Abstract: A connector device and method of use thereof provide positioning and hermetic sealing of electrical contacts in protective housings. The housings protect wires which connect the speed sensor of a turbine engine to a display. The connector supports the electrical contacts in an electrical insulator. The connector includes a malleable flange which is adapted to be hermetically sealed between two housings which protect wires connected to the speed sensor in the turbine engine. The flange is hermetically sealed between a tongue on one housing and a groove in the other housing. The sealing flange extends radially from the central axis of the connector and is compressed by the tongue of a releasable housing into the groove of a permanent housing to form a hermetic seal. The flange supports the electrical insulator which holds electrically conducting inner contacts in position to be slideably mounted into outer contacts which are supported by the connector housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the rate of rotation of a turbine engine shaft during the operation of the engine. A chopper extends radially from the shaft. Infrared radiation is passed through an input optical fiber having a beveled end positioned adjacent to the chopper which chops the infrared radiation. The chopped infrared radiation passes into a beveled end of an output optical fiber which is positioned adjacent to the chopper. The rate of rotation of the shaft is detected by monitoring the chopped infrared radiation from the output optical fiber. Carbonaceous coatings are formed on the beveled ends of the optical fibers by deposition of oil and combustion products thereon. While these coatings are opaque to visible light, they are transparent to the infrared radiation used in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: A multi-mode fiber optic sensor and method for optically sensing a physical perturbation includes a multi-mode optical fiber segment that accepts coherent monochromatic radiation from a suitable source. As the radiation is propagated in the fiber the various modes form a complex interference pattern that changes in response to a physical perturbation of the fiber. A detector provides an output signal to a signal processor that analyzes the signal as a function of the change in intensity to provide an information signal that is functionally related to the perturbation.

Abstract: A rotating shaft torsional displacement and speed detector provides a light beam which impinges on one or both ends of the rotating shaft. Different combinations of beam altering materials such as reflecting and non-reflecting surfaces, wave retarding plates, and linear polarizers are attached to the front shaft end and rear shaft end. These beam altering materials change either the polarization or magnitude of the light beam in a predictable manner that allows for the detection of shaft speed and torsional displacement of the front shaft end with respect to the rear shaft end.

Abstract: The method of the invention provides for actuating at least one actuator, such as a piezoelectric transducer in response to movement of a waveguide, such as an optical fiber. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, both the piezoelectric member and the optical fiber are connected to a structure. The connection is such that movement of the structure is detected by corresponding variations in and/or back scattering from light transmitted into the optical fiber. The piezoelectric member is actuated in response to the movement of the structural member as detected by the variations in the light in passing through the optical fiber. The actuation of the piezoelectric member may effect a dampening of the initial structural movement. Alternatively, monitoring the light passing through the fiber may be used as feed back on the position of the structural member, which in turn may be used to reposition the structural member by further actuation of a piezoelectric member.

Abstract: A paint receptacle apparatus comprising an open topped can having a first outwardly and downwardly directed flange attached to its open upper end and a lid having a second downwardly and inwardly extending flange engaging the first flange. The cover has a tube receiving opening having a cylindrical tube wiper received in it. The wiper has a cylindrical body received in the opening and an outwardly directed flange attached to its upper end overlying the lid and a first inwardly directed wiper flange and a second inwardly directed wiper flange receiving the tube of a paint gun. The wiper flanges each have a vent opening and a divider holding them apart. The flanges wipe the paint from the tube when the tube is removed from the can.

Abstract: A backwash strainer having a generally cylindrical filter element made up of a stack of spaced rings that are triangular in cross section, with the bases of said triangular rings disposed in a cylindrical surface. A hollow backwash arm has an open slot disposed on the inside of the cylindrical surface which operates at a predetermined distance from said element. The incoming water in said strainer flows from the inlet up through the straining element to the outlet. The backwash arm receives water from around the straining element, which flows through the element into the backwash slot and out with the debris accumulated on said strainer. Since the debris is supported on the flat interior of the rings, water flowing back into the arm into the slot in the hollow backwash arm forces trash and other debris from the rings down to the backwash water outlet. Water flowing through the clearance between the bars as used, helps flush the debris off the inside of the filter element.

Abstract: A method of measuring aircraft fuel quantity and density in a fuel container using an ultrasonic transducer; a stillwell liquid fuel; a computer control, an indicator and an altitude sensor. The computer control includes a central processing unit connected to each of the ultrasonic transducers. The altitude sensor is connected to the central processing unit. The indicator means is connected to the central processing unit. The stillwell is supported by the container. Each ultrasonic transducer is supported within the stillwell by the container. The liquid fuel is supported within the container. An ultrasonic signal is transmitted from the transducer within the stillwell. The reflected ulrasonic signal is received by the transducer within the stillwell. The round-trip time period from sending to reciving the signal is measured. The quantity of fuel in the container is determined from the round-trip time period and stored data on the container volume in the central processing unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a cross-linked poly(dicyclopentadiene) with a metathesis-catalyst system, where the metathesis-catalyst system contains an organoaluminum or organoaluminum halide activator and a pentavalent tantalum catalyst. In a preferred embodiment, the cross-linked polymer is formed by combining, in a first place, a plurality of reactant streams, one reactant stream which contains the activator, a second reactant stream which contains the catalyst and at least one reactant stream which contains dicyclopentadiene; then injecting the combined reactant streams into a second place, such as a mold, where polymerization occurs. Use of the pentavalent tantalum catalyst results in the formation of a cross-linked polymer having less color and greater transparency than cross-linked poly(dicyclopentadiene) made without a pentavalent tantalum catalyst.

Abstract: A random number selector is disclosed having a body generally in the form of a plate having three axially extending vertically spaced rectangular chambers formed in it. The three chambers are spaced from one another by a top generally rectangular part, two spaced intermediate parts and a bottom rectangular part, third rectangular parts extending from one side to the other. End parts closing the three chambers. The top of each rectangular part forming a shelf having half cylindrical shaped recesses. The recesses are adjacent one another so that the half cylindrical parts each engage the adjacent part so that the edge of each chamber has a sharp top edge. A transparent cover is supported over the front of the body and six red balls are received in the top chamber, four yellow balls in the intermediate chamber and three green balls in the lower chamber. A wedge shaped bead overlies the recesses and prevents the balls from rolling out when the selector is tilted back.

Abstract: A method of forming rotationally molded articles without providing significant heating, the method including: (a) providing a liquid monomer solution, and rotational molding means, the molding means having an inner chamber wall defining an inner chamber, the liquid monomer solution including catalyst and monomer; (b) conveying the liquid solution into the rotational molding means; (c) rotating the rotational molding means; (d) continuing the rotation while the solution polymerizes to form an article of polymer.

Abstract: A traffic signal made up of a conventional stop and go configuration of lamps and switching means with an improved lamp control and improved lamps. The lamps are of the incandescent type, preferably having two filaments. The filaments are connected to a source of electrical current. The current is supplied through an electronic circuit providing electrical current of a first polarity alternately to one of the filaments and electrical current a second polarity alternately to the second filament. It has been discovered that this alternate energizating of the filaments gives a scanning effect that is more conspicuous and has greater attention getting qualities under all viewing conditions.

Abstract: A combination light and motorcycle foot peg is disclosed. The light has a lens that is visible from front, rear and side of the foot peg. The light projection warns motor vehicles of the width of the motorcycle that they are following or approaching. The foot peg, according to the invention, can be folded up or can be moved down to a normal position for use. The foot peg, according to the invention, is slightly longer than other conventional foot pegs to bring the light out of the outside edge of the motorcycle profile.

Abstract: A snow shovel having a main handle and an auxiliary handle. The auxiliary handle is attached to the main handle by means of a flexible material having a slot in it. The slot separates the flexible member into two parts that function as a hinge. The two parts of the flexible member are fixed to the main handle and to the auxiliary handle respectively.

Abstract: A plasma cutting system comprising a frame, a work support on said frame and a tubular torch support. Gantry apparatus for moving the tubular torch support laterally and longitudinally relative to work on the work support. The torch support is moved a fixed distance from the work and has a ski cup on the lower end of the tubular work support to move over the work. The tube is urged downward by a spring so that as the ski cup runs over the work, the tube is lifted and held at a constant distance from the work. A torch support bearing in the lower end of the torch tube freely receives the torch in the tube.

Abstract: Disclosed is the incorporation into a two-part metathesis-catalyst system of a halogen containing hydrocarbyl additive, where the hydrocarbyl additive contains at least one trihalogen substituted atom or at least one activated halogen atom. The use of this catalyst system to polymerize dicyclopentadiene results in a thermoset polymer containing low levels of residual monomer. Also disclosed is a preferred embodiment of dicyclopentadiene polymerization where the two parts of the metathesis-catalyst system, plus dicyclopentadiene are combined in the mixing head of a reaction injection molding machine and then injected into a mold where the dicyclopentadiene rapidly sets up into a thermoset polymer.

Abstract: Flavoring method and composition which include a carboxylate having the general formula: ##STR1## where R.sub.1 is an alkyl having from 1 to 14 carbons, alkenyl having from 2 to 14 carbons, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, or furyl having from 4 to 14 carbons; R.sub.2 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, or cycloalkynyl of from 1 to 7 carbons, aryl or oxyaryl of from 5 to 18 carbons, or a cycloaliphatic ether of from 5 to 6 carbons; and R.sub.3 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, or cycloalkynyl of from 1 to 7 carbons, aryl, or oxyaryl of from 5 to 18 carbons, or a cycloaliphatic ether of from 5 to 6 carbons, or a radical of the general formula: ##STR2## where R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 independently are hydrogen or alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbons; and R.sub.6 is aryl, alkylaryl, aryloxy, alkoxy, cyclic acetal of from 3 to 7 carbons, dioxyalkyenyl ether of from 4 to 8 carbons; and M is cation other than hydrogen ion.

Abstract: A pre-measure dispensing device is disclosed made of translucent plastic material adapted to be screwed onto the top of a bottle to pre-measure fluid dispensed from said bottle. The bottle may be deformable so that when squeezed, fluid goes up the tube into the measuring device. The bottle can then be tipped to expel the exact amount of the fluid desired.

Abstract: A fire fighter's axe and sling combination is disclosed. The sling is attached to the wooden axe handle by two bands wrapped tightly around the handle at two spaced positions. It has been observed that fire fighter's axes are habitually exposed to abuse and rough treatment because of the emergency conditions which prevail during their use of the axe. The handles frequently break along lines disposed about 10 to 20 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the handle at the usual location of fracture. The bands pass around the handle at a position to reinforce the handle. A slot for receiving the sling is disposed adjacent the ends of the handle so that the sling will not interfere with the use of the axe and the firefighter can grasp the handle with the sling in the slot with no inconvenience.

Abstract: Modified heat seal coatings are disclosed which impact improved heat seal jaw release characteristics to polypropylene fibers. These coatings are based on a partially neutralized terpolymer of vinylidene chloride, methyl methacrylate and acrylic acid.