Abstract: An underwater vehicle such as a torpedo has a jet pump propulsion system. A high speed pump is located inside a rigid cylindrical housing of the torpedo near an end thereof. A water inlet communicates with the pump as does a water outlet provided at the aft end of the rigid housing via a water passage. A high speed electrical motor, on the order of 10,000 rpm, is provided inside an inner cylindrical housing disposed within the outer cylindrical housing. The electric motor is provided aft of the pump and the electric motor shaft is directly coupled to the pump rotor. Only one bearing and one water seal is provided between the electric motor and pump rotor. A water exit passage is provided between the inner cylindrical housing containing the high speed motor and the rigid outer cylindrical housing. Water passing through the exit passage cools the electric motor by dissipating heat therefrom.

Abstract: A radiator assembly for use in a motor vehicle, comprising a frame attached to a chassis of a motor vehicle and a radiator disposed within the frame. The radiator includes a core and first and second lateral end portions attached to opposite ends of the core. The first lateral end portion is rigidly mounted to the frame so as to position the radiator relative to the frame, while the second lateral end portion is resiliently mounted to the frame so as to accommodate lateral thermal growth of the radiator relative to the frame. The second lateral end portion is resiliently mounted to the frame by coupling a pair of vertically spaced spring members, each comprising a leaf spring, to the second lateral end portion and to the frame. A pair of multi-pronged mount brackets are attached to the frame, with each of the leaf springs having a first end attached to one of the brackets and a second end attached to the second lateral end portion of the radiator.

Abstract: Non-destructive evaluation of a ceramic nozzle is accomplished by generating a thermal gradient across the nozzle while it is mounted in a test rig. The thermal gradient is then measured and compared to a preselected gradient that is representative of the harshest condition to which the nozzle will be exposed during its operating life. The thermal gradient is adjusted until it approximates the preselected gradient. The nozzle is then observed for any cracks which reveal a weakness in the ceramic.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for a fault tolerant variable speed induction motor provides a pair of current (torque and flux) command signals. The current command signals are converted to a three-phase output with sinusoidally varying signals. The three-phase output is modified to enable the motor to operate in the event one of the motor phases is open or disconnected. The modified three-phase output is used to provide first, second and third gate logic signals which are used for driving the motor.

Abstract: A cooling system sub-assembly for use in a motor vehicle comprising a charge air cooler mounted to a support structure attached to a chassis of the motor vehicle and a condenser mounted to the charge air cooler so as to accommodate at least differential thermal growth between the condenser and the charge air cooler and so as to dispose the condenser in series flow relationship with the charge air cooler. A first lateral end of the condenser is fixed relative to the charge air cooler, while a pair of generally horizontally extending pins are connected to the other lateral end of the condenser and slidingly engage compressible grommet assemblies disposed within holes formed in each of a pair of vertically spaced mount brackets attached to the charge air cooler. Alternatively, a pair of vertically spaced mount flanges may be cast as an integral unit with one of the end manifolds of the charge air cooler, with each of the flanges receiving one of the condenser pins.

Abstract: A rugged MOS output stage transistor having a third region formed adjacent to the drain region on the side opposite the source. The third region is doped to have a polarity opposite the drain and forms in combination with the drain an output protect diode which renders the transistor relatively free of latch-up. The concept of the third region of opposite polarity adjacent to the drain may be used in both NMOSFET and PMOSFET as well as CMOS output stages.

Abstract: A method for removing clutter related frequency components from power spectrums generated from weather radar return signals to provide improved windshear detection capability. Weather radar return signals are synchronously detected and digitized to provide i and q time domain sample sequences. The i and q time domain sample sequences are passed through a window function and then transformed to frequency domain sequences by a Fast Fourier Transform. A power spectrum is generated from the frequency domain sequences. The spectrum is subjected to a Spectral Gaussian Envelope Discrimination (SGED) process in which the spectral envelope is scanned to identify any lobe therein having a slope greater than a predetermined minimum. A first pseudo-Gaussian sigma, calculated from the width and maximum amplitude of any such lobe, is compared with a second pseudo-Gaussian sigma, calculated from known conditions.

Abstract: A thrust-vectoring actuation system for a rocket nozzle is provided with a force sensor to enable detection of transient loads during startup and shutdown of a rocket engine. A motor responds to transient loads in excess of a predetermined threshold to drive the rocket nozzle in a direction of compliance with the transient loads.

Abstract: A hybrid servomechanism includes a speed control, a rotor position control and a brushless motor. When enabled, the position control commands a stationary stator mmf vector, allowing the motor's rotor to rotate until load torque and motor torque are balanced. This position control eliminates limit cycle operation and allows the motor to compensate for backdriving caused by external loads.

Abstract: A bi-directional foil thrust bearing for use in a variety of turbomachinery devices and disposed between rotating and stationary members of the turbomachine. The thrust bearing comprises annular bearing stiffener, spring cluster, and follower spring disks, with each disk disposed coaxially about a centerline axis of the device. A plurality of generally trapezoidal foils are attached to the bearing stiffener disk and an equal number of generally trapezoidal spring sets are attached to the spring cluster disk. The bearing stiffener and spring cluster disks are configured to permit a predetermined rotation of the disks relative to one another such that each spring set is aligned with a trailing portion of a corresponding foil, regardless of the direction of rotation of the rotatable member of the device. Accordingly, conformity is provided between the bearing stiffness profile and the film pressure profile developed during the operation of the device.

Abstract: An underwater sonar projector includes a one piece hollow shell of elliptical cross section having a number of transducer stacks positioned within the shell and compressively prestressed by the shell to vibrate along the major axis thereof which causes the broad surfaces between the small radius ends to vibrate in and out. To resist large external shocks the shell is made somewhat heavier than usual, a center support member or beam is placed along the minor axis of the shell and an adjustable support rod is carried in the beam which is adjusted to a length just sufficient to clear the vibrating surfaces of the projector in normal operation but which functions to limit the inward movement of the shell if exposed to an explosion. The transducer stacks include a number of columns of piezoelectric disks on each side of the support beam which are bonded together, each stack having a tail member fastened to said center support beam and a head member between the disks and the end of the shell.

Abstract: A passive disconnection mechanism for use in a multiple-motor actuation system. The mechanism disengages a failed motor from the remainder of the system to preserve system operability.

Abstract: A pneumatic actuator for controlling the wastegate valve of an exhaust gas driven turbocharger includes a pilot piston which is responsive to boost pressure to open only when a desired boost pressure is attained. Accordingly, premature opening of the wastegate valve is avoided because the main actuator piston is maintained at atmospheric pressure until the desired actuating pressure is attained.

Abstract: A cover is affixed to a turbine housing on the downstream side of a turbine wheel rotating assembly to reduce a pumping loss inherently caused by a pressure gradient created by the turbine wheel blades when the turbine wheel rotates. A portion of an annular area on the exit face of the turbine wheel is left open for gas flow out of the blades being fed by the turbine nozzle or nozzles, with the remaining annular portion being covered with a close axial clearance with the turbine wheel rotating assembly to reduce the pumping loss.

Abstract: A turboprop engine has in flow series arrangement a crescent shaped inlet, an annular plenum, a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine. The plenum is defined by inner and outer annular walls. A support member referred to as a "boat tail" extends between the walls and is circumferentially positioned 180 degrees from the inlet. A strake extends downstream from the support member and is angled in a direction opposite the rotational direction of the compressor. Thus air entering the engine with either positive or negative swirl is forced to enter the impeller with negative swirl.

Abstract: A launching device with a work-controlled gas generator employs a dampening piston in combination with an accumulator volume to provide substantially uniform acceleration of a launching piston.

Abstract: An ac motor controller is operated by a modified time-switching scheme where the switches of the inverter are "on" for electrical-phase-and-rotation intervals of 180.degree. as opposed to the conventional 120.degree.. The motor is provided with three-phase drive windings, a power inverter for power supplied from a dc power source consisting of six switches, and a motor controller which controls the current controlled switches in voltage-fed mode. During full power, each switch is gated continuously for three successive intervals of 60.degree. and modulated for only one of said intervals. Thus, during each 60.degree. interval, the two switches with like signs are "on" continuously and the switch with the opposite sign is modulated.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stacking assembly is formed of a stack of fuel cell assemblies, manifolds to introduce the reactants to the fuel cell and carry away reaction products and unused reactants, and current collectors at the ends of the stack of assemblies. Each fuel cell assembly is formed of at least two fuel cell subassemblies and an interconnect subassembly disposed between each pair of fuel cell subassemblies. The current collectors at the ends of the stack are preferably in the form of terminal subassemblies. Each subassembly includes a manifold plate, an annular plate-type bellows sealed to a through-plate opening in the manifold plate, and a central element sealed to the inner diameter of the bellows. In the case of the fuel cell assembly, the central element is multilayer fuel cell plate having an electrolyte layer sandwiched between an anode layer and a cathode layer.

Abstract: A composite includes granules of Type II superconducting material and granules of rare-earth permanent magnets that are distributed in a binder. The composite is a two-phase structure that combines the properties of the superconductor and magnets with the flexibility and toughness of a polymeric material. A bearing made from this composite has the load capacity and stiffness of a permanent magnet bearing with added stability from a Type II superconducting material.

Abstract: A motor controller for brushless motors operates an inverter in a current-controlled mode for low motor speeds and in a voltage-controlled mode for high motor speeds. By switching from the current-controlled mode to the voltage-controlled mode at higher speeds, the motor can be designed at maximum efficiency, and minimum weight, cost and volume.