Abstract: A static low tire pressure detection system for detecting the presence of a low tire mounted on a structural member of an aircraft, such as a bogie beam or nose axle, includes a pair of inclinometers mounted on the structural member and adapted to sense the bend therein. The signals from the inclinometers are stored in a memory once the aircraft is at rest on the ground to provide reference signals indicating the angle of the structural member with respect to an inertial reference and the weight carried thereby. The reference signals are compared against later-developed signals representing instantaneous angle and weight on the structural member to develop difference signals. The difference signals are used to generate an indication of tire pressurization, which is then checked to determine whether the tire pressurization is within acceptable limits.

Abstract: An angulated indicator lens secured to the top portion of a relay valve for providing maximum refraction and dispersion of the several indicating colors on the valve stem indicating the operative or inoperative position of the valve. The lens is constructed of a unitary transparent body having an interior angulated, truncated surface of approximately 45.degree. to the horizontal, with an exterior angulated, truncated upper viewing surface of approximately 54.degree. to the vertical. The transparent lens body receives ambient colored light from the stem providing the maximum refraction of light onto the first interior angulated surface and directing the color to be indicated through the lens medium and onto the second exterior angulated truncated surface for maximum indicating area.

Abstract: A portable tube end cutting tool includes a tool support shaft with an alignment assembly at one end for insertion into the tube whose end surface is to be machined and a cutter head assembly mounted for rotation about the support shaft. The tool portion to be inserted into the tube space adjacent the tube end to be machined is compact and is adapted to be locked in accurate alignment by incremental rotation of the support shaft over small angular increments, and is particularly useful where the tube surfaces to be machined are located in confined or relatively inaccessible working places.

Abstract: In order to provide for accurate setting of a preload force on an accelerometer force responsive pendulum and to provide for rigid support for the pendulum, a pendulum support assembly is constructed with a flexure member that is attached at one end to the accelerometer frame. The flexure receives the preload force from a preload pin at the other end and has one pendulum axle bearing attached to it between the attachment point and the preload pin. In addition, the flexure includes a hinge portion located next to the attachment point that serves to make the flexure a statically determinate beam so that the preload force on the bearing can be accurately determined.

Abstract: An apparatus especially adapted for use in AC power systems of the type having a device for reducing power consumption by reducing load voltage, the apparatus having a sensor for detecting an increase in load current and for controlling a responsive increase in load voltage to compensate for the added load causing the increase in current. The apparatus can be used in three-phase AC systems for controlling each phase independently and can be made sufficiently sensitive to operate in a 28,000 Watt fluorescent light load while responding to as little as 400 Watt load additions to assure quick and efficient ignition of newly turned-on lights. A digital memory device, in the form of a state machine in the preferred embodiment, is used to control operation and timing for one to three phases while permitting low line voltage override and periodic timing override operation.

Abstract: A portable system is disclosed for collecting hydrocarbons, or other floating materials, from a body of water, such as a bilge. A pump, such as a vacuum pump, collects the water and hydrocarbons and conveys same to an oil/water separator. The oil/water separator receives the water and hydrocarbons and separates the mixture. The oil/water separator has a housing with two tanks connected by a passageway. For separation, the oil/water mixture is fed into one of the tanks of the housing of the oil/water separator. The water then passes through the passageway having a plurality of baffles and, optionally, other separating mechanisms mounted therein and into the second tank. An oil outlet allows the removal of separated oil from the top portion of the second tank while a water outlet allows the removal of water from the bottom portion of the second tank. Optionally, a pair of check valves may also be mounted between the first tank and the passageway.

Abstract: A compact traction device includes a housing and a plurality of constant tension spring units disposed within the housing. Each constant tension spring unit includes a cable which extends from the unit through an opening in the housing. As the cable is pulled out from the housing, a substantially constant tension is developed on the cable. Hook elements are coupled to the end of each cable to enable attaching the cable to a ring or other connecting structure which, in turn, would be attached to some part of the body of a person utilizing the traction device. A brake device is included in the housing for each constant tension spring unit to inhibit the rapid retraction into the housing of the cables when the cables are released. A clamp is mounted on the exterior of the housing to enable attaching the traction device to a support frame. The clamp allows positioning of the device to have almost any orientation.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a prestressed rolling mill incorporating a system of hydraulically operated load-transfer blocks, wherein the blocks are of unitary construction and bodily interposed between vertically opposed regions of upper and lower back-up roll chocks, at the respective inlet and exit sides of each axial end of the mill. Each load-transfer block is inherently self-adapting (at each of a plurality of force-application regions) to such small locally different deformations in the mill frame as result from the block's modulating contribution to net prestressing force; further, each load-transfer block includes its own hydraulic-control system with minimum-displacement actuators whereby a fast time constant of hydraulic response is achieved.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a prestressed rolling mill incorporating a system of hydraulically operated load-transfer blocks, wherein the blocks are of unitary construction and bodily interposed between vertically opposed regions of upper and lower back-up roll chocks, at the respective inlet and exit sides of each axial end of the mill. Each load-transfer block is inherently self-adapting (at each of a plurality of force-application regions) to such small locally different deformations in the mill frame as result from the block's modulating contribution to net prestressing force; further, each load-transfer block includes its own hydraulic-control system with minimum-displacement actuators whereby a fast time constant of hydraulic response is achieved.

Abstract: A method of determining the alignment of a first transducer mounting surface relative to a second transducer mounting surface includes utilizing a laser in conjunction with first and second precision ground fixtures secured to the first and second transducer mounting surfaces, respectively. An optically flat mirror is carried by each of the fixtures, with the mirror of the first fixture being partially light-transmissive. The incident light beam from the laser is directed at the partially light-transmissive mirror which, in turn, reflects part of the incident beam to form a first reflected beam. The remaining portion of the incident beam is transmitted and is reflected by the other mirror to form a second reflected beam. The two beams reflected by the mirrors are projected upon a screen disposed in front of the laser, such screen having an aperture through which the incident beam passes.

Abstract: An iontophoretic bioelectrode includes an enclosure having a bottom wall formed of a membrane through which ions may migrate when subjected to an electric field, and an upper wall joined to the bottom wall to define an interior compartment for holding an ion-containing solution. An electrode in the form of the male portion of a conventional clothing snap is mounted to the enclosure to communicate electrically with solution contained in the interior compartment. A needle receiving element is mounted in the upper wall of the enclosure. This element is in the form of a section of conduit having a receiving end, which is directed upwardly, and a blocking end which includes a platform for preventing a needle inserted into the receiving end from passing all the way through the conduit. A resilient plug is disposed in the receiving end of the conduit to prevent solution from escaping from the interior compartment.

Abstract: Control system for indicating which, of a plurality of sensed pressure control fluid functions, first malfunctions. The system includes a plurality of series connected devices, each such device includes a shiftable valve which, in one position activates an indicator, and, in another position deactivates said indicator. Signalling connections link the devices such that all indicators, save the one governing the first malfunction, remain in the indicating condition they were in prior to such malfunction occurring.

Abstract: An accelerometer has two proof masses each constrained from movement by a beam resonant force transducer. The proof mass-force transducer systems are mounted with the sensitive axes of the proof masses aligned and the force transducers arranged so that their resonant frequencies f.sub.1 and f.sub.2 vary oppositely with a change in acceleration. The acceleration is determined in accordance with the relationa=A.sub.1 f.sub.1 -A.sub.2 f.sub.3 +A.sub.0ora=A.sub.1 f.sub.1.sup.2 -A.sub.2 f.sub.2.sup.2 +A.sub.0where a is the acceleration and A.sub.1, A.sub.2 and A.sub.0 are calibration coefficients.

Abstract: A head moving mechanism for a tape deck provides for accurate shifting of a magnetic head from one set of tracks to another by securing the magnetic head to a head carriage member which in turn is attached to the tape deck by two flexures. A solenoid secured to the head carriage member serves to move the magnetic head by means of a linkage mechanism attached to the tape deck.

Abstract: A mechanical linkage and switch for sensing a torn or damaged portion of a conveyor belt. The detector includes a switch enclosed in a housing and connected to a cable which extends across the bottom of the conveyor adjacent to the conveyor belt. The cable is detachably connected to the housing by a unique ball and socket arrangement, so that when a torn section of a conveyor belt engages the cable the ball is pulled from the socket to trip the switch. The housing isolates the switch from the ambient atmosphere to allow the detector to be used in an explosive environment.

Abstract: A rectilinear motion proportional solenoid which exhibits linear output motion that is linearly proportional to the applied electrical current input. The solenoid has an adjustment mechanism which is external to the working components of the solenoid for adjusting the gain or rate of displacement of the solenoid after final assembly or while the solenoid is operating without degrading the linearity characteristics, thus allowing dynamic calibration of an operating system.

Abstract: A transducer for sensing the angular position or rate of change of displacement of a housing of a borehole survey instrument with respect to a reference position includes a rotor magnetically suspended within a stator which is in turn secured to the housing. The rotor is constrained by the magnetic suspension to rotate about a single axis relative to the stator. A frame of reference is established for the transducer, against which subsequent measurements are compared. Optical sensing means are included for sensing the movement of the rotor about the axis of motion to develop an indication of the angular position or rate of change of position of the housing.

Abstract: A hot gas cleaning and heat transfer method associated with a cooking hood assembly to separate foreign matter and liquids from gas moving through the hood assembly and transferring heat from the gas to a cooling liquid. A heat conducting wall surrounding a tubular passage accommodating a plurality of helical elements divide and direct gas into separate helical gas streams. The cooling liquid surrounds the wall to lower the temperature of the wall. Foreign matter, gas vapors, and liquids are separated from the hot gas into an annular sheath adjacent the heat conducting wall. The foreign matter, gas vapors, and liquid particles suspended in the gas are combined by mechanisms of centrifugal force, adhesion, condensation, and impaction. The gas vapors are condensed into liquid droplets. The liquid droplets, liquids, and foreign matter merge into a liquid film on the inside of the wall. This liquid film is moved down the wall and collected in an annular collecting member located adjacent the exit end of the wall.