Abstract: A surgical stapler instrument is provided for applying lateral lines of staples to tissue while cutting the tissue between those staple lines. The instrument includes a handle portion, an implement portion, a reciprocating section, a drive member and a movable actuator. The implement portion includes a staple cartridge and an anvil. The reciprocating section is adapted to move back and forth along an axis of the implement portion. The movable actuator is associated with the handle portion and is engaged with the drive member such that motion of the actuator causes the drive member to move back and forth between first and second drive positions separated by a first distance. A multiplier is further provided and is associated with the reciprocating section and the drive member for causing the reciprocating section to move back and forth between first and second reciprocating positions in response to movement of the drive member.

Abstract: An engine mount assembly includes an axially pivotable engine support and a thrust mount with a three or four bar linkage which includes a thrust bar, as the first bar, pivotably joined to a forward axial position on the engine structure at the forward end of the first bar. The line of action of the thrust bar intersects the engine centerline at a forward vertical mount plane, which is generally perpendicular to the engine centerline and through which a forward pivotal support mount of the engine support acts to support the engine, substantially at the axial position where engine centerline and forward vertical support plane intersect. An alternate embodiment of the present invention provides a means to counter bending moments produced by aerodynamic forces acting on the nacelle of the engine particularly those referred to as lip loads.

Abstract: A rotatable turbine frame includes annular outer and inner bands having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart struts extending therebetween. An annular drive shaft is fixedly joined to the inner band for transmitting output torque therefrom, and the struts are backwardly radially inclined relative to the direction of rotation of the frame so that gas flow between the struts tends to straighten the inclined struts to effect a compressive load component therein.

Abstract: A method for controlling the amount of side load experienced by a gas turbine engine and associated airframe components is provided, where the gas turbine engine includes a thrust vectoring system which deflects thrust at a vector angle away from a centerline thereof. The method includes the steps of calculating engine thrust, calculating a side load vector angle limit as a function of the calculated engine thrust and a side load limit, and limiting the vector angle of the thrust vectoring system to the side load vector angle limit in order to maintain operation of the gas turbine engine within the side load limit.

Abstract: In a turbofan engine a fan designed for reduced damage during a blade-out condition wherein the fan blade airfoil is disposed asymmetrically on the platform and includes a forwardly displaced leading edge. The platform is configured to make early contact with a following airfoil upon blade-out.

Abstract: An aircraft engine sideways mount assembly includes a thrust mount and an engine suspension for suspending the engine structure sideways from the aircraft such that the thrust mount is operable to react substantially all the thrust load forces from the engine to the aircraft. The thrust mount has a thrust bar extending between the engine structure and a structure fixed to the aircraft such that the thrust bar has a line of action which intersects the engine centerline in a support mount plane through which the engine suspension suspends the engine and which is generally perpendicular the engine centerline. The thrust bar has two thrust links pivotably joined to the aircraft at their aft ends and pivotably joined to the engine structure between the pivotal support mounts at their forward ends and include lines of force which intersect the engine centerline at the forward mount plane through which the forward pivotal support mount acts to support the engine.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for performing material processing, such as drilling or welding, with a high intensity laser beam operating in the infrared spectrum, using a reflective holographic optical element (HOE) the surface of which is prepared to contain an image of the object under processing and energy intensity information, the object can be located in or out of line-of-sight with respect to the emitted laser beam.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a bracket to a fixed member, the fixed member and the bracket each having at least one opening therethrough, where the apparatus includes a bolt having a threaded body and a head at a first end of the threaded body, where the bolt head abuts against a first surface of the fixed member, a nut threadably engaged to a second end of the threaded body, and a spacer positioned between the fixed member and the nut having an opening therethrough, the spacer having a flared portion at a first end which engages the bracket opening, wherein the threaded body of the bolt is positioned through the bracket opening, the spacer opening and the fixed member opening and secured together by the nut.

Abstract: A blade containment system is disclosed which includes an annular casing positioned radially outward of the blades and in surrounding relationship therewith, the annular casing including a plurality of composite tapes bonded to the outer or inner radial surfaces thereof, wherein the composite tapes limit the propagation of cracks and holes formed in the annular casing.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a pyrometer adapter is disclosed for providing the optical head of a pyrometer access to a target area in a gas turbine engine, where the pyrometer adapter is subjected to relative motion between a first mounting surface and a second mounting surface, the pyrometer adapter including an outer tube having a first end mounted to the first mounting surface of the gas turbine engine and a second end terminating in a flange, and a second tube positioned radially inward of and in concentric arrangement with the outer tube, wherein the second tube extends through an opening in the first mounting surface so that the second tube is mounted at its first end to the gas turbine engine at the second mounting surface adjacent the target area and the pyrometer optical head is attached to a second end of the second tube, where the second tube also includes a flange extending from a middle portion thereof which is attached to the flange of the outer tube to form a flexible diaphragm wh

Abstract: An ultrasonic fixture assembly for holding multiple ultrasonic transducers includes a mounting support rod for attaching the fixture assembly to a manipulator of a ultrasonic inspection system. A plurality of transducer mounting blocks may be mounted to the support rod by an elongated mounting bar or a single transverse mounting block may be mounted to the support rod. Each of the transducer mounting blocks will have a channel formed therein for slidably receiving an ultrasonic transducer or if a single transverse mounting block is used a plurality of channels will be formed through the mounting block. A central channel or a central transducer mounting block is provided for receiving and retaining a longitudinal wave type ultrasonic transducer and other channels or transducer mounting blocks disposed on either side of the longitudinal transducer are formed to hold shearwave type transducers.

Abstract: A wall adapted for use in a gas turbine engine between a first and a hotter second fluid includes a first side over which is flowable the first fluid, and an opposite second side over which is flowable the second fluid. An elongate notch includes a forward surface extending inwardly from the second side and is disposed in flow communication with a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart holes extending inwardly from the first side. The notch also includes an aft surface extending from the forward surface to the wall second side which is inclined at an acute discharge angle relative to the second side. The holes are disposed at an acute discharge angle relative to the second side for discharging the first fluid into the notch, and the notch discharge angle is smaller than the hole discharge angle for discharging the first fluid from the notch along the second side.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting defects in a structure formed of a honeycomb matrix bonded to a support surface including providing a probe body including means defining a fluid passage forming a supply port to an exterior surface of the probe body; connecting a pressurized fluid source to the fluid passage at a location distal from the supply port; placing the supply port in close proximity to a cell of the honeycomb matrix; supplying fluid from the compressed fluid source to the cell via the fluid passage; and monitoring a fluid pressure produced at a portion of the honeycomb matrix adjacent to the supply port to detect disbonds between the honeycomb matrix and support surface.

Abstract: A method of image processing is provided for generating an image of an object in a computer X-ray tomography apparatus having an X-ray source and a detector. The method desirably permits relatively coarse spacing between adjacent detector views and correspondingly lowers exposure to X-ray radiation while maintaining a high resolution image. The method includes the step of acquiring actual detector data for multiple views of the object. After actual detector data is acquired for adjacent views of the object, the actual detector data from these adjacent views is interpolated to obtain virtual detector data between the adjacent views as though a virtual detector had been placed therebetween. The actual detector data and the resultant virtual detector data is then mapped into Radon space. The process is repeated until Radon space is sufficiently filled with actual detector data and virtual detector data to permit image reconstruction.

Abstract: A coupling for joining a pair of conduits, one of the conduits having a flared end and the other of the conduits having a circumferential flange with a surface conforming generally for mating with the flared end of the one of the conduits. The coupling comprises a first annular ring positioned about the one of the conduits and having an inner diameter less than an outer diameter of the flared end and a radially inner surface adapted for engaging an outer surface of the flared end. A second annular ring is positioned about the other of the conduits and has an inner diameter less than an outer diameter of the circumferential flange and has a surface adapted for engaging a surface of the flange. A split ring circumscribes the first and second rings and has a radially inner, generally V-shaped groove for simultaneously overlapping both the first and second rings.

Abstract: A pulse detection circuit detects one different pulse within a string of similar pulses for a once per revolution index. The pulse detection circuit comprises a DC averaging means for generating a first threshold voltage from a raw signal. An average comparator receives the first threshold voltage and generates a first output voltage indicative of signal amplitude of the raw signal, as compared to the first threshold voltage. A zero comparator receives the raw signal, compares it to zero, and generates a second output voltage indicative of a pulse. The first and second output voltages are input to a logic sequence to generate a logic output when the one different pulse within the string of similar pulses is detected.

Abstract: A flexible adaptor mounts an aircraft gas turbine engine to a test stand. The adaptor includes an upper frame configured for mounting on the test stand, and a lower frame spaced from the upper frame and configured for supporting the engine. A spring flexibly joins the lower frame to the upper frame to simulate the flexibility of an aircraft wing which supports the engine during operation.

Abstract: A compressor discharge temperature sensing system senses compressor discharge temperature for a compressor located within a housing. A sensor mounted external to the flow path receives high pressure air discharged from the compressor. The high pressure air flows past at least one thermocouple in the housing and through a purge line. The thermocouple measures the high pressure air temperature and the high pressure air is then returned to the flow path.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine digital electronic control is disclosed which is capable of maintaining safe, efficient engine thrust levels in the event of loss of communication with an aircraft flight computer. Specifically, a limited number of engine sensor inputs are used in combination with an engine performance schedule to derive total inlet pressure. A compressible flow calculation yields flight Mach number which is used in a power management module to control engine power settings, such as corrected fan speed in a turbofan engine. Various correction factors and scalars are provided to configure the control for a variety of installation configurations, as well as improve system accuracy.

Abstract: A device for observation and analysis of a cross-sectional portion of a stream of material, which may be either a particle or a fluid stream, includes a laser light source for generating a beam of light. A focusing lens is disposed in an optical path between the laser source and the stream and a plano-cylindrical lens of a selected focal length is disposed in the optical path between the focusing lens and the stream. The focusing lens and the plano-cylindrical lens convert the beam of light from the laser light source to a plane of light which may be projected through the stream to illuminate a selected cross-section of the stream for observation and analysis thereof.