Abstract: An electromagnetic coil configuration used for swaging small tubing. The coil consists of a coaxial arrangement of an inner helical coil and an outer coil shaped as a hollow cylinder with one end open and the other end closed and connected by direct electrical contact to one end of the inner coil.

Abstract: A robust optic fiber coupler which connects to an optic fiber cable via a quick disconnect optic fiber connector. The robust coupler contains a GRIN lens positioned in a bore through the coupler axially aligned with the optic fiber. The GRIN lens acts to expand and collimate input/output optic signals which are then passed through a protective window in the axial bore and emitted from the end plate face of the robust coupler. The optic signals are coupled between two optic fiber cables, each fitted with a subject robust coupler, when the coupler end plate faces are positioned adjacent to each other with each axial bore and associated GRIN lens and optic fiber commonly and axially aligned through a process such as a robotic arm and end effector connection.

Abstract: Electronic measuring and control of countersinking depth and/or failure of a drilling tool. Eddy current proximity detecting means is utilized for stopping and retracting the countersink drilling process after a pre-selected depth is achieved wherein a visual indication of the countersink depth is provided by way of sequentially lit LED segments through structure for detecting a surface up and away from the working end of the tool thereby avoiding contamination problems. Further, detection of vibration or chatter in the workpiece is shown as a means for detecting tool defects.

Abstract: A portable hand-cutting tool having a pair of perpendicularly arranged handles which is used for separating the trailing edge of bonded elevator or rudder skin panels following removal from an aircraft for repair. The tool features an electrically heated knife blade in combination with pneumatic controls for linearly vibrating the knife to achieve the cutting. The blade is fabricated from spring steel, has a leading edge sharpened with a full width taper, and is directly heated by way of electrical currents passing through the blade electrodes connected to the blade.

Abstract: A method for electrostatically coating plaster mandrels by making the mandrels electrically conductive, thereby facilitating electrostatic painting or spraying, by embedding a ground strap into the mandrel which is in an electrically conductive "green" or uncured state due to its free water content after it was slosh formed in a rotating mold. The plaster mandrels are then electrostatically coated before the green plaster dries and cures.

Abstract: A device for coupling a torque driver to a fastener that is to be driven on a workpiece by the driver, and for coupling the driver housing to the workpiece, has two nesting cylindrical barrels, one of which can be fastened to the driver housing and the other of which can be connected to a reaction structure which is clamped to the workpiece. The two barrels are coupled together for limited rotation relative to each other which facilitates placement of the device on the reaction structure and securing it in place thereon, and also provides a torque path for reaction torque from the driver housing through the two barrels of the device to the reaction structure and thence to the workpiece. The reaction structure has a series of positioning stops that facilitate quick and accurate positioning on the workpiece, and a power operated clamp for securely connecting the reaction structure to the workpiece.

Abstract: A grille for an aircraft mounted on the cabin sidewall includes apertures to allow return airflow from the air conditioning system. In a preferred embodiment, the grille apertures are covered by resilient baffles which are resiliently folded into semicircular configurations and held in place between adjacent ribs of the grille by the force exerted by the folded baffles. One end of each baffle is affixed to upper and lower rods of the grille, while an opposite end of each baffle is releasably inserted over the rods. During a sudden decompression of the cargo compartment, the releasable ends of the baffles are dislodged from the rods and unbend into a flat shape in a manner parallel to the airstream. This permits rapid pressure equalization between the cargo and passenger compartments.

Abstract: Airhose coupling device including end fittings and quick disconnect release switches having protection for preventing damage to surfaces coming in contact therewith.

Abstract: A flame and heat-resistant cover for airplane pitot tubes comprises a woven tube of fire-resistant fibers. The front of the tube is gathered and it is sown with a fire-resistant, non-abrasive thread.

Abstract: A circuit for limiting the inrush current in DC to DC and DC to AC power supplies. The circuit utilizes a small capacitor for taking a charge which slowly turns on a FET transistor placed in series with a large filter capacitor; the slowly reducing resistance of the transistor provides the desired inrush current limiting.

Abstract: An aircraft toilet system includes a holding tank and a discharge pipe which extends to a service panel located near the skin of the aircraft. A poppet valve is located near the outlet end of the discharge pipe. Leakage of fluids past the poppet valve is corrected in a first embodiment by pressurized cabin air which is ported to a downstream side of the poppet valve and by venting the upstream side of the valve to the atmosphere. In a second embodiment, high pressure air from the aircraft's environment control system is ported to the downstream side of the valve. The resulting pressure differential holds the valve against its seat, and prevents fluid leakage in the event of a damaged valve seal.

Abstract: A plurality of gripper modules positioned in space apart relationship along a frame member provide an end-of-arm tool. A pair of gripper modules disposed on opposite sides of the end-of-arm tool each support a Hall effect sensor which is coupled through a signal processing circuit to control the heads of the gripper modules.

Abstract: A quickly releasable stowage bin 108 mountable on one or more support panels 110, 110', or 110", affixed to the interior of an aircraft 100. In the installation of a single stowage bin 108, quickly releasable mounting mechanisms 146, and 158, 160, and 168, respectively affix the upper and lower portion of the stowage bin 108 to the upper and lower portion of a support panel or panels. Each support panel 110, 110', and 110" are initially aligned in the factory whereby a conversion of the aircraft 100 from freighter mode to full or partial passenger mode, results in a rapid, easy, secure, and quality installation of each stowage bin 108. The quickly releasable mounting mechanisms 146, and 158, 160, and 168, also facilitate the rapid and easy removal of each stowage bin 108 from within a compartment of the aircraft 100 during conversion of that compartment from passenger mode to freighter mode.

Abstract: A fluid ejector for discharging gases and fluids from an aircraft. The fluid ejector is fastened to an exterior surface of the aircraft and includes an air tube which is spaced apart from the exterior surface of the aircraft by a mast. Unwanted fluids and gases are evacuated from the aircraft through a conduit located inside the drain mast and are expelled from an outlet located in the side of the air tube. In this manner, the liquid or gases present at the outlet are discharged in a rearward direction away from the downstream portion of the aircraft by the airstream through the tube.

Abstract: A tester simulates high energy pulses typically present at the inputs to an avionics device after an aircraft carrying the avionics device has been struck by lightning. The tester is used to assist in determining whether the avionics device is sufficiently protected against the effects of a lightning strike on the aircraft. The tester includes a trigger circuit for generating trigger signals at fixed or random intervals so that the pulses which make up each burst as well as the bursts themselves are generated at fixed or random intervals. A number of individual pulse generating circuits are provided to generate high energy pulses which are output to the avionics device under test. A sequencing circuit feeds the trigger signals to the pulse generating circuits so as the generate the high energy pulses and bursts at the selected fixed or random intervals.

Abstract: An electrical connector modularly arrayed for ease in manual and automatic fabrication and assembly of wire bundle assemblies. Increased structural strength, elimination of snap ring, straight bore inside diameter, the addition of an insert alignment key, and elimination of electrical contact retention clips are features of the present modular electrical connector assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning dust from the cells of a honeycomb core part includes an upper air knife for blowing a narrow jet of air downwardly through the honeycomb core cells as the part is being carried on a conveyor belt through an exhaust hood. A pair of upwardly aimed air knives below the conveyor belt blow two narrow jets of air on both sides of the upper air knife upwardly through the honeycomb core. The part is held down on the conveyor belt against the lifting force of the two air jets from the two lower air knives by a floating hold-down mechanism, which is adjustably counterbalanced to control the amount of hold-down force it exerts on the honeycomb core part. The upper air knife is mounted on a counterbalance system that enables it to ride above and blow downwardly through the hold-down mechanism without exerting significant force on the honeycomb core part.

Abstract: A controller for generating a bank angle limit for an aircraft during takeoff with an nonoperational engine. The controller operates so that there are minimum and maximum bank angle limits. Between these minimum and maximums, there is a linear relationship between aircraft airspeed and bank angle limit. However, before there is a change in aircraft airspeed from an increasing mode to a decreasing mode or vice versa, the bank angle limit remains constant until the change in aircraft airspeed is greater than or equal to a predetermined airspeed differential.

Abstract: An electrical connector modularly arranged wherein electrical contacts either manual or automatic assemble though a grommet assembly into retention clips.