Abstract: A method of making a foam-filled tire wherein a resilient elastomeric foam is formed and cured within a tire carcass while the carcass interior is at super-atmospheric pressure. Such superatmospheric pressure is believed to support the cell walls against internally generated gas (blowing) pressures, thereby stabilizing the cells at higher than usual internal cell pressure. The foaming operation is carried out so that the foam only partially fills the carcass interior. After the elastomeric foam has been cured the tire carcass interior is depressurized down to the pressure to be used in service. During the depressurization process the internal cell pressures cause the cells to expand and further fill the tire interior space. The depressurization processis carried out after the elastomeric foam has been cured, i.e. when the cell walls have attained their full potential strength.

Abstract: A pneumatic power assist mechanism for supporting heavy truck tires during nstallation on or removal from a truck or similar vehicle. The mechanism comprises an inflatable pillow that can be pressurized to slightly elevate a tire cradle means to a position in which the tire weight is transferred from the vehicle axle to the cradle means. The cradle means is slidably guided for transporting the cradled tire laterally toward or away from the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment the cradle means consists of two rollers that are oriented to permit rotation of the heavy tire about its axis, as for example when it is necessary to align holes in the wheel with studs projecting from the axle.

Abstract: In a cylinder compression test apparatus for a spark ignition engine, imped means for generating an electrical pulse representing the fire period for a selected cylinder. The mechanism is useful during engine compression test for correlating each measured waveform with the cylinder that produced that particular waveform.

Abstract: An improved lock washer locatable between the head of a fastener bolt and e work being fastened. The lock washer includes a retractable blade having a "hinged" connection with the main plate area of the washer. During thread-in operations the blade assumes a non-obstruct position. When the bolt is torqued to its seated position the blade is engaged with a shoulder formed on the head of the bolt, thereby positively obstructing the bolt from unthreading movement. If it should be necessary to unthread the bolt the blade can be manually pried or forced to a non-obstructing position. The blade has a positive lock action that does not depend on frictional forces.

Abstract: Mechanism for removing containerized freight from a beached watercraft and ransporting same to a waiting tractor-trailer located on firm terrain. The mechanism is designed to transport heavy freight containers across muddy or loose sandy terrain without allowing the containers to sink or otherwise become bogged down in the terrain. Principal application is in military battlefield operations wherein it might sometimes be required to deliver containerized freight from large ships dispersed offshore to overland transport vehicals without the aid or necessity of sophisticated cranes and dock facilities.

Abstract: A shatter resistant armor-piercing military projectile is disclosed. The struction comprises a plurality of high strength metallic lamellae interconnected with a high ductility alloy selected to provide an impact energy management system capable of maintaining the projectile's structural integrity during adverse operating conditions, such as oblique impact on spaced or solid armor targets.

Abstract: A variable speed ratio transmission wherein conventional pneumatic tires caused to orbit around an annular track to transmit motive forces from the input mechanism to the output mechanism. The tire planes are adjustable relative to the track plane to provide varying roll-skid engagement relationships, and different speed ratios.

Abstract: An anti-friction bearing wherein the anti-friction balls or rollers are sed different distances from one another to provide an increased number of loading patterns and a reduced frequency of any particular loading pattern.

Abstract: A rear view mirror for an automotive vehicle, wherein the light-reflective surface is interrupted by at least one transparent segmental surface area, whereby the driver is enabled to directly view terrain that would otherwise be obstructed by the mirror. The transparent surface areas are preferably spaced on centers by a distance which has a relationship to an average driver's interpupillary distance so that the driver can simultaneously view the light-reflective surface and transparent surface.

Abstract: A manual controller for tripping or actuating switches used to energize j motors associated with a vehicle-raising or lowering mechanism, e.g a missile launch trailer or mobile home. The controller uses the "joy stick" principle, wherein the human operator moves an upstanding control rod or stick in any one of four directions to actuate selected ones of the switches. In fact the controller comprises two independently-movable joy sticks; one joy stick controls the "vehicle-raise" action, and the other joy stick controls the "vehicle-lower" action.

Abstract: It is known to equip military vehicles with acutely angled louvers or slats ounted outboard of the vehicle walls to intercept enemy projectiles before such projectiles reach the vehicle; the louvers are desirably formed of hardened material to exert a fragmentization force on the projectiles. Under the present invention the louvers are specially connected and mounted to reduce weight without sacrificing ballistic effectiveness.

Abstract: A method for determining the rotational moment of inertia of an engine, crising the steps of carrying out engine deceleration tests, first with the engine unloaded and later with the engine sufficiently loaded to provide a recordable difference in deceleration rate (or elapsed time). Moment of inertia is determined as the numerical value of the added load divided by the difference in deceleration rates, before and after the load is applied.

Abstract: A vane type fluid power machine wherein each vane has a cyclically varying rotational velocity, whereby the compartments formed between adjacent vanes are caused to sequentially expand and contract to produce pump or motor action. Cyclical vane speed changes are produced by unique crank-rotor assemblies associated with each vane unit.

Abstract: A variable rate vehicle suspension comprising a torsion bar having one end anchored to a road arm and the other end anchored to the vehicle sprung mass. Additional anchorage elements are located at spaced points along the torsion bar length. Power actuators selectively move the additional anchorage elements into operative connections with the torsion bar in accordance with the expected load to be carried by the vehicle.

Abstract: An engine air cleaner comprising a flow tube approximately one and one half nch in diameter for conveying dust-laden air at a rate of approximately 40 c.f.m. Swirl means in the mouth of the tube produces outward migration of the dust particles in the air stream; an ionizer wire within the tube produces ions which charge the particles to accelerate the outward migration tendencies, especially of the sub-5-micron particles. Concentrated dust is removed from the peripheral area near the tube wall by a scavenger air flow that is approximately 10% of the total flow. The tube wall may be kept relatively clean by means of a special dielectric layer on the tube inner surface.

Abstract: Direct current circuitry for sequentially energizing two or more motors or ther load devices, using capacitive discharge to latch in a relay for each load device. During one stage of operation a relatively small voltage is impressed on one lead of a capacitor whose other lead is grounded; a charge is thereby developed in the capacitor. Subsequently a relatively large voltage is impressed on the other lead of the capacitor to direct the charge into the coil of the relay, thereby effecting a relay latching action. The capacitor thereafter isolates the latching circuit from a de-latching circuit; the de-latching circuit is part of a latching circuit for a second relay used to energize a second load device. The invention is particularly useful in sequentially operating electric motors used in self-cleaning engine air cleaners.

Abstract: A miniature centrifugal separator for use in an engine air cleaner. Two cn air take-off tubes are coaxially aligned in the main flow tube for successively removing selected fractions of the outer annular portion of the swirling gas stream. The clean air tubes are spaced pre-selected distances downstream from the swirl means such that entrained dust particles are enabled to complete approximately one swirl revolution prior to encountering each take-off tube. The invention seeks to accomplish a relatively high collection efficiency with a relatively short flow tube.

Abstract: A worm-wheel assembly wherein anti-friction balls are recirculated through elical grooves in the worm to increase the efficiency of the driving operation. This driving system is believed to have the advantages of good distribution of load forces, smooth and silent operation, very great speed reduction, high force transmission efficiency, and long service life.

Abstract: A circuit for detecting peaks in a time-variant signal, comprising a track-hold unit having a first mode for tracking the time-variant signal, and a second mode for storing instantaneous peak values. The track-hold unit is controlled by a comparator which samples the time-variant signal and stored peak; logic output of the comparator is applied to the track-hold unit to direct it into its first or second modes in accordance with the relative values of the sampled signals.

Abstract: A cable winch control having means for sensing the magnitude of the load in elation to the torque being delivered by the power means to the winding drum. The sensed signal is fed back to a manual controller for the drum winding means, to alert the operator to dangerous load situations that could damage the equipment or break the cable. The feedback signal exerts a restraining force on the controller opposing movement thereof, from a neutral "low-load" position to either the "wind-in" or "wind-out" condition. Therefore, the feedback signal has a fail-safe characteristic that prevents runaway movement of the controller in either direction.