Abstract: An electronically operated pistol (10) has a frame (32) upon which is mounted a barrel (36) and a shell (12) which encloses virtually all moving parts. The pistol has a trigger (14) which, when pulled, moves a front section (56) of a trigger bar (48) carrying a magnet (80) of a Hall effect switch. The trigger bar has a rear section (58) connected to a solenoid (114) which is actuated by a current amplifier (104) in a control circuit (124) which includes the Hall effect switch. Both sections of the trigger bar are independently axially movable but are so connected as to be pivotable about the trigger in unison to perform a disconnect function in association with a sear (78). A switch (104) in the control circuit mounted on the barrel senses the presence of a chambered cartridge (92). The control circuit includes a first light emitting diode (26) which illuminates when a round is chambered and a second light emitting diode (28) which illuminates when control circuit power is low.

Abstract: A manual backup system (10) for a fuel control incorporating a metering valve (108) controlled by an electronic computer has a power piston (34) and a loading piston (60) in confronting relationship adapted to engage each other upon power being withdrawn from a solenoid operated valve (72). The loading piston acts to maintain an arm (28) in engagement with the power piston so that it follows the power piston's movements as controlled by a servo valve (48), incorporating a fuel flow to compressor discharge pressure schedule (54), operated by a PLA lever (74). The position of the arm represents a requested fuel flow to discharge pressure ratio. The arm is mechanically connected to the metering valve through a multiplier linkage (96) which is also connected to a compressor discharge pressure transducer (98) so that the metering valve is positioned in accordance with the requested fuel flow to discharge pressure ratio as multiplied by the sensed compressor discharge pressure.

Abstract: A boundary layer thrust vector control nozzle (10) has a housing (18), the aft end of which has attached a control vane assembly (12). The control vane assembly includes two brackets (78, 80) which receive two vanes (86,88) such that the vanes are in spaced parallel relationship and extend across the exhaust opening. The vanes have equal but opposite angles of attack and are adapted to generate large side forces in a perpendicular plane and small side forces in a plane parallel to the vanes. The nozzle includes four sets of control ports (44, 46) for deflecting an exhaust plume to produce the large and small side forces also to produce significant roll moments.

Abstract: A pistol (10) has a combination action spring guide and slide buffer (58). The spring guide and buffer has a plastic head segment (64) and an integral plastic guide rod (66). The head segment has two enlarged diameter portions (68, 70) separated by a recess into which a metal plate (76) is positioned. The metal plate prevents deformation and deterioration of the head segment which acts as a cushion for the pistol slide (20).

Abstract: An electronic control circuit for a bridge resistance circuit (10) of a transducer (20) has a switchable source of constant magnitude current (22) to direct current pulses of constant amplitude through the bridge circuit. A temperature setpoint detector (24) generates a temperature signal (TA) to a control logic circuit (26) when the circuit attains a predetermined temperature. The control logic circuit periodically turns on the current and directs a sample and hold network (32) to read the transducer output when the predetermined temperature is reached by enabling a gate (30). The control logic circuit turns off the current by applying a signal to the source of current after a reading of transducer output is taken. The current through the transducer develops its output, heats up the transducer and generates the temperature signal.

Abstract: A variable displacement vaned fuel pump (10) is suitable for inclusion in a fixed displacement fuel control system for a gas turbine engine. The pump includes two track elements (34,36) having cam surfaces (42) which engage cam followers (44) on a cam actuation ring (40). A link (66) having a predetermined spring load maintains the track elements in their radially inner maximum displacement positions until the vane force and pressure forces drive the track elements radially outwardly, moving the actuation ring against its spring load. Displacement of the pump is reduced in the radially outward positions of the track elements which reduces the required bypass flow to hold a head constant across a fuel metering valve and attendant fuel heating.

Abstract: A lightening arrestor system (30) for a pad mounted distribution transformer (18') incorporated in an underground loop distribution circuit has a lighting arrester (32) secured to the transformer parking stand (P) and attached to the pad ground connection. The arrester has a well (38) into which a cable elbow (A) formerly mounted upon a primary terminal bushing (H1B) is inserted. The arrester includes a varistor assembly including metal oxide disks (58). An elbow arrester (24') is mounted upon the terminal bushing which formerly mounted the cable elbow. The arrester obviates the employment of a feed-through device (28).

Abstract: A shaft seal assembly 10 for a high speed centrifugal pump has a primary seal (30) and a secondary seal (32). During normal operation the primary seal has its nose (38) in firm engagement with a seal face (28) and the secondary seal has its nose (42) in light engagement with the seal face. Upon failure of the primary seal, the nose of the secondary seal is urged into firm engagement with the seal face. An orifice (58) in the nose of the secondary seal allows for controlled leakage which indicates primary seal failure.

Abstract: A generally round handguard assembly (10) for a rifle barrel (18) has substantially identical bottom and top mating sections (26, 28). The handguard assembly has a shell with an upper and lower row of vent holes (36) formed by two shell sections (31), an outer liner, formed by two outer liner sections (35), with upper and lower rows of vent holes (58) and an inner liner, formed by two inner liner sections (33), with upper and lower pairs of laterally opposed rows of vent holes. An outer annular volume (94), an intermediate annular volume (92) and an inner annular volume (90), which are in fluid communication, are defined within the shell by its inner periphery and the liners. Air flow in the inner volume cools the barrel and gas tube (22) and air flow in the outer and intermediate volume maintains the shell at a reasonable temperature during repeated firings.

Abstract: A firearm (10) adapted for blowback operation has a receiver incorporating a longitudinally reciprocatable bolt assembly (24) having an inertia firing pin (40) which is movable between retracted or recoil and battery positions in the receiver (14). A trigger (68), including a sear (72), is pivotally mounted in the receiver. A hammer (74) is pivotally mounted in the receiver in such a manner that movement of the bolt assembly from the battery position to the recoil position urges the hammer into a cocked position. The hammer includes a first sear abutment (82) to engage the sear on the trigger, a second sear abutment (84) and a stop abutment (86). A disconnector (76) is pivotally mounted on the trigger pin (70). The disconnector includes a hook sear abutment (88) on an intermediate portion which is adapted to engage the second sear abutment on the hammer when the trigger is in a depressed position.

Abstract: A vapor core centrifugal fuel pumping system (10') has a main flow impeller (72) and a low flow impeller (81) mounted upon the front plate (74) of the main flow impeller. Both of the impellers receive flow from an inlet passage (26') which proceeds past an inlet throttling valve (114). During pumping operation of the low flow impeller, a surface (122) on the inlet throttling valve forms a labyrinth seal with the radially inner lip (120) of the front plate to reduce inlet fuel flow entering the main impeller. A first check valve (124) and a second check valve (126) respectively prevent flow from the low flow impeller from entering the main flow impeller and flow from the main impeller from entering the low flow impeller. The second check valve is associated with conduits (140, 142) to evaculate liquid adjacent the main impeller during operation of the low flow impeller to reduce windage losses.

Abstract: A muzzle stabilization arrangement for a rifle (10) with a barrel (14) includes a muzzle stabilizer (18) mounted on the front end of the barrel and having a transverse opening (80) partially defined by a surface (84) upon which propellant gases from the muzzle may impinge during firing to hold the muzzle down. Gas ports (38, 40) in the barrel supply propellant gas to orifices (62, 64) in the stabilizer which direct a gas screen over the opening to prevent excessive noise.

Abstract: A rapidly extendible, rough-field attenuating shock-absorbing strut, particularly adapted for use with an aircraft having a tricycle landing gear, is used during takeoff and is adapted for rapid extension to provide angular or upward momentum to the aircraft and thus facilitate takeoff. The strut comprises an outer cylinder which is secured to the aircraft and an inner cylinder adapted for longitudinal reciprocation within the outer cylinder. The inner cylinder has a wheel mounted thereon at the end opposite that of the outer cylinder. A piston is secured for longitudinal reciprocation within both the outer and inner cylinders. The piston has a piston head adapted for reciprocation within the outer cylinder.

Abstract: An extendable shock strut comprising a strut housing having an open end and a closed end and a piston including a piston housing and a piston head slidable in the strut housing. The piston housing and the strut housing are adapted to move a selected distance relative to one another under normal usage. A source of high pressure gas is provided coupled to the shock strut for rapidly driving the strut housing and the piston housing relative to one another to an extended position. In a particular embodiment of the invention, an expandable chamber is formed from the closed end of the strut housing and a secondary piston slidable in the strut housing and positioned between the closed end of the strut housing and the piston head. The high pressure gas rapidly expands the chamber and drives the secondary piston toward the piston head to cause the piston housing and the strut housing to move relative to one another to the extended position.

Abstract: A centrifugal main fuel pump (10') for a gas turbine engine has a housing (18') in which a centrifugal impeller (12') is mounted for rotation. The impeller discharges flow to a collector (20') and diffuser (22'). A low flow diffuser (26) has its inlet opening positioned closely adjacent the outer periphery of the impeller. Proper design and placement of the low flow diffuser ensures that a high percentage of the fluid energy available in the high velocity flow adjacent the impeller outer periphery is recovered as pressure rise. The low flow diffuser produces adequate fuel flow at the pressure necessary for engine light-off while the first mentioned diffuser recovers a lower pressure rise but is adapted to supply higher engine fuel flow demand in the normal range of operation. A check valve (34) prevents flow from the low flow diffuser from returning to the impeller. The check valve opens to allow the first mentioned diffuser to supply fuel when its discharge pressure exceeds that of the low flow diffuser.

Abstract: A rotary actuator having a cylindrical housing in which an annular piston arm rotates through an arc within an annular chamber in the housing as a result of fluid pressure to produce rotary motion communicated from the piston to the drive shaft. The piston head is capable of lateral or radial movement relative to the piston arm so as to accommodate flexing of the piston arm or variances in the shape of the chamber. Friction reduction washers are placed between the piston head and the piston arm to facilitate this movement. The overall effect is to reduce the friction encountered by the piston head against the walls of the chamber during movement, thereby improving overall performance of the actuator.

Abstract: A mechanical multiplier (25) in a fuel control for a gas turbine engine has a first track member (26) mounted for lateral movement and a first axially movable displacement member (34) connected to the first track member. A second track member (42) is mounted adjacent the first track member for pivoting movement about an axis (52). A follower assembly (54) operatively interconnects the track members and has rollers (120,122) respectively received in the tracks of the first and second track members. A second displacement member (55) is connected to the follower assembly for movement generally perpendicular to the direction of lateral movement of the first track member. The second displacement member is connected to the output piston (65) of a pressure transducer (66) which senses compressor discharge pressure; and the first displacement member is operatively connected to a fuel metering valve (100).

Abstract: A fuel control for a gas turbine engine has an actuator (24) for a fuel metering valve (22) which includes two stepper motors (46 and 48) which selectively drive a differential mechanism operatively connected to the valve. The differential mechanism includes two identical gear assemblies (60, 64) which are mounted for rotation upon a shaft (26) connected to the valve. The gear assemblies include worm gears (58, 62) in engagement with worms (54, 56) driven by the stepper motors and bevel gears (68, 70). A spider bevel gear (66), carried by the shaft, is in meshing engagement with the bevel gears of the gear assemblies such that rotation of one of the gear assemblies with the other at rest causes a circumferential movement of the spider bevel gear which rotates the shaft and positions the valve. Two identical electronic control units (A, B), which each sense selected engine parameters are respectively connected to the stepper motors for controlling their operation.

Abstract: A shaft seal assembly (2) for a fuel pump includes a seal housing (4) attached to the fuel pump housing (6). A drive shaft (10) mounted for rotation in the fuel pump housing has a sealing face (14) which is engaged by a thrust face (42) of a thrust member (40) and by a seal face (18) of a carbon face seal (20). The thrust member and the carbon face seal are positioned with a steel carrier (26) mounted in the seal housing. A universal washer (32) is located between the carrier and the rear wall of the seal housing so that the carrier may undergo universal movement in response to movements of the thrust member. Misalignments between the axis of the shaft and the axis of the seal housing result in corresponding movements of the thrust member and the carrier which enable the axis of the face seal to remain aligned with the axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A machine tool (10) with a rotating cutting tool (24) has a spindle assembly (20,48) mounted for rotation in a longitudinally movable headstock (18). The spindle assembly includes a spindle (48), driven by a motor (50) and an integral machining head (20) having a rotatably mounted drive screw (62). The drive screw carries a radially positionable follower (72) to which is connected a tool block (22) to define a radial slide for supporting the cutting tool. A drive shaft (82) extending through the spindle is in driving engagement with the drive screw such that rotation of the drive shaft relative to the spindle produces rotation of the drive screw and consequential radial movement of the follower and tool block. A motor (76) mounted on the spindle for rotation with the spindle is connected to the drive shaft for rotating it either a clockwise or counterclockwise sense to produce radial movement of the follower and tool block.