Abstract: Portable aircraft arresting apparatus is disclosed which is comprised of a towable wheeled trailer providing a frame adapted to be anchored along a runway or landing strip and which is adapted to selectively support two different energy absorbing units, one of which includes a tape reel rotatable about a horizontal axis and the other of which includes a tape reel rotatable about a vertical axis. At least partially different tape patterns and paths are required with respect to the tapes on the two reels, and the frame carries sheave components which provide the required tape patterns and paths for the tapes on the two reels. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the sheave components provide selectable tape issue paths, one of which opens laterally of the frame and the other of which opens longitudinally of the frame, thus providing selectivity with respect to positioning of the apparatus relative to a runway.

Abstract: A workpiece feeding and conveying system is disclosed which is comprised of a plurality of stationary workpiece supply stations radially spaced from and circumferentially spaced apart relative to a central axis. A plurality of pocketed workpiece transfer plates are supported radially outwardly of the feed stations for rotation about the central axis and about corresponding axes of rotation, and an annular carrier ring radially outward surrounds the transfer plates and is rotatable about the central axis relative to the supply stations and transfer plates. The transfer plates have radially outwardly opening pockets, and the carrier ring has radially inwardly opening pockets, and a planetary gear arrangement is provided for rotating the transfer plates about their axes of rotation and about the central axis in response to rotation of the carrier ring.

Abstract: A structure for interconnecting a plurality of modules into a data processing system, which structure includes a plurality of module receiving receptacles, several process active, individual first electrical conductors intersecting the receptacles wherein the conductors are positionally located in sequence, i.e. 1, 2, 3 . . . n, and including means on a selected type of module for interconnecting these several conductors in comformity with the position sequence, whereby the conductors may be interconnected in the data processing system through the receptacle in the positional sequence. Consequently, insertion of a preselected module into a given module receptacle controls the continuity of the bus network to an adjacent receptacle.

Abstract: A control circuit is provided for operating a power switch with an associated resistance, wherein the power switch has conductive and nonconductive conditions and is adapted to apply a driving voltage across an electric load circuit, such as a D.C. motor, when the power switch is in its conductive condition.

Abstract: A control circuit and method for using the same in operating a power switch such as a relay, FET, etc., having conductive and nonconductive conditions and adapted to direct a high magnitude driving current from a power supply through an electric load circuit when the power switch is in the conductive condition. Such a power switch can be used to control small motors used extensively in motor vehicles. This control circuit comprises testing means for directing a low magnitude, low duty cycle testing current through the load or motor circuit while the power switch is in the nonconductive condition, sensing means for creating a control signal indicative of a predetermined electrical characteristic, such as current flow, in the load circuit, means for shifting the power switch into the conductive condition for energizing the load when the control signal from the sensing means has a predetermined value, i.e.

Abstract: A spare tire handling mechanism is disclosed which is of the character mounted on a vehicle for displacing a spare tire between a stored position beneath the vehicle chassis and an accessible position therebelow and in which the spare tire engages ground and can be pulled out from beneath the vehicle. The spare tire is supported in the stored position by means of a cable having an end with which the tire is releaseably interengaged, and the tire is adapted to be elevated to and lowered from the stored position by means of a rotatable cable drum. The drum has different diameter portions oriented relative to one another for rotation of the drum in the winding direction to wind the cable on the larger diameter portion when there is no or little load on the cable and to wind the cable on the smaller diameter portion when the cable is loaded to elevate the tire from ground to its stored position.

Abstract: A lightweight emergency lighting system capable of arrangement into various subjective configurations is provided. A housing member supports a plurality of individual lighting elements mounted on a common semi-rigid bus bar. The upper configuration of the housing members is capable of a directional transmission of light towards a predetermined field angle, while the lower configuration is adaptable for mounting the lighting elements. The upper housing member can have an interior surface of a prismatic configuration to provide a refraction and reflection of light in combination with the exterior surface. The lighting elements, such as L.E.D.'s, can be excited through a pulsing circuit to maximize the light output while conserving power from an auxiliary battery source.

Abstract: A system for actuating a warning device when the level of a liquid in a receptacle is below a preselected level. This system includes a probe formed from a length of positive temperature coefficient wire whereby the resistance through the wire increases with increased temperature. This wire is mounted within the receptacle in a manner that allows the wire to be submerged in the liquid under normal conditions. A detection can be made when such wire is partially or completely out of the liquid. There is a first switching means in the system to apply a voltage across the wire and a detector means for actuating the warning device in response to an electrical characteristic of the wire as determined at a preselected control point in the circuit including the probe. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the detector means includes a capacitor and a second switching means to ground the capacitor for a preselected time and then use the charged capacitor to follow the voltage of the probe.

Abstract: A vacuum-packed assembly for the compact storage of compressible survival equipment is provided. The assembly includes a compressed article of survival equipment, such as a sleeping bag, life raft, or parachute within a flexible, evacuated, heat-sealed envelope of gas-impermeable material. An outer envelope of thicker, more durable material is preferably employed for protecting the inner envelope. The outer envelope is also evacuated. If a parachute is stored within the assembly, an actuation neck is provided for allowing the envelopes to be ruptured upon deployment of a drogue or pilot parachute. Both the drogue parachute and an aircrewman can be connected to the parachute externally of the vacuum envelopes without risking vacuum integrity.

Abstract: A three-dimensional vacuum envelope is provided for storing compressible articles and particularly survival equipment such as a parachute. It includes upper and lower walls of flexible, substantially gas-impermeable material. One of the upper and lower walls includes an integral loop defining a pouch in fluid communication with the remainder of the envelope. The pouch is pivotable with respect to the envelope and may be used for containing parts which must be independently maneuverable even after storage and evacuation.

Abstract: A transducer for creating an electrical signal proportional to the angular position of a member pivotally mounted on a given axis, which transducer comprises an element pivoted directly by the member and containing a means for creating a flux field linearly varying in intensity along a given operating line extending in an air gap between spaced portions and having a preselected arcuate shape. A linear Hall Effect device, with an output voltage proportional to the intensity of the flux field to which the device is exposed, is mounted at a fixed position on the operating line and in the air gap. Consequently, as the element is pivoted by the monitored member, the output voltage from the Hall Effect device varies proportionally to the position of the Hall Effect device along the operating line.

Abstract: A lubricant distribution system for refrigeration units having a plurality of parallel compressors which system maintains the proper level of lubricant in the compressors during operation. The system comprises compressor suction inlet lines which connect each of the compressors of the system with a common suction header located at an elevation below the suction inlets on the compressors. The common suction header is connected to the evaporator outlet by a conduit which extends from the evaporator to the common suction header. The compressors suction inlet lines are sized to provide a suction gas mass velocity therethrough which is sufficient to carry lubricant into the compressors as an entrained liquid even when the compressors are operating at partial capacity.

Abstract: An integrated console bracket is provided having the appropriate hardware for mounting a shifter mechanism and a parking brake mechanism thereto. The bracket is integral in construction and includes a front end to which the shifter mechanism is mounted, a rear end including the parking brake mechanism, and an integral intermediate portion connecting the two ends. The intermediate portion may include a pair of connecting members separated by a space. The connecting members are shaped so as to provide sufficient strength and rigidity to the bracket.

Abstract: An improved manually operable gearshift mechanism is disclosed for an automobile transmission, and which gearshift mechanism is of the character including a support of sheet metal construction and first and second gear selector members mounted on the support for pivotal movement of the members together about a first axis and for pivotal movement of one of the members relative to the other about a second axis transverse to the first axis. An operating lever is attached to the second gear selector member to facilitate pivoting the first and second members about the first and second axes and between a plurality of positions relative to the support and each other and in which positions the gear selector members operate to position corresponding gear shifting cables in positions corresponding to one of a plurality of selectable transmission gears.

Abstract: A lightweight emergency lighting system capable of arrangement into various subjective configurations is provided. A housing member supports a plurality of individual lighting elements mounted on a common semi-rigid bus bar. The upper configuration of the housing members is capable of a directional transmission of light towards a predetermined field angle, while the lower configuration is adaptable for mounting the lighting elements. The upper housing member can have an interior surface of a prismatic configuration to provide a refraction and reflection of light in combination with the exterior surface. The lighting elements, such as L.E.D.'s, can be excited through a pulsing circuit to maximize the light output while conserving power from an auxiliary battery source.

Abstract: A vehicle parking brake control mechanism having a clutch drive through which the brake setting actuator lever drives the brake cable to set the brake, is provided with a self-adjusting arrangement for automatically taking up slack in the brake cable. Release means actuated by the actuator lever on return to its brake released position acts to disengage the clutch drive to free the driven element thereof for cable slack take-up movement by an adjusting spring.

Abstract: A system for actuating a warning device when the level of a liquid in a receptacle is below a preselected level. This system includes a probe formed from a length of positive temperature coefficient wire whereby the resistance through the wire increases with increased temperature. This wire is mounted within the receptacle in a manner that allows the wire to be submerged in the liquid under normal conditions. A detection can be made when such wire is partially or completely out of the liquid. There is a first switching device in the system to apply a voltage across the wire and a detector for actuating the warning device in response to an electrical characteristic of the wire as determined at a preselected control point in the circuit including the probe. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the detector includes a capacitor and a second switching device to ground the capacitor for a preselected time and then use the charged capacitor to follow the voltage of the probe.

Abstract: A liquid level sensor adapted to be installed inside a reservoir of a liquid to be monitored. The level sensor includes a float made from magnetic material which moves between two opposed end positions along a predetermined up-and-down path following the top surface level of the liquid. An a.c. coil driven by a pulse generator is located at one end of the float path such that the magnetic material of the float is closer to the coil at this one end of the path than at the opposite end, and is thus a variable part of the "core" of the coil which changes in response to the liquid level in the reservoir. The magnetic flux generated by the coil and/or its inductive reactance, also being a function of the variable core and thus a function of the liquid level, can be monitored electrically to provide an indication of the liquid level to an operator. The level sensor can be used to provide a signal at a predetermined level, or to provide an output which is proportional to the level of the liquid in the reservoir.

Abstract: A door jamb switch has a first member adapted to be fixedly secured onto a door jamb of a motor vehicle, a first switch contact mounted on a plunger supported in the fixed first member for reciprocation along an axis between a first, door opened, position with the first switch contact engaging a second contact on the first member and a second, door closed, position with the switch contacts disengaging one another. At least one of two contacts is mounted resiliently in the switch, and the surface configurations of the two contacts can be made to interact with each other and with the resilient mounting so as to self-align the contacts with respect to one another upon interengagement therebetween.

Abstract: A header assembly is provided for the electrical connection of printed circuit boards to cables or other boards. The assembly includes an insulator having an array of male pin members mounted thereto. Each pin member comprises a plastic post to which a pair of electrical contacts is secured.