Abstract: A telescoped ammunition round comprises: a propellant charge having an axial cavity for supplying firing power for the ammunition round; a projectile housed within the axial cavity for being fired from a forward end of the ammunition round; a control tube means housed within the axial cavity for selectively covering an aft surface portion of the propellant charge axial cavity, the control tube means having a generally cylindrical axial bore substantially coaxial with the axial cavity, the projectile extending forward of the control tube means; coupling means for releasably securing the projectile to the control tube means; a control tube pistion having a generally cylindrical outer shape forming a sliding fit within the axial bore, positioned aft of the projectile; a booster charge within the axial bore, the control tube piston being forwardly movable in response to the firing of the booster charge and the projectile, in turn, being forwardly movable by forward movement of the control tube piston; a primer me

Abstract: Range discontinuities (44) in an imaged scene are located with superior accuracy by using a pair of stereoscopically related images (10, 12) of the scene to sense edges in the scene, and to determine the range of correlatable image pixels; segmenting the scene into regions (36) of similar intensity; assigning to each region (36) a range based upon the range of any correlatable pixels in it; and locating the boundary (44) between adjacent regions of substantially dissimilar range.

Abstract: Coolant passages (14) of non-machinable size and shape are formed in a ceramic body (10) by individually forming sections (16) of the body (10), embedding graphite (20) therein during preforming, assembling the sections (16) into a complete preform (11), integrating the preform (24) by densifying it in an inert atmosphere under heat and pressure, and then heating the densified preform (10) in air to vaporize the graphite (19,20). In another aspect of the invention, a ceramic body (32) is formed from a three-dimensional, filled-in weave of silica fibers (30) in which the fibers (34) extending in one of the three dimensions are graphite and are subsequently vaporized.

Abstract: A gearshift rod for an automotive manual transmission includes two tubular shift rods that support stop plates welded to the inner surface of the rods. Spaced axially along an overlapping region of the rod, located between the stop plates are resilient damping members. A resilient damping strip is located between the longitudinal edges of semicircular portions of the shift rods.

Abstract: A powertrain including an engine controlled by the position of a throttle valve, a hydrodynamic torque converter having a bypass clutch, multiple ratio automatic transmission connected to the drive wheels of the vehicle, a solenoid-operated hydraulic valve that supplies pressurized fluid to engage and release the bypass clutch, is controlled by operation of a feedforward control system. An engine math model produces a signal representing the net torque output by the engine, which signal is applied as input to an inverse mathematical model of the solenoid-operated valve that supplies hydraulic fluid to the bypass clutch. The unique relationship of phase to gain, the frequency response of the solenoid valve, is inverted to remove the effects of delay and transient rise time.

Abstract: A transmission ratio control device for a controllable, continually variable V-belt transmission for motor vehicles includes a primary hydraulic line carrying the clamping pressure for the V-belt from the primary pressure chamber, a check valve opening against the pressure in the primary pressure chamber, a secondary hydraulic line carrying the clamping pressure for the V-belt from the secondary pressure chamber, and a second check valve opening against the pressure in the secondary pressure chamber. An adjustable pump is installed in a line connecting the first line, between the primary pressure chamber and the first check valve, to the second line, between the secondary pressure chamber and the secondary check valve. The adjustable pump is dependent on a control signal to control the continually variable gear ratio by pumping hydraulic fluid between the primary pressure chamber and the secondary pressure chamber.

Abstract: A housing and a pressure seal structure for use with a thick film circuit having a pressure sensor and terminals includes a base plate below the thick film circuit, a top housing above the thick film circuit covering the pressure sensor and an intermediate rubber ring between the housing and the thick film circuit. A coupling force is applied between the base plate and the top housing to draw the two together and apply a sealing force to the rubber ring and establish a pressure seal at the rubber ring.

Abstract: A scavenging system for a hydraulic circuit includes a sump passage connecting the sump to a reservoir, a solenoid-operated switching valve, a logic control circuit controlling operation of the switching valve and a passage connecting the reservoir to the inlet of a hydraulic pump that supplies the hydraulic circuit. A vacuum source, such as the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine or a vacuum pump, is connected through a ball check valve and vacuum regulator to a space in the reservoir above the fluid. Fluid level sensing switches sense the level of fliud within the reservoir and produce electronic signals used by the logic circuit to control the solenoid-operated switching valve. An oil filter cap allows the reservoir to be filled while maintaining vacuum within the reservoir. A heat exchanger located within the reservoir draws excess heat from the fluid by passing engine coolant through the exchanger.

Abstract: The electronic simplicity of a rotating-telescope target acquisition device and the noise immunity and wide field of view of a non-rotating array device are combined in an assembly (10) using a rotating refractory telescope (21) on a gimbaled platform (28) and a combination reticle (38) and infrared detector array (34) on the same platform (28). The detector array (34) is segmented (50) to detect the direction in which a target is substantially off the telescope's optical axis (32), and the detector array (34) is also shielded (35) against any radiation coming from outside the optical path of the telescope (21). The reticle (38) also serves as the electrical connection (42,62) between the detector segments (40,50) and the contact pads (44,64) on the detector plate (36) and as a non-emitting shield against any external radiation.

Abstract: Friction in a traction drive assembly having counter-rotating races interconnected by drive balls captured by a stationary retainer is substantially reduced, and the life of the assembly is substantially extended, by interposing rolling interface elements between the drive balls and the retainer. The interface elements may take the form of balls, pins or wheels, and separate lubricating means for them may be provided.

Abstract: A tool (b 10) for handling fiber optic connectors (46) in narrow spaces features a thin collet tube (34) tapered at its end (42), and a pintle (32) axially movable within the collet tube (34) with a generally axially oriented grasping surface (52) at its end (40). The taper of the tube (34) forces the grasping surface (52) toward the inside wall (48) of the collet tube (34) when the pintle (32) is extended through the tube (34). The tang (44) of a fiber optic connected (46) is grasped between the grasping surface (52) and the collet tube wall (48). The tip (56) of the collet tube (34) is inclined to prevent damage to the optical fiber (54). By slotting the collet tube tip (b 60), transversely extending workpieces (62) may also be grasped.

Abstract: A gear shift mechanism for a manual transmission includes a shaft axially movable for selecting shift planes and rotatable for engaging the gears defining the shift planes. The shaft is held in a reference shift plane by two helical springs. A finger, fixed to the shaft, carries a cam defining detent surfaces engaged by a spring-loaded catch stud. Shift fork rods support shift forks which have arms formed with grooves extending toward a locking plate that is moved axially along the shaft by the shift finger. The locking plate blocks engagement grooves of the unselected shift forks.

Abstract: A control system for a torque converter lock-up clutch operates in a hydraulic circuit having line pressure applied to a lock-up clutch control valve and supplied selectively to a clutch-apply pressure chamber or a clutch-release pressure chamber. The control valve includes a valve spool, four control lands and a valve spring urging the control body to a starting position where the valve directs line pressure to the release pressure chamber and connects the apply pressure chamber to a cooler. When control pressure is applied, the valve spool moves to a shift-up position, supplies line pressure to the apply pressure chamber and connects the release-pressure chamber to an outlet line. A pulse-width modulated solenoid valve varies pressure in the release-pressure chamber by means of a throttle opening in the clutch plate, whereby control pressure is modulated so that force between the friction surfaces of the clutch is reduced to allow clutch slippage.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter and lockup clutch assembly comprising an impeller housing and a clutch construction situated within the housing comprising a clutch plate in the form of a piston having formed thereon an annular friction surface, a friction disc located between the friction surface on the clutch plate and an adjacent wall of the impeller housing and having an inner margin secured to the impeller housing at a location radially inward of the friction surface, friction material formed on the friction disc and flow passages for establishing a circuitous cooling oil flow path across the dynamic friction surfaces of the clutch to establish cooling and for eliminating wear as the pressure in the clutch control pressure chamber is modulated to effect a continuous slipping of the clutch surfaces during operation of the converter, the friction disc providing a shield that minimizes heat transfer to the impeller housing and for providing maximum compliance of the face of the friction surface with respect

Abstract: The efficiency of a metal silicide infrared (10) in greatly enhanced by depositing on the substrate (14) a stack (30) of alternating metal silicide (12,24) and silicon layers (22). The metal silicide layers (12,24) are connected to each other and to a contact pad (20) in the substrate (14) by a metal silicide deposit (32) on one side of the stack (30) and the silicon layers (22) are connected to each other and to the substrate (14) by a silicon deposit (34) on another side of the stack (30). The stacking of layers is made possible by depositing the silicon layers (22) at a rate of 1 .ANG./sec or less in a vacuum of 10.sup.-9 torr or better at a temperature of about 250.degree. C.

Abstract: A precision cast connecting rod which has an elongate tubular shank member defining a hollow section for producing desired stiffness to weight characteristics. Piston and crankpin connecting members are attached to opposite ends of the shank member. The connecting members are provided with passages which extend axially therewithin from the hollow section. Defined within the elongate tubular shank member is a radially extending central aperture. A precision casting method for preparing the hollow connecting rod includes forming an elongate core with a locating member positioned at each end thereof and a disk-shaped protuberance extending radially therefrom. The core is secured in a die and defines a cavity therebetween for preparing a pattern of the connecting rod using a molding material which substantially encapsulates the core within the cavity. After removing the pattern from the die, coatings of refractory material are applied to form a shell mold which encrusts the pattern.

Abstract: A housing and a pressure seal structure for use with a thick film circuit having a pressure sensor and terminals includes a base plate below the thick film circuit, a top housing above the thick film circuit covering the pressure sensor and an intermediate rubber ring between the housing and the thick film circuit. A coupling force is applied between the base plate and the top housing to draw the two together and apply a sealing force to the rubber ring and establish a pressure seal at the rubber ring.

Abstract: An electrochemical device and method measures the percentage of exhaust gas for circulation in a combined intake air and exhaust gas mixture of an internal combustion engine. Two electrochemical pump cells and a support structure form a restricted volume in communication through an aperture to an ambient of intake air and exhaust gas mixture. Constant voltage is applied across a first pump cell to cause oxygen molecules inside the volume to be pumped out. A constant voltage across the second pump cell causes dissociation of all CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O molecules inside the volume. Current flowing in the second pump cell is measured, the current being proportional to the percentage of CO.sub.2 plus H.sub.2 O inside the volume and also proportional to the percentage of CO.sub.2 plus H.sub.2 O in the combined intake air and exhaust gas mixture.

Abstract: A power steering trim control system for use with steering mechanisms provided in automotive vehicles. The trim system includes a flow distribution valve (38) which selectively directs fluid pressure to segregated groups (34, 36) of valve lands (32) of a rotary valve (24) in proportion to the deflection of a torsion bar (22). The valve lands (32) are angularly off-set from those found in the prior art in order to produce a desired biasing, or torque compensation. The torque which is manually transmitted is progressively supplemented by fluid pressure delivered to the pressure movable part (14) of a steering linkage (16). The invention also includes a process control circuit (60) which is provided with a vehicle speed sensor (60) for generating an electrical signal representative of vehicle speed.

Abstract: Controlling ignition current in the ignition control system of an internal combustion engine includes determining the amount of time it takes current in the ignition coil to reach a desired or limit value and adjusting the time of starting ignition coil charging before spark firing to be substantially equal to the amount of time it takes ignition coil charging current to reach the desired or limit current value.