Abstract: An apparatus for friction welding a first element to a second element includes a forge assembly having a table defining a platform, a crank, a forge link and a reaction link disposed oppositely of the forge link relative to the platform. Various construction details are disclosed that provide a friction welder that minimizes bending in the forge and motion planes and enhances repeatability of the welds performed. In a specific embodiment, the friction welder may be used in a method to form integrally bladed rotors and further includes a reciprocal motion assembly adapted to generate motion between the elements being welded, a gripper and an base tool. The reciprocal motion assembly includes a servo hydraulic actuator having a hydraulic column frequency greater than the frequency of reciprocation. The gripper is a device for use with bonding an airfoil to the rotor. The base tool is a device for mounting and positioning the rotor for the bonding operations.

Abstract: The method for manufacturing solid rocket motors of the present invention comprises placing a mandrel having at least one easily disintegrative solid slot former positioned thereon substantially centrally along the axis of a rocket case, casting uncured solid rocket propellant about the mandrel and the easily disintegrative solid slot former, curing the solid propellant, and removing the mandrel and the easily disintegrative solid slot former from the cured propellant.

Abstract: An apparatus for friction welding a first element to a second element includes a forge assembly having a table defining a platform, a crank, a forge link and a reaction link disposed oppositely of the forge link relative to the platform. Various construction details are disclosed that provide a friction welder that minimizes bending in the forge and motion planes and enhances repeatability of the welds performed. In a specific embodiment, the friction welder may be used in a method to form integrally bladed rotors and further includes a reciprocal motion assembly adapted to generate motion between the elements being welded, a gripper and an base tool. The reciprocal motion assembly includes a servo hydraulic actuator having a hydraulic column frequency greater than the frequency of reciprocation. The gripper is a device for use with bonding an airfoil to the rotor. The base tool is a device for mounting and positioning the rotor for the bonding operations.

Abstract: A gripper for retaining a first element, such as a rotor blade, to a reciprocal motion assembly during friction welding includes a pair of clamp halves and a base. The base includes two spaced end walls. Upon joining the clamp halves together, around a collar on the first element, in the base the end walls compress the clamp halves both longitudinally and transversely, consequently causing the clamp halves to firmly grip the collar of the first element. Thus, the first element is securely held, while the motion provided by the reciprocal motion assembly is translated to the blade.

Abstract: A ceramic turbine inlet vane(s) is resiliently mounted to stator portions (10) and (15) of a gas turbine engine by outer and inner resilient mounts (20) and (25). The resilient mounts each include springs, which accommodate varying rates of radial and axial thermal expansion between the vane and adjacent metallic stator structure.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing solid rocket motors comprises placing a mandrel having at least one collapsible solid slot former positioned thereon substantially centrally along the axis of a rocket case, casting uncured solid rocket propellant about the mandrel and the collapsible solid slot former, curing the solid propellant, removing the mandrel and pressurizing the propellant and slot former, causing the slot former to collapse, and easily removed from the cured propellant.

Abstract: A technique for controlling compressor stall and surge is disclosed. In a gas turbine engine, static pressure asymmetry is sensed at a plurality of locations along the circumference of the compressor inlet. Time rate of change of the mass flow in the compressor is also estimated using pressure measurements in the compressor. A signal processor uses these signals to modulate a compressor bleed valve responsive to the level of flow property asymmetry, the time rate of change of the annulus average flow to enhance operability of the compressor.

Abstract: A coolable airfoil (25) for a gas turbine engine includes a leading edge portion (52) cooled by a combination of radial and impingement flows through internal passages (80) and (90) separated by an internal wall (95) which is imperforate along a radially inner portion (100) thereof and apertured along a radially outer portion (105) thereof

Abstract: An improved fuel nozzle guide (100) for a gas turbine engine combustion chamber (65) includes an eccentric detent (150) which allows only a predetermined amount of limited pivotable movement of a retainer (125) and bushing (105) employed in the guide.

Abstract: A courtesy/reading light lens (24) includes a translucent body (26) having a surface (28) covered with an array of opaque dots (30) for selectively controlling the distribution of lights as it passes through the translucent body (26). The opaque dots (30) are organized in multiple sections (32, 34, 26) that together form a dot pattern. The opaque dots (30) within each section (32, 34, 36) are arrayed at a substantially uniform spacing and have a substantially uniform two-dimensional diameter.

Abstract: Electric circuity (45) in a lighted vanity mirror module (5) for an automobile sun visor (40) is mounted on the backside of an appearance bezel (10), thereby obviating the necessity for a separate housing. A wire wound resistor (80) is employed in a lamp dimmer (37) and, with the bezel, retains a sliding contact which controls lamp intensity.

Abstract: A method of installing a headliner within a vehicle body. The headliner includes a plurality of overhead accessories each having an associated snap fit fastener shaped to fit in associated sheet metal openings in the vehicle body. The accessories are mounted to the headliner at a location remote from the vehicle with the snap fit fasteners protruding through the top of the headliner. The headliner, along with its associated accessories, is then transported to the vehicle body structure where the headliner is then mounted in the vehicle by aligning it with the vehicle body structure simultaneous with inserting a snap-fit fastener of one of the accessories into a corresponding sheet metal opening in the vehicle body structure. The remaining snap-fit fasteners associated with the other accessories are then mounted onto their corresponding sheet metal openings, thereby mounting the headliner and accessories to the vehicle structure.

Abstract: A vanity mirror (27) is carried by a primary sunshade (24) stored above the headliner (5) of a motor vehicle. Lighting (117) for use with the mirror is disposed in the headliner remote from the primary sunshade and mirror. Secondary sunshades (13) are stored in either the headliner or roof pillars for operation completely independently of the primary sunshade.

Abstract: A pressure regulating valve controller for controlling the flow of refrigerant airflow through one of a plurality of air cycle systems is described. The controller includes pressure regulating means (145) for controlling flow in response to changes in ram air temperature as well as pressure regulating means (140 and 315) in response to the number of operating air cycle systems.

Abstract: Improved prop-fan stability is achieved by providing each blade of the prop-fan with a leading edge which, outwardly, from a location thereon at the mid-span of the blade, occupy generally a single plane.

Abstract: A pressure regulator (75) of a flow control system includes a pair of orifices (140 and 145), the effective areas of which are controlled by a pair of flexible closures (150 and 155) unidirectionally stiffened against fluid flow thereagainst. The closures remain flexible in an opposite direction so that when one of the closures is fouled with contaminants, it does not impede the operation of the remaining closure.

Abstract: A high strength, lightweight, heat resistant control surface for a high speed aircraft such as a missile or the like, comprises a heat resistant lightweight composite such as a graphite reinforced polyimide having a leading edge portion comprising a heat resistant metal such as Inconel. The leading edge portion includes a web fixing the leading edge portion to the composite by bonded attachment thereto at a location remote from the leading edge and adjacent surfaces thereby providing delayed exposure of the bond to leading edge heat buildup during flight.

Abstract: A method for testing electronic assemblies for resistivity to fluorocarbon solvent permeation. After attaching electronic components on host boards, sample assemblies are selected for testing. Fluorocarbon solvent is added to a container suitably sized to allow complete immersion of the samples. Fluorescent dye is added to the solvent and the solvent dye solution heated to the boiling point. Samples are immersed in the solution and initial time noted. The samples are withdrawn after a predetermined time interval, dried and wiped clean to remove excess solvent/dye from the outside of the components. The electronic assemblies are disassembled and illuminated by ultraviolet light. If dye is observed in an area thought to have been sealed, fluorocarbon solvent permeation is proven.

Abstract: Swaying of a compensating rope (45) in a traction elevator is restrained by a guide means (60, 65 and 85) disposed within the elevator's hoistway (10) to prevent the rope from striking the walls of the hoistway or the elevator car (10).