Abstract: A bracket assembly for detachably retaining a body-carried device such as a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is provided with strap-supporting arms for holding the shoulder straps of the device in a ready-to-wear position. At least a portion of each arm is movable from a generally horizontal, load-bearing or “working” position to a generally vertical, out-of-the-way or “rest” position. A spring or other resilient member urges the movable portion of each arm to the rest position, so the arms do not present a safety hazard to personnel in the area after the body-carried device has been removed from the bracket assembly.

Abstract: A focused floodlight is designed to provide uniform illumination throughout an emergency scene including a work area and an action area. The floodlight includes a light line and a reflector specially configured so that half the light illuminates the work area and half the light illuminates the action area. The reflector has four sections, each of which is shaped to reflect impinging light rays in a desired direction. Each of the four sections comprises a multitude of minute, individually aimed reflector elements which are designed so that the flux increases progressively as distance from the floodlight increases.

Abstract: A multiplexing system is provided for controlling and monitoring all the electrical functions of a vehicle. The system includes a switch control unit which receives inputs from various sources and converts the inputs into digital signals which are decoded in a microprocessor. The decoded signals are then sent to a power distribution unit, which sends out, shuts off, increases or decreases the power to different parts of the vehicle as needed.

Abstract: A high-temperature warning indicator is provided for attachment to a firefighter's helmet. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the indicator is in the form of a dual-color LED mounted in the tip of a highly insulated, lightweight housing. A microprocessor located within the housing and coupled to a temperature sensor activates the light, changes it from solid to flashing modes, and changes the color of the light as various temperature/time thresholds are reached. A clamp or similar mounting device is provided for securing the device to the brim of the firefighter's helmet.

Abstract: A system for controlling the pressure output of an engine-driven centrifugal fire pump includes a discharge pressure sensor mounted in the discharge line of the pump. A governor varies the RPM of the engine in response to pressure changes detected by the discharge pressure sensor. An electronically controlled hydraulic relief valve responsive to the discharge pressure sensor operates simultaneously with the governor to provide improved pressure control in overpressure situations.

Abstract: A firefighting nozzle includes a nozzle body having a having a centrally formed jet orifice at its outlet end. An annular fog spray opening concentrically surrounds the jet orifice. A jet control valve is provided for allowing selective variation of the diameter of the solid stream emitted from the jet orifice. A fog control valve is provided for selectively varying the intensity of the discharge from the fog spray opening. The jet control valve and the fog control valve are operable independently of and simultaneously with one another, so that either a variable diameter solid stream or a variable fog cone, or both, can be produced at once. Various remote control arrangements are available for actuating the jet and fog control valves. Foam injection systems are provided for inducing a foam concentrate at a low-pressure point within the nozzle.

Abstract: A fire truck having a flat bed includes a conveyor system for loading a number of interchangeable firefighting modules onto the bed. The conveyor system comprises a frame carrying a number of rollers or casters which allow the units to be easily slid on and off the bed. A pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, or mechanical mechanism is provided for raising and lowering the roller frame to engage or disengage the flat bottoms of the firefighting modules. Among the various modules disclosed are a hose module having fold-down chutes which lay the hose out alongside the truck as the truck moves ahead, and a tank module, which is coupled by quick-connect hoses to the intake and discharge lines of a pump carried in the truck bed. The intake and discharge lines of the pump may double as chassis rails for the truck. Also disclosed is a ladder carrier device which pivots downwardly and rearwardly to let the ladder slide down under its own weight after a sufficient length of the ladder has been pulled.

Abstract: A firefighting nozzle includes a nozzle body having a having a centrally formed jet orifice at its outlet end. An annular fog spray opening concentrically surrounds the jet orifice. A jet control valve is provided for allowing selective variation of the diameter of the solid stream emitted from the jet orifice. A fog control valve is provided for selectively varying the intensity of the discharge from the fog spray opening. The jet control valve and the fog control valve are operable independently of and simultaneously with one another, so that either a variable diameter solid stream or a variable fog cone, or both, can be produced at once. Various remote control arrangements are available for actuating the jet and fog control valves.

Abstract: An air tank bracket comprises a pair of resilient, C-shaped clips projecting from an elongate, vertically mounted backplate. A footplate for supporting the neck of an air tank extends from the bottom end of the back plate. A horizontally extending cross bar is secured proximate the upper end of the backplate. An arm, preferably of resilient material, is mounted for pivoting movement at each end of the cross bar. Friction pads or the like are provided to maintain the arms in a raised position once they have been lifted. The free end of each arm includes a slit for receiving one of the shoulder straps of the air tank. When the arms are lifted, the shoulder straps are held in a ready-to-wear position.

Abstract: An additional turbine, an air-to-water heat exchanger, and an air-to-air heat exchanger are added upstream of a recuperated gas turbine engine. Incoming air at atmospheric temperature is expanded and cooled in the additional turbine and then passes through the air-to-water heat exchanger where it is used to cool warm water to a suitable drinking temperature. The cool air then passes through the air-to-air heat exchanger, where it precools the incoming atmospheric temperature air. The output shaft of the additional turbine is coupled to an additional compressor downstream of the original compressor of the engine, thus resulting in a higher net pressure ratio.

Abstract: A firefighting nozzle includes a nozzle body having a having a centrally formed jet orifice at its outlet end. An annular fog spray opening concentrically surrounds the jet orifice. A jet control valve activated by a trigger is provided for allowing selective variation of the diameter of the solid stream emitted from the jet orifice. A fog control valve activated by a twist handle is provided for selectively varying the intensity of the discharge from the fog spray opening. The jet control valve and the fog control valve are operable independently of and simultaneously with one another, so that either a variable diameter solid stream or a variable fog cone, or both, can be produced at once.

Abstract: A turbine engine is provided with a primary surface, counterflow heat exchanger for preheating the compressed air from the compressor prior to its entry into the combustor. The recuperator includes three concentric cylindrical shells which completely encircle the hottest components of the engine. The outermost shell includes a plurality of inlet openings for receiving air from the compressor, and a plurality of outlet openings for discharging the air into the combustor. The innermost shell includes a plurality of inlet openings for receiving gases from the turbine and a plurality of outlet openings communicating with an exhaust duct. The central shell is a corrugated tube which divides the space between the inner and outer shells into a plurality of concentric annular flow chambers, and allows heat transfer between adjacent chambers Annular turbulators may be inserted in the chambers.

Abstract: A turbine engine is provided with a primary surface, counterflow heat exchanger for preheating the compressed air from the compressor prior to its entry into the combustor. The recuperator includes three concentric cylindrical shells which completely encircle the hottest components of the engine. The outermost shell includes a plurality of inlet openings for receiving air from the compressor, and a plurality of outlet openings for discharging the air into the combustor. The innermost shell includes a plurality of inlet openings for receiving gases from the turbine and a plurality of outlet openings communicating with an exhaust duct. The central shell is a corrugated tube which divides the space between the inner and outer shells into a plurality of concentric annular flow chambers, and allows heat transfer between adjacent chambers. Annular turbulators may be inserted in the chambers.

Abstract: A retractable roof is provided for mounting on a two-wheeled vehicle such as a motorcycle. The roof comprises a flexible waterproof canopy which is removably supported by a tubular metal frame movably secured to the vehicle. The frame includes a stationary base portion and an overhead portion including a front bow, central bow, and rear bow, all of which can be pivoted from an upright position over the seat of the vehicle to a lowered position parallel to the base portion and behind the seat. The central bow includes telescoping elements which allow it to be shortened when in the lowered position.

Abstract: A briefcase is configured as a saddle bag having two soft-sided pouches joined together by a central bridge portion. The pouches are shaped to fit within the space enclosed by the front post, the bottom brace, and the horizontal cross bar of a bicycle frame. Fastening straps are provided for fastening the rear edge of the briefcase to the seat post and the front edge to the bottom brace. An adjustable carrying strap is secured to the central bridge portion of the briefcase to allow it to be used as a hand or shoulder bag. Removable stiffening rods extend along either side of the bridge portion to prevent the pouches from sagging when the bag is lifted by the carrying strap.

Abstract: A pressure-gain combustor is placed in the exhaust path of the turbine in a turbocharger or turbine engine, thus increasing the pressure drop in the engine. The increased pressure drop in the engine leads to increased turbine power output when the turbocharger or turbine engine is operating under no-load or partial load conditions, thus reducing the problem of turbo lag.

Abstract: A diffuser for a radial flow compressor includes a pair of coaxial rings, the second of which closely surrounds the first. A set of intersecting flow passages extends through the first ring, and another aligned set of flow passages extends through the second ring. In a first embodiment of the invention, a circumferential groove is formed between the two rings, thus allowing low momentum fluid to migrate from the pressure side of one passage to the suction side of a neighboring passage and to prevent boundary layer build-up. In a second embodiment of the invention, the passages are arranged in a double cone configuration which allows higher diffusion levels than are attainable in a straight cone diffuser of equal length.

Abstract: A set of tire change lights for illuminating the tires of an automotive vehicle during a tire-changing operation comprises four lights, each of which is mounted near the wheel well above a different one of the vehicle's tires. Each light includes a light source, such as a light bulb, which may be mounted inside a reciprocable lamp housing or on the inner surface of a pivotable door, either of which enables the light to be moved from a concealed position within the body of the car to an external position suitable for illuminating a tire. The light source is electrically connected in series to the battery of the vehicle by means of a normally open control switch which closes to activate the light source when the light is in its external position and opens to deactivate the light source when the light is in its concealed position.