Abstract: A transformer core is made by winding a strip of ferromagnetic material, such as amorphous metal or silicon iron, on a winding mandrel to form a first annulus and cutting once through this annulus to create a plurality of individual laminations which are then assembled in packets about a nesting mandrel of a smaller diameter than the winding mandrel to form a second annulus. Each packet consist of a predetermined number of groups of laminations, with the ends of each lamination group lapping each other to form a lap joint. The lap joints of each packet are arranged in staggered positions to create a repeating step-lap joint pattern confined within a predetermined joint region. By decreasing the lap joint dimension and increasing the number of groups in successively assembled packets, the increase in build of the joint region over that of the remainder of the second annulus is minimized. The complete transformer core is uniquely characterized by its variable lap joint dimension and the absence of short sheets.

Abstract: To prevent overheating of the power system in a vehicle, a control system operates to dynamically adjust the transmission ratio in response to operating temperature so as to establish the degree of engine speed schedule suppression for any given operator speed command requisite to providing maximum possible vehicle performance while maintaining the operating temperature below an unsafe level.

Abstract: A drive system for track-laying vehicles utilizes a pair of separate and independent motors to drive a multi-range, infinitely variable steering transmission pursuant to developing two track driving transmission outputs. The transmission includes a pair of interconnected output planetary gears sets which are separately driven by the two motors to develop first range forward and reverse propulsion and steering power at the transmission outputs as sun to carrier reductions. The transmission is shiftable into a second, higher speed range, wherein the two motor outputs are additional combined in one of the output planetary gear sets uniquely constructed to produce second range forward propulsion and steering power, as well as steer cancallation at the transmission outputs.

Abstract: A simplified range changing mechanism for an infinitely variable, split output, synchronously shifting hydromechanical steering transmission having integral steering and four forward ranges wherein the first, second and third forward ranges have progressively lower torque and higher speed propulsion ratios, while the fourth forward range is basically a repeat of the second range, by at a higher gear ratio. Positive steer with constant steering torque ratio is maintained in all four ranges.

Abstract: An improved electrical bushing is disclosed which includes, in combination, an insulating body of a polyester material, a current-carrying stud, and an adhesive coating applied to the grooved peripheral surface of the stud. The bushing is manufactured by applying the adhesive coating to the peripheral surface of the stud. The polyester insulating body is then molded about the stud. Heast is applied to concurrently cure the polyester body and adhesive coating to achieve a bonded, fluid-tight seal between the stud and the insulating body.

Abstract: A laminated amorphous-metal transformer core having four sides joined by corner regions includes (a) joints located in a joint region in one of its sides and (b) side portions between the joint region and two corner regions. After annealing the core and while restraining the core laminations in a core region remote from the joint region, the joints are separated by displacing each of the side portions into a position of approximate alignment with the side of the core interconnected therewith at a corner region. Then a splint is applied to each of the side portions and the aligned interconnected side, thus holding these two parts in approximately aligned relation. The splint is relied upon to facilitate insertion of the aligned parts into the window of a coil, following which the splint is slid off the aligned parts, and core-lacing is completed.

Abstract: This transformer comprises preformed coil structure and a wound core of closed-loop configuration extending about a window and having joints in a localized region thereof that allow the core to be opened at the joints to permit insertion into the window of the preformed coil structure. The core comprises superposed laminations of thin amorphous ferromagnetic strip material which extend around the core from the localized joint region. The laminations include predetermined portions adjacent the joints that are displaced to provide a wide opening into the core window for insertion of the coil structure. A coating of adhesive bonding agent applied before said displacement is present on the lateral edges of the laminations in regions of the core not including said predetermined portions, thereby holding the laminations in correct assembled relationship when the core is opened, yet without interfering with displacement of said predetermined portions.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for chemically decontaminating PCB-contaminated dielectric fluids utilizes three reactors through which the contaminated fluid is processed on a repetitive, sequential batch basis automated by a programmable controller. The processing of each reactor batch includes a charging cycle during which a reactor is filled with contaminated fluid, a reaction cycle during which the PCBs are destroyed by reaction with reagents introduced into a reactor, and a discharging cycle during which the reactor is emptied of decontaminated fluid and reaction by-products into a decanting tank for ultimate separation. The controller coordinates the sequential batch processing through the three reactors in 120.degree. time phased relation such that a charging cycle of one reactor batch, a reaction cycle of a second reactor batch and a discharging cycle of the third reactor batch are all coincident in time during normal operation.

Abstract: A plurality of circumferentially spaced, compliant, braided metal filament brushes are mounted by the stator of an acyclic generator for extension from the stator collector surface across the liquid metal collector gap into virtual contact with the rotor collector surface. These brushes are each of an axial length corresponding to the axially lengths of the stator and rotor conductive collector surfaces and serve to effectively block the magnetohydrodynamically induced, counter-rotational, circumferential flow of liquid metal in the collector gap, thus eliminating the component of viscous rotor drag otherwise occasioned thereby.

Abstract: An inflatable hull has an integral nose section comprising an array of trapezoidal fabric sections secured to form a frustro-conical volume. A nose cap is secured to the end of the frustrum with a conical array of tensioned ropes secured at their ends to the hull. The conical volume side walls at the nose taper to the cone axis at an angle such that a vertical load at the nose apex or an axial load on the region of the nose next to the apex does not bend, collapse or otherwise damage the nose section to provide a soft mooring attachment for the aerostat.

Abstract: To maintain alignment of the lower ends of the multiple electrode panels of an electrostatic precipitator collector electrode, an alignment device is utilized having an elongated bar mounted adjacent its ends in aligned underlying relation with the bottom edges of the electrode panels which are suspended in lateral edge-to-edge, essential coplanar relation. The bar, in turn, mounts a distributed plurality of pairs of opposed wicket-shaped aligning elements in flanking relation with the lower end portion of each panel to resist lateral, swaying movement, while permitting the limited panel motion occurring during normal precipitator operation.

Abstract: A first annular form used for making a transformer core is wound from a strip of amorphous ferromagnetic material and is thereafter cut. The resulting laminations are then arranged in a second annular form with distributed gap joints, each joint involving a plurality of superposed laminations. The second annular form is then formed into a rectangular shape core and is then annealed. Then a bonding agent is applied to the transverse edges of the laminations over a region of the core removed from the joints. The joints are then separated to open the core, allowing displacement of unbonded regions of the core. Thereafter, preformed coil structure is inserted into the window of said opened core to surround a portion of the core. Then the unbonded regions of the core are returned to their original positions to remake the joints.

Abstract: To reduce the material in a transformer core and winding assembly, the edges of the core winding legs are relieved so as to achieve improved conformity with the inside corners of the coils disposed thereabout. More intimate spacing of the coils relative to the legs is therefore accommodated with consequent material savings in both the core and the winding coils. Methods for relieving the leg edges by bevelling and notching are disclosed.

Abstract: Active compensation in the form of a pair of trim coils and passive compensation in the form of a solenoidal-shaped magnetic shunt are disclosed for shaping the magnetic field existing in the liquid metal current collector region of an acyclic generator such as to minimize the field component normal to the stator and rotor collector surfaces and thereby substantially eliminate the generation of circulating currents in the liquid metal medium.

Abstract: To minimize the effects of magnetohydrodynamic surge forces acting on the liquid metal in the collector gap of an acyclic generator, fluid flow impedance members in the form of annular, axially spaced compliant brushes are disposed in the outboard liquid metal containment gap defined between closely spaced, stator and rotor stepped surface formations. These brushes impede the communication to the liquid metal in this containment gap of pressure fluctuations generated in the liquid metal in the collector gap resulting from variations in the generator current transiting the collector gap. A hydrostatic pressure head may thus be maintained consistently at a location intermediate the collector and containment gaps for pumping the liquid metal in a recirculating path.

Abstract: A rapid acting gas valve for inflated structures employs a slider-crank drive mechanism driven by a pawl and ratchet motor to produce a high closing force in the valve while opening and closing the valve in a partial revolution of the ratchet motor shaft.

Abstract: An internally cooled rotor for an acyclic generator is disclosed as having a ferromagnetic steel core to which is diffusion bonded a cylinder copper conductor in which is embedded a multiplicity of cooling tubes communicating with coolant passages formed in the core. The cooling tubes are implanted in a hot isostatic pressure process during which the copper cylinder is at least in part created by the densification of copper powder to a non-porous mass.

Abstract: A multi-layer armature winding for large turbine generator is wound with individual diamond coils around to the point where the sides of initially wound diamond coils lying in upper armature slot positions interfer with the placement in lower slot positions of the coil side of additional diamond coils to complete the winding. To avoid having to "raise the jump" the winding is completed using bar coils, individual bars of which having been laid in those lower slot positions prior to the placement of any diamond coils. The remaining bars are laid in the vacent upper slot positions and then electrically joined with the initially laid bars to complete the individual bar coils.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for measuring and displaying parallelism, or the lack thereof, of first and second flat surfaces using a video monitor and three displacement transducers. The first surface is in a fixed position while the second surface may be fixed or may be adjustable so as to attain parallelism between the surfaces. A first point is selected on the first surface and a second point is selected on the other surface such that the line between the two points is perpendicular to the first surface. The three displacement transducers are zero calibrated between the two points. Subsequently, the transducers are mounted between the two surfaces in a triangular pattern and their output signals are summed and supplied to the video monitor which has a fixed display indicating theoretical parallelism. The output of the transducers is combined so as to display the actual angular relationship between the two surfaces.

Abstract: A high DC current switch includes a pair of annular, conductive rails with a pair of brushes mounted for rotary movement therebetween. DC current is conducted by the rails to and from the brushes in directions to electromotively accelerate the brushes into a switching cycle. The rails incorporate a switching gap through which the brushes move. Beyond this switching gap, the rails are split into inner and outer arcuate sections into which current is commutated by the brushes. The directions of commutated current flow to and from the brushes is now such as to decelerate the brushes to a stop.