Abstract: An electric switch of the push-push type in which a first pushing actuation of a pushbutton assembly moves a switch rocker to a first switching position and a subsequent pushing actuation of the pushbutton plunger assembly moves the switch to an alternate switching position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power generation system comprising a Brayton cycle turbine for directly driving a first air compressor. A motor/generator is adapted to drive said turbine in the power generating condition and be driven by said turbine in the start condition. A second air compressor is also directly driven by said turbine and is coupled to said turbine, motor/generator, and said first air compressor by a gear system. A heat exchanger between said second air compressor and said turbine provides heat energy to drive the system.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a composite turbine wheel comprising a hub having a plurality of radially extending blades thereon. The hub and blades comprise a plurality of discrete axially spaced layers of radially extending carbon fibers and circumferentially extending carbon fibers. Hoop strength is given to the hub of the turbine wheel by the circumferentially oriented fibers and radial strength is given to the blades by the radially oriented fibers. Transmission of shear loads between the radial and circumferential fibers is minimized.

Abstract: A polytetrafluoroethylene seal with intersecting arcuate slitted grooves to effect bi-directional hydrodynamic pumping of oil due to rotation of a shaft about which the seal is disposed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing an oil seal element from polytetrafluoroethylene and the like. A tubular billet having concentric inner and outer cylindrical surfaces is faced off at one end. An arcuate slit is cut in the end face of the billet at each of a plurality of angularly spaced positions. Indexing of the billet is synchronized with rotation of the slitting tool. A disk of desired thickness having arcuate slits on one of its faces is then sliced from the billet, thereby also facing the billet for the next slitting sequence.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a semi-automatic helical insert tool that supports a pair of coils of feed strip having helical inserts thereon. The feed strip is fed through a strip guide to an indexing dial which advances an insert into drive position upon reciprocation of a manually operable trigger on the tool. Actuation of the trigger of the tool not only advances the helical insert into drive position but actuates an air motor to effect advancement of a drive tool into engagement with the insert and drive of the insert into a complementary aperture in a workpiece.

Abstract: A unitary turbine wheel for a gas turbine engine, the turbine wheel including a pair of initially separate discs which are diffusion bonded together and define air passageways which extend radially through the discs. A plurality of initially separate turbine blades are provided each of which defines cooling air passageways, and the turbine blades are diffusion bonded in angularly spaced relationship to the peripheral surfaces of the discs with the air passageways in the blades communicating with the air passageways defined by the discs. Means is provided for drivably connecting the turbine wheel to a turbine shaft, and in a preferred embodiment, the turbine blades have a thermally insulating coating on the exposed surfaces thereof.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a vehicle that is sustained in flight solely by thrust from a jet engine and directionally controlled by shifting the center of gravity of the vehicle relative to the thrust axis of the engine.

Abstract: In a fastener assembly of the type in which both the internal and external threads have wedge ramp root and crest sections, one of the thread forms is asymmetric so that its following flank has a different flank angle than its leading flank and different from the corresponding following flank of the other thread.

Abstract: A one-piece sheet metal insert for use in anchorage and fastening applications. The insert is designed to provide sufficient resistance to axial pull-out loading when utilized in relatively soft material workpieces such as structural foam plastic. The insert is also configured to take the clamp load between its collar and internal thread ribs thereby preventing tensile and compressive forces from being applied to the workpiece material surrounding the insert which commonly cause creep to occur.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a spark ignition engine that is fueled by methanol. Liquid methanol is first heated in a heat exchanger and then vaporized in a vapor generator. The vapor is decomposed in a catalytic reactor and expanded in an expander having an output shaft coupled to the output shaft of said spark ignition engine. A carburetor on said engine mixes air and the expanded decomposed methanol vapor to fuel said spark ignition engine.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electrical circuit breaker comprising a housing having a pair of external terminals for connection to a source of electrical current. Current responsive means is supported internally of the housing and electrically connected to said terminals and to separable internal contacts. Current flow through said current responsive means effects separation of said contacts upon the occurrence of a predetermined electrical condition. A fusible element disposed externally of said housing is electrically connected in series with said contacts and current responsive means and is operable to effect interruption of the electrical circuit through said circuit breaker upon failure of said current responsive means to respond to said predetermined electrical condition.

Abstract: Cast iron having more regular and uniform free graphite particle shape and distribution is more reliably produced by using pre-reduced iron pellets as a major component of the melting stock. Cast iron made in this way may be advantageously used to form ingot molds, brake discs, and other products.

Abstract: A small electrical switch assembly for low voltage applications which has an insulating housing and cover, an insulating spring-biased plunger of relatively long travel, two terminals and a grounding terminal, and internal self-wiping contacts; and which is adapted for quick installation and fastening to a grounded structure via an electrically conductive fastening means that automatically grounds the switch assembly if grounding is required; and which is adapted for fully automatic assembly.

Abstract: A clip nut assembly for use with thin sheet material which includes a generally D-shaped resilient clip having first and second generally parallel clamping portions biased together by an arcuate biasing strip for clampingly engaging opposite faces of a sheet inserted therebetween. A threaded nut is assembled with the second clamping portion for movement therewith. The biasing strip interconnects one end of the first clamping portion with the opposite end of the second clamping portion. This configuration allows the second clamping portion to pivot about two parallel axes and into parallel alignment with the first clamping portion during insertion of the sheet between the clamping portions to automatically align the nut for receivingly engaging a threaded bolt inserted through the sheet. The biasing strip includes an elongated generally diamond shaped aperture which gives the strip a constant strain geometry.

Abstract: An improved method of manufacturing a sealing nut having a sealing ring insert is disclosed. The process eliminates the costly step of machining an undercut into the counterbore of the nut blank to provide a means for retaining the sealing ring in place. This is accomplished by leaving a predetermined amount of excess material protruding around the periphery of the counterbore when the counterbore is initially cold formed. When the bearing surface is subsequently flattened by an additional cold forming step, the excess material is forced radially inwardly thereby reducing slightly the diameter of the counterbore at the bearing surface of the nut. The elimination of the undercutting operation also results in a nut having improved torque and load bearing characteristics.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a ring type seal with positive self centering anti-rotation characteristics intended to enhance seal life and reliability by elimination of lateral displacement forces arising from conventional anti-rotational features which may cause uneven or excessive seal wear. The invention disclosed is particularly suited to segmented ring seal constructions.

Abstract: A turbine wheel made up of a hub having carbon cloth discs impregnated with a carbon bearing resin, integral blades formed of chopped carbon fibers impregnated with the resin, and continuous carbon strengthening fibers in the hub and blades which extend circumferentially around the hub and radially through the blades to provide maximum strength. The method of manufacture comprises providing a fixture having slotted tip and root section template rings and aft and forward plates, alternately laying cloth discs within the inner ring and threading carbon fibers in and then out of the templates, adding chopped carbon fibers between the templates, impregnating the material with a carbon bearing resin, densifying the wheel by chemical vapor deposition, and machining the blades around the radial portions of the threaded carbon fibers.

Abstract: A device for effecting a generally tamper resistant threaded connection. The device includes a threaded fastener and a tool for driving and setting the fastener. The fastener has an internally threaded body portion, and a hollow cylindrical axially extending tool engaging portion spaced radially outward from the body portion and interconnected therewith. The tool engaging portion has a generally serrated driving surface defined by a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses for receiving a like number of complementary shaped projections on the tool. The recesses and the projections cooperate to establish a driving connection between the fastener and the tool when the tool is turned in a direction for driving and setting the fastener. When the tool is turned in a direction for backing-off the fastener once it has been set, the recesses and the projections cooperate to slidingly eject the projections from the recesses to break the driving connection between the tool and the fastener.