Abstract: An escape slide for evacuating personnel from an aircraft or other elevated place where there is the possibility of damage to the slide from fire or abrasion during the deployment and evacuation process. A protective shield of flexible material having a metalized coating for reflecting heat is positioned over the underside of the inflated slide to protect the slide. The protective shield may be connected to the sides of the slide and be spaced from the bottom of the slide to provide an insulating air space. The protective shield may also be movable to a position over the slide when used as a life raft and serve as a canopy to protect passengers on the slide raft from the weather and sea.

Abstract: A helicopter deicing control system (10) is provided for selectively distributing D.C. electrical power to a plurality of deicing segments (80, 90) on main and tail rotor blades with only two slip-ring assemblies (60 and 61, 62 and 63) for each rotor drive shaft. A power distribution controller (20) receives electrical power from the helicopter's onboard, fixed electrical power system and provides an output signal including power and control D.C. electrical signals of opposite polarities. A distributor (70) receives the output signal from controller (20) and increments a rotary switch (74) upon receipt of a D.C. electrical control signal, and distributes power to the main rotor deicing segment (90) connected to the rotary switch (74) contact then engaged upon the receipt of a D.C. electrical power signal so as to sequentially deliver D.C. electrical power to the desired main rotor deicing segment.

Abstract: An inflatable device, such as an emergency evacuation slide device, is principally composed of rubberized fabric sheet material wherein at least portions of said sheet material is a two ply laminate. The outer or upper ply of this laminate comprises rubberized high strength aramid fabric while the inner or lower ply comprises rubberized nylon fabric. The plies are biased relative to each other such that the warp cords of the outer ply lie at an acute angle relative to the warp cords of the inner ply.

Abstract: A method for making a multi-chambered flotation bag for helicopters or the like comprises forming two outer panels and at least one internal panel to substantially identical contour from flat/rubberized fabric sheet, forming at least two internal transverse wall members formed from flat rubberized fabric sheet, disposing adhesion strips for tapes along selected areas adjacent the peripheries of selected panels and wall members, and adhering the panels and wall members together to form the flotation bag structure.

Abstract: A method for making a rotor for a caliper brake with a disc mounted on a cylindrical adaptor. The disc includes a coiled metal strip having a rectangular cross section with edge surfaces aligned to provide friction faces for engagement by friction lining carriers of the brake while decreasing the vibration and noise during braking. The ends of the coiled strip are welded to the disc and the overlapping surfaces of the coils are brazed together.

Abstract: A rotor for a caliper brake with a disc mounted on a cylindrical adaptor. The disc includes a coiled metal strip having a rectangular cross section with edge surfaces aligned to provide friction faces for engagement by friction lining carriers of the brake while decreasing the vibration and noise during braking.

Abstract: A valve assembly for use in inflating a chamber which comprises two independent subchambers separated by a flexible wall utilizes a single fluid inlet with a valve member controlling communication to the subchambers. The valve member comprises two pivotable portions which move downstream to split the inlet flow to fill each subchamber independently.

Abstract: An adaptive acceleration system for a vehicle anti-skid brake control system effectively adapts to the coefficient of friction between the road surface and tires of a vehicle to provide variable control of the reapplication of brake pressure during spin up or acceleration of the wheels, for example after a skid has occurred. The adaptive acceleration system determines the size of acceleration in a sufficiently short time to react in real time determining and reapplying the appropriate percentage of brake pressure then being requested by the vehicle driver.

Abstract: A liner member for rotary drum-type mills comprises a resilient portion of wear, abrasion and impact resistant elastomeric material with a rigid plastic portion bonded to each side thereof. The liner member is specially adapted for mills which employ spaced lifter bars along selected interior surface portions of the mill with the liner member fitted between the lifter bars such that the resilient portion of the liner is disposed to protect the walls of the mill from wear, abrasion and impact while the liner is held in position by the lifter bars which bear against the two rigid portions bonded to the sides of the resilient portion.

Abstract: A brake retractor assembly in which the automatic adjustment apparatus includes a slitted drag tube and a ball carried by an adjusting pin engageable with the tube. The ball is slightly larger than the inside diameter of the tube so that as the brake wears the ball is pulled through the tube causing progressive expansion of the tube and thereby providing the necessary adjustment for wear. Increased resistance to movement of the ball is created on the ends of the drag tube by a "V" notch with a disappearing taper, a flange, or a high friction inner surface of the tube.

Abstract: A raft supporting fall extends over a pulley at the end of a davit mounted on a platform. The fall hangs down from the pulley at a spaced-apart position from the edge of the platform. A recovery line in the form of a loop extends around the davit and over guides from the platform to a position near the pulley. The recovery line is connected to the fall by an extension line on the end of which is a fall retainer through which the fall passes. The fall is recovered by pulling the recovery line towards the platform with the fall having a predetermined portion hanging below the retainer so that as the fall is being pulled into the platform there is a sufficient amount of line to reach the platform.

Abstract: A caliper type disc brake has friction lining carriers which are retained by thrust plates. Each thrust plate is secured to the caliper housing by a pivot bolt and at least one cap screw. When the cap screw or screws of a thrust plate are removed, that thrust plate can be rotated about its associated pivot bolt, thereby permitting removal and replacement of its associated friction lining carrier or carriers without complete disconnection of the thrust plate from the caliper. The thrust plate can then be rotated back into position and resecured by cap screw or screws.

Abstract: An inflatable raft in the deflated condition is stowed in a container attached to a platform adjacent a launching davit. The raft has a girt releasably connected to the container for stabilizing the raft during inflation and loading. The edges of the platform are positioned adjacent the davit for further stabilization of the raft. A sequential release mechanism is interconnected with the girt connection to the container and the brake of the supporting cable for the raft to insure release of the girt connection before the raft is lowered and thereby avoid upsetting the raft.

Abstract: In an anti-skid brake control system for overriding manual operation of the brakes of a vehicle having plural wheels on each of plural tandem axles, the rotational speed characteristics of each of those wheels simultaneously are monitored on an axle by axle and individual basis. When the wheels on either axle encounter an incipient or actual skid or any wheel encounters a locked condition, the system dumps a percentage, from part to all, of the brake operating fluid pressure then being requested by the vehicle operator. Appreciating that each axle of a tandemly spaced pair of axles, including the load transfer characteristics on such axle, acts individually, the present invention provides a deceleration summing circuit to monitor the deceleration characteristics of the plural wheels on respective axles. Moreover, all of the plural wheels on the tandem axles are monitored by a single wheel lock detector circuit and a single low speed control circuit.

Abstract: A flexible, fabric reinforced, elastomeric bag is used to contain water for neutron shielding in nuclear reactor installations. The lower surface of the bag is provided with a series of anchoring strips to secure the bags in various installation locations where shielding is desirable. The anchoring strips are adapted to be peeled from the lower surface of the bag and to sever or slit the bag wall to quickly release the water contained in the bag, thereby preventing the bag from acting as a missile due to forces applied to the bag in the event of an explosion or accidental pipe break from beneath the bag.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire of the type comprising a carcass reinforced by radially extending cords, surmounted in the crown region by a substantially inextensible belt, reduces rim stress by virtue of having bias angle cord reinforcements in the lower sidewalls and the terminal portions of all radially extending carcass cords turned axially outwardly. Further reduction of rim stress by the tire is effected by employing a belt construction that resists bending.

Abstract: A monitor circuit coupled to an anti-skid brake control system or the like has as one function the energization of a warning lamp each time the system is powered-up and as a second function the energization of that lamp when a fault is detected in the system. The invention relates to improvements in such a monitor circuit, including a delay mechanism to preclude inadvertent energization of the warning lamp in response to electrical noise signals, for example, that are common in a vehicle, and a protective mechanism to prevent destruction of parts of the monitor circuit if the output terminals thereof coupled to the warning lamp are short circuited.

Abstract: In an anti-skid brake control system the rotational speed of a pair of wheels on a common axle of a vehicle is monitored. A NAND gate distinguishes the slower wheel and passes an electrical signal indicative of that wheel speed to deceleration, acceleration, and/or wheel lock detector circuits. A control mechanism initiates at least partial overriding of the vehicle brake system when the slower wheel deceleration or acceleration detected exceeds a predetermined amount or when a locked wheel condition is detected.

Abstract: A cell liner for an electrolytic cell which covers the base plate of the cell is adapted to provide an effective seal between the base plate and the cover of the cell. Around the perimeter of the liner extends a sealing device having two parallel ribs defining a channel for receiving an elongated elastomeric extrusion of circular cross-section. The extrusion is adapted to sealably contact the sealing rim of the top cover.

Abstract: An inboard type sensor for a vehicle anti-skid system is mounted adjacent a wheel assembly and disposed within an annular bored housing. The housing has situated therein a split tubular springlike sleeve which is adapted to exert a radially inward compressive force upon the sensor thus preventing the sensor from undesirable axial or rotational movement after the sensor is properly positioned. The sleeve is locked within the bushing to prevent its axial or rotational movement relative to the housing.