Abstract: A disc-shaped armature consists essentially of a flat, circular array of overlapping coils bonded together by means of a resinous material to provide a rigid discoidal structure having a disc portion containing the coil sides and inner and outer concentric ring portions containing the coil end-heads. According to the invention the discoidal structure is provided with at least one commutator on the outer ring portion of the structure.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer apparatus for sensing flow velocity through a pipe wall has a pair of strap-on transducer assemblies for securing to an unprepared pipe surface, the energy coupling between each transducer unit and the pipe or other working device being provided by an elastomeric contact pad, which also facilitates rapid replacement of the transducer crystal, by simplified assembly.

Abstract: A rotor for a dynamoelectric machine comprises a discoidal winding of conductors bonded together by means of a resinous material. The structure has a flat disc portion containing the coil sides and outer and inner ring portions containing the coil end-heads and other end connections. Surfaces on the discoidal structure have formations which interrupt areas exposed to the cooling fluid in the machine. This enhances heat transfer from the winding conductors to the fluid.

Abstract: Ramp signals having rounded starts and finishes are provided through the method of producing an electrical voltage signal comprised of approximately circular portions and approximately straight line portions wherein the straight line portions are approximately tangential to the circular portions. In achieving the desired ramp signals, suitable circuitry is provided in which, in one embodiment, a high gain amplifier is selectively fed a step input voltage to initiate the ramp signal. The amplifier has a voltage limited output and is series connected to a first integrator. The first integrator has a voltage limited output and is series connected to a second integrator which produces the required ramp signal. The circuit also contains two feedback loops. The output from the first integrator is fed to the input of the high gain amplifier via an inverting amplifier. The output of the second integrator is fed to the high gain amplifier via a resistor.

Abstract: A discoidal armature for dynamoelectric machines has its winding conductors bonded together in a rigid structure by means of a resinous material, and its commutator bonded to the structure. The structure has a disc portion containing the coil sides and outer and inner ring portions containing the coil end-heads and other end connections. The coils have their sides and end-heads of shapes which permit them to nest closely together in an annular array of overlapping coils. They are stranded and have the strands in their side arranged to provide a tapered disc portion which is thicker at the inner ring portion than it is at the outer ring portion. The commutator consists of an annular array of segments bonded to the disc portion adjacent the outer ring portion and presents a working face on the side of the disc portion. A similar array of segments can be bonded to the other side of the disc portion to obtain a duplex commutator.

Abstract: A current sensor provides a voltage signal which is proportional to the average current flowing through a semiconductor device junction. This voltage signal is applied to a first analogue circuit which produces an output voltage indicative of the average power dissipated at the junction. The output of the first analogue circuit is applied to a second analogue circuit which outputs a voltage signal indicative of the temperature difference between the junction and a heat sink associated with the semiconductor device and to a third analogue circuit which outputs a voltage signal indicative of the temperature difference between the heat sink and ambient. The ambient temperature is sensed by an ambient temperature sensor which outputs a voltage signal indicative of the ambient temperature. A voltage summing circuit sums the output voltages from the second and third analogue circuits and from the ambient temperature sensor, and produces an output voltage indicative of the junction temperature.

Abstract: According to the invention electrically conductive paths are provided between the coil armor and the core laminations of dynamoelectric machines by placing a semiconducting elastomeric material between the coil sides and the walls of the core slots. The elastomeric material is of a type which has a controlled resistance and will deform sufficiently under pressure to flow into the irregularities between the coil side and the slot walls, and in so doing provide conductive paths for electric charge to flow from the armor to the core laminations. This material must be capable of retaining its strength, elasticity, conductivity, etc., and remaining in place between the coils and core under vibration, coolant flow, electric stresses, repeated temperature changes, etc., for the operating life of the machine. Preferably, these paths will be heat conductors as well.

Abstract: An axial gap synchronous dynamoelectric machine consists essentially of a disc-shaped rotor having axially oriented permanent magnet pole bodies with faces lying in an annular surface; a stator core spaced axially from the pole faces; and a discoidal AC winding linked with the pole bodies and the core. The winding consists of a plurality of coils laid overlapping in an annular array and bonded together with a resinous material into a unitary structure having an annular disc portion containing the coil sides and inner and outer ring portions containing the coil end-heads. It is supported by the stator with its disc portion in the space between the stator core and the pole faces, and its disc portion is spaced axially from the pole faces.

Abstract: A traffic signal housing particularly suitable for moulding modular units frm engineering thermoplastics. The back body portion is generally cylindrical; each end portion of the cylinder is reinforced with radial webbing connecting to a coaxial inner cylinder, thus forming a stiff load transfer structure extending into the housing to a depth of about 10 percent. The peripheral edges of a one load transfer structure are shaped to mate and seal with those of an adjacent unit. Units are coupled with a pipe bolt passing through adjacent inner cylinders to place the reinforced ends under compression. Thus assembled units have a great rigidity and load may be transmitted without the undue flexing or cracking common in prior known units.

Abstract: An electric tank heater for heating the engine coolant system of an automotive vehicle comprises a tubular tank shell having an open end in which is secured an annulus having a U-shaped wall. The outer leg of the annulus is circumferentially secured and sealed the shell. The inner leg extends inwardly through the end of the shell and is spaced from the inner surface thereof. A removable closure plug member from which an electric immersion heating element depends for projection into the shell is inserted into the annulus and seals against the inner leg thereof with an O-ring seal. The closure plug member is retained in place by a yoke engaging the edge of inner leg.

Abstract: A core for a nuclear reactor of high specific power output is provided with an arrangement of fuel bundles in which at least some bundles incorporate tubular pencil elements mounted between end plates, having coolant flow restricting means secured to the bundle to control the balance of coolant flow between external flow along the outsides of the pencils and internal coolant flow within the hollow pencils.