Abstract: A method and system for ozone injection into a confined area is described. Ozone is homogeneously transferred throughout the air in the building at levels considered safe by OSHA. Ozone thus affects a reduction in odor, dust, flies, and relative humidity, thereby inhibiting primary disease-causing vectors. At steady state, a system and method of two-tier ozonation can generically be described as hyper-ozonation of air recirculated from a confined area into a plenum or chamber void of animals or humans. The hyper-ozonated air is then pumped back to the confined area wherein the ozone concentration is maintained at 0.1 PPM or less.

Abstract: A rotor system for a rocket engine comprises a first hollow shaft portion and a surrounding annular duct. The interior of the first hollow shaft portion is adapted to receive a first propellant component, and is in fluid communication with a first rotary orifice. The annular duct is adapted to receive a second propellant component, and is in fluid communication with a second rotary orifice located proximate to the first rotary orifice. The rotor system further comprises a third rotary orifice operatively connected to second hollow shaft portion and in fluid communication with the interior of the first hollow shaft portion for discharging a second portion of the first propellant component at second location. The rotary orifices are operatively connected to respective rotary pressure traps that isolate the pressure at the respective rotary orifices from the respective inlet pressures of the respective propellant components.

Abstract: A rocket engine comprises first and second combustion chambers with respective combustion chamber liners bounding respective annular passages, wherein the first combustion chamber discharges into the second, and the respective annular passages are in fluid communication with one another. A portion of the effluent from the first combustion chamber flows from the first combustion chamber to the second combustion chamber through the respective annular passages via orifices in the respective combustion chamber liners, so as to provide for effusion cooling of a surface of the second combustion chamber. The first combustion chamber preferably operates fuel rich, reducing the temperature of the effusion cooling gases, which may be further cooled by a portion of unburned fuel. A flow restriction such as a turbine between the first and second combustion chambers provides a pressure differential therebetween that induces flow of effusion cooling gases.

Abstract: An occupant detection system (10) for controlling the activation of an air bag inflator (40) incorporates a transmitter/receiver subsystem (20) that generates a beam of wave energy (28, 25) through a region that is occupied by a normally seated occupant and that is not occupied by either an out-of-position occupant or by a rear facing infant seat. If a normally seated occupant is detected from the interaction of an occupant with the beam of wave energy (28, 25), then the air bag inflator (40) is enabled. A range/proximity sensing subsystem (30) determines if an occupant is sufficiently close to an air bag inflator (40) to be at risk of injury by deployment thereof, and if so the air bag inflator (40) is disabled.

Abstract: A seal for acceptance in an annular gland in a piston comprises an annular primary sealing element, an annular secondary sealing element disposed radially inwardly of the primary sealing element, and a pair of axially spaced back up rings disposed in axially spaced relation on opposite sides of the primary sealing element and having radially inner portions, respectively, engaged with the primary sealing element so as to lock the backup rings in the gland of the piston.

Abstract: High nitrogen nonazide gas compositions, useful in inflating passenger restraint gas inflator bags, comprise a nonmetal salt of triazole or tetrazole fuel, phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) as a primary oxidizer, a metallic second oxidizer, and an inert component such as clay or mica. The combination of these constituents results in gas generants that are relatively more stable and less explosive, have improved ignitability and satisfactory burn rates, have sustained combustion throughout the various combustion pressures at the inflator level, and generate more gas and less solids than known gas generant compositions.

Abstract: A lubricant contains a fire-resistant water/glycol mixture combined with polytetrafluoroethylene, and is useful in the hydraulic systems of die casting machines, for example. The addition of polytetrafluoroethylene enhances the lubricity of fire-resistant hydraulic fluids thereby reducing the associated equipment maintenance.

Abstract: A rocket engine comprises first and second rotary injectors for injecting respective fuel and oxidizer propellant components into a first combustion chamber, and the effluent therefrom drives a turbine that rotates the rotary injectors. The mixture within the first combustion chamber is preferably fuel-rich so as to reduce the associated combustion temperature, and the fuel-rich effluent mixes in a second combustion chamber with additional oxidizer injected by a third rotary injector so as to generate a high temperature effluent suitable for propulsion. The rotary injectors are adapted so as to isolate the low pressure propellant supply from the relatively high pressures in the respective combustion chambers.

Abstract: A tension sensor (10) for a vehicle seatbelt (12) comprises a base (14) having a pair of guide pin blocks (16) and (18) depending therefrom, and a plurality of spaced upper and lower guide pins, 20 and 22 respectively, for guiding the seatbelt (12). A plunger housing (30) having an orifice (32) therein for acceptance of a movable plunger (40) is secured to the base (14). The plunger (40) has an upper portion (42) shaped to allow the seatbelt (12) to travel over the plunger (40) with minimal friction. A plurality of springs (46) are disposed between the base (14) and the plunger (40) to bias the plunger (40) against the lateral force of the seatbelt (12) when under tension. A permanent magnet (50) secured to the plunger moves into close proximity to a Hall effect sensor (52) when the plunger (40) is depressed by the seatbelt (12). The Hall effect sensor (52) has an output (54) responsive to the magnetic flux therein.

Abstract: An inflatable restraint system with selectable ventilation, including a base plate defining a vent aperture, an inflatable cushion secured to the base plate, and a single conventional inflator for inflating the inflatable cushion with inflation gas. In some vehicle impacts, the vent aperture remains sealed with a vent plug, which inhibits ventilation of the inflation gas from the inflatable cushion through the vent aperture. In other vehicle impacts, depending on the placement and force of the impact, the speed and direction of the vehicle, and the size and placement of the passengers, the energy absorption characteristics of the inflatable cushion may be controlled. This is accomplished by an initiator, which may be selectively activated to rupture the vent plug and thereby allow selective ventilation of the inflation gas through the vent aperture.

Abstract: A jet aircraft has a generally conical front fuselage section, a cylindrical intermediate fuselage section defining a passenger compartment, a generally conical aft fuselage section, and a single vertical stabilizer. The aircraft's propulsion engines are mounted on pylons on the conical aft fuselage section with the air inlets thereof disposed entirely within a rearward projection of the lateral cross section of the intermediate fuselage section thereby to preclude the ingestion of foreign objects into the engines while minimizing the effect of boundary layer airflow. The exhaust nozzles extend rearwardly past the vertical stabilizer to minimize side line noise.

Abstract: A headlight warning system incorporates an engine running sensor and a headlight sensor coupled to a control circuit for activating a warning device, such as a buzzer, when the headlights have been left on for a first period of time after the engine has stopped running, and for deactivating the warning device either after a second period of time, if the engine is started, or if the headlights are shut off. The engine running sensor inductively senses a vehicle ignition signal. The headlight sensor magnetically senses the current in one of the battery cables using a Hall effect sensor in series with a magnetic flux collector encircling the battery cable. If the battery current exceeds an adjustable threshold, the headlights are assumed to be on. Following the deactivation of the warning device after the second period of time, the headlight warning system is reset by either starting the engine or by shutting off the headlights.

Abstract: An environmental control unit to supply cool dry air to an aircraft cabin has a plurality of bleed air sources from an aircraft engine compressor supplying working fluid to an air cycle cooling circuit. An electronic control computer having a plurality of inputs and selects a bleed air source depending upon cabin cooling and pressurization requirements. A speed control valve responsive to an output from the control computer, modulates the flow of working fluid through a turbo-alternator, thereby synchronizing the frequency of electrical power produced by the turbo-alternator with that of an aircraft engine alternator. The turbo-alternator supplies additional electrical power to the aircraft, thereby minimizing the deleterious effect of warm air bled from the engine compressor on aircraft performance.

Abstract: A drum filter comprises a pair of circular disks connected in coaxial relation by a plurality of axially extending disc support rods. A cylindrical filter media is disposed between the disc support rods. Unfiltered liquid is admitted to the interior of the drum filter and flows radially outwardly therefrom through the filter media. Reciprocating backwash nozzles direct high pressure liquid radially inwardly against the exterior surface of the filter media to backwash contaminants collected on the radially inner surface thereof into a contaminant collector disposed internally of the filter drum. The filter media is sealably connected to the circular disks by a novel retention system.

Abstract: A jet aircraft has an elongated fuselage with an intermediate section of maximum lateral cross section, a generally conical aft fuselage section of relatively smaller cross section and a single vertical stabilizer extending upwardly from the aft fuselage section. The aircraft's propulsion engines are mounted on the vertical stabilizer with the air inlets thereof spaced from the fuselage and vertical stabilizer yet disposed entirely within a rearward projection of the lateral cross section of the intermediate fuselage section thereby to preclude the ingestion of foreign objects into the engines while minimizing the effect of boundary layer airflow.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a vehicle crash discrimination system (10) comprises a plurality of coil sensors (18) permanently mounted to a vehicle pillar, and a magnet 20 either mounted to a door (14) edge surface juxtaposed to the coils, or to the pillar if a suitable ferromagnetic flux collector is mounted on the door edge. The shape, size and spacing of the coils is predetermined to provide output signals in the coils responsive to the change in the magnetic field caused by movement of the door surface. The change in magnetic field is analyzed to indicate a vehicle crash.

Abstract: A plurality of ultrasonic transmitters, at distinct locations and with distinct transmitting frequencies, direct beams of ultrasonic sound waves at a one or more detection regions of space. The amplitude of the ultrasonic sound waves is sufficient to generate from each detection region a sound wave having a frequency corresponding to the difference of the frequencies of the respective ultrasonic sound waves. A receiver disposed proximate to the ultrasonic transmitters detects the generated sound wave. An object occupying the detection region blocks one or more of the beams, and is detected therein when the magnitude of the generated sound wave is below a threshold. In another aspect of the instant invention, the ultrasonic transmitters are adapted to transmit pulses forming relatively broad spherical wavefronts which intersect to form a circular detection region which propagate with time, thereby enabling the detection of a profile of an object.

Abstract: A system for the abatement of industrial process emissions comprises a horizontal regenerative catalytic oxidizer (RCO). The system utilizes at least two regenerative chambers and at least two catalytic chambers in a controlled abatement process. Pollutants injected into the RCO from the process emissions are catalytically oxidized. The horizontal configuration of the RCO reduces the size of the RCO per cubic foot of emissions treated, and also simplifies maintenance requirements in removing and replacing, or regenerating, the catalyst. Chutes and valves situated above and below the catalyst provide maintenance means without the associated contamination concerns typically caused by catalytic migration throughout vertically configured RCOs.

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.