Abstract: In order to significantly reduce the carbon produced in a combustor, and thus reduce or eliminate carbon buildup on a combustor wall (14), a stored energy combustor (10) has a fuel injector (28) in a tubular extension (16) of a vessel (12) leading to a combustion chamber (20). The fuel injector (28) has a discharge end (60) upstream of a plane defining a point of entry (32) into the combustion chamber (20) for directing an annulus of fuel (26) toward the combustion chamber (20), and an oxidant inlet port (24) is also provided upstream of the combustion chamber (20) for directing oxidant into the combustion chamber (20) through the tubular extension (16) in surrounding relation to the fuel injector (28) which is concentric with the longitudinal axis (22) of the vessel (12).

Abstract: A flow control valve for selectively opening and obstructing a flow passageway defined by a conduit. The valve has a mounting block, first and second valve wings, each mounted to the block for rotation about parallel axes between open and closed position, and structure for simultaneous moving the first and second valve wings between their open and closed positions. The first and second valve wings are each rotatable oppositely about their respective axes in moving between corresponding open and closed positions.

Abstract: The problem for distributing load equally between multiple generators (34) in multi-channel generating systems is resolved using a voltage regulator (60) including a reactive load division loop (84) and real load division loop (86). The voltage regulator (60) controls generator excitation responsive to sensed voltage. The reactive load division loop and real load division loop modify the voltage regulator output to divide loading equally between each generator.

Abstract: The clearance between a seal assembly 46 and a turbine wheel 14 in a turbine engine of the type having a radial outflow compressor 24 and a radial inflow turbine wheel 14 may be minimized by utilizing a diaphragm assembly 76 as part of the seal assembly 46 and which is formed of multiple pieces in the form of concentric rings 78, 80. In addition, the thermal stress in the rings 78 and 80 will be considerably less than in a single ring as used in existing designs. This greatly extends the useful life of the seal plate assembly before the onset of cracking and other kinds of mechanical failure.

Abstract: A bowling ball includes a spherical inner core and an outer shell. An annular weight block is mounted symmetrically on a mid-plane of the inner core and is axi-symmetric about a centerline passing through the geometric center of the spherical body. An eccentric weight block is formed integrally with a portion of the annular weight block. The annular weight block is oriented such that the longitudinal centerline is positioned in a preferred attitude relative to the bowler release axis for controlling migration of a bowling ball spin axis from the bowler release axis to the longitudinal axis of the annular weight block as the ball slides and rolls down a lane.

Abstract: A valve unit for producing pulsed delivery of a fluid from a supply to a point of use.

Abstract: A draft inducer having a pair of arcuate semi-scrolls within a cylindrical housing defined by a circular inner end plate and a circular outer end plate vertically spaced by a sidewall. A metal conduit element is connected concentrically to the inner end plate and an electric motor is connected adjacent the outer end plate. A fan blower wheel is disposed in the housing coaxially with the conduit element and is drivingly connected to the motor. The semi-scrolls define curved air passages with twin, oppositely directed outlets for discharging fluid flow outdoors at rates minimally effected by ambient wind conditions.

Abstract: An improved fishing reel of the type having a frame, a line-carrying spool carried by a shaft and mounted for rotation relative to the frame about a first axis, a crankshaft mounted for rotation relative to the frame about a second axis, a crank handle for rotating the crankshaft, and means including a drag apparatus for transmitting rotational movement of the crankshaft about the second axis into rotational movement of the spool shaft and spool about the first axis. The drag apparatus is adjusted by a drag-adjusting knob coaxially mounted on the crankshaft. The improvement resides in structure for signaling, audibly or by feel, that the drag on the spool is being changed either by increasing or decreasing the drag setting when the drag-adjusting knob is turned relative to the crankshaft.

Abstract: A vang assembly is provided for manipulating a sailboat boom. The vang assembly includes a mechanical vang in the form of a resiliently flexible elongate column provided with an adjustment means in the form of a soft vang for arcuately flexing the mechanical vang. Opposite ends of the mechanical vang are attached below the boom to a lower portion of the mast and to the boom at a location spaced outwardly and upwardly from the lower portion of the mast. The adjustment means is attached to opposite ends of the mechanical vang and is movable between a contracted position and an extended position. When the adjustment means is moved to a contracted position, the mechanical vang is bowed arcuately upwardly and the boom is urged in a downward direction. When the adjustment means is moved to extended position, the arcuately bowed mechanical vang straightens and pushes the boom upwardly.

Abstract: In order to significantly reduce the carbon produced in a combustor, and thus reduce or eliminate carbon buildup on combustor walls, a gas turbine engine (10) has a radial compressor (12), an axial turbine (16), and a radial combustor (20). The radial combustor (20) includes a pair of axially spaced radially extending walls (62, 64) joined at radially outward extremes by a generally cylindrical wall (36). The walls (36, 62, 64) define a radial combustion space (24) in communication with both the radial compressor (12) and a turbine nozzle (22) and admit compressed air into the radial combustion space (24) in a manner avoiding formation of an air film on the generally cylindrical wall (36). The radial combustor (20) also includes a fuel injector (34) for injecting a liquid fuel into the radial combustion space (20) to impact the liquid fuel directly onto an inner surface (36a) of the generally cylindrical wall (36) to form a liquid fuel film (82) thereon.

Abstract: Redundant components, and their volume and weight, used in on board gas generating systems are avoided in a fully integrated system for generating oxygen enriched air (OEA) and nitrogen enriched air (NEA) for a variety of purposes. A first separator (16) may provide OEA to a second separator (24) directly to provide oxygen for crew consumption or alternatively may provide OEA to a compressor (42) which in turn provides high pressure OEA to storage vessels (70), (72). The separator (16) also provides NEA alternatively to aircraft fuel tanks (60) for inerting them by direct flow or, after being compressed by the compressor (42) to an NEA storage system (50). NEA from the storage system (50) may additionally be used for fuel expulsion in a fuel system (96) associated with an auxiliary power unit/emergency power unit including a hot gas generator (74), the latter also receiving oxidant for the fuel in the form of OEA from one of the OEA storage tanks (72).

Abstract: Improved starting for turbine engines operating at low fuel flows and at high altitudes is accomplished in an engine 10 having an annular combustion 12 by utilizing a stored energy combustion system 28 which includes a source of oxidant 36 and a fuel source 38 both of which are in fluid communication with an auxiliary combustion space 32 of an auxiliary combustor 30 for combusting the oxidant and fuel to generate a gaseous fuel including secondary gases of combustion which are directed to the annular combustor 12 through a fuel injector 24 as a reactive, gaseous fuel ignitable therewithin.

Abstract: A release mechanism for facilitating launching a spin-stabilized self-propelled missile. A missile support includes a rotary turbine having a receptacle defining a spin axis, and a fixed support for supporting the rotary turbine for rotation about the spin axis and for movement axially of the spin axis. A nozzle assembly extends from the missile into the receptacle and includes a fusible joint for heating by high temperature exhaust gases expelled by the missile to release the missile, and an aft nozzle section movable away from the missile on fusing and separation of the fusible joint. An abutment on the rotary turbine is disposed in the path of movement of the aft nozzle section for striking by the aft nozzle section to effect rapid movement of the rotary turbine and receptacle axially away from the missile on fusing and separation of the fusible joint.

Abstract: A flask adapted to contain a pattern and sand is resiliently supported in a controlled orientation and vibrational forces are imparted to the flask including a horizontal force component causing generally horizontal oscillating movement of the flask and alternative oppositely directed vertical force components maintaining the flask in a controlled orientation during the generally horizontal oscillating movement thereof. The vertical force components are adapted to counteract rotational inertia of the flask, pattern and sand.

Abstract: In order to enhance the aesthetics of the interior of a home or building, a fabric column kit and system is disclosed. The fabric column kit or system includes at least a pair and, preferably, a plurality of fabric supports which may advantageously be of different sizes and/or shapes wherein the supports are adapted for selected positioning in spaced apart relation in compatible pairs. The fabric supports are fixedly mounted to a rigid surface in selected positions. The fabric column kit or system also includes at least a pair and preferably a plurality of rings which may advantageously be of different sizes and/or shapes wherein the rings are adapted to releasably secure opposite ends of a fabric to the respective ones of the fabric supports. With the fabric column kit or system, a fabric column may be formed between the fabric supports to aesthetically enhance the interior space of any building structure.

Abstract: An electrical generating system is driven by a variable speed prime mover through a constant speed drive. A speed control, as a proportional integrator responsive to frequency error, controls the constant speed drive. Stability and speed of response of the system are improved by the inclusion of one or more of the following in the speed control: a lead/lag filter between the output of proportional integrator and the constant speed drive; an adaptive gain circuit for the frequency error signal ahead of the proportional integrator; an adaptive integrator for delaying integrator operation on occurrence of a load current change; a nonlinear gain circuit in parallel with the proportional integrator to increase the control signal as the error signal increases; or load current or input speed bias signals added to the control signal to reduce the range of integrator output.

Abstract: A shield from a laser beam has an upper material which disperses the laser beam into a larger cross sectional area, and a lower material which reflects the dispersed laser beam back through the upper material. The upper material may be a woven fiberglass sheet and the lower material may be a sheet made of woven metallic wires. The shield may be made from cylindrical fiberglass and metallic fabric as a shield for an endotracheal tube for use during laser surgery of a patient`s throat region. The materials may be made in sheets to form protective drapes for protection of equipment from a laser beam during laser surgery. An umbrella having a reflective surface that unfolds under pressure from a balloon used to secure an endotracheal tube in a patient's throat protects the balloon from the laser beam during laser surgery.

Abstract: A rotogravure printing press includes a boundary layer air scraper which is located immediately upstream of the pinch area of the press (e.g. the area formed by the impression roller and the printing cylinder). The air scraper blocks boundary layer airflow drawn with the moving web. This reduces the solvent laden air and allows a reduction in the capacity of the scavenger system.

Abstract: The problem of energy wastage in power drive units having fixed displacement hydraulic motors is avoided in a system having a variable displacement hydraulic motor (10) without the expense normally associated with such variable displacement systems by a construction which includes a variable displacement hydraulic motor (10) provided with a hydraulic actuator (14). A servo valve (12) is adapted to be connected to a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure and a controller (24) and is connected to the motor (10) for controlling the flow of fluid thereto in response to signals received from the controller (24). A flow limiter (16) is connected between the servo valve (12) and a return to the fluid source. A flow sensor valve (18) is connected across the flow limiter (16) and is responsive to flow therethrough to provide a hydraulic control signal to the actuator (14) to control the displacement of the motor (10).