Abstract: An electronic clamping circuit is provided. In one preferred embodiment, the clamping circuit includes a pair of diodes connected in series, both having the same bias, which are shunted across a feedback path of a transimpedance amplifier circuit. A capacitor is connected to a node in-between the diodes and a potential (e.g., ground). The arrangement of the diodes and capacitor serve to keep the amplifier circuit's operation within its linear limits without severely degrading its bandwidth.

Abstract: A high temperature gas stream optical flame sensor for flame detection in gas turbine engines, and method for fabricating same is provided. The sensor generally comprises a silicon carbide photodiode and silicon carbide based amplification hardware for generating a signal indicative of the presence of the flame. In a preferred embodiment, the photodiode and amplification hardware are disposed within a sensor housing and the photodiode is situated within a fuel/air premixer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for introducing slack into a coil wire prior to termination. A stator having a volume of coil windings has a terminal board mounted thereon. Means for introducing slack in the coil wire includes a terminal receiving cavity located in the terminal board. A portion of the coil wire is passed across the cavity and a terminal is inserted therein, thereby crimpingly engaging the wire. The wire is simultaneously passed over a spacer which extends laterally across the cavity. When the spacer is subsequently removed a loop of slack remains in the wire.

Abstract: A rotating fan assembly is provided for use in single stage and multi-stage applications. The fan assembly includes a fan member having a tapered disk member, a flat annular ring member and a plurality of blade members interposed between the disk and the ring. The fan member may be housed in an enclosure shroud having a tapered case and a flat shell member thereby reducing case length from start of the shell to the inlet plane. The flat shell member doubles as a shroud for both the rotating fan member and for a stationary fan when used in multi-stage designs.

Abstract: A combined commutator brush retainer clip and electrical connector includes a main body portion and a terminal portion. The main body portion has a recessed portion with a plurality of dimples therein. A commutator brush is electrically connected to a brush holder sleeve, and the brush holder sleeve is, in turn, clampingly engaged to the commutator housing with the retainer. The brush holder sleeve is disposed within the recessed portion of the retaining clip and is frictionally engaged by the dimples. The terminal portion of the retainer engages a corresponding terminal member on the motor stator such that an electrical connection is established between said commutator brush and said stator by way of said retainer.

Abstract: A molded through-flow motor assembly has a motor housing, including a cup portion and a flange portion. The flange portion includes a plurality of ramp surfaces extending outwardly therefrom. The cup portion has a field retaining wall and guide rib extending inwardly therefrom on opposite sides of the housing. A diffuser plate is provided having a plurality of scalloped ramp surfaces on a first side thereof adjacent to a plurality of air inlet apertures which open into air chambers on the second side thereof. The field and armature portions of a motor assembly are mounted in the motor housing and the diffuser plate is fitted to the flange portion of the housing such that the ramp surfaces abut one another to form a continuous ramp surface from each air inlet aperture into the air chambers. A rotating fan member is mounted to the armature shaft and is housed within a shroud cover fitted to the motor housing.

Abstract: A fluid flowmeter includes a turbine for imparting an angular momentum to a main flow of fluid related to a flow of fluid through the turbine. The flowmeter also includes an impeller for undergoing an angular deflection in response to the angular momentum of the main flow, which angular deflection is indicative of flowrate of the main flow. A poppet valve is provided for opening substantially as a function of pressure of the main flow to provide a bypass flow of fluid. The flow of fluid through the turbine is at most equal to the main flow reduced by the bypass flow. The valve is adapted such that the bypass flow varies so as to ensure that the flow through the turbine maintains substantially constant rotational speed of the turbine independent of flowrate of the main flow.

Abstract: A fan end bracket for a motorized fan assembly has a plurality of curvilinear tapered air passages. Each air passage includes a flow port, such that air being moved by a rotating fan assembly is directed through the air passages and the flow ports. A skeletal motor assembly is affixed to one side of the end bracket such that the motor shaft is disposed through a shaft aperture in the end bracket. A rotating fan member is affixed to the motor shaft adjacent to the other side of the end bracket. A shroud member is provided to shroud the rotating fan member so as to cause the flow of air to be directed through the air passages. A baffle plate is interposed between the rotating fan member and the end bracket. The baffle plate includes a plurality of curvilinear scallops which correspond to the air passages in the end bracket.

Abstract: A high temperature gas stream optical flame sensor for flame detection in gas turbine engines, the sensor generally comprising a silicon carbide photodiode and silicon carbide based amplification hardware for generating a signal indicative of the presence of the flame, in some embodiments the photodiode and amplification hardware being disposed within a sensor housing, in another embodiment for use in an aeroderivative premixed combustion system, the photodiode being situated within a fuel/air premixer.

Abstract: An electronic clamping circuit is provided in one preferred embodiment, the clamping circuit includes a pair of series-connected diodes, both having the same bias, which are shunted across a feedback path of a transimpedance amplifier circuit. A capacitive element is connected to a node in-between the diodes and a potential (e.g., ground). The arrangement of the diodes and capacitive element serve to keep the amplifier circuit's operation within its linear limits without severely degrading its bandwidth.

Abstract: A rotor assembly is provided in which a permanent magnet rotor is used in conjunction with a wound stator member. A containment fixture or cup, receives one or more permanent magnets. The containment fixture has an annular end wall, a circumferential side wall and a circumferential lip. The lip serves to provide a high degree of rigidity and rotational stability to the containment fixture. The magnets abut both the lip and the side wall and the rigidity of the fixture prevents flexing and breaking of the magnets even at high rotational speeds.

Abstract: A brush holder clip and connector for motors and generators is provided in the form of an integral V-shaped spring steel member having an electrical connector extending from one of the legs thereof and opposite an apex of the clip and connector. The housing containing the commutator has a slot therein through which the brush holder passes. The V-shaped clip and connector is inserted into the slot and wedged between the brush holder and an edge of the slot. The clip and connector is electrically conductive and communicative with the brush holder 22 and is adapted for mating interconnection with a wire or other conductor.

Abstract: A high-performance, high efficiency dirty air motor/fan assembly for vacuum cleaners has a fan housing which includes an end bracket. The end bracket has a volute expansion chamber. A shroud/baffle unit mounts to the end bracket and serves to separate the exhaust plenum of the ventilating fan of the motor, from the intake plenum. A component mounting strap is mounted to the housing and the shroud/baffle unit to provide a mounting surface for vacuum cleaner interfaces.

Abstract: A flow manifold for high purity analyzers is described, in which all flow control valving is positioned downstream of the measurement device. Specifically, this new flow manifold is applied to a high purity moisture analyzer that utilizes a quartz crystal microbalance detector. The proposed flow design eliminates outgassing and contamination from upstream valving, deadlegs in the flow path, and significantly improves instrument response speed. Experimental data is provided to confirm the performance advantage of the new manifold design over existing designs.

Abstract: A low profile motorized impeller assembly is provided for use in an air moving blower product. The assembly has a motor mounting base onto which a stator is fixedly attached. An impeller having a plurality of vanes has a ring-magnet rotor integrated therein. A pair of bearings are received in a beating receiving boss in the impeller, and a shaft which is fixedly attached to the motor mounting base is received therein. A plurality of permanent magnets are mounted on the motor mounting base between the arms of the stator so that when the windings of the stator are de-energized the permanent magnets attract the poles of the ring magnet to an offset position.

Abstract: The present invention related to a process for improving the corrosion resistance and processability of stainless steel powder composition. The process comprises prealloying the stainless steel powder with about 1% to about 3% by weight of tin and blending the prealloyed stainless steel powder before molding with from about 0.5% to about 1.5% of an additive in particulate form consisting essentially of by weight 2 to 30% of tin and the balance consisting essentially of at least one element selected from copper and nickel.

Abstract: An improved end bracket is provided for a high velocity low pressure blower assembly. The end bracket includes a pair of members, each heat sink having several vanes. The bracket further includes a bearing boss having heat dissipating vanes radiating from it. The heat sink members and vanes serve to dissipate heat from a bearing which is mounted in the bearing boss. The bracket also includes a tangential exhaust horn having a threaded hose coupling. The exhaust horn communicates with a tapered scroll passage which serves to direct air to the exhaust horn. The scroll passage is tapered to allow the high velocity air to expand as it becomes hotter, thereby reducing turbulence at the exhaust.

Abstract: A molded impeller fan assembly has a backing plate and a plurality of blades extending generally orthogonally upwardly therefrom. A V-shaped buttress is formed at the transition of each blade to the backing plate. Each buttress is defined by a pair of opposed walls which are formed where the backing plate curves gradually upward toward the blade apex. A V-shaped indentation is disposed between the walls in a side of the backing plate opposite the blades. The walls of the buttress serve to transfer centrifugal and impact forces from the blades to the backing plate.

Abstract: A blower fan assembly is provided which includes a blower housing, an exhaust port having an air passage connected to the housing and an impeller assembly rotatably received within the housing. A sound attenuator is also provided to be received in the exhaust port. The attenuator includes at least one edge which extends into the housing to provide a gradual cutoff point. Air moving ahead of the rotating impeller vanes is partially redirected through the exhaust port by the attenuator. Remaining air is directed over and around the attenuator and is forced out of the housing at the cutoff point created where the exhaust port joins the housing. The redirection of air alleviates compression/decompression at the cutoffs thereby reducing the pulsing noise associated therewith.