Abstract: A lining wear measurement system which accepts signals from a plurality of movement/displacement sensors coupled to respective auto-adjusters of vehicle brakes and giving information about prevailing brake pad/lining thickness. The system includes a means to hold internally a target wear-out point representing a minimum acceptable brake lining thickness based upon the characteristics of known linings and an internally stored starting point which is set automatically at a suitable point in time after the brake has been equipped with a set of replacement linings so as thereby to take account of the reducing disc or drum thickness as the life of the brake progress. Alternatively, the system can hold an internally stored starting point which is arranged to be manually initiated but actually stored at some suitable point in time thereafter upon each set of replacement linings being installed.

Abstract: An improved louver is comprised of a plastic louver frame and plastic chevrons, wherein slots having the profile of the chevrons are cut into the frame, the chevrons are disposed in the slots and bonded to the frame, and a resin impregnated in glass tape is wrapped around the frame to provide further support for the frame. The louver frame is fabricated using resin infused or resin transfer-molding process and the chevrons are fabricated utilizing a pultrusion process.

Abstract: An arrangement for an aircraft propulsion system to determinably reduce or eliminate inlet cowl induced bending of a turbofan aircraft jet engine case during certain flight conditions. The arrangement includes a turbofan aircraft jet engine having an engine case with a fan case portion, a nacelle structure housing the engine and having a forward nacelle portion and a rearward nacelle portion, and a pylon structure to support the engine and the nacelle structure while permitting the forward nacelle structure to be translated forwardly from an operational position to a servicing position to permit access to the engine and its components. The forward nacelle portion is independently supported from the pylon and has an inner skin portion that sealingly engages the fan case portion of the engine case and an outer skin portion that is determinably locked to the rearward nacelle portion.

Abstract: In the invention there is provided a disk brake stack having disks with predetermined available wear portions of a first thickness, a second thickness and a third thickness. In the initial configuration a first group of disks is interleaved with a second group of disks. The first group of disks comprises thick disks and the second group of disks comprises thin disks which have an available wear portion approximately one third of the thickness of the thick disks. At the first overhaul, the thin disks are substantially fully worn and are removed. The second group of disks is replaced with mid-thickness disks which have an available wear portion of about two thirds of the initial thickness of the wear portion of thick disks. At the second overhaul, the remaining wear portion of the first group of disks is approximately the thickness of the wear portion of the thin disks. The second group of disks are removed and replaced with thick disks.

Abstract: A valve for use in an inflation system wherein the valve has a spring regulated piston which regulates the flow rate through the valve into the inflatable member, such that if the flow rate gets too high, the regulating piston will divert some or all of the flow out a neutral thrust over pressure relief vent, which vents outside the inflatable member. The valve also has a secondary form of overpressure relief in the form of a neutral thrust diffuser which also dumps outside of the inflatable member. Fluid is prevented from flowing out of the neutral thrust diffuser by a burst disk, but if the fluid pressure is high enough, the burst disk will burst, and the fluid will flow out of the neutral thrust diffuser.

Abstract: An antiskid brake controller utilizes measured wheel speed in order to provide brake control for a vehicle such as an aircraft. The controller estimates the speed of the vehicle via approximation based on the measured wheel speed and a model of the mu-slip ratio curve representing the wheel to running surface friction characteristics. The controller then predicts the slip ratio based on the measured wheel speed and estimated vehicle speed. The difference between the predicted slip ratio and a predefined desired slip ratio is used to drive a modified integral controller segment to achieve maximum obtainable friction. In another embodiment, the controller measures and integrates the applied braking torque in order to estimate the vehicle speed. The estimated vehicle speed is again combined with the measured wheel speed to determine an estimated slip ratio. The controller compares the estimated slip ratio with a predefined desired slip ratio which again drives a modified integral controller.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making thick fibrous structures. More particularly, the invention relates to a simplified needle-felting process wherein loose fiber is accreted into a thick fibrous structure by repeatedly driving a multitude of felting needles into the loose fiber, the felting needles penetrating all the way through the fibrous material at the beginning of the process, and penetrating only part way through the fibrous material at the end of the process. The processes according to the invention eliminate one or more intermediate steps of forming coherent fibrous layers that were previously thought necessary in the prior art in order to form a thick fibrous structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of forming fibrous structures by needling processes. A process is provided for achieving a desired Z-fiber distribution in a fibrous structure by controlling transport depth during formation of the fibrous structure in a series of needling passes. Each needling pass generates a portion of Z-fiber bundles that penetrate adjacent fibrous layers, the Z-fiber bundles penetrating only those adjacent fibrous layers that need more Z-fiber bundles to attain a predetermined number of Z-fiber bundles within each fibrous layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to carbon--carbon (C--C) composite comprising carbon fibers or carbon fabric, carbon char on the carbon fiber or fabric and pyrolytic carbon on the carbon char, wherein the density of the carbon composite is at least 1.3 g/cc. The invention also relates to wet friction elements and power transmission devises containing the same. The invention also relates to methods of preparing the carbon--carbon (C--C) composites. These C--C composites and wet friction elements and power transmission devises made therefrom have improved friction properties desired by wet brakes and clutches. These C--C composites provide improvements in cost, and when run against metals, such as steel or iron, improvements in wear and frictional behavior compared to known C--C composites for wet friction applications. In one aspect, the carbon--carbon does not require bonding to a metal backing or core material.

Abstract: Fibrous substrates for the production of carbon and/or ceramic (including mixtures of these) fiber reinforced carbon and/or ceramic (including mixtures of these) matrix composites, particularly friction discs, and to methods of manufacture of same. Offcut waste fibrous sheet material may be recycled and reformed into a web useful in the manufacture of such composites.

Abstract: A friction brake includes a friction disk assembly having high dynamic stability against undesired vibration during a braking event. The friction disk assembly comprises an annular structural carrier of carbon and/or ceramic or other suitable structual material, preferably a fiber reinforced composite material, including a plurality of recessed regions and torque drive notches spaced around its circumferential direction, and a friction lining of carbon and/or ceramic or other suitable structural material, preferably a fiber reinforced composite material, mounted on the carrier, the friction lining having a flat wear (rubbing) face and an obverse face including raised areas corresponding to and matingly engaging the recessed regions of the carrier to prevent rotation of the lining relative to the carrier. The lining may be formed of of virgin or recycled carbon, ceramic or other suitable friction material. The lining may be retained to the carrier by mechanical fasteners such as rivets or clips.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composition and method of inhibiting catalyzed oxidation of carbon-carbon composites. The invention includes compositions, capable of impregnating carbon-carbon composites. The invention also includes a method of inhibiting catalyzed oxidation of carbon-carbon composites comprising the steps of treating a carbon-carbon composite with the catalyzed oxidation inhibiting aqueous mixture, and heating the treated carbon-carbon composite to a temperature sufficient to remove water. Articles, including friction brakes, made by this method are also part of this invention. Brake lugs, and other exposed areas of aircraft braking systems have improved resistance to catalyzed oxidation.

Abstract: A carbon/carbon composite having an oxidation protection outer coating system comprising a coating of a glass, a coating of a ceramic, and a wrap of a ceramic containing fabric.

Abstract: A friction disk assembly comprises an annular structural carrier including a plurality of recessed and/or raised regions and torque drive notches spaced around its circumferential direction, and a segmented friction lining mounted on the carrier. Each segment of the friction lining comprises a clamshell-shaped friction cup including a pair of cup members containing a puck of friction material, each pair of cup members being joined by a deformable strap and together defining a U-shaped configuration. The obverse side of each cup member includes projections and/or depressed areas that are complementary in size, shape and location to the recessed and/or raised regions of the associated carrier operatively engaged therewith to prevent movement of the lining relative to the carrier during a braking event. The carrier may be formed of steel or other suitable structural material. The lining may be formed of suitable friction material, e.g. sintered metal.

Abstract: Fibrous substrates for the production of carbon and/or ceramic (including mixtures of these) fiber reinforced carbon and/or ceramic (including mixtures of these) composites and to methods of manufacture of same. A shaped fibrous structure comprising at least a first fibrous tape layer of a width generally corresponding to that of the fibrous structure to be formed, the first fibrous tape layer superposed upon and joined to least one other fibrous layer by needlepunching to produce cross-linking of the layers by fibers displaced out of the layers and extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the faces of the layers, and methods of making same.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel of lightweight alloy is provided with a replaceable beadseat protector which protects the beadseat area of the rim of the wheel from tire abrasion and chafing and subsequent corrosion. When formed of organic resin material, the beadseat protector also reduces transfer of heat through the beadseat area of the wheel and the associated tire. The beadseat protector can be removed and replaced periodically as required. The beadseat protector may be constructed form a variety of materials including ferrous and non-ferrous metals and plastics. It is preferably prepared from fiber-reinforced organic resin which is premolded to the desired internal and external contours for the intended application. The wear protector is sealingly affixed to the beadseat area against rotation relative to the wheel rim, by bonding or by mechanical interference.

Abstract: Fibrous substrates for the production of carbon and/or ceramic (including mixtures of these) fiber reinforced carbon and/or ceramic (including mixtures of these) matrix composites, particularly friction discs, and to methods of manufacture of same. Offcut waste fibrous sheet material may be recycled and reformed into a web useful in the manufacture of such composites.

Abstract: A friction disk assembly comprises an annular structural carrier including a plurality of recessed regions and torque drive notches spaced around its circumferential direction, and a friction lining mounted on the carrier, the friction lining having a flat wear (rubbing) face and an obverse face including raised areas corresponding to and matingly engaging the recessed regions of the carrier to prevent rotation of the lining relative to the carrier. The carrier may be formed of steel or other suitable structural material. The lining may be formed of virgin or recycled carbon, ceramic or other suitable friction material. The lining may be retained to the carrier by rivets. The lining may be provided with a structural casing configured to engage the recessed regions of the carrier. The assembly may be refurbished by simple replacement of the worn lining. The carrier and the lining may be formed as unitary annular members or as segments of annular members.

Abstract: Fibrous substrates for the production of carbon and/or ceramic (including mixtures of these) fiber reinforced carbon and/or ceramic (including mixtures of these) composites and to methods of manufacture of same.

Abstract: Apparatus for the manufacture of curved braids comprises a braiding machine provided with pull-out and take-up apparatuses. The pull-out apparatus includes a forming ring and a pair of driven frustoconical pull rolls having an adjustable nip. The members to be braided are formed into a curved flattened tube as they are drawn through the forming ring by and through the nip of the pull rolls. The curved braid as it exits the nip of the pull rolls is guided onto a take-up bobbin. A conventional tubular braiding machine may be used. Such curved braids are suitable for use in the manufacture of fibrous preforms for the manufacture of friction discs.