Abstract: A solid state power switch includes a gated switch for connecting electrical power to a load whenever the actual load current is less than selected current reference values.

Abstract: Telephone system interface circuitry for regulating the full duplex exchange of asynchronous serial bit signal information between the system's station equipment and central equipment matrix switch includes a central equipment signal processor, central equipment master clock, and individual central equipment signal ports for each station, and includes in each station equipment variable time delay transmission circuitry responsive to the signal information transmitted periodically from the central equipment for transmitting station information at the same periodic interval but delayed from the received central signal information by a delay time interval selected to regulate the actual time of arrival (TOA) of the station information at the associated central port coincident with a desired TOA for that port.

Abstract: Serial to parallel conversion circuitry achieves phase synchronization and signal bit sampling of received asynchronous serial data through use of a gate enable delay line oscillator having a selected response time, and selectably enabled in the presence of the received serial data to provide a sampling clock signal for shifting the serial data into register for parallel formatting at a frequency equal to the line frequency.

Abstract: A telephone based control system comprises a central control console, a digital time division multiplexed (TDM) telephone system incuding a PBX matrix switch with signal ports adapted for direct connection to PBX primary port telset devices and to the central control console, and including primary port telsets adapted for connection to PBX secondary port devices, the control system further comprising secondary port control units, each connected to an associated one of the primary port telsets, for controlling the operation of one or more controlled devices located in proximity to the associated telsets.

Abstract: A switching regulator with series gated switch includes a switching bus biased positively with respect to the signal ground of the source and regulated amplitude DC signals, and PWM circuitry with associated bootstrap circuitry connected between the source DC signal input and the switching bus.

Abstract: Signal conditioning circuitry for a three plate capacitive pressure transducer eliminates the effects of parasitic capacitance in the transducer's output, to provide a true indication of sensed pressure magnitude as an electrical signal equivalent of the instantaneous value of only the pressure responsive capacitance of the transducer.

Abstract: A portable case structure functions as the depository, transporter and remote, work site satellite for a plurality of engine sensor probes which communicate with a parent test console through a common electrical umbilical connection.

Abstract: A flight data recording system includes a digital flight data recorder (DFDR) and a digital flight data acquisition unit (DFDAU) having a signal processor and nonvolatile memory for storing signals representative of a deterministic flight mode algorithm which defines a generic aircraft flight profile by preselected modes, each mode defining a flight profile operating station, the deterministic flight mode algorithm defining the nominal values of some number of sensed flight data parameters in terms of the sensed values of some number of the remaining other sensed flight parameters. At each such station, the signal processor comparing the actual sensed mandatory flight parameter value with the corresponding determined value to establish sensor accuracy.

Abstract: A three plate silicon-glass-silicon capacitive pressure transducer includes a conductive silicon diaphragm and substrate relatively spaced by a dielectric body having disposed therein a central electrode positioned between the diaphragm and substrate to form a pressure responsive capacitance with the diaphragm at a value inversely proportional to a pressure signal applied to a pressure sensing surface of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave (SAW) pressure sensor is mechanically supported within a vacuum sealing structure by a cylindrical metal sleeve which isolates the SAW sensor substrate from induced thermal strain resulting from temperature cycling of the structure, and which provides for a fluid conduit through the vacuum environment from the sensor diaphragm to an orifice formed through the wall of the structure.

Abstract: A fluid coupling includes inlet and outlet segments, each having a fluid carrying aperture with a major diameter fluid port at one end and a minor diameter coupling port at the other end of the segment longitudinal axis, the fluid ports being adapted for fluid communication with an associated fluid source and the coupling ports being adapted to receive each other in registration with engagement of the coupling ports by end to end abutment of the segments, the fluid apertures of the abutting segments, in tandem, forming a Venturi with the throat defined by the abutting coupling ports at the coupling interface, the coupling port minor diameter value being selected relative to the fluid port major diameter to provide a fluid pressure value at the coupling interface which is not greater than the outside ambient pressure, thereby preventing fluid escape to the ambient environment across the coupling interface.

Abstract: An improved electrode configuration and method for the deposition of electrical energy into an electric discharge laser having a gas path transversely disposed to an optical axis and the electric field is disclosed. The electrode configuration includes a cathode, having a row of preionization electrodes with each preionization electrode typically having the configuration of a pin and power electrodes positioned downstream of and in a parallel relationship to the row of preionization electrodes wherein the power electrodes typically have a configuration of a rod, and a planar anode disposed opposite the cathode in a parallel relationship thereto, wherein the cathode and the anode define the gas path therebetween.

Abstract: Cylinder engine data, is displayed in a bar chart graphics mode format on a cathode ray tube (CRT); the data from each cylinder is displayed in dual bar segments comprising a first bar representing the mean value and a second bar representing the mean deviation of the measured parameter data, the first bar extending from a zero baseline on the abscissa to the mean measured value as represented graphically by comparison to a scaled ordinate, the second bar being generally centered about the first bar mean value and extending at its end points to the actual peak and actual minimum values of the selected parameter.

Abstract: A digital flight data recorder receives sensed parameter information in serial data format in successive data frames and first circulates the information in a first-in first-out (FIFO) sequence through a minor memory to preserve the data received over a most recent real time interval, after which the data is compressed to a smaller data base including periodic slow interval samples and intermediate exceedance parameter samples which are stored in a major memory for later retrieval.

Abstract: A linear extension piezoelectric actuator comprises a displacement generator having a plurality of discrete groups of piezoelectric material segments disposed coaxially along the extension axis of the actuator, each group being energized separately by voltage excitation signals from an external source to provide a corresponding one of a plurality of extension increments which in summation provide the total range of extension along the extension axis.

Abstract: A synchro signal-to-digital signal converter for providing a digital signal representation of synchro angle value in response to sensed synchro signals representative of actual synchro stator voltage signals and actual synchro rotor voltage signals, includes an analog signal interface responsive to the sensed synchro signals for providing a digital signal representative of the ratio of the smaller of the difference signal magnitudes between each of two stator winding voltage signals and a third stator winding voltage signal selected as a reference, divided by the larger, and for providing discrete signal manifestations of the particular one of a plurality of successive ranges of synchro angle values associated with the sensed synchro signals received, the synchro to digital signal converter further including a signal processor responsive to the digital ratio signal and to the discrete signal manifestations of synchro angle range, for providing a signal representation of actual synchro angle value associated w

Abstract: Common seat group transducer BITE circuitry located within the seat group SEB is responsive to the audio signal output of each transducer driver amplifier, the transducer BITE circuitry sensing the peak-to-peak voltage amplitude of the output signal to determine the operability of each driver, and sensing the current amplitude and frequency of the output signal to determine the transducer operability.

Abstract: A universal tail pipe connector includes a three-way valve disposed on a hollow, cylindrical housing having inlet and outlet ports in spaced registration along the longitudinal axis of the housing, each having an internal diameter at least as large as the largest outside diameter tail pipe to which connection is required, the connector further including an annular, inflatable seal of elastomeric material disposed in an annular collar portion of the housing adjacent the inlet port, the seal being responsive to positive pressure and vacuum pressure signals provided through the three-way valve from external sources of each in dependence on selectable operation by an operator, for retracting inside the annular collar in response to the vacuum pressure signals to permit unobstructed penetration of the tail pipe through the inlet port into the housing, and for inflating in response to the positive pressure signals to provide a surface seal along the contour of the outside diameter of the enclosed tail pipe.

Abstract: A charge-mode signal conditioning interface includes a charge-mode signal multiplexer for providing a low impedance series path for the output charge signals from each charge source to the input of the common charge amplifier, one at a time in each sample time interval of a repetitive sequence of sample time intervals and non-sample time intervals for each source, and for providing a low impedance shunt path for each charge source in each non-sample interval.

Abstract: A plurality of fluid filled hoses sealed at one end are arranged in parallel in the wheel path and direction of travel of the vehicle, the hoses relatively spaced at a distance dependent on the tire tread width to ensure contact by each tire's footprint with at least two hoses, each hose is connected at the opposite end to an associated pressure transducer which provides sensed signal information of the actual fluid pressure in the hose at all times, whereby the sensed hose pressure signal information, in response to the applied vehicle load on the hoses provides a tire inflation pattern for the vehicle which may be compared with a reference pattern for normal inflation to determine adequate tire pressure.