Abstract: In order to provide timely aircraft performance data from an aircraft flight data recorder in a useful format, a flight data display system is provided: with a data storage unit; an interface circuit for reformatting flight data from the flight data recorder; a central processor for converting selected portions of the reformatted data into engineering units and storing the converted data into the storage unit; and a video display unit including a keyboard for selecting the desired portions of the reformatted flight data for display on the video display unit. The video display unit provides for the multicolor display of flight data in either graphical form or in a cockpit instrument form on a cathode ray tube.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring inertial specific force and angular rate of moving body by means of a plurality of accelerometers mounted on mutually perpendicular axes, each accelerometer being mounted for vibratory movement along its respective axis. The apparatus further includes a drive for vibrating each accelerometer to produce output signals and a signal processor for deriving from the accelerometer output signals the specific force and angular rate for the respective axes. Enhanced performance is achieved by utilizing pairs of accelerometers vibrating along each axis combined with a preseparation circuit that separates the components of the accelerometer output signal having specific force information from components having angular rate information.

Abstract: A material finishing line including a essentially linear array of work stations is disclosed. A stationary support beam extends over the work stations and substatially encloses a transmission, and supports at least one crane body and a drive means to selectively propel the crane body along the support beam. The crane body is an assembly of components arranged to raise workpieces from the work stations towards the support beam. A `U` shaped cart supports lift means to provide power to raise a lift arm and supports the lift arm and a lift arm guide. The vertical extensions of the support beam and of the cart are reduced and nearly overlap, and the vertical extension of the lift arm may be lifted into substantially overlapping relationship with the vertical extension of the cart.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine is described which allows the engine to be started and stopped while unloaded. The invention incorporates the mechanical linkage operated by a solenoid to control a valve at the interior of the engine and an electronic circuit incorporating one or more time delay relays. The invention provides a means of reducing or eliminating the source of vibration resulting from the starting and stopping of a single cylinder diesel engine. Several embodiments are described including one incorporating an integrated circuit timer and one incorporating two time delay relays.

Abstract: A rotary floor maintenance device having, a motor support base with at least one central aperture, an electric motor having a shaft perpendicular to the motor base through the aperture, and a motor adapter directly coupled to the motor shaft for rotation therewith. The motor adapter has a generally annular flange area and central aperature for receiving the motor shaft. A rotary floor engaging tool has at least one aperture adapted to receive the flange of the motor adapter, to be rotated therewith. The motor support base contains notches along the inner periphery of the central aperture for draining accumulated liquids. Also disclosed is a safety interlock switch to prevent inadvertant operation of the machine.

Abstract: A voltage regulator is described adapted for use controlling the output of an AC generator. A voltage control field-winding excitation control circuit supplies direct current to the generator field in response to a driver. The driver, in turn, is operated in response to a switching regulator. A frequency sensing means generates a voltage proportional to the frequency of the generator. This frequency sensitive voltage is combined with a reference voltage to drive an asynchronous switching regulator. The switching regulator produces a train of output voltage control signals to operate the driver. Preferably power MOSFETs are used to control the flow of current to the generator field. Loss of voltage and high current protection features are included.

Abstract: A high-current shunt is disclosed for carrying current between relatively fixed and movable terminals in a mechanism for controlling the transfer of electrical energy. In one embodiment a plurality of generally oval, flexible, ribbon-like electrical conductors are used to bridge the gap between two spaced apart coaxial base members. Each ribbon-like conductor is suspended between the two base elements so as to have a generally U-shaped configuration. By connecting the conductors to each base element at a single point, the two base elements may be rotated relative to each other to a limited degree. Stacking and nesting of the ribbon conductors increases the current carrying capability. Good electrical contact is established within a relatively small volume and relatively little force is required to rotate the two elements relative to each other.

Abstract: The power theft detector circuit (10, 110 and 210) detects when current is being diverted around a line conductor (20 or 220) passing through a meter housing (14 or 214). The circuit (10, 110 or 210) includes a current transformer (12, 112 or 212) coupled to the line conductor (20 or 220) within the meter and defines a primary winding (20 or 220) of the current transformer (12, 112 or 212). A secondary circuit (23, 123 or 224) includes a secondary winding (22, 122 or 226) of the transformer (12, 112 or 212) and sensing circuitry (24, R.sub.m, R.sub.1, and S; 124, R.sub.m, R.sub.1, S and 126; 232, R.sub.m, and 240) for sensing a change in the impedance reflected from the primary circuit into the secondary circuit (23, 123 or 224) when a low impedance jumper (26, 260) is connected in parallel with the line conductor (20 or 220) in the meter thereby to sense a power theft condition.

Abstract: A liquid propane gas fuel system includes a propane fuel tank. A two stage pressure regulator defined by a housing with a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet is also included. A first fuel conduit extends from an outlet in the fuel tank to the fuel inlet in the pressure regulator. The system supplies fuel to an engine that includes an exhaust gas manifold. A thermoconductive mounting bracket is secured to the housing of the pressure regulator and manifold to transmit heat from the manifold to the regulator in proportion to the load imposed on the engine. A chokeless carburetor is also included in the system and is in fluid communication through a second fuel conduit with the outlet of the pressure regulator. In an alternative embodiment, a heat exchanger is included in the first fuel conduit. In a second alternative embodiment, an electric heating element is positioned within the housing of the pressure regulator.

Abstract: A unique self-flow generating gas interrupter of the type wherein arc-extinction is performed by the creation of a negative pressure region brought about by the separation of the interrupter contacts. The interrupter incorporates a novel arrangement of valves so as to optimize the performance of the interrupter over the broad range of interrupting currents. In one embodiment a check valve is used to supply gas from the exterior of the interrupter casing and into the arcing chamber in response to the pressure within the arcing chamber decreasing or falling below a pre-selected value. In this manner, less force is required to operate the interrupter when low-currents are encountered. In another embdiment a relief valve is used to release the pressure developed in the arcing chamber in the event that a large interrupting current is encountered. Still another embodiment incorporates both the check valve and the relief valve.

Abstract: A temperature and voltage compensated time delay relay includes first and second bimetallic, contact carrying elements chosen to deflect in a similar manner in accordance with variations in ambient temperature for maintaining the contact gap therebetween substantially constant despite ambient temperature changes. A heater coil is wrapped about a first one of the elements (active element) for controlling the deflection thereof toward the second element (stationary element) for closing the contacts of the elements in a predetermined time period. An automotive flasher circuit having normally closed contacts and a flashing rate "on" time which varies inversely proportionally with an increase in supply voltage, is coupled electrically between the supply voltage and bimetallic element heating coil to control and keep relatively constant the rate of heat rise in the active bimetallic element and thus to maintain the time delay period of the relay relatively constant.

Abstract: A disconnect switch is disclosed having a puffer interrupter electrically connected with and operated by a knife switch or fused disconnect switch. A puffer interrupter includes a divided pressure chamber having at least one exterior wall which is flexible and responsive to the pressure therein. A fixed tubular electrical contact is carried by a fixed interior wall within the puffer interrupter housing so as to establish flow communication through the fixed interior wall. A floating electrical contact is carried by the flexible wall and is adapted to engage and disengage from the fixed electrical contact in response to movement of the flexible wall. A snap spring biases the floating contact away from the fixed contact during arc interruption.

Abstract: An elongated fuse housing includes a fusible wire longitudinally extended and coaxially mounted within a housing having end terminals. A spring indicator unit is secured to one end and includes a relatively large diameter loosely wound section forming a helical compression spring in combination with an integral, coaxial and tightly wound elongated indicator coil which extends axially of the spring. The spring/indicator unit is located within the housing with the coil spring held compressed by the fusible wire. The one end terminal includes an opening aligned with the wire-wound indicator coil. Disruption of the fusible wire releases the coil spring which expands within the housing to rapidly separate the fuse wire and simultaneously move the elongated wire-wound indicator coil through the opening, thereby indicating operation of the fuse.

Abstract: A valve seal for a butterfly valve comprises a U-shaped annular seating member disposed in an annular slot in the valve body and a retaining ring for holding the seating member in place. The seating member cross-section comprises two legs and a bight portion connecting them. A first one of the legs is captured between the retaining ring and valve body to hold the seating member in the slot and enable limited rotational movement of the seating member. A radially inwardly projecting extension on the bight terminates in an annular sealing surface that cooperates with the valve disc. The seating member divides the slot into first and second axial sides in fluid pressure communication with the valve chamber. The seal also comprises an annular open-helical back-up member disposed in an annular cavity formed in the slot by the legs and bight portion of the seating member. The annular cavity is in fluid pressure communication with the second axial side of the slot.

Abstract: A floor treating machine adapted to operate as a floor scrubber and a floor polisher or buffer includes a main housing or support frame structure from which extends a brush housing assembly. The main housing contains a combined solution and recovery tank, a motive device to power the floor treating machine, a propulsion system to propel the floor treating machine along the floor, a pneumatic power system, a squeegee subassembly and electrical and pneumatic control systems therefor. The brush housing assembly is operatively connected to the main housing by a brush lifting mechanism such that two brushes selectively rotating in opposite directions in the brush housing assembly can be lifted away from the floor or moved toward the floor so that the brushes exert the correct amount of pressure against the floor depending on the job being done.

Abstract: A pneumatic positioner with a casing composed of a shell-like bottom part and a shell-like cover part. A membrane plate, is connected through a gas-tight membrane with the side walls of the casing so as to be movable back and forth in the casing in the direction of a drive spindle which is disposed in sealing relationship through the bottom part of the casing. In the bottom part and/or in the cover part, there are arranged one or more gas-conducting connecting pieces. In the casing there are arranged coil springs for producing biasing or restoring forces. These springs abut, on the one hand, the membrane plate and, on the other hand, the bottom part or cover part. On the membrane plate of one embodiment there is provided for each coil spring at least two supporting surfaces which present different spacings from a plane perpendicular to the direction of motion of the drive spindle and upon which the coil springs are replaceably disposed.

Abstract: A wound core transformer is described which features low core losses by the addition of magnetic material in those sides of the wound core which are located outside of the coil. In one embodiment the wound core includes: a base-core is formed from two strips of magnetic material of generally uniform thickness and wrapped about each other in the form of a closed rectangular loop with the ends of each strip offset from each other and the ends of the adjacent strip; and a filler strip of magnetic material which is interleafed between the two strips forming the base-core with its base disposed adjacent the ends of the strips forming the base-core. An electrical conductor is disposed opposite the filler strip and wrapped about the two strips forming the base core so as to form a coil. Under this arrangement, the magnetic induction formed in that side of core containing the base portion of the filler strip is lower than that side of the core around which the coil is wrapped.

Abstract: A three part split shaft seal assembly is disclosed which is particularly adapted for use in an overhung steam turbine. In one embodiment the assembly is located between the shaft opening of the turbine case and a horizontally split shaft bearing case. To facilitate axial insertion and removal of the assembly, the seal assembly is formed from three pairs of split ring seals. Proper axial alignment is maintained by stand-offs or dowel pins located between two of the split ring seals. In one embodiment a snap ring received within an annular groove in the turbine housing holds two of the seal rings against axial movement. In that embodiment set screws carried in one ring seal are used to seat and align two ring seals of the assembly relative to the turbine casing. A pin holds two of the ring seals against relative rotational movement. In another embodiment, a split spacer ring is used to maintain correct spacing and the third seal is used to position and hold the other two seals axially aligned to each other.

Abstract: A transducer for converting an electrical current signal to a pneumatic pressure. A solid state element such as piezo-electric flapper element 48 is used to vary the pressure drop through a nozzle 46 to provide a controlled pressure supply 28. A micro-power electronic circuit 59 controls the flapper. A solid state pressure sensor 24 detects the output pressure and provides a feedback signal for use in a negative feedback loop to control the flapper element. The flapper element may be triangularly shaped to reduce its responsiveness to relatively low frequency mechanical vibrations. In a exemplary embodiment, where intrinsic safety requirements limit terminal voltages, the flapper element is driven by a transconductance amplifier 94 which is powered through a shunt regulator 82 and a voltage tripler 92. The shunt regulator provides operating potentials which are derived from the signal current.