Abstract: A three wheel air cycle cooling machine has its fan positioned between its turbine and compressor on a common drive shaft, and utilizes pressurized turbine inlet air to lubricate the shaft's journal and thrust bearings.

Abstract: A turbine engine fuel measuring and control system which incorporates a fluidic density sensor which is unaffected by variations in the physical characteristics of the fuel supplied to the engine.

Abstract: A pressure regulator system for providing controlled reduction of fluid pressure from a relatively high pressure fluid source to a relatively low regulated fluid pressure output. The pressure regulator includes a pressure reduction regulator designed for stable flow under transonic conditions, and an improved solenoid valve assembly for switching the reduction regulator to an operational condition.

Abstract: A compact air cycle refrigeration system utilizes a three wheel air cycle cooling machine having a fan mounted between a turbine and compressor on a common drive shaft. The fan is positioned between two series-mounted heat exchangers mounted in a ram air duct and used to cool hot engine bleed air which drives the turbine.

Abstract: An annular, variable geometry combustor is provided with an actuation system operable to inversely vary air inflow to the combustor liner through axially spaced inlet openings formed therein.

Abstract: The spline-ended connecting shaft of an engine-accessory disconnect device has a radially outwardly projecting drive flange coaxially secured to an intermediate portion thereof. A housing captively retains the flange, permitting axial translation and rotation of the flange and shaft relative to the housing. A burst of compressed air injected into the housing is caused to exert sequentially opposite forces on the flange to rapidly initiate and terminate axial uncoupling motion of the shaft without imposing appreciable rigid impact force on the disconnect components. The shaft extends through openings in end walls of the housing so that it is freely rotatable and axially translatable relative to the housing without touching the surfaces of the housing openings.

Abstract: A three-axis navigational guidance system utilizes three specially designed internal jet-type fluidic angular rate sensors which simultaneously sense the rotational rate of a guided body relative to three mutually perpendicular control axes. Fluidic output signals from the sensors are converted to electrical signals which are used to maintain the body in a preselected attitude relative to each of the three axes. The sensors are rendered extremely accurate by means of unique calibration mechanisms associated therewith which compensate for or correct for fabricational inaccuracies in the sensors. The operation of the rate sensing portion of the guidance system is environmentally stabilized by a novel jet-control system which automatically maintains the Reynolds number of each sensor jet within a predetermined range to thereby substantially eliminate jet drift.

Abstract: A perforated foil bearing surface having dry lubricant reservoirs dispersed throughout and a method of producing such perforated foil bearing surfaces.

Abstract: An annular inlet stator vane assembly positioned upstream of the bypass and core flow passages of a turbofan jet engine is provided with energy-absorbing bendable vanes which are fixedly secured to an outer support shroud assembly and extended through slots in an inner shroud assembly. The inner ends of the vanes are releasably secured to the inner shroud by specially designed deformable retention clips which are welded to the inner vane ends and shroud. These features of the vane assembly cooperate to limit the circumferential extent of inlet vane damage caused by engine-ingested objects, and to help prevent damaged vane assembly structure from being drawn through the core passage of the engine or blocking such core passage.

Abstract: A pressure regulator system for providing controlled reduction of fluid pressure from a relatively high pressure fluid source to a relatively low regulated fluid pressure output. The pressure regulator system includes a pressure reduction regulator designed for stable flow under transonic conditions, and an improved solenoid valve assembly for switching the reduction regulator to an operational condition.

Abstract: A pressure-to-electric output system is used to convert the dual outlet pressure signals of a fluidic angular rate sensor to a pair of oscillating electrical signals whose relative frequency differential is very accurately indicative of the sensor outlet pressure differential. The sensor outlets are fluidically coupled to the control ports of the first amplifier in a cascaded series of fluidic proportional amplifiers. The outlet ports of the terminal amplifier are coupled to the inlet ports of a pair of fluidic oscillators. A pair of microphone type pressure-to-electric transducers are driven by the oscillators to produce the oscillating electrical signals.

Abstract: A fluidic system for stabilizing movement of a body subject to oscillation at its natural frequency, such as a tank-mounted gun, with appropriate circuitry and controls for notch filtering control output signals at the natural frequency.

Abstract: A vortex whistle silencing member is secured to the leading and trailing portions of a compressor intake articulated guide vane in such manner that the silencing member is held in a stationary position during pivotal motion of the trailing vane portion between its fully open and closed positions.

Abstract: A diametrically opposed pair of radially inwardly directed vortex-disturbing tabs are secured to a compressor intake assembly to eliminate vortex whistle therein.

Abstract: A specially designed method is used to apply a graphite fluoride (CFx)-polyimide binder dry lubricant coating to the rubbing contact surface of a foil element used in a high speed gas foil bearing.

Abstract: A disconnect member is spline-connected to one end of the connecting drive shaft of an engine and a driven accessory, and is axially translatable into and out of coupling engagement with the engine. The disconnect member has a spiraled, axially ramped cam surface formed thereon which cooperates with a rotatable cam follower selectively movable into engagement therewith to axially drive the rotating disconnect member relative to the cam follower, thereby uncoupling the engine from its driven accessory. When the cam follower is disengaged from the cam surface, a reset spring automatically recouples the disconnect member to the engine.

Abstract: A turbine engine accessory power unit has a compressor bleed air control system in which a surge bleed valve is proportionally and integrally controlled to maintain a constant minimum compressor bleed flow rate slightly above the compressor's surge flow rate. The system control parameter is automatically reset as a function of the position of the compressor's adjustable inlet guide vanes to assure optimum control system performance throughout the air delivery range of the compressor.

Abstract: A turbine engine accessory power unit has a compressor bleed air control system in which a surge bleed valve is proportionally and integrally controlled to maintain a constant minimum compressor bleed flow rate slightly above the compressor's surge flow rate. The system control parameter is automatically reset as a function of the position of the compressor's adjustable inlet guide vanes to assure optimum control system performance throughout the air delivery range of the compressor.