Abstract: The invention disclosed here is a dashboard accessory item in the form of an add-on housing that enables the repositioning of certain instrument panels closer to the driver, thereby making the instruments on such panels more accessible. In use, the instrument panels are first detached from a stock dashboard, and the housing is mounted to the dashboard over the location where the panels were originally located. The add-on housing projects forwardly of the dashboard, and the panels are remounted to its forward or frontal face. Such face angles toward the driver as it extends along the dashboard from the steering wheel toward the right-hand side of the cab. This repositions the panels much closer to the driver than they were when originally mounted to the stock dashboard.

Abstract: The invention described here provides a method for obtaining the "best" solution to balancing engine vibration where one or more corrective weights are applied to accessible stage of an engine, while other unbalanced stages remain inaccessible, and hence, no balancing weights can be applied there. The method involves placing balancing weights at accessible stages only, but taking into account vibration at such stages which is created by unbalances at the inaccessible stages. The method is practiced by calculating the angular limits for placing a corrective weight onto an engine stage, followed by calculating the minimum and maximum weight magnitude to be placed on the stage so that overall engine vibration remains below a certain desired level (D). Thereafter, the optimum weight and angular position is determined by minimizing D via a procedure of incremental calculations.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for determining and identifying drill bit type in a simple manner that does not involve complex mathematical techniques. The invention utilizes a laser scanner that produces a plurality of crosswise diameter measurements taken equidistantly along each drill bit's length. The crosswise measurement indicates the diameter of the bit's silhouette at a given location. By comparing such diameters with what would be expected for a given bit, the bit's shank type, maximum diameter, flute characteristics and length can be accurately ascertained. Having such information enables identification of the bit so that it may be later kept track of during subsequent sorting and refurbishment operations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing damage to overlapping cowl side edges (23, 25) in the event the cowls (3, 4) are closed in the wrong order. The underlapping edge (23) has a cut-out region (22) that is sufficiently large to permit at least a portion (11) of the overlapping edge (23) to pass therethrough if the cowls (3, 4) are closed in the wrong sequence. A flexible, fireproof seal (24) extends across the cut-out region (22), and maintained firewall integrity between the cowls (3, 4). The seal (24) is sufficiently flexible so as to not impede passage of the overlapping edge portion (11) through the cut-out region (22).

Abstract: A video imaging system for sequentially measuring the dimensions or tolerances of a plurality of fasteners. The system includes a feed gate in combination with a reciprocating chuck, the latter moving each fastener, one at a time, into the field of view of a pair of orthogonally-oriented cameras. A pair of orthogonally-oriented back-lights, one each being directly opposite the field of view of one of the cameras, silhouettes each fastener, and defines a camera image that is digitized for producing fastener dimensions. The orthogonal relationship of the cameras enables the true fasteners position to be calculated relative to each camera.

Abstract: The invention disclosed here is a data bus system integration tester designed specifically to be used in connection with testing digital autonomous terminal access communication (DATAC) buses. The tester is characterized in that it listens to the digital information broadcast by other terminals on the bus, and also has the capability of transmitting information to simulate transmitting terminals. The tester is a non-microprocessor based system.

Abstract: A landing gear for an aircraft has a multi-wheeled truck that is swung by a main prop from a stowed position to a lowered position below the aircraft. The truck is pivotably connected to the lower end of the main prop. When the gear is lowered, at least one rear prop extends between the upper end of the main prop and an aft region of the wheel truck. Both the main and rear props are telescoping members. However, the rear prop is releasably lockable to hold a certain fixed length when the aircraft is on the ground, so as to prevent pivoting movement of the wheel truck relative to the main prop. This impedes the ability of the aircraft to tip back when its center of gravity shifts aft during unloading.

Abstract: A vacuum clamping system for trimming a flat or gently curved part from a sheet of material includes a template and a plurality of hold-down members, or pods, that sandwich the template between the pods and the workpiece. The template has a plurality of circular openings through its thickness. Each pod has an expandable bellows with an open suction end that extends downwardly through one of such openings, and comes into contact with and is closed by the workpiece. Subsequent evacuation of the bellows causes it to contract, thus pulling the workpiece tightly against one side of the template, and further pulling a clamping portion of the pod tightly down against the template's other side. This fixes the template in position between the pod and workpiece. Preferably, a number of pods are used in combinatiton with any given template to improve the clamping action.

Abstract: The invention disclosed here is an anti-cycling device for high-pressure sodium lamps. A current sensor continually monitors lamp current and outputs a low voltage signal to an amplifier. When lamp current increases, indicating a starting or recycling condition, the sensor's voltage output correspondingly increases, and the amplifier responds by amplifying such output and transmitting it to a second amplifier. The latter acts as a voltage comparator and compares the first amplifier's output with a threshold level. Each time the first amplifier's output exceeds the threshold, the second amplifier outputs a trigger signal. Such signal is counted over time, and if the number of counts reaches a certain number, the counter outputs a malfunction signal to a relay that cuts off power to the lamp. An easy-to-see LED simultaneously illuminates to indicate the cycling condition and the need for lamp maintenance.

Abstract: The machining system (10) disclosed here is particularly well-suited for automatically machining flat parts from individual sheets of aluminum. The system (10) includes a machining table defined by a pair of spaced-apart, parallely-extending table beams (18, 20). Clamping rails (192) mounted to each beam (18, 20) grip opposite side edges of an individual sheet (11) of aluminum, in a manner such that the sheet spans the distance between the beams (18, 20). The clamp rails are driven linearly relative to the beams, in order to move the sheet back and forth therebetween. Upper and lower carriage beams (14, 16) also extend transversely across the table beams (18, 20), one above the sheet (11), and the other below. The upper carriage beam (14) carries both a spindle carriage (28) and an upper clamp carriage (30). The spindle carriage (28) moves a cutting tool back and forth sideways relative to the sheet (11), and vertically up and down, for cutting parts from the sheet (11).

Abstract: A test cart automatically measures the full range of motion of cockpit controls and the full range of responsive motion of airplane ailerons, rudder, elevators, spoilers, stabilizer and flaps/slats. A computer is electrically linked to these devices and automatically plots cockpit control motion, and responsive control surface motion, in order to determine that control surfaces function properly during aircraft assembly.

Abstract: An automated cable stripper that is particularly well-suited for stripping multiconductor cables whose outer surfaces have an irregular contour. The stripper has a clamp assembly for holding the end of the cable during the stripping operation; a cutting and bending assembly for severing the end of the cable's jacket and thereby exposing the underlying shielding material and conductors; and a slug puller assembly for pulling the cut part off the cable's end. Cutting and bending is accomplished by a rotatable barrel or drum that carries a plurality of cutting blades and bending arms. The blades score the jacket around its circumference, and the arms thereafter bend the cable'3 s end back and forth to break the jacket away along the score line. The slug puller assembly has a pair of gripping arms that extend and grip the cut part, and pull it off the cable upon retraction of at least a portion of the puller assembly.

Abstract: A door latching and lifting mechanism for use on an aircraft as an escape hatch. The door (10) is an upwardly opening plug-type door. Its latching mechanism (12) consists of a torque tube (80) and handle (90), both of which are carried by the door (10). Pulling on the handle (90) rotates the tube (80) and causes door latch pins (113) to retract, thus releasing the door (10). A preloaded lift spring (48), connected to the door (10) by an overhead cable (18), automatically pulls the door upwardly as soon as the pins (113) retract.

Abstract: A constant-current light sensing system employs a constant-current diode in series with the power lead to a photoconductive cell. This diode provides a substantially fixed current through the cell and enables the system to be designed such that it can make maximum use of the linear portions of the cell's output response curve, and maximum use of the range of a potentiometer's settings. The cell used in conjunction with the system is received in a housing that is easily mountable to a wall or ceiling surface by an adhesive material.

Abstract: The invention disclosed here is an anchor bolt holder that is designed to be used in setting an anchor belt in a concrete slab. The holder is a two-part system having a base, and a sleeve connectable to a socket in the base. The sleeve is adapted to receive and hold an anchor bolt's shank. Prior to pouring the slab, the base is first mounted to the decking or forming surface that underlies the slab. After certain other pre-pour items have been installed over the decking, the sleeve is then plugged into the base's socket and supports the anchor bolt vertically. The combined function of the sleeve and base is to fix the bolt in position during both the pour and cure phases of the slab, so that the bolt is held vertically with its threads projecting above the slab's top surface. The sleeve has openings through its sidewall that are sufficiently large to allow wet concrete the bolt's shank within the sleeve.

Abstract: The invention is a method for continually adjusting fastener drilling and installation in response to part growth during assembly of certain aircraft components. A series of normal installation locations are initially selected where fasteners are to be sequentially installed one at a time. Part growth is monitored at a certain reference point ahead of the advancement of fastener installation, and is sensed immediately after each installation. The position of the next-in-line installation is adjusted proportionately to the part growth which resulted from the previous installation, and so on, until the series is installed.

Abstract: A "generic" jig is provided for assembling a wing box or, in other words, the major portion of a wing. The jig has an elongated base to which is attached one or more elongated strongback modules. The modules define the position of the wing box's lower spar. Modules may be interchanged as is directed by the particular wing box which is to be assembled. At one end of the jig's base is an inner stand-off module for defining the position of the wing box's root end, and at the other end of the base is an outer stand-off module for defining the position of the wing box's tip end. Both inner and outer stand-off modules are also interchangeable in accordance with the particular wing which is to be constructed.

Abstract: A constant-current light sensing system employs a constant-current diode in series with the power lead to a photoconductive cell. This diode provides a substantially fixed current through the cell and enables the system to be designed such that it can make maximum use of the linear portions of the cell's output response curve, and maximum use of the range of a potentiometer's settings. The cell used in conjunction with the system is received in a housing that is easily mountable to a wall or ceiling surface by an adhesive material.

Abstract: A jig is provided for assembling various different wing skin panels, all having different airfoil profiles. The jig includes a frame that has a plurality of colinear attachment points. These points define a center line axis that is generic for any panel assembled on the jig. A set of headers is distributed along the attachment points, such set being replaceable by another for a different panel. The headers have edge recesses in which are placed the panel's stringers. Both stringers and headers are covered by a skin sheet which is held in place by webbings that are pulled and tightened against the skin. The webbings hold the skin against the stringers while the stringers, skin, and headers are moved to a fastening location where the skin is riveted or otherwise fastened to the stringers.

Abstract: The apparatus disclosed here is a separator that is adapted for use in connection with aircraft waste tank systems. The apparatus separates air from entrained solid and liquid waste. It has a canister body that is mounted to the top of a waste tank, and a bowl enclosure received within the canister body, the latter providing a filtering chamber. The canister body's inner walls define a cylindrical space around the bowl enclosure. Projecting a certain distance upwardly into such space is an intermediate wall that divides it into outer and inner passageways. A plurality of inlets positioned around the base of the canister body lead into the outer passageway. After entering the inlets, air with entrained waste first travels upwardly through the outer passageway, bends around the upper end of the intermediate wall, and travels downwardly through the inner passageway into an area that is immediately below the bowl enclosure.