Abstract: A gas generator (10) utilizes two segregated propellant container/combustion chambers (62) and (64), each having a plurality of nonazide propellant grains (40 and 66) therein, and an igniter (24) for igniting only the propellant grains (40) located within the first combustion chamber (62). The nonazide propellant produces enough heat energy to subsequently ignite the segregated propellant grains (66) by forced convection and/or heat conduction.

Abstract: A dual articulated spline windshield wiper assembly for use in a conventional windshield wiper yoke and claw assembly comprises a relative high durometer plastic upper spline and a high durometer plastic lower spline that are coupled for relative rotation about a first axis, the lower spline having a low durometer wiping blade mounted thereon for limited rotation relative to the lower spline about a second axis parallel to said first axis.

Abstract: A gas generator (10) utilizes at least three segregated propellant container/combustion chambers (22, 32 and 34), each having a plurality of nonazide propellant grains (20, 36 and 38) therein, and an igniter (16) for igniting only the propellant grains (20) located within the first combustion chamber (22). The nonazide propellant produces enough heat energy to subsequently ignite the segregated propellant grains (36 and 38) by forced convection and/or heat conduction. The output inflation profile can be tailored to optimally cover a range of 10 to 90 percentile vehicle occupants.

Abstract: An accelerometer (10) features a housing (12) having an passage (14) of rectangular cross-section formed therein, the width dimension of which gradually increases with increasing displacement along a central longitudinal axis (16) away from a first end (24) of the passage; and a puck-shaped magnetic sensing mass (26) located within the passage whose magnetic axis extends in a direction normal to the basal surface (18) of the passage. A pair of magnetically-permeable elements (22) on the housing magnetically-interact with the sensing mass so as to bias the sensing mass towards a first position within the passage; and a first and second pair of stationary beam contacts (30) project into the passage so as to be bridged by respective electrically-conductive circumferential surfaces (28) on the sensing mass when it moves to a second position within the passage.

Abstract: A two chamber regenerative thermal oxidizer comprises an oxidizing chamber and a pair of regenerator chambers. Inlet and outlet valves control fluid flow to and from said regenerator chambers. A transition duct communicates with a contaminated fluid feed duct upstream of the regenerator inlet valves and with the oxidizing chamber of said oxidizer. Electronic control means opens and closes valves, selectively, in a prearranged sequence whereby the inlet and outlet valves in an individual regenerator are never open at the same time, thereby precluding short circuiting of the regenerative chamber, yet all of the inlet and outlet valves to the regenerative chambers are never simultaneously closed thereby to maintain the pressure of fluid flow through said regenerator chambers relatively constant.

Abstract: A gas cooled arc welding torch has inner and outer metal heat transfer sleeves disposed in telescoped relation and defining a longitudinally extending gas channel therebetween and having a welding tip at one end thereof supported by the inner heat transfer sleeve in heat transfer relationship and enveloped in gas flowing through the gas channel.

Abstract: An externally threaded male fastener has a right circular cylinder at one end that is slidably engageable with the internal threads of a female element, a pair diametrically opposed circumferentially truncated approach thread portions between the right circular cylinder and its conventional threads, and a pair of diametrically opposed unthreaded portions between the approach thread portions that preclude cross-threading with an internally threaded female element.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting a vehicle roll-over utilizes a z-axis accelerometer (12) and a processor (20) for analyzing the accelerometer output (18) to provide early detection/prediction of a vehicle roll-over. The output signal (18) is substantially a positive constant value equal to the force of gravity when the vehicle (16) is in a normal upright condition, and as the vehicle (16) experiences a roll-over, the output signal transitions to a substantially negative constant value when the vehicle has rolled 180.degree. upside down. To provide early roll-over detection and/or prediction, the z-axis data is averaged (102) and compared to a first threshold value (104) set to a g-force value within a range of 0 to -1 g. Estimating a slope value (step 110), i.e. the change in z-axis data over time, can provide an additional discrimination measure to improve overall reliability, and to provide a qualitative measure of the roll over.

Abstract: A fastener has a head portion with a torque accepting surface and a cylindrical recess on an external surface thereof defining a pair of axially spaced annular shoulders for acceptance in a circular fastener accepting aperture in a connector component. The aperture has a counterbore for the acceptance and seating of the head portion of the fastener and a channel extending radially of a longitudinal axis of the aperture therein for the acceptance of the fastener in translation, the channel having parallel shoulders spaced slightly greater than the diameter of the cylindrical recess in the head portion of the fastener but less than the minimum diameter of at least one of the shoulders thereon.

Abstract: An engine head gasket comprises a relatively incompressible steel plate having compressible tubes with a thermally expandible non gaseous non compressible elastic media therein disposed within each combustion opening and elastomeric sealing beads molded about each coolant and oil flow aperture in the head gasket. Shim plates are utilized on each side of the steel plate as compression limiters for the sealing elements. The shim plates also function to retain the tubular combustion seals in place.

Abstract: A system for the abatement of industrial process emissions comprises a catalytic oxidizer and a selective catalytic reduction bank integrated into a single housing. The system utilizes at least two regenerative chambers in a controlled abatement process. The integrated system removes volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), and toxic oxides of nitrogen (NO.sub.x) from the process emissions. The singular housing of the present invention is efficient and eliminates the need for more than one supplementary heat source, while eliminating major pollutants from the emissions.

Abstract: A precision laminar flow element for use in mass and volumetric fluid flowmeters is disclosed. The flow element comprises a single or a plurality of wire-wound plates positioned in the flow path. The flow through the laminar flow element results in a pressure drop across the element that is linearly proportional to the flow rate. Pressure measurement holes are positioned at some distance from the inlet and outlet of the flow element where laminar flow is fully developed. Full scale flow rate of the flowmeter can be varied by stacking more than one wire-wound flow element, resulting in a series of instruments capable of measuring a wide range of flow. The symmetrical design of the laminar flow element enables bi-directional flow measurement.

Abstract: A protective cover (22) for disposition over a patient bearing structure, such as a gurney (10) comprises a liquid impervious membrane having a liquid absorbent pad (24) thereon. The cover (22) minimizes transportation of potentially infectious biological fluids to the gurney (10). The cover (22) is further provided with triangular corner flaps (46), (48), (50), and (52), which allow railings (14), (16), (18), and (20) to be raised or lowered without requiring the cover (22) to be unfastened.

Abstract: An articulated twin spline windshield wiper blade assembly for acceptance in the claws of a conventional windshield wiper arm assembly comprises a relative high durometer polymeric female spline having a circular channel therein for journaling of a male spline of a relatively low durometer elastomeric material. The female spline has a pair of oppositely directed flanges that are accepted in the claws of the wiper arm assembly and lie in a plane containing the central axis of the circular channel therein to minimize the moment of inertia of the female spline about an axis extending at a right angle to the central axis of the channel therein and parallel to a surface to be wiped.

Abstract: A fuel lubricated anti-friction bearing comprises an inner race for an anti-friction bearing having a plurality of radially opening apertures communicating with a fuel supply, a rotatable outer race, and a plurality of anti-friction rollers between the inner and outer races, rotation of the outer race effecting rotation of the rollers and pumping of fuel radially outwardly through the apertures in the inner race of the rollers.