Abstract: An antenna reflector structure of the offset-fed type which is suitable for use on spacecraft. The reflector structure includes a central boom, a number of spaced ribs on the boom, an RF reflective mesh layer adjacent to the outer, transverse peripheral edges of the ribs, and contoured angle members for securing the mesh layer to the ribs to provide a specific contour for the reflector surface defined by the mesh layer. The boom can be of one-piece construction or formed from telescoped segments. The reflector structure is deployable and furlable. Several embodiments of the reflector structure are disclosed.

Abstract: A soft digital limiter (2) for limiting an analog input signal (1) from a maximum expected range (61) to a useful range (60). The number (m) of desired levels of resolution in the limiter (2) is preselected to be any power of two. An analog-to-digital converter (9) converts the input analog signal (1) to a digital representation (20). The converter (9) has its input voltage rating matched to the maximum expected range (61) and its output resolution matched to the preselected degree (m) of resolution. In the preferred two's complement numbering system, the condition for the input signal (1) falling within the useful range (60) is that the most significant p+1 bits of the digital representation (20) are all identical, where p is the number of bits required by the converter (9) to delineate that portion of the maximum expected range (61) outside of the useful range (60). A network of comparators (e.g., 38, 39) implements this condition.

Abstract: A motor vehicle seat belt retractor assembly is provided in which a locking pawl is carried with a rotatable saddle member to permit limited movement when the pawl is lockingly engaged with a ratchet tooth in the retractor.

Abstract: A portable hand-held open circuit voltage tester for a storage battery that contains a facility for permanently marking the positive terminal post of the tested battery when the open circuit voltage is within a predetermined range. An enabling circuit provides an indication of the open circuit voltage level and enables the marking mechanism for activation by the operator.

Abstract: High frequency ultrasonic energy is applied to a liquid medium to produce low micron size cavitation in the liquid for enhancing the cleaning or etching action of exposed surfaces within the liquid. An ultrasonic transducer is bonded to a vibration coupler which is formed of a material that is inpervious to the liquid medium and functions to efficiently transmit the ultrasonic vibrations to the liquid medium. The coupler is partially immersed in the liquid while maintaining the transducer elevated above the liquid.

Abstract: This specification relates to a heat exchanger (10) of the type wherein a plurality of elongated plates (12) are laminated together to define a plurality of passageways (14) for movement of a fluid therethrough. Each of the passageways (14) are formed by inwardly facing surfaces of a pair of laminated plates (12--12) which define a central fluid conducting section (34) located between reservoir sections (32--32) at each end thereof. Adjacent of the passageways (14--14) have heat transfer fins (18--18) located therebetween. Reservoir sections (32--32) of adjacent ones of the passageways (14--14) are interconnected so that a fluid may flow therethrough. The improvement of this invention is made to the laminated plates and it includes a plurality of beads formed on each of the pair of laminated plates (12--12). The beads formed on each of the plates are of two distinct varieties.

Abstract: The invention provides sensing switches for indicating proper rotation of a take-up reel in a tape recorder-player and for sensing reverse rotation of the take-up reel and provides a logic circuit for stopping the drive of the take up reel when the tape is not properly fed or when the take-up reel rotates in a reverse direction.

Abstract: In a sandwich component, in particular for hoods, deck lids or the like, for the bodywork of a motor vehicle, comprising a core layer interposed between covering layers and a reinforcement member adjacent which the core layer is recessed and which is joined to the covering layers and the core layer by means of plastic foam, the reinforcement member being made dish-shaped and provided with a base having openings and with a projecting flange having openings, and the flange being adjacent to one covering layer from the inside and the base being adjacent to the other covering layer from the inside.

Abstract: This specification is directed to a method of forming a glass sheet with a ceramic paint thereon, the method having the following steps. A ceramic paint is applied to the glass sheet. The ceramic paint includes normal ceramic paint components along with, as a new component thereof, a metal oxide having at least a low valence oxidation state and a high valence oxidation state. The metal oxide is in its low valence state when applied in the ceramic paint to the glass sheet. The glass sheet is heated to a temperature which softens the glass sheet sufficiently so that the glass sheet can be formed. The glass sheet and the ceramic paint thereon are engaged with a fiberglass covered forming die to form the heated glass sheet to a desired shape. The forming die is removed from engagement with the glass sheet. The metal oxide addition to the ceramic paint in its low valence state is credited with being effective to prevent sticking of any of the ceramic paint to the forming die.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a desmodromic valve operating mechanism, i.e. one in which the valve is mechanically closed instead of relying on the action of a spring. The valve operating mechanism comprises a cam 20 driven in synchronism with the engine crankshaft. A cam follower 18 is acted upon by an opening profile 22 of the cam 20 and serves to move the valve 10 in an opening direction. A movable closing member 26 has two profiles 24, 28. The first profile 24 interacts with the cam 20 and the second 28 with the cam follower 18. Closure of the valve is effected by the opening profile 22 of the cam 20 acting on the first cam profile 24 of the closing member 26 to move the closing member 26 in such a direction that the second cam profile 28 of the closing member 26 acts on the cam follower 18 to close the valve 10.

Abstract: A fuel atomizing throttle body is formed to receive a centrally located fuel injector near the inlet to the throttle body induction passage, the throttle body having an axially moveable throttling sleeve in the induction passage that cooperates with a fuel atomizer adjacent the injector for variably metering the primary flow of air into the engine while simultaneously increasing the velocity of the air to impact the metered fuel essentially at right angles to the fuel to atomize the same prior to entry of the mixture into the engine, the fuel atomizer having swirl passages further mixing the fuel with air upon discharge from the injector and providing a secondary minimum air flow volume to sustain engine operation during idle speed conditions when the primary path is closed.

Abstract: A self-contained fuel oil heater unit for use with a diesel engine includes a fuel oil manifold having a spin-on cartridge type oil filter with a central fuel oil outlet and peripheral fuel oil inlets. The upper portion of the manifold contains an upwardly open bowl-shaped recess closed by a removable cover and defining a reservoir containing an electric immersion PTC heating element for warming the fuel oil. The unheated fuel oil flows through a horizontally disposed inlet on the lower portion of the manifold into the reservoir where it is heated and is discharged through a passage communicating with the peripheral fuel oil inlets of the filter. A further manifold passage communicates the central fuel oil outlet of the filter to a horizontally disposed outlet on the lower portion of the manifold. Alternatively the heater unit can be formed as a spacer insertable between the manifold and spin-on filter and containing a star-shaped PTC heater.

Abstract: A positive displacement fuel injection pump having a single plunger moving fuel into and out of a fuel chamber by way of plunger internal passages being connected one at a time with a fuel supply passage and disconnected from a fuel injection line, and vice-versa upon rotation of the plunger, a solenoid valve controlling pressurization of the fuel chamber and effecting the injection of fuel through individual nozzles connected to the engine air stream adjacent an individual cylinder, the plunger internal passages including an outlet check valve controlling the fuel flow to the nozzles.

Abstract: An electromagnetically controlled fuel injection pump of the spill port, continuously rotating, multiplunger type in which fuel flow to and from a pair of plunger barrels is controlled by a single solenoid valve controlling a spill port, each of the plungers in turn controlling the injection of fuel to two or three engine cylinders.

Abstract: A fuel injection pump includes a number of plungers of the fill/spill port control type, the plungers being hydraulically connected in pairs and through a single shuttle valve to a single fuel spill port controlled by a single solenoid controlled spill valve, the plungers being operable in sequence and in succession to condition one plunger at a time for fuel pressurization while the remaining plungers are in various other phases of operation refilling their fuel chambers with fuel or preparing the air fuel chamber for pressurization.

Abstract: This specification teaches a method of making a special purity alpha silicon nitride powder which is free from halogen-containing and metal-containing compounds as trace constituents. The method has the following steps. Tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) is prepared of requisite purity. A fine mist of the TEOS solution is delivered to a heated reaction zone. Ammonia is contacted with the fine mist of TEOS in the reaction zone. A reaction product of this reaction is collected, the reaction product being amorphous silica and carbon black. The reaction product is heated to a temperature in a range of 1300.degree.-1500.degree. C. The heated reaction product is subjected to a nitrogen gas treatment to convert the silica of the reaction product into a special purity alpha silicon nitride powder because of the chemical reactions occurring between the silica, carbon black, and nitrogen. The prepared alpha silicon nitride powder is then recovered.

Abstract: An armrest lock has a pivoted latch which swings into an active locking position as a result of its own inertia, in the event of a crash, to keep the armrest locked in its raised position. The latch then engages with a projecting rib on the linkage which supports the armrest and locks movement of the linkage.