Abstract: A heater for a composite structure (2) is integrally formed as part of the structure (2) itself. The structure (2) comprises a layer of conductive fibers (30), such as a carbon felt mat, embedded in a nonconductive matrix (31). Electrodes (11, 12) inject an electrical current through multiple paths (15) through the conductive fibers (30), whereby the fibers (30) convert the electrical current to heat energy. Thus, the fibers (30) serve the dual roles of structural support to the composite structure (2) and heat converters. The composite structure (2) can be a portion of or an entire paraboloidal antenna reflector (6), in which case the heater of the present invention prevents and removes ice and snow build-up thereon. Cutting slits (8) into the composite structure (2) is a technique which can be used to vary the heat distribution within the structure (2). The slits (8) are positioned according to the shape of the structure (2) and the location of the current injecting electrodes (11, 12).

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 passage means 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 res

Abstract: A control valve for controlling the engagement of a friction drive clutch for an automatic transmission having multiple clutches and brakes for establishing a drive mode following a neutral mode wherein the valve regulates pressure distributed to the drive clutch and wherein the valve is in fluid communication with a second clutch whereby the latter acts as an accumulator for altering the rate of pressure buildup in the drive clutch thus eliminating harshness in the clutch engagement.

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 detector (34) on the same platform (28). The detector (34) is segmented (50) to detect the direction in which a target is substantially off the telescope's optical axis (32), and the detector (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).

Abstract: The manufacture of monolithic HgCdTe detectors and Si circuitry in an IR focal plane array is achieved by forming a protective layer of SiO.sub.2 or SiN.sub.x on a silicon wafer containing silicon circuits, etching steep-wall recesses into the wafer, selectively depositing epitaxial single-crystal layers of GaAs, CdTe, and HgCdTe in the recesses fabricating HgCdTe IR arrays, and depositing appropriate insulating and conductive interconnection patterns to interconnect the Si devices with one another and the HgCdTe devices with the Si devices. Little or no GaAs, CdTe, and HgCdTe grows on the SiO.sub.2 or SiN.sub.x outside the recesses. Since material grown outside the recess is polycrystalline, it is easily chemomechanically removed.

Abstract: The encapsulation of ceramic preforms (10) for HIP processing is considerably simplified, and the use of standard laboratory glassware as encapsulation material is made possible, by placing non-sealed glass capsule parts (12, 14) around the preform (10) in the HIP pressure vessel (18), evacuating the vessel (18), heating the vessel (18) to a temperature at which the glass parts (12, 14) fuse together but do not collapse, and then pressurizing the vessel (18) and increasing the temperature therein as required for conventional HIP processing.

Abstract: An antenna for transmitting and/or receiving circularly polarized (CP) electromagnetic radiation throughout a substantial portion of a sphere. A cylindrical waveguide (3,5) is associated with a transmit portion and a receive portion of the antenna, respectively. The outer surface of each waveguide (3,5) is covered with several conductive radiating patches (30,50) equidistant axially and circumferentially arranged. The patches (30,50) may be fed by elongated apertures (51,52) or by coaxial transmission line (41,42). In the former embodiment, CP is present within the waveguide (3,5), while in the latter embodiment, linear polarization is present within the coaxial transmission line (41,42). The individual patches (30,50) radiate CP in a direction normal to the patch (30,50) to produce CP in the broadside direction.

Abstract: A heater for a composite structure (2) is integrally formed as part of the structure (2) itself. The structure (2) comprises a layer of conductive fibers (30), such as a carbon felt mat, embedded in a nonconductive matrix (31). Electrodes (11, 12) inject an electrical current through multiple paths (15) through the conductive fibers (30), whereby the fibers (30) convert the electrical current to heat energy. Thus, the fibers (30) serve the dual roles of structural support to the composite structure (2) and heat converters. The composite structure (2) can be a portion of or an entire paraboloidal antenna reflector (6), in which case the heater of the present invention prevents and removes ice and snow build-up thereon. Cutting slits (8) into the composite structure (2) is a technique which can be used to vary the heat distribution within the structure (2). The slits (8) are positioned according to the shape of the structure (2) and the location of the current injecting electrodes (11, 12).

Abstract: A novel packaging system for VLSI circuits allows low-cost construction and maintenance of complex high density high-performance devices with low power requirements. The devices can be individually created by software means from a small selection of standardizable IC chips by disposing a plurality of chips in leadless chip carriers in a mosaic on a substrate, and configuring them by software to selectively communicate with other chips of the mosaic or even to individually change their operating function. The immediate juxtaposition of the chip carriers in the mosaic eliminates transmission line data skew, and also allows considerable savings in chip space and power requirements by dispensing with interconnection drivers, receivers and bonding pads.

Abstract: A support (26) for mounting an energy absorbing steering column is disclosed as including a metal strap (30) that extends transversely with respect to the steering axis A and has a central portion (32) that mounts the steering column as well as having opposite ends (38) each of which includes a mounting portion (40) for mounting on the vehicle. The strap includes a pair of U-shaped portions (42) located between the central portion (32) and the opposite ends (38) thereof with the open end of each U-shaped portion (42) opening in the same direction as each other along the steering axis. Movement of the steering column along the steering axis deforms the strap to straighten the U-shaped portions (42) and absorb energy. Clamping connections (44) mount the mounting portions (40) of the strap (30) on opposite sides of the U-shaped portions such that pivoting of the mounting portions cooperates with straightening of the U-shaped portions to increase the steering column movement that absorbs energy.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter having a lock-up clutch that connects drivably the torque converter turbine and the torque converter impeller wherein the clutch includes a bypass clutch piston and multiple disc friction elements, the latter being radially located inward of the clutch piston, alternate ones of the friction discs being connected to the turbine and the companion discs being connected to a clutch cylinder, a bypass clutch piston being positioned in the cylinder to define a pressure chamber on one side of the piston adjacent the converter housing, the opposite side of the piston being exposed to circuit pressure in the torque converter, and radially inwardly projecting clutch actuator elements extending through registering slots in the clutch cylinder whereby improved converter efficiency and vehicle drivability is achieved.

Abstract: A thick film integrated circuit having a terminal with a plurality of parallel legs each having an angled foot portion for connection to the thick film circuit board. An elongated tie bar extends perpendicular to the legs and connects the legs to each other for stabilization. The tie bar has sufficient mass and is positioned sufficiently far from the foot so that heat can be applied to the foot to solder it to the thick film substrate. The legs are positioned in a guide bar with tapered sides to provide a self-centering feature when the terminal is coupled to a connector.

Abstract: An energy absorbing vehicular steering column assembly (10) including telescopically engaged upper and lower column tubes (16,17). The upper column tube (16) being mounted to a steering column support member (12) at its rearward end by a break-away coupling member or bracket (20) affixed to the upper column tube and having shear modules (44) forming a portion of the bracket, thus allowing it to break-away from the steering column support member upon driver impact. The remainder of the steering column assembly including means (22) for absorbing impact loads through a plastic deformation as the column tubes move together axially during a collision, and a pair of axially oriented relatively non-deformable plate-like slide members (60) secured to the steering column support member (12) and positioned between the break-away coupling and the steering column support member and on which a portion (42) of the break-away bracket or coupling member may slide as the upper column tube is collapsing.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter assembly has a turbine and an impeller located in a converter housing and a lockup clutch construction in the converter housing that includes a one-piece stamped clutch and piston housing secured to the inner wall of the converter housing wherein the outer extremity of the stamped housing carries friction discs. An annular piston is located between the discs and the converter housing wherein the piston is stroked toward the turbine upon introduction of control pressure to a control chamber defined by the piston and the cylinder, the driven discs of the clutch being connected to a turbine shaft through a damper and the friction elements of the clutch being continuously exposed to circulating fluid within the converter wherein piston charge pressure is established without a requirement for continuous flow when the clutch is actuated.

Abstract: A swashplate assembly for an air conditioning compressor comprising a die cast aluminum swashplate with shoe bearing surfaces formed during the die casting operation, a swashplate driveshaft with a knurled portion press fitted into an opening in the hub of the swashplate and an assembly of one-price, semi-spherical sintered metal shoes engageable with the swashplate bearing surfaces for translating rotary motion of the swashplate into reciprocating motion of the compressor pistons.

Abstract: Apparatus operable in accordance with the method of the present invention is provided for automatically controlling the operation of a de-air/tacker machine used in the manufacture of safety glass laminates to remove air from and promote bonding within the laminates. The machine comprises pinch rolls mounted to a carriage which is in turn mounted for rotational movement about a generally horizontal axis relative to a support frame. The pinch rolls define a pressure nip through which the laminates pass to be processed. A motor is connected to the carriage for rotating the carriage, and hence the pinch rolls, about the generally horizontal axis and a digital encoder is provided for sensing rotational operating movement of the motor.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter transaxle having a hydrokinetic torque converter, two simple planetary gear units and a clutch-and-brake system situated concentrically with respect to the axis of a vehicle engine wherein the torque output member of the planetary gear units is located in midposition between the planetary gear units and the hydrokinetic converter. A drive chain forms a torque transfer drive from the axis of the converter to a parallel axis coinciding with the axis of a geared differential, a pair of half shafts being connected to side gears of the differential for powering traction wheels wherein the clutch-and-brake system and the planetary gear units as well as the drive chain are integrated one with respect to the other to provide a minimum axial dimension with respect to the axis of the engine crankshaft thereby facilitating the packaging of the transaxle in a limited space within the vehicle.

Abstract: An efficient method for time-division multiplexing multiple digital signals into a single data stream for switching and/or transmission of information to a remote location. The apparatus according to the invention receives as input, to a multiplexer, a plurality of digital data streams of arbitrary word size and data rate, any one of the data rates being changeable with time such that the total data rate of all streams combined will, in general, greatly exceed the capacity of the multiplexer. Input digital signals are assumed to have an arbitrary word size and word rate subject to the constraint that the bit rate, that is, the word rate times the word size for each signal, is an integer multiple of a predetermined integer such that any time-varying mix of digital signals, regardless of word size, can be combined into a single time-division multiplexed bit stream in such a way that no individual signal, once placed in the format, will be moved to another place in the format.

Abstract: A novel packaging system for VLSI circuits allows low-cost construction and maintenance of complex high density high-performance devices with low power requirements. The devices can be individually created by software means from a small selection of standardizable IC chips by disposing a plurality of chips in leadless chip carriers in a mosaic on a substrate, and configuring them by software to selectively communicate with other chips of the mosaic or even to individually change their operating function. The immediate juxtaposition of the chip carriers in the mosaic eliminates transmission line data skew, and also allows considerable savings in chip space and power requirements by dispensing with interconnection drivers, receivers and bonding pads.

Abstract: This specification teaches a method for making an electrically heatable windshield of laminated construction. In the method, a pair of glass templets are cut (10) and they include a long glass templet and a short glass templet. The templets are separated (20) from one another. An opaque ceramic paint is applied (30) to an edge portion of a coatable surface of a selected glass templet and is dried (40) thereon. Bus bars are also applied (50) to and dried (60) on the coatable surface of the long glass templet. The glass templets are united (70) and subjected to a bending operation (80) to form a shaped windshield pair. The long glass templet and short glass templet are separated (90). A transparent electrically conductive coating is applied (100) between the bus bars located on the selected glass templet.