylindrical base having a configuration of a circular or polygonal column or a hollow circular or polygonal cylinder; and at least one strip member of a material having a different coefficient of thermal expansion from that of the base, wherein the strip member is provided on at least a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the base at an acute angle with respect to an axis of the base and in such directions as to intersect each other on opposite sides of the base. In a case where two or more of the strip members are provided on the base, the strip members are disposed in mutually different directions with respect to an axis of the base and at an acute angle with respect to the base.

Abstract: Each blade of a blower fan has a parallel wire group for each side whose thermal expansion coefficient is smaller than that of the blade. The two parallel wire groups are provided substantially over the whole area of a suction-side surface and of a discharge-side surface of the blade such that they extend from the front edge of the suction-side surface and from the rear edge of the discharge-side surface outward obliquely to the radial direction of the blade to cross each other on the face and back sides so as to result in the shape of an "X". Due to a difference of thermal expansion coefficient, in a high-temperature state, camber appears on the blade in oblique directions, and the front edge and the rear edge camber in opposite directions; thus, the blade undergoes torsional deformation to largely vary the angle of incidence.

Abstract: An improved design for a structure such as a turbine vane or blade subjected to extreme temperature levels and/or gradients resulting in extreme deformation stresses within the structure. The present structures comprise an interior skeletal support having a plurality of spaced, flexible support legs which extend out and are attached to spaced areas of a flexible outer surface skin which is subjected to extreme temperature levels or temperature gradients during use. The extreme stresses normally developed by the expansion of the surface skin are avoided by the ability of the skin to move minutely and flex the spaced support legs to variable extents and in predetermined directions.

Abstract: A fan blade which makes use of the difference in the thermal expansion coefficient to enable the angle of attack to be variable without a substantial change in the camber quantity and without the need to employ a temperature-sensitive fan clutch. The blade is provided with two plate-like members having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than that of the blade in such a manner that one of the plate-like members is provided on the suction-side surface of the blade so as to extend from the forward edge portion at the distal end of the blade toward the rearward edge portion at the proximal end of the blade, and the other plate-like member is provided on the delivery-side surface of the blade so as to extend from the rearward edge portion at the distal end of the blade toward the forward edge portion at the proximal end of the blade, that is, the two plate-like members provided on the obverse and reverse surface, respectively, of the blade cross each other in a substantially X-shape.

Abstract: This invention covers elements, such as guide walls, shut-off flaps, flow dividers and vanes, arranged on or in flow ducts energized with compressor and/or fan air, where said elements are variably arranged to suit variable operating states. To achieve extremely accurate, light-weight and uncomplicated actuating kinematics, the elements are designed as memory-alloy components or are nonpositively connected to at least one such component, they are at least partially located at one end and they permit of selective deformation in response to operationally induced over-maximum or under-minimum temperature conditions.

Abstract: A water pump having a pump impeller and a cup-like disk disposed to be movable along a rotation shaft driven by the engine, a space for passing water being formed between the pump impeller and the cup-like disk, the pump impeller and the cup-like disk being engaged each other by the engagement of vanes and grooves formed at least one side of them respectively, the distance between the pump impeller and the cup-like disk being varied according to the change of water temperature or the change of rotation speed of the engine, thereby to make it possible to adjust the water flow rate of the pump.

Abstract: A blade root sockets provided in the discs of a turbine rotor have passages for cooling air which are arranged to be variably blocked by closure means carried by the upstream and downstream ends of the labyrinth carriers disposed between the discs. The labyrinth carriers are of the pin-like type and are able to expand and contract in response to the temperature of the gas flow passing through the turbine, moving the closure means to open or close the passages. The positions of the closure means adjacent the passages are determined by the relative dimensions and the thermal expansion coefficients of the discs and the labyrinth carriers, and may be chosen to provide full cooling air flow during engine acceleration, a reduced flow during stable operation, and a very restricted flow to the first disc only during deceleration.

Abstract: An improved mounting system for attaching a temperature switch to a fan structure is disclosed having a housing which may be directly attached to the protective grille of the fan. The housing may be detachably mounted on the fan structure such that it locates a temperature sensor of the temperature switch in the airstream generated by the fan. The temperature switch is connected to a control system which controls the fan in conjunction with the temperature of the airstream.

Abstract: A multi-purpose fan including an electrically driven fan blade assembly, a heating coil positioned in the front of the blade assembly and rotatable air directing means which in use causes a gyratory exeunt air current. The fan also includes a micro-processor operatively associated with temperature sensors and control means to effect automated use of the fan in either a cooling or a heating mode.

Abstract: A variable camber vane particularly suitable for use as a variable stator vane (20) has a secured root (22), a free tip (24) and a working face (26) disposed within and diverting flow of a working fluid, exhibiting temperature-responsive deflection of the tip as respects the root correllative to the temperature of the working fluid, is comprised of a sintered, generally laminar composite of a first amorphous metallic composition as a first vane element (32) and a second amorphous metallic composition as a second vane element (34), wherein the coefficients of thermal expansion for each of the compositions differ; whereby the camber of the vane varies in response to thermal variations of the working fluid.

Abstract: A temperature-sensitive actuator particularly for varying the pitch of blades spaced around a cooling fan hub. The actuator, as applied to a fan, includes at least first and second circular or part-circular elongate members within the hub, restraining means on the hub for one end of the first elongate member, support means for the first elongate member having a coefficient of expansion different from that of the first elongate member, and which inhibits radial deformation of the first elongate member during thermal expansion or contraction whereby the free end of the first elongate member moves circumferentially, means for transmitting movement of the first elongate member to the second elongate member, and further means between the second elongate member and the blades to vary the pitch of the blades in response to the combined thermal expansion or contraction of the elongate members.

Abstract: A fan control system for cooling apparatus such as cooling tower in which water and air are brought into contact together. According to this system, the running speed of the fan is continuously and proportionally changed responsive to the temperature of the cooling water or the external atmospheric conditions, to substantially control the cooling capacity of the cooling apparatus. The control system consists of a main fan motor, an electronic adjustment circuit and a power transmission means consisting of a variable pitch diameter belt speed changing means and a constant pitch belt reduction device, whereby the speed changing ratio of the belt speed chaning means is continuously and proportionally changed depending upon the control signals from the adjustment circuit. Further, the adjustment circuit may have a soft-start control circuit.

Abstract: This application discloses means for driving a device, such as a cooling fan of a vehicle motor, together with means for changing the phase relationship of an element moving with the driven device whereby to change the effect of the driven device; in a specific application, to change the pitch of cooling fan blades in response to the requirements of the motor; the phase change being effected by changing the angular relationship of an auxiliary adjusting shaft which is being positively driven while maintaining the main fan shaft drive means unchanged.