Abstract: A microlith catalyst bed for use in automotive catalytic converters or gas turbine catalytic combustors. The microlith catalyst bed of the present invention advantageously utilizes a wire cloth (10) woven to form a spiral wound flat helix (or coil). Woof wires (14) are woven into warp wires (12) in a polar weave pattern. There is no leftover scrap when forming the microlith catalyst bed. Warp wires (12) further carry electrical current via bus bars (106, 108) for electrically heating the catalyst bed. Lightoff time for the bed is significantly reduced due to the heating.

Abstract: The spa pool (1) is constructed with a solid base and side walls (4), the spa pool having a soft interior. The water is contained in a vinyl liner (5), and between the liner (5) and the base and/or the side walls (4) there is positioned a layer of resilient material such as foam plastic material, or foam rubber.

Abstract: A composite fan blade comprises a blade portion (12) formed from a first set of unidirectional layers of fibers (110) wrapped around a wedge shape bushing (16). A blade platform (14) comprising a second set of unidirectional fiber layers (114) filled with a resin filler (116) is pressure molded with the blade (12) and bushing (16) to form a desired blade shape. The blade is then hinge mounted to a metallic blade support disk (18). The blade of the present invention provides a strong, lightweight fan blade for small, high speed propfan turbine engines.

Abstract: A method for removing nitrogen oxides NO.sub.x and volatile organic combustibles VOC's from impure air or gases is provided. The method includes the steps of admixing ammonia or other reducing gas to the feed of an incinerator, heating the gas to about 1000.degree. F., reacting the NO.sub.x with the reducing gas to form nitrogen gas and water, and further heating the gas to oxidize the VOC's and residual reducing gas with the oxygen present.

Abstract: A compliant foil bearing comprises a relatively thin bearing foil that is supported in juxtaposed relation to both a shaft and a bearing housing by a pair of sinusoidally folded spacer foils.

Abstract: An unducted turbofan engine comprises first and second fan blades journaled for rotation from a folded position substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the engine to a radially orientated propulsion condition. A releasable shroud normally retains the fan blades in the folded condition and releases the fan blades in a controlled sequence.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor comprises a tube formed of an electrically-conductive non-magnetic material; a magnetically-permeable element, such as a iron washer, proximate with the passage; and a sensing mass in the passage comprising a pair of permanent magnets and a spacer whose magnetic permeability increases with increasing temperature, with the magnets being secured to the opposite sides of the spacer so as to place a pair of like magnetic poles in opposition. In operation, the sensing mass interacts with the iron washer so as to be magnetically biased to a first position in the passage, while the magnetic-permeability of the spacer and, hence, the magnetic flux generated by the sensing mass adjusts to maintain a nearly constant threshold magnetic bias irrespective of variations in sensor temperature.

Abstract: An optical flip-flop comprises a phase-conjugating mirror; a one-way mirror having its reflective side facing the phase-conjugating mirror; a "set" light pulse directed towards the phase-conjugating mirror through the transmissive side of the one-way mirror for initiating a reference light beam which thereafter reflects continuously along an auto-collimating path between the mirrors; a normally transmissive optical gate along the path of the reference beam which is rendered nontransmissive relative thereto upon interaction with a "reset" light pulse; a plurality of filters positioned between the mirrors to prevent the self-starting of the reference beam therebetween; and means for deriving an output signal from the reference beam. An optical logic device comprises a plurality of such flip-flops sharing a single set of mirrors, whereby increased system compactness and simplicity is achieved.

Abstract: An aspirating inflator assembly for a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises a housing having spaced sidewalls, a back wall and an openable front wall. An airbag is stored internally of the housing. Multiple gas generators are supported on or adjacent to the back wall of the housing. The housing has a plurality of apertures in the sidewalls thereof that are normally closed by valves which are openable to aspirate ambient air into the housing but preclude exhaust of air outwardly of the housing.

Abstract: A starting system for a turbine engine comprises a single D.C. electric motor that drives both a positive displacement fuel pressure boost pump and a positive displacement metering pump. A multiple position recirculation valve is positioned between the metering pump and a starting fuel reservoir for shunting fuel to tank so as to enable the D.C. motor to rapidly achieve full speed. When start parameters are sensed by a computer, the recirculation valve is closed which directs full fuel pressure to the starting fuel reservoir.

Abstract: A rotatable regenerator of toroidal configuration is frictionally driven by a single roller disposed internally of the toroid.

Abstract: A circuit breaker having two subassemblies, connected via snap-lock means, which mesh together to provide manual operation with "trip free" response to overloads and no latch load on the bimetallic element.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor comprises a tube formed of an electrically-conductive non-magnetic material; a stop defining an end of the tube which moves longitudinally thereof in response to temperature; a magnetically-permeable element, such as a iron washer, proximate with the end of the tube; and a sensing mass in the tube comprising a pair of permanent magnets secured to the opposite sides of an iron spacer so as to place a pair of like magnetic poles thereof in opposition. In operation, the sensing mass interacts with the iron washer so as to be magnetically biased against the stop, while the stop moves longitudinally of the tube to maintain a nearly constant threshold magnetic bias on the sensing mass irrespective of variations in sensor temperature.

Abstract: A ring seal comprises an annular seal segment that is fixed against rotation but is axially movable relative to a fixed seal segment. The axially movable seal segment has substantially equal oppositely facing exposed radial surfaces whereby fluid pressure acting against the rotatable segment is substantially balanced in opposite axial directions.

Abstract: A process for the electrodeposition of a multilayered coating on an article formed of titanium or titanium alloy comprises the steps of: (i) cleaning the article by conventional means, such as by descaling, dry blasing, soaking, and rinsing, so as to remove oxides and other surface contaminants therefrom and expose the article's titanium substrate; (ii) immmersing the clean article in an agitated acid bath at room temperature to activate the surface thereof; (iii) immersing the thus activated article in an agitated aqueous nickel bath preferably comprising nickel chloride at room temperature and cathodically applying a relatively thin non-porous nickel base coat directly on the exposed titanium substrate to improve subsequent zinc adhesion thereto; and (iv) immersing the nickel-plated article in an agitated aqueous zinc bath preferably comprising zinc oxide, sodium cyanide, sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate and electrodepositing a zinc layer of desired thickness over the nickel base coat.

Abstract: A percussion initiated inflator assembly for an airbag comprises a detonator panel that effects essentially simultaneous ignition of a plurality of gas generators by a shock wave.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a turbine disk and a method of making the turbine disk comprising the steps of rotating a mold, adding a first powdered metal to the rotating mold at a first rate, reducing the rate of addition of the first metal to a second rate, and adding a second powdered metal to the mold at a third rate substantially equal to the difference between the first and second rates.

Abstract: A tappet comprising a body portion, a cam follower shoe having an arcuate cam engaging sole, a pivot pin supporting the cam follower shoe for rotation on the body portion of said tappet, and a removable shim for moving said shoe relative to the axis of reciprocation of the body portion of said tappet to vary valve timing.

Abstract: A vertical turbine pump comprises an assembly including a rotatable pump shaft, an impeller, and an impeller bowl. The assembly is removably mounted in a fluid flow diverter that directs fluid at a right angle to the axis of rotation of the pump shaft then to a path parallel to the axis of rotation of the pump shaft.