Abstract: A composite blind plastic rivet having a ductile plastic sheath fully covering the blind head on the rivet to preclude protrusion of fibers upon formation thereof.

Abstract: A fuel slinger for a gas turbine is provided with a hydraulic fuel trap within the U-shaped cross section thereof to inject fuel metered by a low pressure fuel system into a combustion chamber at relatively higher pressure.

Abstract: A spring support system for a compliant hydrodynamic gas lubricated bearing comprises a plurality of cylindrical spring elements that are retained by floating control rods in circumferential and axially extending arrays for the support of a compliant foil.

Abstract: A fuel tank float for use with gasoline-alcohol mixtures comprising a closed container formed of a material resistant to such mixtures and filled with a slurry of a low specific gravity material such as hollow glass beads in a medium substantially similar to the gasoline-alcohol mixture to be gauged therewith.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a turbine engine comprises an annular ceramic-matrix composite hub having integral radially outwardly extending vanes, and a pair of annular ceramic-matrix composite shrouds which interlockingly engage and secure the radially outermost ends of the vanes, whereby the hub is peripherally supported. The quasi-isotropic laminate structure of both hub and shroud materials generates like physical properties radially and circumferentially in the hub, and axially and circumferentially in the shrouds. Such quasi-isotropism in turn provides cooperative thermal expansion of the hub and shrouds during engine operation, whereby the radial, axial, and circumferential abutting surfaces of the ends of the vanes increasingly interlockingly engage with the correspondingly opposed surfaces of the shrouds to effect increased structural integrity of the nozzle assembly.

Abstract: A composite blind rivet wherein a ductile metallic sheath fully covers the blind head forming portion of the rivet before and after deformation thereof so as to preclude protrustion of said fibers upon formation of said blind head. The sheath is initially expanded radially along a thin-walled portion thereof during blind head formation by the hydrostatic pressure generated by axial compression of the rivet's composite core, whereafter axial compression of the sheath supplants the hydrostatic core pressure to radially outwardly buckle the sheath into a blind head preferably of frusto-conical cross-section. Subsequent to blind head formation, the sheath elastically maintains a radially inward bias on the rivet's composite core while elastically axially biasing the anvil from the workpieces, whereby clamp-up force is maintained notwithstanding nominal plastic cold flow of the rivet's composite core during use.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a cable drum drivably connected to the compressor and turbine of the engine. A cable is wound about said drum and is tensioned by relative movement between the engine and a support vehicle to effect rotation of the engine compressor and turbine independently of air flow through said engine.

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 firing circuit for deploying a pair of air bags comprises two circuit legs connected in parallel across a voltage supply. Each circuit leg comprises in series a safing sensor, a squib, and a crash sensor, with each sensor being shunted by a like resistor having a nominal resistance substantially greater than the nominal resistance of the squibs. Two separate diode bridges, each comprising a pair of oppositely biased diodes, bridge the circuit legs at junctions thereon between the safing sensors and the squibs, and the squibs and the crash sensors, respectively, to provide multiple firing paths for both squibs.

Abstract: An apparatus for precisely heating a continuous stream of heading tool dies to a desired temperature for immediate use thereafter in a rivet heading operation comprises a closed-loop transport system having a variable-speed drive and receptacle means for receiving and retaining heading tool dies for transportation therewith, with a first section of the die transport system being exposed to fluid medium having reference temperature below the desired die temperature, and a second fixed-length section of the die transport system being exposed to a constant temperature heat source. The temperature of the dies is thus normalized by exposure to the reference temperature fluid medium, whereafter a metered quantity of heat is transferred to each die by the controlled exposure thereof to the constant temperature heat source as determined by adjustment of die transport speed, whereby the dies are precisely heated to the desired temperature.

Abstract: An improved pin connector system comprising a compliant pin that effects a resilient interference fit within a complementary circular aperture of a printed circuit board. The pin utilizes an improved three beam configuration that optimizes electrical continuity, load distribution and mechanical stability, yet minimizes insertion force. The compliant pin exhibits improved contact wiping upon insertion and superior anti-torque and retention force characteristics after insertion.

Abstract: A method for the thermal welding of contiguous sheet metal elements comprising the steps of directing a defocussed laser beam at the joint formed therebetween so as to plasticize the areas thereof proximate thereto with a substantial portion of the energy thereof, and simultaneously feeding a powdered filler material into and about the joint so as to fully encompass the area of laser beam impingement thereupon, with a portion of the filler material being heated to a plastic state by the remaining portion of the beam's energy. The powdered filler material thus partially shields the sheets from the direct impingement of the beam's full energy thereupon, whereby the likelihood of sheet burn-through and/or excessive heat distortion is greatly reduced. The plasticized filler material thereafter attaches to the plasticized area proximate with the joint and builds thereupon a homogeneous weld seam characterized by excellent weld fusion and a high joint efficiency.

Abstract: A method of making a turbine nozzle comprises the steps of forming a destructible mold in the configuration of a fluid passage through said nozzle, coating the mold with a succession of layers of different materials, removing the mold so as to form a hollow vane segment, assembling a plurality of hollow vane segments in a circumferential array, and bonding the vane segments to one another to form the nozzle.

Abstract: A bar screen filter comprises a plurality of bars arranged in closely spaced parallel relation so as to define slots through which liquid flows. A scraper element is disposed above the bar screen and has a plurality of free floating knife blades projecting downwardly through the slots between the said bars.

Abstract: An automatic drum filter comprises a perforated drum having a continuous filter media wrapped around substantially the entire periphery thereof. A supply roll of the media and a reroll drum are supported for rotation about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the drum. A variable speed motor drives only the reroll drum. A pair of endless chains extend around each end of the drum so as to preclude axial displacement of the media on the drum.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor comprises a housing having a magnetically permeable element, such as a steel washer, secured thereto proximate with an end of a cylindrical passage formed therein; a magnetic sensing mass in the passage which is displaced in response to acceleration of the housing from an initial position within the passage proximate the steel washer to a second position within the passage when such acceleration overcomes the magnetic bias of the sensing mass towards the steel washer; a pair of electrically conductive rings encompassing the passage so as to provide magnetic damping for the sensing mass during the displacement thereof; and a pair of beam contacts projecting from the housing into the passage so as to be bridged by the sensing mass when the sensing mass is displaced to the second position within the passage.

Abstract: A circular spring clamp comprises a spring steel band having a reentrantly folded latch hook at one end and a radially outwardly extending latch at the opposite end with a concave latching surface thereon. The band has radially outwardly extending flanges on opposite edges thereof for guidance and retention of the latch hook.

Abstract: A ramjet combustor operates on a slurry fuel that is atomized to 25 microns or less droplet size. A ram air turbine drives a fuel slinger which injects the fuel into the swirl stabilized ramjet combustor.

Abstract: An adjustable tension foil bearing for a rotatable shaft comprises a bearing housing for the support of a plurality of foil carriers which carry a like plurality of foil elements. The foil carriers are rotatable to effect tensioning of the foil elements.

Abstract: A fixed valve stem oil seal comprises a cup-shaped case engageable with the valve guide of a piston-type internal combustion engine. An "O-ring" type seal element is disposed between radial flanges on the case and the valve guide so as to be radially movable relative thereto. The seal element is slidable engageable with the valve stem, valve guide, and said case so as to effect a seal between the valve and valve guide.