Abstract: A storm monitoring apparatus and method is described wherein two H-field antennas are oriented with respect to the heading axis of an aircraft or the like at an angle of 45.degree.. The signals developed by these two antennas are picked-up by small R-F transformers which serve the inherent function of integrating the signals and extracting the H-field current component. A printed circuit board structuring of the two antennas provides for consistency of fabrication and reliability as well as compactness. The monitoring apparatus exhibits broad band frequency response to evaluate lightning strike rate to determine storm range and intensity. A computer control test utilizing diagnostic coils at the antenna carries out periodic testing of the performance of the device and a component such as a gravity switch provides an indication to the control system as to the orientation of mounting of the antenna on an aircraft.

Abstract: A storm monitoring apparatus and method is described wherein two H-field antennas are oriented with respect to the heading axis of an aircraft or the like at an angle of 45.degree.. The signals developed by these two antennas are picked-up by small R-F transformers which serve the inherent function of integrating the signals and extracting the H-field current component. A printed circuit board structuring of the two antennas provides for consistency of fabrication and reliability as well as compactness. The monitoring apparatus exhibits broad band frequency response to evaluate lightning strike rate to determine storm range and intensity. A computer control test utilizing diagnostic coils at the antenna carries out periodic testing of the performance of the device and a component such as a gravity switch provides an indication to the control system as to the orientation of mounting of the antenna on an aircraft.

Abstract: An improvement to a telephone system (10) having a first signal generator (21) which outputs a control signal only when it receives a certain request signal generated by the telephone system's client telephone (12). The invention contemplates a method and apparatus to generate a desired control signal when a request signal incapable of activating the first signal generator is produced by a client telephone (12).

Abstract: A fluid intensifier (10) includes an unequal-area pump piston (11) and a drive piston (14). The large-area pump piston chamber (21) communicates with the small-area pump piston chamber (29) via a communicating conduit (30) having a check valve (25) therein. The pump piston is coupled to a drive piston (14) having a lost-motion connection (18) with a two-lobed pilot valve spool (41). The pilot valve (16) controls a pilot pressure in the spool end chamber (60) of a spring-biased control valve (19). The fluid intensifier is automatically reversing as the pump piston approaches either end of its stroke, and is arranged to provide a substantially-constant intensified fluid pressure (P.sub.i) at an outlet.

Abstract: The invention provides an extension table (27) adapted to attach to the table surface (13) of a table saw (10). An extension work surface (28) is parallel to the table surface, thus, forming a larger work surface. The extension work surface is generally U-shaped having a base portion (29) and two arms (30). The arms also integrate a unique guide fence apparatus which, when used in conjunction with a cutting blade having a circular surface, allows the saw operator to perform intricate cuts. The extension table is supported from the support frame (11) of the table saw (10) by four legs (63).

Abstract: This invention provides an improved anti-siphon fillneck screen for a vehicle-mounted fuel tanks. The improved device (10) includes an anti-theft member (14) adapted to be removably mounted within a fillneck (13). The anti-theft member has a screen portion (26) and a flange portion (28) extending radially outwardly therefrom. The flange portion is captured between two retaining rings (15,16) inserted into the fillneck. Thus, the improved screen may be removed by means of a special tool.

Abstract: An improved torque motor includes a supporting body (3) having a U-shaped cross-section and formed of a magnetizable material, includes at least two magnet structures (7, 8) adapted to be mounted on the body, includes first polepieces (10-13) mounted on the magnet structures, and includes an armature (5) mounted for movement in working air gaps (16, 17) between the first polepieces. Permanent magnets (10, 11) are mounted on the first polepieces. A second polepiece is spaced from the armature by the presence of a non-working air gap (21). At least one control coil (20) surrounding the second pole between the magnet structures (7, 8).

Abstract: A method of controlling the application of counter-vibration to a structure (20) so as to reduce the effect of externally-created sinusoidal vibration thereon includes the steps of: mounting a vibratory force generator (19) on the structure; mounting an accelerometer (21) on the structure at a point at which vibration is to be measured; providing a tunable filter (16) capable of resonating at an electrically-controllable frequency; providing an adaptive frequency estimator (22) arranged to produce a tuning signal (.theta.

Abstract: A method to create a three-dimensional work from a single copy of a two-dimensional work such as a photograph, poster, drawing or painting. A single copy of the two-dimensional work is bonded to a stiff backer forming a composite. The composite is cut using a sculpture station into a plurality of pieces. The pieces are reattached to each other by spacers forming more than one layer. The resulting work can be displayed on a framing box adapted for any surface.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a vehicle body assembly, 10, comprised of a series of welded together aluminum, stainless base or galvanealed steel panels 12, in interfacing engagement with companion thermo-plastic or thermo-set plastic covering panels, 12, adapted to be pre-colored and resistant to heat, moisture and the environment. The base and covering panel are interposed in facing engagement through the use of a flange, 13, and formed channel, 14, and further secured together through the use of silicon, 19, within the channel and various portions of vehicle trim, 16, of metallic, chrome or rubber material. The use of the covering panel produces a method for assembling the vehicles requiring the base panels to be precisely configured and fitted without painting or previously required disassembly. The pre-colored covering panels are merely inserted into the companion base panel thereby forming a vehicle body of a specific configuration easy to assemble and repair.

Abstract: An actively-controlled resonant-type force generator (20) is adapted to be attached to a structure (21), and includes a mass (23) mounted for movement relative to the structure and a plurality of springs (22, 24) operatively arranged between the mass and the structure. A servoactuator (26) is arranged to controllably excite the mass-spring system. The actual force (F.sub.a) transmitted from the mass to the structure is compared with a commanded force (F.sub.c) to produce a force error signal (F.sub.e). The actuator is caused to produce a velocity as a function of the error signal. The gain of the closed force loop is selected so that the resonance of the mass-spring system has an effective damping ratio (.zeta.) greater than about 0.5, and preferably about 0.7. Thus, the mass-spring system will not be substantially resonantly excited by vibrations of the structure near its resonant frequency (.omega..sub.n).

Abstract: The present invention 10 comprises a hollow main canister 12 having a plurality of conductive plates 19 interposed therein each acting as both an anode and a cathode when electrolysis of an electrolytic fluid, such as potassium hydroxide, occurs in the main canister. The electrolysis reaction is powered by a current source 24 normally attached to an electrode 14 interposed in the main canister 12 seeking the grounded walls of the main canister 11. The current can also be attached to the walls of the main canister and the electrode 14 grounded. The voltage is divided between the conductive plates 19 in this circuit. The produced ionized hydrogen and oxygen from the electrolytic reaction is directed through the main canister to the combustion situs 23 of an internal combustion engine fuel/air mixture system through the use of a delivery fitting 21 and a delivery tube 22.

Abstract: A fluid detector (20) has an enclosure (32) defining an internal chamber (33). The enclosure has a frangible wall portion (34). A sensor (46) is arranged within the chamber. The sensor has a hygroscopic portion (48), the electrical resistance of which changes depending upon whether the sensor portion is wet or dry. The chamber is normally filled with a dry fluid, such as nitrogen. The outer surface of the enclosure is exposed to another fluid containing water. When the pressure differential across the frangible wall portion exceeds a predetermined minimum value, the frangible wall portion ruptures to permit the sensor portion to become wetted. An ammeter (31) is arranged to determine the change in the electrical resistance of the sensor and to indicate the presence of the water-containing fluid within the chamber. The detector is particularly useful in determining the fluid-tight sealed integrity of a closed-end thimble having a portion inserted into a pressurized water reactor.

Abstract: An improved fluid amplifier (39) is operatively arranged in a flow path extending between a source (28, 31) of pressurized fluid (P.sub.s) and a fluid return (38) at a return pressure (R). The amplifier has at least one fluid connection (34 or 35) to a load. The amplifier has a movable mechanical member (24) operatively arranged to control the pressure at, and flow with respect to, the load. The mechanical member has a displacement range encompassing a null position and an off-null position. The improvement broadly includes a variable-impedance orifice (42 and/or 43) arranged in series with the amplifier in the low path. The impedance of the orifice is varied such that the impedance is a maximum when the mechanical member is in the null position and is a minimum when the mechanical member is in off-null position, such that flow from the supply to the return when the mechanical member is in the null position will be less than the maximum flow between the amplifier and the load.

Abstract: An applicator adapted to apply chemically-impregnated pads (53) to freshly-milled surfaces (24) on railroad ties (22), includes a vehicle (21) adapted to be moved along the ties; a carriage (29) mounted for horizontal movement with the vehicle along the ties, and mounted for floating vertical movement relative to the vehicle during use; sensors (51,52) for determining the position of a tie beneath the carriage; a pad storage magazine (33) mounted on said carriage; suction cups (38) and an actuator (47) for withdrawing an end pad from the magazine; a rotary motor and a lifting actuator (36) for moving a withdrawn pad from the magazine to a freshly-milled surface on a tie; and a nailer (39) for attaching the pad to the tie.