Abstract: A permanent magnet, proportional solenoid valve having a suspended armature which is separated from two opposing pole pieces by two normally unequal gaps having a collectively constant dimension. The magnetic field originating from the magnet extends through the gaps and is used to bias the armature to a position at which the valve is normally closed.

Abstract: A cabin pressure controller includes primary and backup controllers, a selector and a display mounted onto or within a single housing. The primary and backup controllers communicate through a communication link, jumpered across an external connector. Such a link allows for electrical isolation between the controllers.

Abstract: A ceramic filter is prepared by mixing together a ceramic powder, a pore forming agent, and any sintering aids required in the sintering of the ceramic powder, forming a tape from the mixture, and molding filter plates from the tape. Two types of annular disk filter plates are formed. A first plate type has an opening on the external annular surface, and a second plate type has an opening on the internal annular surface. The two types of filter plates are stacked in an alternating fashion, and end pieces are added to form a filter assembly. The assembly is sintered to form a filter. The pore forming agent is preferably polystyrene microspheres that are decomposed during the sintering process, leaving porosity that effectively captures particulate impurities when a fluid is passed through the filter in service.

Abstract: A brushless electric motor with Hall-effect sensors is configured to provide its stator structure with a portion which projects axially away from a main armature. The projecting portion is radially congruent with a second, smaller armature coaxial with the main armature, with a portion of a sleeve in which the sensors are disposed in circumferentially spaced configuration, and with a laminated annular shield iron. The annular shield iron is radially interposed between the projecting portion of the stator structure and the sensors. In this configuration, the shield iron serves to close the magnetic field originating from the second armature and interacting with the sensors while simultaneously shielding the sensors from field effects attributable to current flow in the axially projecting portion of the stator structure.

Abstract: A two-pole toothless PM machine employs Hall effect sensors to indicate the position of the machine's rotor relative to power windings in the machine's stator. The Hall effect sensors are located in the main magnetic air gap underneath the power windings. The main magnetic air gap is defined by an outer magnetic surface of the rotor and an inner surface of the stator's flux collector ring.

Abstract: A gas-driven turbine starter (10) is provided with a slip clutch comprised of a radially inner portion (58,70) which is rotatable relative to the starter housing (14); and a radially outer portion (54,68) which is connected to the housing so as to be rotationally stationary relative thereto. This arrangement functionally separates the slip clutch from the power train, and provides for reduced wear of clutch discs.

Abstract: A spring cluster disc (14) for a foil thrust bearing (10) is provided with a plurality of sets (52) of springs (62,64,66). The springs are configured to provide varying spring force and thus varying stiffness in radial and circumferential directions.

Abstract: An improved actuator system is provided for safe displacement of a folding wing section of an aircraft between a folded storage position and a deployed position for normal flight operations. The actuator system comprises an electrohydraulic actuator forming part of a mechanical linkage between an outboard folding wing section and an adjacent inboard wing section. The electrohydraulic actuator is adapted to be reversibly driven either electrically or hydraulically to displace the outboard wing section, and includes an improved brake unit for automatically retaining the outboard wing section in place upon interruption of drive power input to the actuator. The actuator system further includes an improved latch pin unit adapted for electric or hydraulic powered operation to positively lock the outboard wing section in the deployed position.

Abstract: Flux density in the air gap of an electrical machine is increased by varying the cross sectional area of conductors wound on the stator. Conductors of smaller cross sectional area are located within the air gap and conductors of larger cross sectional area are located outside the air gap. Because the smaller conductor allows the air gap to be reduced, air gap flux density is increased.

Abstract: An improved air conditioning system is provided for an aircraft, particularly with respect to providing an enhanced supply of fresh air to the aircraft cabin or cockpit. The system includes a dual inlet turbine driven at least in part by pressurized bleed air from an aircraft engine, wherein the turbine expands and cools the air preparatory to supply thereof as conditioned air to the aircraft cabin. During relatively low altitude operation, the bleed air flow is supplemented by compressed fresh air discharged from a turbine-driven compressor and supplied to the dual inlet turbine. At relatively higher altitude operation, this fresh air flow is bypassed around the turbine for addition to the bleed air flow at a downstream side of the turbine, and the entire nozzle area of the turbine is opened to the bleed air flow.

Abstract: An optical particle counter generates a signal indicating an amount of radiation scattered by aerosols in a sample flow. Smoke can be discriminated from other aerosols in the sample flow by analyzing the AC component of the signal. Smoke has a much higher signal-to-noise ratio than that of larger particles such as dust and fog.

Abstract: A reluctance torque coupler includes a first rotor assembly which provides a magnetic field and a second rotor assembly which rotates relative to the first rotor assembly. The second rotor assembly includes a pair of elongated, arcuate flux poles that are attached to a non-magnetic frame. The flux poles extend towards the first rotor such that they are magnetically coupled to the first rotor. Air gaps between ends define a position of minimum reluctance for the first rotor. When the conductors magnetic axis of the first rotor is aligned with the spaces, the leakage of flux across the spaces is at a minimum. If one rotor is rotated, there is a change in energy stored in the magnetic circuit. This change is resisted by a restoring torque toward the aligned position. In this manner, the torque coupler transmits torque from one rotor to another.

Abstract: An actuator'rate is controlled by a rate servo and the actuator's position is controlled by a position control. The position control can be a position servo or a mechanical brake. Selection of either the rate servo or position control is made by fuzzy switching logic.

Abstract: Blade pitch of variable pitch blades is changed by an actuator having first and second ac machines. The first ac machine is excited with ac power to apply a motoring torque to a control shaft of the actuator, thereby causing blade pitch to change in one direction. The second ac machine is excited with appropriate power to apply a braking torque to the control shaft, thereby causing blade pitch to change in an opposite direction. When the second ac machine is an induction machine, dc excitation will brake the control shaft. When the second ac machine is a synchronous machine, an ac excitation causing a retarding magnetic field will brake the control shaft.

Abstract: This invention relates to a clutch mechanism for selective power transmission between starter means and an engine. More particularly, the invention discloses a dual clutch mechanism for use in selectively coupling a turbine driven starter assembly with a gas turbine engine to affect engine start up and disengage thereafter. The invention provides a clutch mechanism, comprised of two clutches in series, which can deliver positive torque transmission from a starter to an engine at any speed within an operating range and disengages at any speed greater than the operating range.

Abstract: A spring cluster disc (14) for a foil thrust bearing (10) is provided with a plurality of sets (52) of springs (62,64,66). The springs are configured to provide varying spring force and thus varying stiffness in radial and circumferential directions.

Abstract: An air turbine starter containing a liquid lubricant is provided with a passive hydraulic capacitor which is charged by operation of the starter. Charging the capacitor partially drains the lubricant reservoir contained in the starter. This partial drainage decreases drag on internal, rotating components of the starter, thereby decreasing parasitic loss in output torque. The capacitor discharges the lubricant back into the starter when the latter discontinues running, thereby satisfying lubrication requirements of an internal overrunning clutch.

Abstract: A process for monitoring fluid density by use of a fluidic jet oscillator (26) absent the necessity for a high-precision pressure regulator. Fluid is delivered to the fluidic oscillator (26) via a pressure divider (28). As the fluid flows through the oscillator the latter generates a pressure wavetrain at a frequency which is indicative of the density of the fluid, but is inaccurate to the extent that the pressure difference across the oscillator varies from a predetermined value. A differential pressure transducer (30) senses the pressure difference. Accordingly, the process is adapted for use with a gated sampling and control system (84) which operatively responds to the oscillator output only when the differential pressure is substantially in accord with a predetermined value thereof.

Abstract: A journal bearing including a plurality of individual foils mounted to one of a pair of relatively rotatable members, and a plurality of undersprings which provide resilient support for the foils. The foils include a transition area defined for example by a step, adjacent the trailing edge of the preceding foil. The use of the stepped foil optimizes the geometry of the air gap profile, and thereby increases the load capacity of the journal foil bearing.

Abstract: A diffusion bonding process for bonding one rhenium-coated carbonaceous body to another. The rhenium-coat surfaces 18,20 of the bodies are coated with ruthenium, and the bodies are diffusion bonded at the interface formed by adjoining ruthenium coats 22,24.