Abstract: A digital antiskid system for utilization with the braking system of an aircraft. Analog wheel speed signals are digitized and manipulated by a digital processor, under program control, to generate a control signal as a function of the deceleration activity of the wheels. The digital control signal is converted to an analog signal for application to a brake valve to effect application or release of brake pressure.

Abstract: Fail-safe brake valve driver (10) is provided for controlling a dual coil (A,B) brake valve. A pair of identical circuits (12, 14) are each uniquely associated with one of the brake valve coils. By means of control of an operational amplifier (16) and dual-stage current driver (18), the circuits (12, 14) each provide one-half of the current necessary for achieving brake valve control under normal operations. In the event that one of the coils (A, B) or circuits (12,14) fails, relays (56, 156) are provided for removing the failed circuit or coil from operation and allowing the remaining coil and circuit to carry the full operational load.

Abstract: An apparatus (32) and technique for compensating for motion in an electro-optical camera system. An image system is maintained on an aircraft for generating an image of terrain while the aircraft is in flight. A high resolution linear array (24) generates an image from a field of view (30), while a rectangular array (26) generates a corresponding image on a periodic basis. The rectangular image serves as a reference for the pixels of the linear array for determining if features in the linear array have shifted or distorted. An error is generated corresponding to the differences between the linear array and the rectangular array, the linear array being corrected as a function of the error.

Abstract: The invention herein relates to a computer organization capable of rapidly processing extremely large volumes of data. A staging memory is provided having a main stager portion consisting of a large number of memory banks which are accessed in parallel to receive, store, and transfer data words simultaneous with each other. Substager portions interconnect with the main stager portion to match input and output data formats with the data format of the main stager portion. An address generator is coded for accessing the data banks for receiving or transferring the appropriate words. Input and output permutation networks arrange the lineal order of data into and out of the memory banks.

Abstract: An efficiency monitor circuit for an antiskid system is provided. The efficiency of the antiskid system is determined by monitoring the antiskid signal as to peak positive and peak negative moves thereof. The difference in these two signals corresponds to the efficiency of the antiskid system. This difference signal is compared to a threshold signal for comparison of the efficiency to a signal corresponding to an acceptable minimum value. Should the efficiency of the antiskid system fail to meet the minimum value, an alarm is activated.

Abstract: A control circuit for regulating the application and release of brake force in an electric brake. A pulse width modulator presents an output signal of regulatable duty cycle to power drivers connected to the electric motors of the brake. A control circuit regulates the direction of current flow through the motors to achieve either brake application or brake release. The output of the pulse width modulator is set by the position of the brake pedal or by a signal which is a function of the correlation betwen brake torque and the position of the brake pedal, whichever is larger.

Abstract: Apparatus for electrically controlling the application and release of aircraft brakes. In one embodiment, the invention includes a slurry clutch controlling a reciprocating member which is operatively connected to the pressure plate. In another embodiment of the invention, a torque motor is adapted to have an armature which comprises a ball screw, the ball screw being in engagement with a longitudinal drive rod interconnected with the pressure plate. Rotation of the armature causes the drive rod to move the pressure plate into forceful engagement with the brake disk stack or to retract the same. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a plurality of torque motors are interconnected with a bull gear which is operative for driving the pressure plate.

Abstract: An antiskid control circuit for aircraft or other braked vehicles in which a deceleration detector determines the instantaneous rate of deceleration of the vehicle, and provides a deceleration signal to an integrator and lead network, in parallel interconnection. The outputs of the lead network and modulator are applied to an antiskid valve through a summing circuit. The deceleration detector is provided with a selectable gain, such that the gain is greater when the wheel is decelerating than when it is accelerating, allowing the integrator to obtain an average charge as a function of deceleration.

Abstract: A brake adjuster wherein a solid or fluted rod is connected between the return mechanism and the pressure plate of a brake assembly. The rod passes through a draw ring of slightly less diameter than the major diameter of the rod. The draw ring may be part and parcel of, or operatively connected to, the spring follower. The rod is drawn through the draw ring under force imparted by the pressure plate on brake wear action, the draw ring swaging and reshaping the rod as the rod extends to compensate for brake wear. The rod may be either a smooth, solid one, or it may be fluted or ribbed.

Abstract: Apparatus for electrically controlling the application and release of aircraft brakes. In one embodiment, the invention includes a slurry clutch controlling a reciprocating member which is operatively connected to the pressure plate. In another embodiment of the invention, a torque motor is adapted to have an armature which comprises a ball screw, the ball screw being in engagement with a longitudinal drive rod interconnected with the pressure plate. Rotation of the armature causes the drive rod to move the pressure plate into forceful engagement with the brake disk stack or to retract the same. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a plurality of torque motors are interconnected with a bull gear which is operative for driving the pressure plate.

Abstract: A solid state switch for electro-explosive devices. Fundamentally, the switch includes a matrix of transformers, each having a center-tap primary winding and a grounded secondary winding, the secondary having a bridge wire connected thereacross. Power gating circuitry is provided for applying a DC voltage to the center-tap primary of all transformers in a selected row. A pair of transistors are connected through diodes to opposite ends of all of the primary windings of the transistors in each column. A driver alternately gates the pair of transistors of a selected column into and out of conduction such that the current through the primary of the transformer common to both the selected row and selected column is of alternating direction, inducing an AC current into the associated secondary winding. The bridge wire of the secondary is thus energized by an AC current.

Abstract: Test circuitry for exercising and testing the operability of antiskid and automatic braking control circuits in an aircraft braking system. The invention includes a digital processor communicating with an interface circuit associated with each antiskid control circuit and the automatic braking system valve drivers. Each such interface circuit includes an analog switch receiving an electrical stimulus from the processor and applying the same to various test points in the associated antiskid control circuit or automatic braking system valve drivers. An analog selector is connected to various test points in the antiskid control circuits and automatic braking system valve drivers to sense the responses to the electrical stimulus and to pass such responses to the processor to determine the operability of the antiskid and automatic braking control systems.

Abstract: Apparatus for electrically controlling the application and release of aircraft brakes. In one embodiment, the invention includes a slurry clutch controlling a reciprocating member which is operatively connected to the pressure plate. In another embodiment of the invention, a torque motor is adapted to have an armature which comprises a ball screw, the ball screw being in engagement with a longitudinal drive rod interconnected with the pressure plate. Rotation of the armature causes the drive rod to move the pressure plate into forceful engagement with the brake disk stack or to retract the same. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a plurality of torque motors are interconnected with a bull gear which is operative for driving the pressure plate.

Abstract: 1. In a terrain contour mapping system in an aircraft, the combination ofa dipole radar antenna consisting of two vertically spaced fan beam antenna poles mounted on the aircraft,means to transmit radar signals at a depressed angle from the antenna in directions normal to the flight path of the aircraft,means to measure and record the phase difference in the radar signals received at the two poles of the antenna when the signals are reflected from the earth,an inertial system to measure and record airborne platform orientation and position,means to combine the orientation and position information with the recorded radar information, andground stationed means adapted to receive the combined information to provide a three coordinate output signal which determines points on a map representing the contour of the terrain flown over by the aircraft.

Abstract: An antiskid control system is presented which includes variable gains to compensate for brakes which exhibit large changes in lining friction coefficient. Fundamentally, the invention includes a pressure transducer and associated amplifier which presents an output signal corresponding to brake pressure. An accelerometer is connected to a second amplifier which presents an output signal analogous to brake torque. These two signals are combined in a summing circuit and the function obtained therefrom is used to modify the control signal from the antiskid control circuit. Effectively, this function provides a modification of antiskid system gain.

Abstract: An antiskid brake control wherein sensitive deceleration detectors present output signals to a valve driver for releasing brake pressure. The deceleration detector output is also passed to a modulator which acts as a memory circuit to keep the average brake pressure near the skid level and also provides for a controlled reapplication of brake pressure following the release. A constant current discharge circuit is connected to the modulator to provide a linear discharge of the modulator capacitor. A fast recovery circuit is interconnected between the deceleration detector and modulator to rapidly discharge the modulator capacitor in the event that no outputs from the deceleration detector have been sensed for a predetermined period of time. The control system includes gain control circuitry to provide for at least three distinct system gains.

Abstract: An inflated shell structure for a curing, embossing, or film winding nip roller having a rubber cover. Fundamentally, the invention includes a mandrel about which a rubber tube is spirally wound. Adhesively secured to the tube and about the mandrel is a bridge composite of plural layers, at least one of which is axially aligned with respect to the mandrel, and at least one of which is circumferentially aligned. Over the bridge network there is maintained a thin rubber cover having a thickness on the order of 0.250-1.0 inch. The tubing can be inflated under a source of gas pressure to give the roll a physical structure of rigidity and consistency. When used as a nip or bonder roller, the forces imparted to the roller are dissipated through the bridge assembly and the inflated tube, greatly limiting the amount of heat generated in the rubber cover.

Abstract: A circuit incorporated in a braking system for allowing a pilot to select a desired rate of deceleration and to cause the aircraft, upon landing, to achieve and maintain the selected deceleration rate. Fundamentally, the circuit includes a selector switch for selecting the desired rate of deceleration and uses a linear decelerometer signal having an output corresponding to the instantaneous rate of actual deceleration of the aircraft. Comparator circuitry compares the actual and desired rates of deceleration and provides an error signal to high and low rate circuits which charge a storage capacitor which in turn, through a buffer and power drive circuitry, regulates the associated control valve. When the difference between the actual and desired rates exceeds a particular level, the high rate circuit controls the charging of the capacitor.

Abstract: A deceleration control circuit for limiting the deceleration rate and applied brake pressure at vehicle speeds below a predetermined level. The invention substantially eliminates strut vibrations in aircraft resulting from "grabby" brakes during a braking operation. The invention includes a deceleration detector, operative at vehicle speeds below a particular level, to produce an output signal to the brake valve driver to reduce brake pressure when the deceleration rate exceeds a specific level. The circuitry is adapted to operate in conjunction with an antiskid system and also includes built-in test circuitry for testing the operability of both the antiskid circuitry and the deceleration control circuitry.

Abstract: A processing element constituting the basic building block of a massively-parallel processor. Fundamentally, the processing element includes an arithmetic sub-unit comprising registers for operands, a sum-bit register, a carry-bit register, a shift register of selectively variable length, and a full adder. A logic network is included with each processing element for performing the basic Boolean logic functions between two bits of data. There is also included a multiplexer for intercommunicating with neighboring processing elements and a register for receiving data from and transferring data to neighboring processing elements. Each such processing element includes its own random access memory which communicates with the arithmetic sub-unit and the logic network of the processing element.