Abstract: A clutch for an interior latch handle of a plug-type airplane door is described which decouples the handle from the latch-operating linkage so the handle will not be backdriven into the passenger space when the exterior latch handle is operated to open the door from outside the airplane. The clutch includes a probe mounted on the base of a handle mechanism assembly in line with the handle, and a pawl pivotally mounted in the handle and disposed to engage a lug splined to the handle shaft and torsionally coupled to the latch. When the handle is in its "home" or "closed" position, the probe engages a roller on the end of an arm connected to the pawl and rotates the pawl away from the lug so that the handle shaft will not backdrive the handle into the passenger space when the exterior latch handle is operated to unlatch the door. When the handle is moved away from the probe, the pawl engages the lug to establish two-way torsional coupling between the handle and the latch.

Abstract: A process for arranging seats within an airplane to provide optimal combinations of passenger comfort and space utilization. The process involves calculating the average passenger comfort level in each possible row configuration using the comfort levels enjoyed by passengers seated in different seating environments created by adjacent occupied seats, empty seats, sidewalls and aisles, each such comfort level being weighted by the portion of passengers who would be seated in the seating environments at each possible load factor and the frequency of occurrence of that load factor. The row configuration with the highest passenger comfort level may be installed in the airplane.

Abstract: A method of cooling the coil of an electromagnetic riveter includes bringing a transducer into contact with the coil and transferring heat from the coil to the transducer by conduction. The heat is removed from the transducer by unconditioned plant air blown across a set of fins in the sides of the transducer.

Abstract: A body spoiler rotatably mounted within a recess formed within opposite sides of the forebody of a supersonic air vehicle and configured to conform with the fuselage of the vehicle. A sensor positioned close to the inlet of each engine powering the flight of the vehicle measures the pressure of the fluid entering the engine. If an engine on one side of the vehicle malfunctions, the pressure sensor sends a deploy signal to the body spoiler mounted on the same side of the vehicle. An actuator receives the deploy signal and rotates the spoiler through an angle which is dependent upon the speed of the vehicle. When deployed, the spoiler generates a shock wave which in turn produces pressure along the forebody thereby creating a yaw moment to substantially counterbalance the yaw moment generated by the malfunctioning engine.

Abstract: A device for detecting hidden cracks in a structure includes a hand-held probe which is moved over the surface of the structure. The probe is connected to a computer terminal which also has connected thereto a monitor and a keyboard. Changes in the eddy currents in the underlying structure generates impedance changes in the coils of the probe. The resulting voltage values produce an image of the underlying structure and any cracks therein on the computer monitor. The system utilizes a number of procedures to compensate for liftoff problems, imbalance between coil channels, and differences in impedance reference values.

Abstract: An apparatus which can non-intrusively verify the integrity of shielding on electrical wiring. The method utilizes the natural resonance of the voltage transfer function of the shielded wire. The frequency of this resonance is an indication of the self inductance of the cable. A change in the resonant frequency indicates a change in the self inductance caused by a failure in the shield circuit.

Abstract: A projection system having a process utilizing three-dimensional data, thereby allowing the system to account for rotational and translational differences between the projector and the object upon which the laser light is directed. Reference sensors located on the object are in a known relationship to the three-dimensional data set to be projected, i.e., the reference sensors utilize the same coordinate system as the three-dimensional data set.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling the coil of an electromagnetic riveter includes a transducer which is brought into intimate contact with the coil to transfer heat from the coil to the transducer by conduction. The transducer is cooled by unconditioned plant air blown across a set of fins in the sides of the transducer.

Abstract: An electrical cable having a wire bundle core surrounded by a thermal and chafe protection sleeve, the thermal and chafe protection sleeve consisting of a sandwich structure having an additional outer layer of fiberglass lacing tape and a fluorosilicone fuel resistant coating.

Abstract: Two bushings are installed concentrically in the two ends of a bore with an interference fit using an elongated mandrel which is maintained coaxially on the bore centerline by a guide inserted in one end of the bore while the bushing is pressed into the other end of the bore. The force to press the bushings into the bore is exerted by a pulling tool to which the mandrel is coupled, and that force is transmitted through the mandrel to the bushing by way of a collar attached to the mandrel. The force of the pulling tool exerted on the mandrel is reacted through an anvil attached to the barrel of the pulling tool and effectively in contact with the side of the part opposite to which the bushing is being pressed into the bore. The faces of the collar and the anvil are machined flat and perpendicular to the axis of the mandrel so that the squeezing force exerted between them on the bushing and the part is parallel to the axis of the bore.

Abstract: An environmentally compliant cleaning solvent for removing commercial aircraft hydraulic fluid comprises from about 25 to 35 volume percent perfluorocarbon with from about 4 to 8 carbons in the alkyl chain, from about 25 to 35 volume percent hydrochlorofluorocarbon with about 2 to 5 carbons in the alkyl chain; and the balance petroleum distillates with from about 5 to 9 carbons in the alkyl chain.

Abstract: An end effector adapted for attachment to and accurate positioning by a robot is provided for positioning a channel-shaped workpiece at a desired position and drilling an accurately located positioning hole in the workpiece. The end effector includes a conventional speeder unit with a Morris taper that can be grasped by the robot and rotated for transfer of torque to the speeder unit. A top plate is attached to the speeder unit and has a central opening to receive a drill collet extending downward from said speeder unit for drilling the holes in the workpiece. A base plate is connected to the top plate by guide rods which are pressed into bores in the base plate and extend through linear bearings in the top plate for self-parallel movement relative to the top plate. A pair of nuts mounted on the top plate is threadedly engaged with a pair of lead screws connected to the base plate so that vertical movement of the base plate will push the lead screws through the nuts and rotate the lead screws.

Abstract: A detector system for detecting the formation of ice on an aircraft outer surface, e.g. wing skin. The ice detector system utilizes a light source, light detector and temperature sensor coupled together for providing signals representative of icing which may be utilized to provide an alarm to the cockpit of the aircraft. Built In Test Equipment (BITE) is also included in the detector system for system failure indication to the pilot of the aircraft.

Abstract: A supersonic aircraft includes an internal passageway, an articulated intake structure and an articulated exhaust structure which is connected to the intake structure by the passageway. The articulated intake structure defines an opening having a cross-section which is essentially equal to the cross-section of the aircraft's fuselage when configured for supersonic flight and smaller opening when configured for subsonic flight. Also, for supersonic flight, the cross-sectional area of the air intake structure decreases in the direction of air flow. For subsonic flight, the cross-sectional area of the air intake structure is relatively constant. For supersonic flight, the exhaust structure defines a cross-section which increases in the direction of air flow.

Abstract: Optical frequency encoding for normal shock and position sensing where the modulated signal is coupled to a single fiber as a sum total of all the wavelength components.

Abstract: A window clip for attaching window panes to aircraft supporting structures comprises a clip body which has an outwardly bent flange at the bottom which applies pressure to the inner pane of an aircraft window and an inwardly bent u-shaped platform at the top. A hole is located in the platform portion for receiving a fastener to attach the clip to an underlying support. A spacer is optionally located on the fastener.

Abstract: A device for providing a lateral bearing for the lower end of a drill quill which is mounted for axial movement within a driver for a riveting machine, likewise mounted for axial movement, includes a cylindrical bearing support member having an axial bore which receives a quill bearing. The bearing support member is mounted on a bottom plate and laterally stabilizes the end of the drill quill for drilling precision. The bearing support member has a series of arcuate slots extending axially therethrough which receive a series of segments of a segmented upper portion of a driver. After insertion of the upper segmented portion of the driver, a lower cylindrical portion of the driver is screwed to the bottom end of the segments of the upper portion so that the driver can slide vertically in the slots in the bearing support.

Abstract: A method of recovering rivets from a rivet hole prior to the deformation of the rivets by the rivet dies includes the steps of positioning a suction cavity over the rivet in the rivet hole, pushing the rivet out of the hole with a rivet tail die and blocking the hole with the rivet tail die to prevent suction from the tail-side pressure nose from holding the rivet in the rivet hole. The swirling air in the suction cavity induced by the suction hose connected to the suction cavity pulls the rivet out of the hole and sucks it out of the suction cavity through the suction hose.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for vertically lifting a main entry door in an aircraft in order to clear stop fittings and open outward. A hollow shaft having a counterbalance spring and piston therein, which shaft is mounted in a hinge arm and is rotated via a drive chain. The shaft functions to rotate the door by means of splines on the shaft. A door attachment fitting is secured to the top of the piston and slides on the splines during vertical movement of the door.

Abstract: A reconfigurable fixture for holding a plurality of workpieces in proper position for manufacturing. The fixture includes an array of interleaved uniformly spaced contoured headers, with a predetermined set of headers corresponding to a predetermined workpiece contour. Each set of contoured headers may be simultaneously laterally displaced from an inactive stored position to a locked, active forward position, wherein the selection and movement of the set of headers is controlled by a computer controller. Each contoured header has a set of vacuum cups, that, when activated, pulls the predetermined workpiece against the contoured edges of the predetermined set of headers.