Abstract: Undesirably low efficiencies in a gas turbine engine of the sort having a radial compressor may be increased by forming the compressor with radially inner, high pressure ratio blades (16) and radially outer, low pressure ratio blades (18). The low pressure ratio blades (18) may discharge to a receiver (38, 40) for relatively low pressure air which in turn may be utilized as bleed air (FIG. 3) or as thrust (FIG. 2) as desired or even multi-staged with the high pressure blades (FIG. 4). The high pressure ratio blades (16) discharge to a receiver (48) which is in fluid communication with a plenum (54) to provide combustion air to a combustor (56) which in turn produces gases of combustion to drive a turbine wheel (66). By utilizing high pressure air from the high pressure ratio blades (16) for this purpose, engine efficiency is maximized.

Abstract: A heavy duty staple remover 10 for disengaging embedded staples 30 having a concealed back surface 34 and an exposed back surface 32 comprises a handle 12 having a working end 40 and a manipulating end 42 pivotally connected to the handle 12 proximate to their respective working ends. A pair of generally parallel elongate spaced apart anvils 26 are integral with the working end 18 of the handle 12. The anvils 26 being spaced apart to engage substantially the lateral extremes of the concealed back surface 34 of an embedded staple 30. A tongue 42 adapted to engage the exposed back surface 32 of an embedded staple 30 is integral with the working end 40 of the lever 14. When the handle 12 and the lever 14 are in their normal position, the tongue 42 is disposed between the anvils 26 above a plane formed by the anvils 26, but the tongue 42 pivots between the anvils 26 and through the plane formed by the anvils 26 when the lever 14 is pivoted toward the handle 12 to remove a staple.

Abstract: A servo controlled trolling motor steering system provides improved speed and steering control. The system includes apparatus for mounting the motor on a boat for rotation about an axis to effect steering of the boat. A foot pedal includes a base and a foot pad pivotally mounted to the base, the foot pad being pivotal by a user to command a desired steering direction. A membrane potentiometer senses rotational position of the motor to develop an electrical signal representative of the rotational position, the signal comprising a steering feedback signal. A second membrane potentiometer senses pivotal position of the foot pad relative to the base to develop an electrical signal representative of the pivotal position, the signal comprising a steering command signal.

Abstract: In order to eliminate components and fixtures, facilitate assembly, avoid leaks, and reduce cost in a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between two fluids such as a coolant and oil, the heat exchanger includes a header plate having a central opening defined by a column integrally formed with the header plate together with a radial opening. A plurality of heat exchange units are stacked on the header plate. The heat exchange units each comprise a pair of plates joined together at inner and outer peripheral edges to thereby sealingly define a plurality of first chambers for the flow of one of the fluids wherein a column-receiving opening is provided radially inwardly of the first chambers thereof.

Abstract: Adjacent the free end of a flexible hose (22) an external thread (20) of elastomeric material is bonded or vulcanized to the external surface (21) of hose (22). A sleeve (1) is threaded onto and adhesively bonded to the external thread (20). The sleeve (1) consists of a sleeve body (2) of plastic or elastomeric material and a metallic ring (3) preferably of spring steel. The ring (3) is molded into the sleeve body (2). Part of its surface constitutes a shoulder for engagement by a cam of a coupling lock. The sleeve (1) is cheaper to manufacture and more durable than metallic sleeves.

Abstract: A dual function brake and manual drive actuating system for selectively holding a rotatable member of a drive train and manually driving the drive train. A support structure is provided, with a brake operatively associated between the support structure and the rotatable member for holding the member against rotation. A common release member is operatively associated with the brake. A fluid retracting mechanism operates against the common release member to selectively hold the brake in disengaged condition. A manual retracting mechanism also operates against the common release member to selectively hold the brake in disengaged condition. A manual drive is incorporated in the manual retracting mechanism for manually rotating the rotatable member when in the disengaged condtion.

Abstract: The wiper blade comprises a superstructure 1 provided with a claw 1a, a pressure distributing rod 2, a wiping element 3 and a retention means 4. A recess provided on the bottom portion of the pressure distributing rod 2 and a recess provided on the top portion of the wiping element 3 define a transverse opening wherein is inserted the retention means 4 which prevents any longitudinal displacement of the pressure distributing rod 2 with respect to the claw 1a and 3 with respect to the pressure distributing rod of the wiping element 2. Locking means are provided for preventing the transverse displacement of the retention means 4 with respect to the wiper blade.

Abstract: A bent-axis hydraulic apparatus having a case in which a rotatable cylinder block is positioned and which is associated with a rotatable shaft at a drive angle therebetween. A split angle spline drive interconnects the cylinder block of the hydraulic axial piston unit with a rotatable shaft for transmission of torque therebetween without any side loading on the pistons of the axial piston unit. The split angle spline drive has two series of external teeth associated one with the cylinder block and the other with the rotatable shaft which individually mesh at two locations opposite the axis of rotation thereof with two spaced-apart sets of internal teeth on a ring gear that is rotatably-mounted in fixed location within the case of the hydraulic apparatus. The tooth mesh center lines are equally spaced from the pivot point for the cylinder block and the rotatable shaft to achieve synchronization.