Abstract: A valve is disclosed. The valve has a housing that defines a central area and has at least two flow ports therethrough. A cover is provided that has a flapper assembly pivotally attached thereto. The cover is removably attachable to the housing in a plurality of orientations to selectively orient the flapper assembly adjacent any one of the ports such that fluid is permitted to flow into the central area of the housing through the adjacent port. The flapper assembly prevents the fluid from flowing back out of the central area through the adjacent port. The cover may have a transparent portion to permit the flapper assembly to be viewed and inspected during operation. A double seal arrangement is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic assembly having one or more heat producing semiconductor components in the form of a chip or die has improved heat dissipation properties. The semiconductor components are formed into subassemblies comprising one or more of the semiconductor components bonded on opposite planar surfaces to metal lead frames. Each lead frame is bonded to a substrate which is electrically insulating and thermally conductive. The resulting assembly is submerged into a central channel of a heat sink. The channel is adapted to receive the assembly such that the channel walls compressingly engage the assembly. Heat is thereby dissipated from the semiconductor components from both planar surfaces of the component.

Abstract: Nickel-base alloys with improved elevated temperature creep and stress rupture lives are disclosed which are particularly useful for components in gas turbine engines exposed to high temperatures and stresses for long periods of time. The alloys are nickel-based consisting essentially of 0.005 to 0.15% C, 0.10 to 11% Mo, 0.10 to 4.25% W, from 12 to 31% Cr, 0.25 to 21% Co, up to 5% Fe, 0.10 to 3.75% Nb, 0.10 to 1.25% Ta, 0.01 to 0.10% Zr, 0.10 to 0.50% Mn, 0.10 to 1% V, l.8-4.75% Ti, 0.5 to 5.25% Al, less than 0.003% P, and 0.004 to 0.025% B. Key to the improvement of creep and stress rupture lives is the extremely low P content in conjunction with high B contents.

Abstract: An alloy having a composition, by weight, of about 0.025% or less carbon, about 0.5 to about 4.1% manganese, about 5.5 to about 6.2% silicon, about 11 to about 15% chromium, about 9.0 to about 15.5% nickel, about 0.8 to about 1.2% molybdenum and about 0.8 to about 2% copper and the remainder being essentially iron with incidental impurities. This composition results in lean alloy content in a high silicon austenitic stainless steel for concentrated sulfuric acid service while maintaining a corrosion rate similar to and competitive with existing alloys for such service. Acceptable characteristics were found when hot working was carried out in the range of about 2100.degree. F. to about 2200.degree. F. Annealing in the range of about 1925.degree. F. to about 2025.degree. F. is preferred, as is rapid water quenching after annealing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrochemical gas sensor network. The network includes a gas sensor for receiving a gas and for generating a target gas concentration signal. The gas sensor has an output terminal for providing an output signal that is a product of the target gas concentration signal and a first transfer function. The network also includes a compensation circuit having an input terminal connected to the output terminal of the gas sensor. The compensation circuit also has an output terminal which provides an output signal that is a product of the output signal from the gas sensor and a second transfer function. The second transfer function is approximately an inverse of the first transfer function. The present invention also contemplates a method of compensating for the attenuation of a high frequency component of an output signal of a gas sensor.

Abstract: A light source for a display panel of the type used in notebook computers. The light source consists of a housing having diffusively reflecting bottom and side interior surfaces that form a cavity. The housing defines an aperture that is juxtaposed with a rear surface of the display panel. A first series of LEDs is mounted within the cavity around the perimeter of the aperture and is shielded from the aperture by perimeter baffles that extend around the periphery of the aperture. A second series of LEDs is mounted within the cavity on the bottom wall of the housing. A series of baffles is interposed between the second series of LEDs and the aperture. A series of light quality enhancing films is interposed between the cavity and the display panel. The light source produces light of a uniform character with relatively high intensity and whiteness.

Abstract: A fuel control system responsive to a power controller and controlling a fuel delivery system. The fuel control system includes a control arm connected to both the power controller and the fuel delivery system, a position sensor connected to the control arm, and a trim controller connected to the control arm at a pivot point and connected to the position sensor.

Abstract: Methods are provided for annealing coils of austenitic stainless steels through the use of a batch annealing process. The preferred methods involved selecting compositions of austenitic stainless steel alloys having a sufficiently low weight percentage of carbon so that annealing of the austenitic stainless steel occurs without intergranular carbide precipitation at a temperature of less than about 1700.degree. F., which is well below the normal annealing temperature for austenitic stainless steels. The lower annealing temperatures allow for annealing in conventional batch annealing furnaces. The content of carbon in T-201L stainless steel was kept at less than 0.030 weight percent and the steel was successfully annealed at temperatures within a range of about 1650.degree. F. to about 1700.degree. F. The carbon content of T-304L stainless steel was kept at less than 0.015 weight percent and the steel was successfully annealed at temperatures within a range of about 1550.degree. F. to about 1700.degree. F.

Abstract: An aircraft canopy fracturing system includes a canopy having fore and aft portions and a region that is severable from the canopy to provide an opening therethrough for the egress of aircraft occupants. The severable region has a shape that inhibits passage of the severable region through the opening created in the canopy once the severable region is freed from the canopy and is displaced aftward relative to the canopy. The canopy fracturing system also may include one or more mechanisms that will impart an aftward impulse to the severable region of the canopy once it has been severed and freed from the remainder of the canopy.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing large diameter, spray formed billets, rings, or tubular forms by spraying atomized molten metal onto a rotating surface. The rotating surface has a collector surface that is maintained at a predetermined temperature or reheated to the predetermined temperature by an external heat source. The external heat source impinges upon the collector surface to form a reheated or preheated zone. The external heat may be provided by a laser, high temperature flame, plasma arc, electric induction or radiation source. The molten metal is sprayed onto the collector surface in the reheated or preheated zone. Apparatus for carrying out the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A non-flowing pilot operated relief valve system having modulating action includes a relief valve and a pilot valve. The pilot valve includes a body forming a channel, an inlet port, a control port, and a vent port. A portion of the channel forms an inlet chamber in communication with the inlet port. A piston is axially movable within the channel and has a vent-valve seat communicating the control port and the vent port. A spool extends through the sleeve and is substantially coaxial with the piston. The spool is axially movable within the channel in response to fluid pressure within the inlet chamber. The spool has an inlet-valve seal member closable on the inlet-valve seat and a vent-valve seal member closable on the vent-valve seat. The spool is adapted such that the inlet-valve seal member is seated on the inlet-valve seat when the a vent-valve seal member is unseated from the vent-valve seat.

Abstract: This invention consists of a highly efficient beamforming system of ring-lens elements that may be used in automobile headlights, flashlights, and for other lighting products. The lens captures most of the light from an omnidirectional source, so that light from a solid angular cone of nearly 4 steradians is utilized with little or no reliance on a metallic reflector. The surfaces of the lens elements may be formed integrally with a hot light source, such as an incandescent lamp, so that the filament of the light source is inserted directly into an internal cavity of the lens. The lens may also be formed in optical contact with a cold light source, such as a light emitting diode, to reduce Fresnel losses and increase light utilization efficiency. An integrated system of optical surfaces collects light, including downwardly-directed light, from the source to further increase light utilization to a high efficiency of 75-90%.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a relay. The relay includes a frame and a header seal assembly base having contacts and a return spring. The relay also includes an armature assembly which engages the return spring. The armature assembly has at least one actuator. The relay further includes a core assembly located on the armature assembly. The core assembly has an end engaging the frame. The relay also includes a coil shim having a cutout section. The coil shim is connected to the frame and the cutout section engages the armature assembly when the relay is in the de-energized state. The coil shim has an opening for accepting the core assembly. The relay also includes a coil engaging the coil shim. The coil has an opening for accepting the core assembly.

Abstract: A light source for backlighting a display panel comprises a light-emitting device such as an incandescent light bulb or LED array disposed within a cavity having diffusely reflecting walls and an aperture. A diffuser and brightness enhancing film are situated proximate the opening of the aperture which illuminates the display to be backlit. Preferably, light emerging from the aperture is substantially uniform in intensity and color, and in one embodiment, a color filter is employed to whiten the light emerging from the aperture. One embodiment has an aperture in which the ratio of the area of the aperture to the sum of such area and the surface area of the cavity is at least 0.05. In this embodiment, the ratio of the depth of the cavity to an edge to edge dimension of the cavity is at least 0.1.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for direct casting of metal alloys from molten metal to continuous sheet or strip product while synchronizing the speeds of the casting surface and driven rolls by providing a master-slave relationship for controlling the casting process.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing an admixture of first and second fluids has a first body having opposite ends, a chamber between such opposite ends, an inlet for first fluid into that chamber, and an aperture for the admixture at an end of that chamber. That apparatus also includes a second body having an inlet aperture for second fluid spaced from the first body, an outlet aperture spaced inside the chamber from the aperture for the admixture, and a fluid flow channel decreasing in cross-sectional area from the inlet aperture spaced from the first body to the outlet aperture inside the chamber between opposite ends of the first body. Such first and second bodies jointly comprise a flange structure at the first body and between the inlet and outlet apertures of the second body. An admixture flow channel increases in cross-sectional area away from the aperture at the end of the chamber.

Abstract: A method for producing a dual phase ferrite-martensite steel product from a cold rolled stainless steel. The method includes a step of rapidly heating the steel to annealing temperature in less than 30 seconds, followed by a step of cooling the heated steel at a cooling rate sufficient to transform austenite to martensite.

Abstract: A method of producing steel armor plate having improved resistance to penetration by projectiles. The armor plate provides for intended inclusions, generally elliptically shaped, in the steel oriented substantially parallel to the plate surface. Those inclusions result from at least one element of the steel composition selected from the group of sulfur and oxygen. The steel armor plate may be useful with an increased inclusion level on the front approximately one-half portion of the dual hardness composite steel armor plate so as to spread out the force of the impact over a wider area.

Abstract: A spherical plain bearing is provided having improved wear resistance under heavy axial and radial loads of a rotating shaft. The bearing includes a pillow block having a concave inner surface, a split cylindrical protective sleeve for mating with and detachably clamping around the shaft, the outer surface of the sleeve having a peripheral recess. The bearing includes a split cylindrical liner having an inner wear resistant surface for sliding contact within the recess of the protective sleeve, and multiple thrust plate rings, and a split cylindrical cartridge for holding the liner in the recess of the protective sleeve. The bearing includes a plurality of high wear-resistant elements for providing high wear resistance and low friction resistance when placed into the wear surfaces of the bearing.