Abstract: An improved plastic push in tube fitting includes a plastic body, an elastomer o-ring for sealing, and a plastic collet. The collet and o-ring are disposed in the body such that a tube can be pushed into the body through the collet and o-ring and held against withdrawal from the body by the collet. The collet is formed entirely of plastic and has a plurality of circumferential sections for encircling a tube pushed into the body. Each of the circumferential sections has a radially inwardly facing circumferential tube gripper. The tube gripper is formed by a ramp which faces a tube being pushed into the body so that the collet will encounter the ramp and move the circumferential sections radially apart. The gripper also includes a circumferential surface which faces away from a tube being pushed into the body. The circumferential ramp and the circumferential surface form a gripper edge at their junction and this edge engages and holds a tube pushed into the body through the collet.

Abstract: A fiber optic signal collection system and method for position sensing or sensing other parameters indicated by light distinctive patterns. The system is particularly suitable for use in aircraft flight control. The system includes a set of fiber optic fibers with first and second ends. The first ends are disposed adjacent a light distinctive pattern indicating a particular pattern such as a relative position. A portion of the second ends are positioned adjacent a light source and a portion of the second ends are disposed adjacent a light sensing electrical device such that light from the light source can be conveyed through the fibers, reflected from the light distinctive pattern, and conveyed through the fibers to the light sensing electrical device in order to detect the pattern in the electrical device.

Abstract: A method of forming an atomizing spray nozzle includes the steps of etching a swirl chamber and a spray orifice in a thin sheet of material. The swirl chamber is etched in a first side of the disk and the spray orifice is etched through a second side to the center of the swirl chamber. Feed slots are etched in the first side of the disk extending non-radially to the swirl chamber such that liquid can be conveyed to the swirl chamber so as to create and sustain the swirling motion. A inlet piece with inlet passage therein is connected with first side of the disk so as to convey liquid to the feed slots of the disk and to enclose the feed slots and swirl chamber. In addition to the method described an atomizing spray nozzle having the configuration described is much improved in its spray characteristics. The present invention also provides a method of forming a number of spray nozzles simultaneously in a single manufacturing process.

Abstract: A gas turbine fuel nozzle and method of fuel flow provide resistance to coking of the fuel by means of a multiple passage heat transfer cooling circuit. Fuel streams to primary and secondary sprays of pilot and main nozzle tips are arranged to transfer heat between the pilot primary fuel stream and each of the main secondary fuel stream and the pilot secondary fuel stream. This protects the fuel in the streams from coking during both low flow, lower engine heat conditions and high flow, high engine heat conditions. This nozzle and flow can protect engines with both single tip and dual tip nozzles.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a procedure for vulcanization which includes a determination of the vulcanization coefficient of an elastomeric workpiece, and an apparatus for the application of the procedure. Prior art is the measurement of the rapture strength or the penetration depth of a needle and the calculation of the vulcanization coefficient from the measured value. The disadvantage is its restriction to the application for time-consuming measurements of samples taken at not too short intervals. Series testing is excluded. The task consists in defining a procedure which leaves the workpiece undestroyed and where the measuring time is so short that it can be applied in series; and in the development of the appropriate apparatus.

Abstract: The invention concerns a coupling device for maximum pressure-tight threaded pipe connectors with a standard coupling body, with a 24 degree connector, a coupling nut to effect a pressure-tight connection, a standard pipe or a connection stub for connection to other system components, and a two-part ring whereby one ring is provided with a holding element which takes the form of a cutting or clamping ring and the second ring takes the form of a sealing ring (6) for the coupling body (1) and is positioned in front of the holding element (7). The sealing ring is provided with a stop face (10) which progresses radially to its ring axis (9) and, when fitted, abuts on to the inner ring face (11 ) of the coupling body (1) which extends over at least a part of the inner bevel face [cone] (2) of the coupling body (1). The sealing element presents a conically progressing sliding face (14) for the holding element (7) and a stop face (15) progressing radially to the pipe or ring axis (9).

Abstract: This fitting is of the type whose body has a cross bore and at one end, means to connection to one of two elements to be connected using said tubes while at its other end it has an annular chamber coaxial to the bore meant to receive one end of a tube by simple engagement, the chamber holding various annular mechanisms to retain the tube, coaxial to the chamber and arranged between its wall and the tube, that is, a retainer ring partially closing the chamber and able to slide in it, a waterproof seal and a part with radial prongs. According to the invention, the fitting is made up of, on one hand, a body 4 having said cross bore 10 and said connection means 11 and 12 and, on the other hand, of a bushing 5 which can be assembled in the body 4, limiting said chamber 20 and made up of means 30 to 33 for retaining the various aforementioned mechanisms 21, 22 and 23 which it holds.

Abstract: A novel position sensing device and novel method for determining position use an electronic memory to retain a look up table for calibrated position indicia on a scale. The position indicia are preferably arranged along the scale so that at least two indicia are positioned at unique distances apart in each length segment of the scale. A reader electrically reads the at least two indicia of a segment and the electronic memory look up table allows the at least two indicia to determine the segment, position within segment, and the position relationship between the position within the segment and the reader. Preferably, the indicia are slits in a scale bar, and the reader is a light source and charge-coupled device. The position of the slits is preferably determined using more than one pixel of the charge-coupled device.

Abstract: An improved rotary plug valve of the type having a valve body with a fluid inlet conduit and a fluid outlet conduit therein has a rotary plug disposed for rotation in the valve body between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position the plug has a seat seal disposed in a groove in the cylindrical surface thereof which seat seal extends adjacent and surrounds the fluid inlet conduit to seal the inlet conduit against fluid flow. The groove in the plug has a radially inner wall, a radially outer wall and a base wall. The base wall extends at an angle so that the radially outer wall extends more deeply into the plug than the radially inner wall. Preferably the groove and the seat seal have an annular, cylindrical shape. Also preferably the seat seal has a shape so that a pressure space is formed adjacent the base wall of the groove and a gap is formed adjacent the radially inner wall of the groove. Fluid pressure in these urge the seat seal into sealing positions.

Abstract: An explosion suppression system wherein a photodetector (10), a capacitor circuit (12) and a detonator (14) provide an initiation signal to a dispersion tube (18). The dispersion tube includes a casing (20) having orifices (26), an inner tube (28) where the explosion suppressant is stored, and a propellant cord (34) that is located between the storage casing and the inner tube. In response to the initiation signal, the explosion suppressant is expelled from the orifices (26) and through nozzles (27) to form a controlled spray pattern to quench initial flame in a fuel tank before there is time for a damaging pressure rise.

Abstract: A device for operation of a sliding door member, the device being movable between an open position in which the door member is open and a closed position in which the door member is closed. The device includes a pneumatic cylinder having an actuating piston and a rod assembly. A slidable cage sealingly sleeved between the cylinder and the piston reduces the force applied to the piston rod when approaching the open position. When moving towards the first position force is provided initially by conjoined movement of the piston and said cage, and finally by the piston only. A latch for locking the device in the closed position is provided by a spear secured to the piston and rod assembly and a pin to lock the spear disposed in the cylinder. A manual delatching can be achieved by a cable operated spool which moves the pin to unlock the spear.

Abstract: The invention provides a coupling device for high pressure threaded pipe connection to a coupling body with a standard 24 degree connector, a coupling nut to establish a pressure tight connection and a shaped pipe or a connection stub for connection to other system components. An adapter ring is proposed with a cylindrical internal bore and radially progressing and/or domed end ring faces of different sizes, at least one of which is formed as a sealing face fitted with a ring seal, to each of which an axially directed cylinder outer face is juxtaposed, between which a 24.degree. outer bevel is arranged to adapt to the coupling body. The ring face of the adapter ring which when fitted is directed towards the connection stub or the flared flange of the shaped pipe is provided with an annular groove to accept a ring seal or an o-ring.

Abstract: A fiber-optic position sensor includes a light source, a light detector that produces analog electrical signals proportional to the intensity of incident light on the detector, and fiber-optic bundles for transmitting illumination light to an object, transmitting reflected light from the object to the detector, and reference light from the light source directly to the detector. Electronic circuits are also provided for use with the optical position sensor for processing the signals from the detector to determine the position of the object. The detector is a photovoltaic bi-cell having two discrete regions, the first being used to detect the reference light and the second being used to detect the reflected light. A mounting block configuration is also provided to conveniently hold the optical elements.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic actuator having an electric motor disposed in a hydraulic fluid reservoir and connected to drive a hydraulic fluid pump. The actuator includes a piston rod which extends or retracts as a piston is hydraulically driven in a cylinder. An actuator housing forms the reservoir and cylinder and contains hydraulic passages connecting the pump, reservoir and cylinder. The actuator includes a one-way filter for filtering the hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic pump is preferably a rotating piston type and includes a port plate which allows the pump to drive the piston while the retract and extend chambers of the pump have different or unbalanced fluid drive ratios. A load limiting valve protects the system from excessive hydraulic pressure and a position sensor detects the position of the piston rod.

Abstract: In a tube fitting a nut which extends about the end of a tube allows the tube to be threadedly joined to a nipple. The end of the tube is formed in the shape of a collar which retains the nut. The face of the collar is flattened to sealingly meet with an o-ring which resides in an annular recess in the frontal surface of the nipple. The process of forming the collar in the end of the tube includes placing a nut on the tube, gripping the end of the tube with a die, and deforming the end of the tube with a tool of truncated cone-shape move in an advancing, precessing motion. The die is shaped with interior shoulders having the profile of the collar. A socket which forms the back side of the collar can be placed over the tube after the die grips the tube. After the collar formed the dies is removed.

Abstract: A structure which has a low coefficient of thermal and moisture expansion along one dimension (an axis) is formed of an arrangement of fibers surrounded by and bonded to an engineering thermoplastic resin. The fibers are arranged so that essentially all of the fibers are disposed parallel to the axis. The fibers have a negative coefficient of expansion, the resin has a positive coefficient of expansion, and the volume ratio is balanced so that the composite structure has a near zero coefficient of expansion. Perferably the structure is formed by pultrusion of overlapped tapes of aligned carbon fibers preimpregnated with polyphenylene sulfide. A scale having this structure has slots for indicating position on the scale. The slots extend through the scale and are transverse to the axis.

Abstract: A sealed tube block assembly and method of making the same includes a tube block having two opposing walls with an axial bore therethrough. The bore is defined by first and second counterbores respectively in the walls and a reduced diameter serrated bore connecting the counterbores. The serrated bore is axially spaced from one of the counterbores by an axially tapered bore. The tapered bore has a maximum diameter less than the diameter of the adjacent counterbore but greater than the diameter of the serrated bore. An elastomeric seal is positioned in the tapered bore and a washer is positioned in the adjacent counterbore. The tube is formed with a first integral bead that seats in the opposite counterbore, and a second bead that seats in the counterbore which retains the washer and seal. The tube portion that contacts the washer and seal is finished as by swaging to provide an improved seal surface.

Abstract: This gerotor-type hydraulic motor operates at two speeds (low speed, high torque and high speed, low torque) at a given flow rate and pressure of driving hydraulic fluid. It includes first and second rotating power elements disposed along an axis. Between the first and second power elements are first and second commutators. Located between the two commutators is a valve piece which is an integral portion of the motor. The valve piece selectively directs fluid, either in parallel or in series, through the first and second commutators, respectively, to the first and second power elements. Preferably the valve piece includes a spool valve. Also preferably the valve piece includes inner and outer concentric galleries located on opposite sides of the spool valve.

Abstract: An improved commutator for a gerotor-type hydraulic pump or motor of the type having an orbiting outer or inner gear. Such pumps or motors require a commutator having a circular array of alternating inlet and outlet openings adjacent to a rotating valve plate which regulates flow to the gerotor gears. The commutator of the present invention has a chambers section and a fluid pathways section. The chambers section has a radially inner and a radially outer chamber disposed therein radially beneath the inlet port and outlet port of the pump or motor, also disposed in the chambers section. The radially outer chamber and radially inner chamber are each connected to one of the inlet and outlet ports. The pathways sections has the circular array of alternating inlet and outlet openings therein and includes fluid pathways which connect these inlet and outlet openings, respectively, to one of the radially inner and radially outer chambers of the chambers section.

Abstract: A kink-resistant, small bend radius hose has a thin layer polyfluorocarbon liner tube with a thickness in the range of from about 0.005 inches to about 0.025 inches. The exterior of the liner tube is etched to allow silicone to be bonded thereto. A thin layer of silicone is bonded to the etched exterior of the liner tube. This layer of silicone serves as a bonding layer for a reinforcing layer of synthetic fabric, a helix strand and a cover layer. The reinforcing layer serves to strengthen the thin liner tube, the helix strand serves to support the hose against kinking and the cover layer adds additional strength and contains the helix strand with respect to the reinforcing fabric. Thus, a composite, integral, kink-resistant, small bend radius hose is achieved.