Abstract: A recreational device for physically disabled persons is provided and consists of a slide with a low friction inclined bed surface having a top and bottom; a first wheelchair transfer station adjacent the top of the slide bed surface with a first surface for supporting a wheelchair, a substantially flat, horizontally situated entry platform at the top of the slide bed surface, elevated above the first wheelchair supporting surface and having an upwardly facing surface that blends into the slide bed surface; a second wheelchair transfer station adjacent the bottom of the slide surface with a second surface for supporting a wheelchair, a substantially flat, horizontally situated landing platform at the bottom of the bed surface, elevated above the second wheelchair supporting surface, and having an upwardly facing surface that blends into the slide bed surface; and an inclined ramp to permit a user to propel a wheelchair from the second wheelchair supporting surface to the first wheelchair supporting surface.

Abstract: The use of a single main centrifugal fuel pump for supplying fuel to an aircraft gas turbine engine has advantages over other known systems, however a problem has existed in that the centrifugal pump, when driven in a fixed ratio to the engine speed, cannot deliver fuel at adequate pressure under engine starting conditions. The disclosed fuel supply system using a main centrifugal pump overcomes this shortcoming by having a turbine-driven start pump added to the fuel supply with both the turbine and the start pump receiving fuel pumped by the main centrifugal pump and the turbine utiliziing the high flow, low pressure fuel to drive the start pump which incresases the pressure of the fuel to a value adequate for engine starting. The start pump delivers fuel until such time as the main centrifugal fuel pump has reached a speed to provide the fuel to the engine at the required pressure, at which time the turbine is no longer driven and the output of the start pump goes to zero.

Abstract: A ram air flow system for an aircraft or the like wherein a ram air duct is provided with an inlet through which air enters the duct and an outlet through which air leaves the duct. A fan is located in the duct between the inlet and the outlet and is located to define a bypass portion of the duct through which air can pass through the duct past the fan. Doors are mounted in the duct for movement between a first position covering the fan to allow air to bypass the fan, and a second position exposing the fan while blocking the bypass portion of the duct to allow air to flow through the fan.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided having a horizontal frame with two associated front wheels and two associated rear wheels wherein at least one set of associated wheels is rotatable about vertical axes by steering means. A cross shaft is mounted on the frame and rotatable about its axis in response to a steering input of an operator. A first shaft arm defining a first pivot is rotatable with the cross shaft, and a second shaft arm defining a second pivot is rotatable with the cross shaft. The second pivot has a radial spacing from the shaft axis equal to the radial spacing of the first pivot from the cross shaft, and the pivots are substantially symmetrical on opposite sides of a horizontal plane when the steering mechanism is in a neutral position. First and second steering arms are pivotable about the vertical pivot axes of the set of associated wheels to turn the wheels, and the steering arms define third and fourth pivots located on opposite sides of their associated vertical axes.

Abstract: Weight and spatial concerns in aircraft are alleviated or minimized through a combined auxiliary and emergency power unit including a gear box 10 adapted to drive a generator 16 and a hydraulic pump 18 as auxiliary to emergency power supplies for the aircraft. The system includes a pair of turbine wheels 22 and 24 along with a pair of motion transmitting paths 12, 26, 42; 14, 68, each including a selectively operable clutch 42, 68 so as to connect the turbine wheels 22, 24 to the gear box 10 in mechanical parallel. A rotary compressor 28 is connected to one of the turbine wheels 22 and an associated combustor 46 provides combustion gas to the turbine wheel 22 for auxiliary power unit operation. A pressure tank 56 for compressed oxidant and an additional combustor 60 are utilized to provide combustion gas to the other turbine wheel 24 in an emergency power unit mode of operation.

Abstract: An adjustable speed transmission according to the present invention comprises a variable speed pulley drive system and a multiple speed gear drive system. The pulley system and gear system are combined with a reversible gear system to provide a speed transmission system which is variable over a wide range of speeds while utilizing a conventional belt type speed pulley system.

Abstract: A transformer rectifier unit is provided for developing regulated DC output power from first and second sources of unregulated DC power. The transformer rectifier unit includes a transformer having a primary winding connectable to a source of AC input power and first and second secondary windings. The first secondary winding develops AC power at a first level and the second secondary winding develops AC power at a second level lower than the first level. First and second rectifier circuits are respectively coupled to the first and second secondary circuits for rectifying the AC power therefrom to DC power having corresponding first and second DC levels. A switch is coupled between an output of the first rectifier circuit and an output of the second rectifier circuit and is operable in first and second switching states to provide DC output power from one of the rectifier circuits to a load.

Abstract: An apparatus to facilitate producing scrambled eggs on a heated grill surface comprises a frame. At least one egg ring having a lower edge portion is adapted to be disposed in intimate contact with the grill surface for movement therealong and to define with the grill surface an enclosed region within the egg ring for confining liquid eggs. An interceptor member extends across the egg ring in position to engage the liquid eggs therewithin in response to moving the apparatus to and fro over the grill surface. Complementary interengaging portions between the interceptor means and the egg ring properly positions the egg ring on the frame as a function of mounting the interceptor on the frame. Cushion means are provided between the egg ring and the frame to bias the egg ring into intimate contact with the grill surface.

Abstract: Manifold head effects at low fuel flows in a fuel injected air breathing turbine are minimized by utilizing fuel injectors having fuel injecting tubes 66 with open ends 70 for fuel injection and provided with elongated capillary tubes 99 upstream thereof and connected to receive fuel from a fuel manifold 48.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a flow measuring device between an input fluid line and an output fluid line has a sleeve with an opening therethrough mounted to a base and capable of reciprocating between extended and retracted positions. The sleeve secures the flow measuring device in the extended position and releases the device in the retracted position. A cam secures the sleeve in the retracted or extended positions. A valve is fixed to the sleeve such that, when the sleeve is in its extended position, fluid flows around the valve and through the sleeve. When the sleeve is in its retracted position to remove the flow measuring device, the valve seats on the input fluid line.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for a heat exchanger of the type defined by a core having tubes and fins assembled together. The mounting bracket is adapted to extend between a pair of spaced plates between which the core is disposed. A first securing mechanism is associated with a first end of the mounting bracket. It is adapted to cooperate with one of the plates for interlocked pivotal movement of the mounting bracket relative to the other of the plates. The first securing mechanism accommodates movement from a position where the second end of the mounting bracket is spaced from the other of the plates to a position where the second end of the mounting bracket is adjacent the other of the plates. A second securing mechanism is associated with a second end of the mounting bracket. It is adapted to cooperate with the other of the plates for locked engagement of the mounting bracket to the other of the plates.

Abstract: A refrigerator cabinet includes an outer shell having a transverse flange terminating in a channel generally parallel with the flange and opening transversely inwardly. A liner is disposed within the shell and defines a storage space which is divided into two compartments by a compartment separator. A center rail defines a forward wall for the separator. A pair of brackets each has a first portion shaped to conform to the channel and a second portion shaped to conform to ends of the center rail. An adhesive material is disposed in opposite sides of the channel adjacent the compartment separator and adheres the brackets to the cabinet. Fasteners are provided for securing brackets to the opposite ends of the center rail. Accordingly, a refrigerator cabinet is provided which utilizes an adhesive as the sole means for retaining the center rail brackets to the cabinet structure.

Abstract: A welding aid includes a particular carbon-based weld spatter adhesion inhibitor, and a particulate calcium-based adjuvant mixed with the inhibitor. The mixture is capable of being applied to a metal surface to be welded, thereby to inhibit adhesion of weld spatters to the metal surface on welding of the metal surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for elevating objects and consisting of a frame for bearing on a subjacent support surface for the apparatus, a platform having an upwardly facing surface for bearing against an object to be elevated and laterally spaced sides and mounted to the frame for movement relative to the frame in a vertical direction between a lowered position and a raised position, a flexible cord, a winch mounted on the frame for selectively retrieving and paying out the cord, an elongate hollow conduit with spaced opposite ends mounted to the platform so that the conduit length is aligned laterally with respect to the platform, and wherein the cord extending from the spaced opposite ends of the conduit is connected to the winch and frame so that as the line is retrieved by the winch a lifting force is exerted on the conduit to elevate the platform.

Abstract: An automatic can opener is described which is operable using a single hand to complete the opening of a can merely by positioning the can in an opening position. Particularly, the can opener senses when a can has been placed in a position to be opened, and automatically retains the can in this position and begins cutting the top thereof. Subsequently, when the cutting is completed, the can opener automatically terminates the cutting operation while retaining the can in position. Thereafter, when a user begins to remove the can, such action is automatically sensed, and the can is automatically released for removal.

Abstract: A variable speed, constant frequency electrical generating system has a variable speed, engine driven generator. The system operates in either a generate or an engine start mode. A bidirectional filter connected between the rectifier-converter and the AC bus traps or blocks switching harmonics from the rectifier-converter. Shunt trap circuits are connected either phase-to-phase or phase-to-neutral.

Abstract: A compaction table control system includes a variable speed vibratory motor having an eccentric weight coupled to a compaction table. The motor is operated according to acceleration of sand in a flask to vary the motor speed and thus the acceleration of the sand.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a rubber double-toothed belt wherein the unvulcanized rubber thereof is firstly heat treated so as to define a first toothed portion of the belt without substantial vulcanization thereof. The preform is then entrained about pulleys and a pair of heated molds engaged with both the toothed portion and the nontoothed outer portion of the belt to place the preform under pressure at a vulcanization temperature for sufficient time to cause the outer rubber portion of the preform to flow outwardly and define the outer teeth of the final belt concurrently with the vulcanization of the double-toothed belt construction. The parameters for controlling the heat treatment to provide the configurational retention without substantial vulcanization of the preform rubber are disclosed.