Abstract: A thunderstorm cell detection and mapping system is provided, including means for acquiring lightning strike information relating to locations of respective lightning strikes, means for clustering the lightning strikes into groups corresponding to respective active thunderstorm cells by determining a logarithmic distribution of the lightning strike information, and means for locating the active thunderstorm cells based on the lightning strike information.

Abstract: A portable rescue tool which operates off electric power and which comprises a clutch mechanism for orienting high torque spreading and/or cutting motion that is produced by the portable rescue tool in a plurality of possible directions with respect to the portable rescue tool. The portable rescue tool comprises a rotary switch for controlling the operation of the portable rescue tool, a DC motor connected to the rotary switch for providing a high speed, low torque output, a gear reduction assembly coupled to the DC motor for decreasing the speed and increasing the torque of the DC motor output, an actuator assembly coupled to the gear reduction assembly for providing a low speed, high torque output, and a clutch mechanism associated with the actuator assembly for orienting the direction of the low speed, high torque output with respect to the portable rescue tool.

Abstract: A jam-tolerant rotary actuator 70 through the incorporation of shear lugs 84,92 formed on an inner input sun gear member 82 and on an inner movable output ring gear member 90 which correspond to recesses 88,96 formed in an outer input sun gear member 86 and in an outer movable output ring gear member 94, respectively, where, upon application of a maximum torque to either the inner input sun gear member 82 or the outer movable output ring gear member 94, the shear lugs 84,92 will shear thereby allowing the inner input sun gear member 82 to be movable independent of the outer input sun gear member 86 or the outer movable output ring gear member 94 to be movable independent of the inner movable output ring gear member 90, respectively.

Abstract: An asymmetry/overspeed brake unit designed to stop the rotation of a control surface and its attending drive set and attachment hardware in response to a mechanical overspeed condition or an electrical signal from a flight control computer. The asymmetry/overspeed brake unit comprising a brake housing having a rotatable main shaft running axially therethrough and a locking mechanism, a braking mechanism, a mechanical trip mechanism, and an electrical trip mechanism, all contained within the brake housing. The asymmetry/overspeed brake unit further comprising a mechanical reset mechanism and a trip indication mechanism, both contained within the brake housing.

Abstract: The use of two variable displacement over-center hydraulic motors 12,14 in conjunction with a torque-summing gearbox 16 for maintaining the torque output of a power drive unit 10 in a typical closed loop control system is described. The torque output of the power drive unit 10 is maintained as either the sum or the difference of the torque outputs produced by the two variable displacement over-center hydraulic motors 12,14, depending upon the required system performance. This present invention use overcomes the problems associated with a single variable displacement over-center hydraulic motor operating in the stick-slip zone.

Abstract: The oxygen breathing control of the present invention for supplying oxygen to a user employs a first stage regulation module, a valving module which couples with the first stage regulation module, a servo regulator module and an aneroid module. The servo regulator module with oxygen conservation function during exhalation controls oxygen flow between zero to approximately 34,000 feet, and the aneroid module takes over the control of breathing pressure schedule between 34,000 to 45,000 feet. A flow restrictor screw module is employed in the passage between a control chamber and an inlet chamber of the valving module for regulating the flow between the two chambers.

Abstract: A system for classifying detected lightning strikes detects signals representative of a lightning strike and processes such signals to generate a frequency signature thereof which is used to classify the lightning strike represented by the detected signals into a type. In a preferred embodiment, the type is selected from a plurality of predetermined types based on the frequency signature. In an alternate embodiment, a pulse width of the lightning strike is determined from the detected signals and used in combination with the frequency signature to classify the lightning strike into its type.

Abstract: A lightning strike detection and mapping system includes a processor which generates a location signal of a lightning strike from detected signals representative thereof and drives a display to display an indication of the lightning strike based on the location signal thereof. The display is governed by a first signal to control the brightness thereof and includes an ambient light measuring device in proximity thereto for generating a second signal indicative of the measured light conditions. The processor monitors the level of the second signal in order to adjust the first signal to accomplish control of the display brightness in response to change in ambient light conditions.

Abstract: A sampled data lightning strike detection and mapping system receives a signal waveform representative of a lightning strike and digitizes samples of the waveform to generate a train of digital data samples. The digital data samples are monitored to identify a trigger sample which exceeds a predetermined threshold. The trigger sample governs the commencement of processing of digital samples of the train for detection and mapping of the lightning strike. Upon determination of an invalid lightning strike from the digital data samples, the processing is aborted and the monitoring operation resumed until a next trigger sample is identified.

Abstract: A drive shaft fitting or coupling having multiple symmetrically disposed spaced apart splines. The splines are configured with substantially flat perpendicular lateral surfaces, with defined upper corners, and the spacings between adjacent splines have radiused bases terminating in defined lower corners at the point of intersection with the lateral surfaces of the splines. The corners of the splines retard slippage and the radiused bases provide load distribution thereby reducing the stress imposed on the tubing at the interface between the coupling. In a specific embodiment, a circumferential recess is additionally formed in the fitting or coupling adjacent the inner ends of the splines to provide axial retention. In the coupling embodiment, one end is formed with exposed radially extending splines and spacings for engagement with a drive shaft and the other end is formed with an appropriate geometry for connection with other fittings and drive line components.

Abstract: A sampled data lightning strike detection and mapping system receives first and second signal waveforms representative of a magnetic field, and a third signal waveform representative of an electrical field, the first, second and third signal waveforms each including a pulse shaped portion and a trailing shaped portion. Samples of the first, second and third signal waveforms are digitized to generate first, second and third trains of digital data signals representative of their respective signal waveforms. A sample which exceeds a predetermined threshold level from the first and second trains is identified as a trigger sample and the train including the trigger sample is designated as the trigger train.

Abstract: A lightning strike detection and mapping system includes a processor for generating a location signal of a lightning strike based on detected signals representative thereof. The location signal is used to drive a display for displaying an indication of the lightning strike thereon. A monitoring device monitors the power source of the system and generates a signal indicative of the level thereof which is read by the processor and used to drive the display to display a representation of the power level signal. Accordingly, the system is capable of monitoring its power source for displaying a representation of the power level thereof on a common lightning strike mapping display.

Abstract: A light weight, quiet and emergency safe, portable "jaws of life" spreading tool actuated by an electric motor. Full high torque at any position, with spreading or cutting motions under high loads is achieved by the use of a rotary, multiple stage, speed reducing gearbox driven by the motor. The gearbox contains an input stage from the electric motor running on a 12 volt DC power supply, and a compound planetary output stage. The arms or jaws of the device are separately driven by the planetary or spindle gears and, for convenience, are attached to external rings on the gears, by heavy duty pins.

Abstract: A torque transmission shaft assembly for connecting a drive shaft and driven shaft which are mutually spaced less than the length of the assembly. The assembly includes a rigid elongated hollow rod member having a body portion and first and second open end portions. Each end portion is adapted to receive either the drive or driven shafts, and is provided with internal involute splines for mating with corresponding external splines on the shafts to be connected by the assembly. The first end portion has an axially displaceable stop member and a biasing spring compressible by displacement of the stop member away from the open first end, for biasing the stop member against the shaft received in the first end portion. The second end portion has a rigid stop at the end of its internal splines, for abutting against the end of the shaft receivable therein.