Abstract: Aircraft arresting beds constructed of cellular concrete at ends of runways may be subject to damaging effects of jet blast phenomena. Arresting units resistant to such effects are described. A block of compressible material, such as cellular concrete, provides compressive failure characteristics suitable for arresting travel of an aircraft overrunning a runway. Relatively thin frangible material positioned above the block provides a stronger, more damage resistant surface, while still readily fracturing in an arresting incident. Intermediate material, such as a foam layer, positioned under the frangible material may be included to provide a protective cushioning effect by mitigating transmission of external phenomena forces to the block. A fastening configuration at least partially enclosing other portions of the arresting unit provides a stable unified composite, without destroying desired compressive failure characteristics of the unit.

Abstract: A computer system implements a process for gathering, synthesizing, and analyzing data relating to a pump and/or seal or other rotating equipment failure. Data indicating the current state of the equipment is gathered and verified prior to a failure occurring so that accurate information is available. After a failure or problem occurs, data about the problem or failure are methodically gathered to aid in the determination of the root cause of the failure. In particular, visual images of failure modes are provided to the user to ensure that proper and accurate data are obtained. As user also is directed to gather other data about the failure and the system. After data relating to the problem or failure has been gathered, the data are synthesized and an analysis is performed to determine the root cause of the failure or problem.

Abstract: After implementation of an interactive voice response (IVR) system providing voice prompts (i.e., utterances) to aid a telephone caller, it is desirable to provide call-flow verification to validate system accuracy, particularly under high-volume or saturation calling conditions. An IVR system has a call-flow verification (CFV) mode which can be activated for this purpose. In the CFV mode, the IVR system provides prompt signals which include coded signals representing the content of utterances. An automated call generator (ACG) unit places simulated user calls to the IVR system. The content of utterances is represented by coded signals included in prompt signals sent by the IVR system during the course of the simulated call and stored by the ACG unit. Verification can be applied for all possible paths an application might take (to check all possible go-right and error paths).

Abstract: An LCD display has disparate turn-on/turn-off characteristics whereby a rapid decrease in signal intensity at pixel positions can cause a flash effect. Such effect is avoided or reduced for a video signal including a large intensity decrease between successive images. By incrementally decreasing the signal intensity over three frames, rather than from one frame to the next, intermediate intensity steps reduce the frame-to-frame magnitude of intensity decrease. A key feature is selection of the size of the intermediate intensity step changes on a closed loop basis, by an operator viewing the image effects resulting from the operator's adjustments. Flash effects in particular applications may be affected by image content, incident light and other local conditions as well as by subjective viewer characteristics and preferences. By operator adjustment, while viewing the resulting display, the best presentation can be provided.

Abstract: An antenna system, to enable communication with a moving vehicle via a satellite, utilizes an array of subarrays contiguously positioned in a diamond-type pattern. Straight edge boundaries of an array can maximize sidelobe degradation resulting from diffraction effects at the edge. The diamond-type array pattern provides saw tooth array edge boundaries with all edge portions at 45 degrees (or other suitable acute angle) to the principal array dimension (the length dimension). Uniform excitation may be provided for all subarrays via a binomial power divider/combiner configuration. Mechanical beam steering can be provided in azimuth and elevation. A phase shifter assembly may be provided to enable a limited electronic scan (e.g., plus or minus 2 degrees) to increase beam steering agility from a moving vehicle. Thin flat-plate subarray design details are provided.

Abstract: An automated seal selection, seal design, manufacturing, and post sales system allows a distributor or untrained user to select a replacement seal for a pump. The automated system designs and engineers the seal, whether standard or special, and creates all drawings, documentation, quotations, and other output forms. The automated system initiates selection from inventory or purchasing of materials to be used in the manufacturing operations, creates all manufacturing CNC programs for the components to be manufactured and downloads to CNC from manufacturing equipment. The system allows selection of a seal based upon a seal part number, or selection of a seal based upon the pump into which the seal will be installed and the operating conditions of the pump. The pump may be defined by searching through a database of existing pumps, or may be defined as a new pump if it is not in the pump database.

Abstract: Antennas having a circular array of radiating elements are arranged to enable continuous 360 degree scanning of a sum and difference beam pattern. With a 108 element circular array, a sub array of 27 contiguous elements may be step scanned to 108 positions while maintaining sum and difference antenna patterns. Each scan step may require only two switch adjustments, one to initiate excitation of a contiguous leading element and terminate excitation of the trailing element, and the other to change coupling of a middle element from a divided power port of a left power divider to such a port of a right power divider. Configurations using sub arrays whose element complement is not evenly divisible into the total number of array elements, using sub arrays consisting of an odd number of radiating elements, or employing minimized feed network complexity are disclosed.

Abstract: A split seal component includes two seal face segments in two holder halves and a method of assembly and installation. Each seal face segment has a primary sealing surface and a section extending axially from each primary sealing surface The holder halves are adapted to be joined together to rigidly hold the circular seal face. The holder being constructed and arranged to mount to a shaft.

Abstract: Blade fold hinge units are attachable between each helicopter blade and its hub attachment point, while maintaining continuity of mechanical connection of each blade to its hub portion. A two portion hinge unit has a first portion for blade attachment and a second portion for hub attachment. The first and second portions are hinged via a transverse pin to enable blade drooping downward, before or after a blade is pivoted to an aft position for helicopter storage or shipment. Upon aft pivoting of a blade, undesired further pivoting or knuckling of the hinge unit relative to the hub is prevented by addition of a lock link. After blade folding, the blades may be suitably fixed in position adjacent the aft portion of the helicopter body.

Abstract: Arresting systems attachable to a tail-hook cable or other device for aircraft arrestment may have a total height of one foot, enabling above-ground installation at the edge of a runway. Arresting tapes are provided on horizontally positioned dual tape spools in a brake-in-spool configuration. With a friction disk brake assembly enclosed within the hub of each horizontal tape spool to control tape deployment by braking spool rotation during aircraft arrestment, overall system height is reduced. By use of disposable single-use spools, requirement for a tape rewind engine and related mechanisms are avoided. Spool hubs can be keyed to the exterior of a rotatable brake assembly portion to facilitate slidable tape spool installation and replacement. Pre-tensioned arresting tapes on tape spools can be employed for improved tape deployment. Computerized hydraulic brake assembly activation can be employed for controlled aircraft arrestment.

Abstract: Flash ROM memory may be utilized to enable field updates of system-level code necessary for providing system operation. However, a disruption during downloading can render a system inoperable. With alternating use of two memory areas, downloading is provided on a fault tolerant basis. A previously-stored functional code version is held in a first memory area. A second memory area is erased and an update code version is downloaded and stored therein. In case of unsuccessful downloading, the previously-stored functional code version remains usable. For the next downloading a later update version is loaded into the first memory area, while the previously downloaded update code version is held in the second memory area for use if needed. By this alternation of memory areas, one memory area can safely be erased or over-written for new code downloading, while an operationally validated prior version of the code remains available in case of downloading failure.

Abstract: To provide horizon to zenith reception coverage for Differential GPS operations, two antennas with complementary patterns may be used. An antenna for high-angle coverage includes a ring of four dipoles excited to provide progressive-phase-omnidirectional (PPO) coverage. A cylindrical (e.g., octagonal) structure, with an upper edge at the diode horizontal centerline, extends upward from a ground plane section. An absorber configuration having a serrated upper edge portion extends around the dipoles above the cylindrical structure and has radiation absorption properties. For an octagonal configuration, the absorber configuration may include eight resistance card sections with triangular portions extending above the wall structure. A conical antenna pattern expanding upwardly can provide omnidirectional coverage above a selected elevation angle (e.g., above 55° elevation).

Abstract: Vehicle arresting beds, for installation at the ends of aircraft runways, are effective to safely decelerate aircraft entering the bed. The arresting bed is assembled of a large number of blocks of cellular concrete having predetermined compressive gradient strength, so that aircraft landing gear is subjected to drag forces effective to slow a variety of types of aircraft, while providing deceleration within a safe range of values. An arresting bed typically includes an entry region of a depth increasing from 9 to 24 inches formed of blocks having a first compressive gradient strength. A second region, which may be tapered into the first region and increase in depth to 30 inches, is formed of blocks having a greater compressive gradient strength. An aircraft thus experiences increasing drag forces while it travels through the bed, to provide an arresting capability suitable for a variety of aircraft.

Abstract: A computer system implements a process for gathering, synthesizing, and analyzing data relating to a pump and/or seal or other rotating equipment failure. Data indicating the current state of the equipment is gathered and verified prior to a failure occurring so that accurate information is available. After a failure or problem occurs, data about the problem or failure are methodically gathered to aid in the determination of the root cause of the failure. In particular, visual images of failure modes are provided to the user to ensure that proper and accurate data are obtained. After data relating to the problem or failure has been gathered, the data are synthesized and an analysis is performed to determine the root cause of the failure or problem. These various methods and apparatus allow a non-specialist to properly identify and diagnose a failure or problem associated with a mechanical seal and pump.

Abstract: A whip antenna with switchable operative length provides seven band coverage from 30 to 90 MHZ. A coaxial choke section below a fixed upper antenna element is used for the highest frequency band. A series of four coaxial line sections are switchably coupled below the choke section to increase its operative length for operation in bands of successively lower frequency. One or more lumped constant non-coaxial transmission line sections are switchably coupled below the coaxial line sections for operation in the two lowest frequency bands. Dipole level gain is provided with low reflections loss. Increased height gain is provided by height of operative antenna elements employed at higher frequency bands.

Abstract: Aircraft arresting beds constructed of cellular concrete at ends of runways may be subject to damaging effects of jet blast phenomena. Arresting units resistant to such effects are described. A block of compressible material, such as cellular concrete, provides compressive failure characteristics suitable for arresting travel of an aircraft overrunning a runway. A top sheet of relatively thin frangible material positioned above the block provides a stronger, more damage resistant surface, while still readily fracturing in an arresting incident. Intermediate material, such as a foam layer, under the top sheet may be included to provide a protective cushioning effect by mitigating transmission of external phenomena forces to the block. A wrapping, such as polyester net, at least partially enclosing other portions of the arresting unit provides a stable unified composite, without destroying desired compressive failure characteristics of the unit.

Abstract: Radiation synthesizer systems provide efficient wideband operation with loop antenna elements which are small relative to operating wavelength. Energy dissipation is substantially reduced by cycling energy back and forth between a high-Q radiator and a storage capacitance under control of a switching circuit. Systems using multi-segment loop antennas match input impedance to switching circuit parameters. Use of such antennas in crossed-loop configurations excited in quadrature and supported on a wearable garment provide body-borne antennas with isotropic type coverage. With light-weight flexible construction, a wearable radiating system can avoid any need for visually identifiable features and provide effective antenna pattern coverage regardless of the wearer's body orientation, whether standing, prone or otherwise.

Abstract: An automated seal selection, seal design, manufacturing, and post sales system allows a distributor or untrained user to select a replacement seal for a pump. The automated system designs and engineers the seal, whether standard or special, and creates all drawings, documentation, quotations, and other output forms. The automated system initiates selection from inventory or purchasing of materials to be used in the manufacturing operations, creates all manufacturing CNC programs for the components to be manufactured and downloads to CNC from manufacturing equipment. The system allows selection of a seal based upon a seal part number, or selection of a seal based upon the pump into which the seal will be installed and the operating conditions of the pump. The pump may be defined by searching through a database of existing pumps, or may be defined as a new pump if it is not in the pump database.

Abstract: A compact aircraft antenna for reception of GPS signals includes eight elements to provide eight antenna patterns usable for anti-jam signal processing. Four bent monopole elements are configured with vertical portions and horizontal inward-extending portions. The bent monopole elements are arranged for multimode excitation to provide a primary progressive phase omnidirectional right-hand circularly-polarized antenna pattern for basic signal GPS signal reception. Multimode excitation of the bent monopoles also provides omnidirectional left-hand circularly-polarized, uniform phase omnidirectional, and clover leaf auxiliary antenna patterns. Four individual slot element figure-eight type auxiliary antenna patterns are also provided. With availability of these primary and auxiliary patterns, adaptive type anti-jam processing can be employed to actively provide reduced-gain antenna pattern notches or nulls at incident angles of interference or jamming signals.

Abstract: Radiation synthesizer systems provide efficient wideband operation with an antenna, such as a loop, which is small relative to operating wavelength. Energy dissipation is substantially reduced by cycling energy back and forth between a high-Q radiator and a storage capacitance under control of a switching circuit. In addition to transmit operation using an energy source such as a battery, by reciprocity receive systems deliver received signals to an output device, such as a speaker or other audio or visual transducer device. By efficient direct processing, via controlled activation of switch devices of switch modules, incident RF signals are converted to baseband signals. Commercial type AM receivers may be provided without IF processing and detection or analog filters.