Abstract: Apparatus for setting and displaying a numerical value to be encoded to an electronic device, including a molded plastic support structure, a printed circuit board membrane type switch assembly which is affixed to the support structure and which includes a plurality of rows of four switches, and a like plurality of molded plastic switch actuator shafts associated respectively with the rows of four switches. Each actuator shaft has a longitudinal axis extending parallel to the associated row of four switches, and is pivotally connected to the support structure for rotation about its axis. Each shaft includes a plurality of raised annular segments for opening and closing the four switches in the adjacent row. The segments are arranged so as to provide ten combinations of open and closed switches as the shaft is rotated, to provide a 4-bit binary code corresponding to one of ten numbers 0-9, depending on the rotary shaft position.

Abstract: A fluidic pulsing device is disclosed which comprises at least one fluid lifier and several vortex valve restrictors. One or more amplifiers direct fluid flow to the several vortex valves, which are arranged in parallel fashion. Such an arrangement allows for optimization of design geometries, and therefore, optimization of performance, despite the fact that the physical dimensions of the apparatus may be severely restricted.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for a fluid blast circuit interrupter which is actuated by a single drive shaft and includes a toggle linkage for opening and closing the breaker contacts, and a cam and rachet assembly for opening and closing a gas supply valve. Upon initiation of an opening or closing operation, the cam is coupled to the drive shaft and rotated to open a normally closed, spring loaded, gas valve before the interrupter contacts are opened or closed, and to charge a cam return spring. After the interrupter contacts are fully opened or closed, the cam is disengaged from the drive shaft and returned to its neutral position by its return spring to allow the gas valve to reclose.

Abstract: A wide-angle image generator of the closed-circuit television type primarily for a helicopter flight simulator, employs four vidicons, each receiving a portion of an image from a single optical system viewing a wall mounted terrain model. The optical system includes an objective lens mounted at the lower end of a yaw tube. The position of the axis of the objective lens relative to the axis of the tube as well as rotation and position of the tube relative to the terrain model are determined by movement of the simulator controls, thus varying the presentation on one display of monitor screens within the view of the pilot at the controls, and another display of monitor screens within the view of an observer. The number of monitors per display is equal to the number of the vidicons.

Abstract: A backup trip circuit is provided for an electronically controlled recloser or circuit breaker which requires a constant voltage direct current supply for its normal tripping circuit. Whenever the normal DC supply voltage drops below the minimum level, a capacitor is coupled to and charged by, the distribution line current. Then, whenever the line current exceeds a selected magnitude for a selected period of time, the capacitor is discharged through the trip coil of the breaker to open this distribution line.

Abstract: A method and tool for drilling holes in a composite of materials having different strength and elastic characteristics. The tool has a planar end surface inclined in two directions relative to the tool axes, and an axially-extending flute which define, with the periphery of the tool, a cutting single end point and adjacent cutting edges which are guided within the hole being formed by three axially-extending wearstrip segments of the tool periphery. The radius of the tool is gradually reduced from the final wearstrip to the side of the flute opposite the cutting single end point. The cutting end portion of the tool may be formed of a very hard carbide material. The method provides for simultaneous point and surface cutting of the composite. Point and surface cutting occur at the outer circumferential surface of the hole generally along a radius of the hole to be drilled. Cutting also occurs along a radius of the hole being generated.

Abstract: A flying toy of the boomerang type having at least three airfoils, or wings, equiangularly spaced about a central vertical axis and extending horizontally outward from a center portion. Each wing carries at its outer end an annular-shaped wing stabilizer having a circular, horizontally-disposed, outer edge whose diameter is approximately twice the horizontal width of the wing at the juncture of the wing and the wing stabilizer, and having a circular inner edge which is disposed in the same horizontal plane as the outer edge, and which defines a center opening through the stabilizer. The stabilizer has a convex top annular surface and a concave bottom annular surface extending between the inner and outer peripheries. During flight, the stabilizers serve simultaneously as airfoils, wing stabilizers, and a gyroscope for the flying toy.

Abstract: A manual operator for a series-connected circuit interrupter and disconnect combination mounted within a switch gearing closure, which includes an external operating handle affixed to a common operating shaft for the interrupter and the disconnect, which is rotatable about its axis between a closed position and an open position. A quick make, quick break, interrupter operating mechanism includes a manual operating shaft which is rotatable about its axis between a closed position and an open position. An operating rod has one end pivotally connected to a lever affixed to the common shaft and an opposite end pivotally connected to a lever affixed to the interrupter operator shaft, so that when the common shaft is rotated between its closed and open positions, the interrupter operating shaft is correspondingly rotated between its closed and open positions. The operating rod is held in a toggled position at both its closed and open positions by a spring connected between the rod and the switchgear enclosure.

Abstract: A flying toy of the boomerang type having two airfoil arms extending horizontally from a center portion. Each arm carries at its outer end a horizontally disposed, annular-shaped stabilizer having a horizontally disposed outer periphery whose diameter is approximately twice the horizontal width of the arm at the juncture of the arm and the stabilizer, and having an inner periphery which is disposed in the same horizontal plane as the outer periphery, and which defines a center opening through the stabilizer. The stabilizer has a convex top annular surface and a concave bottom annular surface extending between the inner and outer peripheries. During flight, the stabilizers serve simultaneously as airfoils, airfoil arm stabilizers, and a gyroscope for the flying toy.

Abstract: The dual element fuse of the present invention has at least one fusible element and at least one mass of heat softenable material; and that fusible element will respond to a short circuit to fuse and thereby assure opening of the circuit, whereas that mass of heat softenable material will respond to a long-continued relatively-low potentially-hurtful overcurrent to soften and thereby initiate opening of the circuit. That dual element fuse has a shunt element which shunts the mass of heat softenable material and which will fuse after that mass of heat softenable material has initiated opening of the circuit; and hence that shunt element will minimize arcing as that mass of heat softenable material initiates opening of the circuit.

Abstract: A fuse clip, for a ferrule-like terminal of an electric fuse, has a base from which two arms extend upwardly to grip that ferrule-like terminal. Securing projections extend downwardly from, and extend below the level of, the bottom of that base to enter openings in a circuit board; and hence no part of that base need be overlain by any part of a rivet, bolt or other fastener. The upper ends of those arms are located below the level of the top of the ferrule-like terminal. The upper surface of the base has a line contact with the lowermost portion of the ferrule-like terminal, and each of the two arms also has a line contact with that ferrule-like terminal which is displaced at least one hundred degrees from that lowermost portion of that ferrule-like terminal.

Abstract: A pressure measuring system which includes a variable reluctance pressure transducer energized from an alternating voltage source, wherein the ratio of the output voltage to the source voltage is proportional to the pressure being sensed. Precision full wave rectifiers convert the source and output voltages to reference and sensing direct voltage signals, respectively. A switching regulator regulates the higher amplitude reference voltage signal to have exactly the same average voltage as the sensing voltage signal. The switching regulator also regulates a constant voltage DC signal from a regulated power supply at the same switching duty cycle as the regulated reference voltage signal, to produce a direct voltage, pressure-sensing signal which is uneffected by voltage fluctuations in the alternating voltage source for the pressure transducer.

Abstract: The minimum instantaneous voltage output of a phase resistor connected to receive the rectified phase and neutral currents of three wye-connected current transformers, magnetically coupled to respective phase conductors of a three phase electric power circuit, is proportional to the peak current of the phase conductor carrying the center magnitude phase current. A voltage proportional to this minimum instantaneous voltage is measured and stored by a capacitor each cycle. The peak instantaneous voltage output of a ground resistor connected to receive the full wave rectified output of three, parallel-connected current transformers, also coupled to respective phase conductors of the power circuit, is proportional to the peak ground current of the electric power circuit.

Abstract: A latch assembly for removably securing an elongated electrical component tray in the housing of a light fixture comprises a bracket member having spaced side walls from which support members extend, respectively, in opposing relation toward the housing interior. A first one of the support members includes a plurality of alternately offset fingers between which a first end of the tray is received. A flat spring member mounted on the opposite bracket wall, transverse the second support member, defines a slotted aperture through which the second one of the mounting members extends. The spring member includes a cam surface for engagement by the second end of the tray to urge the spring away, permitting the tray end to be moved past the cam surface and be received in the slotted aperture for retaining the second end of the tray on the second support member. Release of the tray requires manual movement of the spring member for removal of the second end of the tray from within the slotted aperture.

Abstract: A mounting bracket formed integrally with a light fixture housing, mounts the fixture on either a flat surface, such as, a wall or a curved surface, such as, a post. The bracket includes a base portion having a front wall and opposed parallel side walls and opposed parallel upper and lower end walls joined to the rear surface of the front wall to define a cavity. The free ends of the upper and lower end walls are arcuate, curving inwardly from the opposite side walls toward the front wall for accommodating a cylindrical post or the like support member. A hollow support arm extends from the front surface of the front wall of the base portion to the housing and carries electrical wiring between the housing and the base portion of the mounting bracket. A pair of apertures for receiving mounting screws are defined in the front wall, one at each upper and lower end of the base portion.

Abstract: A drawout switchgear assembly which can be disconnected from a shielded cable electric distribution system under energized cable conditions. Each of the switchgear source and load bushings is held within a stationary cable connector with sufficient pressure exerted by the switchgear drawout operating mechanism to maintain a waterproof, fully shielded connection. Each stationary cable connector includes a current exchange bayonet member carrying a louvered band having resilient contact fingers which engage the movable switchgear bushing rod within a cavity of this rod for receiving the bayonet member. A switchgear drawout operating mechanism includes a mechanical interlock which allows withdrawal or reconnection of the switchgear only when the switchgear is in its open position.

Abstract: A latch and hinge assembly for releasably securing the refractor panel of a luminaire on the luminaire housing at the open end thereof includes first and second pairs of spring loaded plunger rods mounted at non-intersecting ends of the frame of the refractor panel, each such pair of rods extending along a common axis parallel to the edge of the corresponding end of the frame. The rod ends which normally extend outwardly from the frame at opposite ends thereof are received in aligned apertures in corresponding walls of the luminaire housing to attach the refractor panel thereto. Manually operated tabs for retracting the plunger rods of the first rod pair extend from a first surface of the panel facing the interior of the housing while the tabs for retracting the plunger rods of the second rod pair extend from the opposite surface of the panel facing the exterior of the housing. The location of the manually operated retracting tabs prevents the release of two rods not of the same pair.

Abstract: A switch of the type utilized for machine tool controls and actuated by a roller passing over a cam track has two members mounted for independent reciprocation along a plunger actuated from the cam track. One of the members carries a movable contact or contacts, while the second member is utilized to trigger the first member. Each of the members is independently activated by an associated overcenter arrangement for snap action. A compression spring is utilized to return drive the plunger from the position to which it is moved by the action of the roller on the cam track. Movement of the plunger under the driving force of either the roller and cam track or the compression spring provides for a snap action of both members in the appropriate direction upon activation by their respective overcenter arrangement.

Abstract: An inrush current restraint circuit, for use with a typical overcurrent minimum pickup circuit of a power system switching device, such as a recloser or sectionalizer, for raising the initial overcurrent minimum pickup value upon closure of the switching device to a selected value, then linearly returning this pickup value to normal within a selected period of time. The minimum pickup circuit is actuated by the voltage drop across a current sensing resistor, through which a current signal proportional to current in the power system is passed. The initial pickup overcurrent value is increased by providing another current path in parallel with the current sensing resistor when the switching device is closed. A timing capacitor is discharged each time the switching device is open, then charged from a constant current source each time the switching device is closed.

Abstract: An interrupter includes a vacuum enclosure for a set of high voltage contacts and end contact assemblies are secured to the end walls. High voltage terminals are connected to the contact assemblies. A solid insulating shell intimately attaches to the vacuum enclosure and extends axially therefrom to enclose the contact assemblies, with a contact shaft passageway in one end of the shell. One of the contact assemblies includes a movable contact shaft extending through the passageway in the insulating shell to an operating mechanism for rapid opening of the contacts. The passageway is sealed at the outer end to the shaft with a rolling diaphragm and defines a chamber encompassing the contact assembly. A deaerated insulating oil fills the chamber and significantly increases the impulse voltage rating of the interrupter. The chamber may alternatively be filled with a non-pressurized sulfur hexafluoride or other suitable gaseous medium to prevent contamination.