Abstract: A vibrating fiber optic display unit is provided for use as an aircraft pilot display unit and for overcoming the problem of manually adjusting the display unit due to temperature changes. The display unit has a fiber optic ribbon having a plurality of fibers which form a display pattern at the free ends of the fibers during vibration of the fiber optic ribbon. The ribbon has light emitting diodes for the fibers. A microprocessor provides signals to the diodes for forming light dots in the display pattern. A piezo film transducer is mounted on the ribbon. Drive means vibrates the ribbon. An optocoupler has a shutter portion mounted on the ribbon. A ribbon oscillator network receives signals from the optocoupler and from the piezo film transducer and provides signal to the drive means, whereby the ribbon is vibrated at its natural frequency, and whereby the drive means automatically adjusts to changes in the ribbon natural frequency due to temperature change.

Abstract: A gyroscope mounting structure for use in a spacecraft attitude control system has ten control moment gyroscopes. The structure has a truss for supporting the gyroscopes. The truss has an axis of symmetry. Five front gyroscopes are axially spaced from five rear gyroscopes along the axis of symmetry. The front gyroscopes and the rear gyroscopes are peripherally spaced about the axis of symmetry at equal angular spacings. Each gyroscope has a gimbal axis which is disposed at substantially the same acute angle to the axis of symmetry. Each gimbal axis is disposed parallel to an adjacent reference line which passes through a common intersection point on the axis of symmetry. The truss has a front frame, a rear frame and chords connecting the frames. The truss has five front struts interspaced between the five front gyroscopes for support thereof. The truss also has five rear struts interspaced between the five rear gyroscopes for support thereof.

Abstract: A two axis, monolithic suspension assembly for a gyroscope using cross flexure pivots and having an integral driving element which is rotatable about an axis of rotation, wherein the driving element is connected to a driven element by a suspension means, which comprises an upper gimbal, an intermediate gimbal and a lower gimbal. The lower gimbal is fixedly connected to the driving element and the upper gimbal is fixedly connected to the driven element. Each of the upper gimbal and lower gimbal have two cross flexure pivots, which connect to the intermediate gimbal. The cross flexure pivot consists of two diagonal flexure strips which represent an increase in the radial stiffness and a reduction in the radial compliance, from those required in prior art devices.

Abstract: A flight instrument flag annunciator has a motor, a flag mechanism having a flag shutter driven by the motor, a tension spring for rotating the flag shutter in a counterclockwise direction, a drive cord connected to the motor for rotating the flag shutter in a clockwise direction, support members for supporting the motor and the flag mechanism, and guide members for guiding the drive cord between the motor and the flag mechanism.

Abstract: A magnetic particle clutch is provided for use as a clutch or brake. The clutch is particularly useful in a helicopter steering subassembly. The clutch has an inner rotor and an outer drum with a common axis. The inner rotor has a shaft on which the outer drum is journaled. Between the inner rotor and the outer drum is a cylindrical working cavity, which contains magnetic powder. The outer drum has a peripheral coil and has exterior slip rings for actuating the coil. Axial flux lines caused by the actuated coil pass through the magnetic powder, causing a chain-like linking of particles of powder, which results in a shear force and torque between outer drum and inner rotor. In order to prevent shifting of the powder within the cylindrical cavity during tilting of the clutch, a series of conical and radial cavities are disposed at each end of the cylindrical cavity and connecting thereto. The conical and radial cavities at each end act like powder guides.

Abstract: A ball bearing includes an outer ring having a rotation axis and an inner ring, which rotates relative to the outer ring, and a plurality of bearing balls disposed between the outer ring and the inner ring. A plurality of rollers are peripherally disposed between the bearing balls and are radially disposed between the outer ring and the inner ring. First and second axially spaced tracks are disposed on opposite sides of the bearing balls for supporting the rollers. First and second plates, which support the first and second tracks, are connected to and supported by the inner ring. The bearing balls and roller portions have respective radial dimensions, and the outer ring and inner ring and roller tracks have respective radial dimensions. Such radial dimensions can be specified using given formulas, in order to provide substantially pure rolling friction, without any sliding friciton.

Abstract: A power and signal transfer unit has a stator assembly and a rotor assembly for a control moment gyroscope and for overcoming the problem of electrical noise in a slip ring by using a slip ring having a flexible cable. A stator assembly has a frame member and having a plurality of brushes. A rotor assembly includes a rotor member, and includes a flexible cable having a plurality of conductors, each conductor being connected at an inner terminal to the rotor member and being connected at an outer terminal, and includes a slip ring member rotatably supported by the frame member for rotation relative to the frame member and having a plurality of conductive portions, each conductive portion being respectively connected to an outer terminal and being in contact with on of the brushes.

Abstract: A passive cooled electronic chassis is used in a computer unit, or a display unit, or an actuator unit, or a like unit. The chassis overcomes the problem of the prior art chassis which has an active cooling system with parts that were difficult to operate, maintain and repair. The passive cooled electronic chassis includes an aluminum core member which has an electrical insulator sheet, a printed wiring board which bears against the electrical insulator sheet and which has a set of electrical components that are wired to the board, a housing which has a center wall that has recesses having potting material for receiving and embedding respective electrical components. The chassis provides a first heat flow path from such component through the printed circuit board and electrical insulator sheet and core member and center wall to exterior fins. The chassis also provides a second heat flow path from such component through the potting material and the center wall to the exterior fins.

Abstract: A controlled replenishing lubrication system provides a desired supply of oil to a rolling element bearing by monitoring the changes in the rolling element ball retainer to shaft speed ratio. This ratio is a function of elastohydrodynamic oil film thickness between elements of the bearing. Changes in the speed ratio are monitored by a sensor and fed to a control system which commands a pump to inject oil into the bearing when the speed ratio varies from a predetermined limit. The rolling elements are moveably mounted for rotation within a retainer or cage in a bearing housing. The retainer includes a light reflective indicia. A shaft is rotatably connected to rotate the retainer and the rolling elements. The shaft also includes a light reflective indicia. The sensor is mounted on or adjacent the bearing for simultaneously emitting light toward the retainer and shaft indicia for sensing variations in reflection of the light therefrom and for generating pulses to the control system responsive to the variations.