Abstract: A fuel control for a gas turbine engine has a positive displacement pump (28) for supplying fuel to the engine. Fuel flow from the pump is metered by a metering valve (30) which has a constant pressure head held across it by a metering head regulator valve (48) adapted to bypass flow around the pump in a conduit (50). An overspeed valve and solenoid assembly (42) is positioned in the control downstream of the metering valve for shutting off fuel flow to the engine in the event of an overspeed of a turbine of the engine. The metering head regulator valve is referenced to a pressure downstream of the overspeed valve and solenoid assembly by a pressure sense line (68). The solenoid (96) is controlled by a dual channel overspeed valve control circuit (102) having proportional plus derivative gains (108, 110). When the overspeed valve (76) of the assembly is operated, the pump is not deadheaded because the metering head regulator valve is referenced to a lower pressure downstream of the overspeed valve.

Abstract: A semi-automatic pistol (10) has a breech-slide (14) for chambering a cartridge (32). The breech-slide carries an inertia type firing pin (18) which is displaced to fire the chambered cartridge by a hammer (26). An axially movable trigger assembly (42) functions to displace a sear (34) to release the hammer when the trigger assembly is moved to the pulled position. The hammer has a safety surface (46) which performs the function of a half-cocked notch but engages the sear near the fired position so that a falling of the hammer after disengagement of the sear and the safety surface will not cause the firing pin to fire a cartridge. A firing pin lock (20) is mounted in the breech-slide for vertical movement between a lower pin-locking position and an upper position in which the pin is free to travel. A pair of operatively interconnected levers (70, 76) respond to movement of the trigger assembly to the pulled position and simultaneously move the lock to the upper position.

Abstract: A pumping system has a main pumping unit (14) and a backup pumping unit (16) mounted in a common housing (4) and adapted to be driven by a drive member (44). The main pumping unit is connected to the drive member by a main drive coupling (68) which incorporates a reduced shear section (76) designed to fail upon a jamming or seizure of the main pumping unit. A backup drive coupling (78) connected to the backup pumping unit is adapted to be axially displaced and threadably connected to the drive member after stoppage of the main pumping unit. An actuation device (18) functions to axially displace the backup drive coupling to establish threaded engagement. When the backup drive coupling is engaged with the drive member, the backup pumping unit will provide flow.

Abstract: A round handguard assembly for a rifle barrel (18) has substantially identical bottom and top mating sections (26, 28) covering the barrel. Each section has a generally cylindrical outer shell (32) and a generally cylindrical liner (34). Each shell has a plurality of centrally located vent holes (36) arranged in a longitudinal row and three equally spaced lugs (52, 54, 56) on its front end. Each liner has a rear segment devoid of vent holes with a flange (62) projecting from one of its sides and a front segment with a plurality of centrally located vent holes (60) arranged in a longitudinal row and registering with certain of the vent holes in the shell. The flanges on each liner overlap a side of the confronting liner to provide a radially sealed annular volume around the barrel for preventing heat transfer to the rear portions of the shells so that a user may comfortably grip the handguard assembly. The lugs on the front of the handguard assembly may accommodate a triangular cap (25) or a round cap.

Abstract: A vane pump (2), with undervane pumping capability, has a housing (4,14) within which a cam ring (16) is mounted. The cam ring has a cam surface which defines a pumping cavity and which includes two diametrically opposed inlet arcs (48, 50), two diametrically opposed discharge arcs (38, 40) and seal arcs (56, 58, 60, 62) disposed between the inlet arcs and discharge arcs. A rotor (12), mounted for rotation within the housing, carries a plurality of spokes (22). Mounted upon the spokes for radially outward and inward movement are channel-shaped vanes (28) having arcuate tips (46) for engaging the cam surface. Variable volume chambers (94), which provide undervane pumping, are formed between the radially outer ends of the spokes and the vanes. The variable volume chambers communicate with intervane volumes (93) through grooves (86) on the spokes. The vane tips engage seal arcs along a line of contact (76) selected to insure that the vanes are pressure balanced.

Abstract: A buttstock (32) for a rifle with a lower receiver extension (20) has a shell (36) of high impact plastic and a molded foam core (52) which defines a stowage compartment (62). The shell includes a longitudinally extending web (48) of semi-circular cross-section which together with the inner periphery of the upper portion shell defines a cylindrical volume (50) for receiving the receiver extension. The web serves to more evenly distribute impact loads to the lower receiver (12) of the rifle when the rifle is impacted through the buttstock, generally strengthens the buttstock and facilitates the flow of core material during the molding process.

Abstract: A backup fuel pump (16) has a thermal fuse (40) positioned in a bearing. The fuse is adapted to melt at a predetermined temperature during dry running of the pump. Melting of the fuse causes a spring urged braking member (42) to screw into a shaft journal (26) and terminate operation of the pump.

Abstract: A drive shaft (26) of a gear type fuel pump (2) forms a driving interconnection between an engine gearbox (4) and a shaft (14) which carries the driving gear (10) of the fuel pump. The drive shaft has a slightly diverging lubricant supply passage (65) which receives lubricant from an oil jet (70) in the engine gearbox and directs the lubricant to the engaged splines (44, 46) at the inboard end of the drive shaft. Lubricant from the area of spline engagement is returned to the gearbox via radial passage (78), annular lubricant return passage (68) and radial passage (80). O-ring seals (82, 84) on the drive shaft, which straddle a drain passage (86) prevent the mixing of the lubricant and the fuel which may envelop an intermediate portion of the drive shaft. Wear of the engaged, oil lubricated splines (40, 42) at the outboard end of the drive shaft should provide a general indication of spline wear at the inboard end of the drive shaft because both ends are exposed to similar lubrication.

Abstract: A centrifugal main fuel pump (10') for a gas turbine engine has a housing (12') in which a centrifugal impeller (16') is mounted for rotation. The centrifugal impeller includes a disc (24') which carries starting flow impeller elements (34) which are positioned in a radially outer location on the disc and also carries main flow impeller elements (26') positioned in a radially inner location on the disc. The starting flow impeller elements discharge to a starting flow collector (38) and diffuser (44) and the main flow impeller elements discharge to a separate collector (30') and diffuser (32'). The starting flow impeller elements produce adequate fuel flow at the pressure necessary for engine lightoff while the main flow impeller elements are adapted to supply engine fuel flow demand in the normal range of operation. A check valve (46) prevents starting flow from returning to the centrifugal impeller.

Abstract: A fuel metering system for a gas turbine engine with a low pressure drop fuel vaporizing system includes an engine driven centrifugal pump (10) supplied with fuel at a given absolute pressure (Pi) from a tank. The pump discharges fuel to a rapidly pulsed, solenoid operated ball valve (20) which functions as a metering valve in controlling flow to the engine. The solenoid (38) of the metering valve receives periodic voltage pulses of appropriate width from an electronic control which senses selected engine parameters and computes the required fuel flow and the pressure differential (Pr-P.sub.D) across the metering valve. Since the pressure differential across the metering valve increases with engine speed, favorable flow turndown ratios may be achieved without operating the metering valve at high or low values of duty cycle.

Abstract: An open bolt firing mechanism for an automatic firearm (10) has a reciprocating bolt assembly (20) with a sear abutment (32) which is engaged by a searing surface (46) on a hammer (36) during counter-recoil for terminating forward movement of the bolt assembly in a cocked position. An automatic sear (56) serves to pivot the hammer downwardly and produce disengagement of the sear abutment of the bolt assembly and the searing surface on the hammer which allows the bolt assembly to move into the battery position. A connector (76), which is pivotable in response to the pulling of a trigger (86), functions to displace the automatic sear for producing downward pivoting of the hammer. The automatic sear has a searing surface (54) which engages a sear abutment (52) on the hammer for retaining the hammer in a cocked position. A shoulder (106) on the bolt carrier (20a) of the bolt assembly is adapted to engage a leg (68) on the automatic sear as the bolt assembly moves into the battery position.

Abstract: A tool setting device for a machine tool (10) having a numerical control (22) includes a gage unit (24) with a frame (26) adapted to be secured upon a slide (20) of the machine tool. A photodetector, which includes a source (96) and a receiver (98), is mounted upon the frame for generating a first signal indicating the arrival of the tip of a tool (18). A slide (64) mounted upon the frame carries an engagement head (38) adapted to be contacted and displaced by the tool tip. An LVDT (60) is mounted upon the frame in proximity to the engagement head for sensing its axial displacements. A control meter relay (86,88) is operatively connected to the LVDT and generates a second signal after initial displacement of the engagement head and a third signal after displacement of the engagement head to a reference position.

Abstract: A shaft seal assembly for an aircraft engine fuel pump has a seal housing (30) mounted upon the pump housing (32). A carbon face seal (42) is in wiping engagement with a seal face (40) on the drive shaft (36) of the pump. The carbon face seal has a recess (46) which receives a projection (44) for preventing face seal rotation. A universal washer (46), which is mounted in the seal housing in front of the carbon face seal, embodies four protuberances (48, 50, 52, 54) having bores (56, 58, 60, 62) which extend completely through the universal washer. Compression springs (64, 66) are contained in the bores and have their rear and front extremities in respective engagement with washers (70, 72) disposed on either side of the universal washer. The spring force, which is transmitted to the carbon face seal by the front washer, is overcome as pump pressure pushes the shaft toward the front of the pump. In the compressed condition, non-axial shaft alignments are accommodated by the universal washer.

Abstract: A laser measuring system is associated with a two axis turning machine (10), having a tool turret (12), to permit the dimensions of a machined part to be ascertained without removal of the part or workpiece from the chuck (18) of the machine. A gage head (36), which includes a retroflector (40), is mounted upon the turret which is indexible to a measuring station in which part measurements may be taken. The turret is mounted upon an X-axis slide (32) movable perpendicular to the chuck axis which, in turn, is mounted upon a Z-axis slide (26) movable parallel to the chuck axis. An interferometer (48) if fixedly attached to the Z-axis slide so as to be in alignment with the retroflector when the retroflector is in the measuring station. A Laser beam source (52) and a beam receiver (54) are mounted on or adjacent the machine such that they are in proper alignment with the interferometer. A collar (20) on the chuck furnishes a reference surface which functions as a fixed gage calibration point.

Abstract: A high speed fuel pump for a gas turnbine engine has a positively-driven shroud (28) positioned between a main impeller (14) and the wall of a pumping cavity (12) to reduce impeller drag. The shroud is formed by a first disc (30) having a boost impeller (36) connected to its central hub portion 30a and a second disc (32) having a gear (32b) carried by its central hub portion (32a). The main drive shaft assembly (24), to which the main impeller is connected, carries a gear (64) which meshes with gear (62) mounted upon a shaft (58). The shaft (58) also carries a gear (56) which meshes with the gear 32b. The gears are sized so that the shroud is driven at one-half the speed of the main impeller in order to maximize impeller drag reduction and enhance pumping capability when severe inlet conditions are present at the pump inlet (10).

Abstract: A fuel control for a gas turbine engine has a positive displacement pump (10) which directs fuel to a constant flow regulator (14) which generates a constant or fixed rate flow of fuel. A flow diverter (16) includes a dividing device which divides the constant flow of fuel between a discharge conduit (18) connected to the burner nozzles of the engine and a bypass conduit (20) connected to the inlet side of the pump. A computer (22) which is adapted to sense various engine parameters; and calculate fuel flow controls the flow dividing device in order to apportion the flow so that the calculated fuel flow is delivered to the engine.

Abstract: A precision drive assembly for the table (b 10) of a machine tool incorporates a screw (12) and floating ball nut (14). The nut is supported by a pair of rods (18,20) which, in turn, are connected to a bracket (26) mounted on the table. The nut is prevented from rotating about its axis by a torque arm (38) extending from the side of the nut and anchored to a bracket (52) attached to the table. Because of this arrangement the nut may move sideways or vertically without substantially altering its linear position.

Abstract: A continuous contact gage (10) for use in strip rolling processes has a main support frame (12) upon which is suspended a floating frame (22). The floating frame is suspended from four extension springs (24,26,28,30) such that the floating frame may translate in any direction and tilt about any horizontal axis. A torsion bar (36), mounted for lateral sliding movement, engages the floating frame in such a manner as to prevent any pivoting about the vertical axis so that the axes of the upper and lower gage rollers (60,62) of the gage head assembly will always remain perpendicular to the direction of strip movement. The gage head assembly is mounted upon the floating frame for vertical sliding movement and is urged upwardly by springs (90,94) attached to the floating frame to establish firm engagement between the lower gage roller and the undersurface of the strip.

Abstract: A fluid displacement vane pump with undervane pumping has a rotor assembly incorporating a plurality of T-shaped vanes. The outboard undervane surfaces are subjected to the pressure adjacent one side of the vane and the inboard undervane surface is subjected to the pressure adjacent the other side of the vane so that the vanes are hydraulically balanced in the seal arcs as well as in the inlet and discharged arcs. End caps mounted on the rotor function to isolate the undervane cavities and provide uninterrupted bearing surfaces capable of supporting a lubricating hydrodynamic film.

Abstract: A tool changer mechanism for a vertical spindle machining center has a remotely positioned tool storage magazine. Tools are transferred between the magazine and the spindle by a tool transfer assembly which is mounted for reciprocating sliding movement along the side of the machining center. The tool transfer assembly incorporates a pivotally mounted support adapted for vertical movement and a rotatable transfer arm, having two grippers, carried by the support. During reciprocating movement of the tool transfer assembly, the support undergoes a pivoting movement with respect to the assembly while the angular position of the arm with respect to the support remains fixed. As the tool transfer assembly reaches the end of its movement toward the spindle, an empty gripper secures the old tool. The support is then lowered so that the arm may be rotated to place a new tool in the other gripper in alignment with the spindle. When the support is raised, the new tool is inserted in the spindle.