Abstract: The disclosure relates to a grommet for relatively soft panels comprising male and female elements that mechanically interlock with one another. The male and female elements having complementary truncated conical surfaces that pinch and deflect a flanged portion of the skin of the panel into a complementary annular rib and groove thereby to fasten and minimize creep of the skin relative to the grommet. The male and female elements of the grommet are positively locked to one another by a relatively simple assembly operation.

Abstract: A mounting system for a vehicle deceleration sensor comprises a mounting bracket complementary to the housing of the deceleration sensor so as to accept the sensor in a slidable lost motion relationship.

Abstract: A gas generant composition devoid of azides which yields solid combustion products which are easily filtered rendering the gases useful for inflating automobile occupant restraint bags and further providing a reduction in the amount of toxic oxides of nitrogen in the produced gases.

Abstract: A liquid filter comprises a cloth filter media in the form of a drum. Contaminated liquid flows into the interior of the drum thence radially outwardly through the cloth filter media as the filter rotates. Sludge is constantly backwashed from the filter media by pressurized liquid in the reverse direction of filtration. Flexibility of the cloth filter media materially enhances backwashing efficiency. Sludge is collected by a collector internally of the drum.

Abstract: A tree seat comprises a horizontal beam having a rotatable seat at one end thereof and a vertical pin at the other end thereof that is removably journalled in a complementary vertical element that is secured to a tree by a pair of tree encircling straps.

Abstract: A hunting mask for purifying the breath of a hunter comprises a face mask having a one-way air intake valve thereon, a tube for conducting a hunter's breath from the mask to an intake end of an air purification canister, and a one-way discharge valve at the discharge end of the canister for controlled passage of breath to the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: A retainer mechanism for a safety belt includes a retraction reel on which the safety belt web is wound and first and second locking members mounted adjacent the reel and movable relative to the frame to clamp the web itself or allow the web to move. Displacement of the second locking member, and thus of the first locking member, may be caused e.g. by an inertia mechanism on the reel and/or by an acceleration/de-celeration sensitive mechanism and/or by a projection adjacent the end of the web.

Abstract: A near supersonic aircraft comprising an airframe that maintains subsonic air flow thereover within the flight envelope of the aircraft. The airframe comprises a right circular conical forward fuselage section, a right circular cylindrical intermediate fuselage section defining a passenger compartment, and an aft fuselage section having a generally circular frontal cross section and a generally rectangular aft cross section.A submerged semi circular air inlet is disposed between the intermediate and aft fuselage sections at the top thereof. A pair of forwardly swept wings are joined to the fuselage adjacent the circumferentially spaced ends of the air inlet whereby air flow over the fuselage and along the leading edges of the wings is directed into the air inlets at subsonic speeds and at all attitudes of the aircraft within its flight envelope.

Abstract: An automatic drum filter comprises a tank having a drum therein with a continuous filter media wrapped around substantially the entire periphery thereof. A supply roll of said media is supported externally of the tank for rotation about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the drum. Filter media is advanced about the drum of the filter by means of an assembly which engages, advances, and then disengages the media.

Abstract: A valve stem oil seal comprises a cup-shaped case engageable with the valve guide of a piston-type internal combustion engine in sealing relationship. A seal element has a radial flange portion disposed between a radial flange on the case and a support washer so as to be radially movable relative thereto and an annular portion sealably engaged with the valve stem.

Abstract: A fuel control system for providing steady state fuel flow to a gas-turbine engine comprises a pulse-width modulated, solenoid-operated fuel metering valve, an engine speed transducer, and a remote microprocessor communicating with the valve and the speed transducer through an optical fiber. The valve is operated by a direct current signal which is pulsed at a frequency substantially higher than the natural frequency of the valve spring/plunger system, whereby the plunger remains axially displaced from the valve seat to provide continuous flow through the valve. The amount of axial plunger displacement and, hence, the fuel flow are prescribed by the pulse width of the signal directed through the valve.

Abstract: An airbag inflator comprises a housing having a frontal opening for the deployment of an airbag and a plurality of air aspirating and exhaust ports in the sidewalls thereof. An airbag is folded into the housing so as to overlie and close the ports in the sidewalls thereof. The airbag covers the ports in the housing during initial deployment of the airbag but subsequent deployment of the airbag opening the ports to first permit aspiration of the air into the housing and subsequently permit exhaust of air outwardly of the housing.

Abstract: An air bag firing circuit comprises a firing path which includes redundant acceleration sensors, i.e., two sensors of like threshold connected in parallel. Each sensor comprises normally-open switch means operated by an inertial mass and shunted by a resistor. A battery maintains a known voltage across the firing path while a microprocessor checks the integrity of the firing path by periodically reading and comparing the voltages achieved at various points thereabout. The microprocessor further tests each sensor individually by electromagnetically biasing the sensor's inertial mass in a manner so as to close the switch means thereof while determining the effect of such testing on the voltages achieved about the firing path.

Abstract: An autoigniting composition for the gas generator of a vehicle occupant restraint system that is thermally stable at temperatures up to 110.degree. C., will not autoignite at 150.degree. C., but when heated to approximately 177.degree. C. will undergo rapid autoignition.

Abstract: A fire control system for buildings, wherein the building is provided with a sprinkler system around the perimeter of the building. The sprinkler system sprays water inwardly against the walls, windows and doors of the building.

Abstract: A circuit for a actuating a vehicle passenger safety restraint such as an air bag includes pyroelectric sensors, pressure transducers, and ultrasonic acoustic sensors for sensing the presence, weight, and relative position of the passenger within a vehicle, respectively, which information is supplied to a control module controlling operation of the restraint. The control module, which includes processor means, calculates the likely effectiveness of the restraint in preventing or otherwise mitigating injury to the vehicle passenger in the event of subsequent operation of the restraint. A signal lamp is illuminated by the control module in the event that the passenger assumes a position which reduces the calculated likely effectiveness of the restraint below a threshold level therefor, thereby warning the passenger of the heightened risk of injury.

Abstract: An aquatic vegetation harvester comprises a barge having a vegetation cutter extending forwardly thereof and a conveyor extending aft. Hydraulic cylinders effect elevation of the aft end of the conveyor relative to the barge. A pair of laterally spaced, laterally adjustable paddle wheels on the sides of the barge effect propulsion thereof.

Abstract: A refrigeration system utilizes a small high speed centrifugal compressor driven by a directly coupled, high frequency, electric motor. The motor has a double-ended shaft which supports the rotors of low pressure and high pressure centrifugal compressor stages. The motor operates in the refrigerant atmosphere so as to eliminate the requirement for rotating shaft seals. High frequency power (3750 Hz) is supplied to the motor, which runs at 75,000 RPM. The system utilizes a novel flash intercooler between the compressor stages.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor having a sensing mass supported relative to a frame by a plurality of beams having a plurality of resistors integral therewith. The resistance of the beam resistors varies as the sensing mass is displaced relative to the frame in response to acceleration of the frame in a direction generally normal to the plane of beam extension. The displacement of the sensing mass due to such acceleration produces a corresponding change in the output of a Wheatstone bridge incorporating the beam resistors in the legs thereof. At least one leg of the bridge additionally has a resistor of variable resistance in series with the beam resistor thereof, the resistance of which is controlled by a microprocessor, whereby the bridge output is adjusted to compensate for temperature effects and manufacturing tolerances.