Abstract: A noise-absorbing medium is provided as an insert within the inner volume of the outlet chamber of a displacement-type pump. In an axial-flow displacement pump, this is the chamber into which pumped hydraulic fluid is discharged, for side-ported delivery to piping which serves the end-use actuator or other use component of the involved hydraulic system. The noise-absorbing medium is a preformed body (or bodies) of foamed elastomeric material having a sealed external skin and containing tiny closed cells of entrapped gas at low pressure; the encapsulated gas within the body bears a predetermined fractional volumetric proportion to the overall volume of the body, and the overall volume of the body also bears a predetermined relation to the overall volume of the outlet chamber.

Abstract: A manually movable gun is mounted to a platform with a limited range of correctional computer-controlled updated reorientation in azimuth and in elevation with respect to the platform. The platform fixedly mounts a sighting-rangefinder system, so that correctional reorientation of the gun is a correctional reorientation with respect to the sighting axis of the sighting/rangefinder system. The platform is mounted for two-axis freedom to be moved in azimuth and in elevation. The gunner must so move the gun platform, and at the same time thereby so move his sight, that the sighting alignment is kept on the target. In the course of such movement to keep the sighting line on the target, sensors and detectors of target range and of the components of platform movement in its mount, as well as sensors of other ballistic parameters, feed their output to circuitry including a computer.

Abstract: A fluid suspension system has a valve including first and second valve parts coupled to a supporting structure and to a supported structure, respectively, and movable relative to each other in response to movements of the supporting structure and the supported structure relative to each other. One of these first and second valve parts has a port connected to a fluid spring of the suspension system, and the other of these first and second valve parts includes a fluid passage having an aperture at that port for a supply of fluid through that port to the fluid spring in a first relative position of these first and second valve parts. A fluid outlet in that other valve part is spaced from the port in a first relative position of the first and second valve parts, and communicates with that port for a removal of fluid from the fluid spring in a second relative position of the first and second valve parts.

Abstract: A tiltable marine steering helm assembly which includes a steering-wheel shaft mounted in a universal joint permitting the steering wheel shaft to be tilted at various angles and providing the full rotational movement of the wheel regardless of the tilt angle. The universal joint includes two pairs of yokes mounted perpendicularly to each other, and a coupling operatively engaged by these yokes. The wheel shaft is able to tilt vertically and to rotate freely due to the design of the universal joint. The components of tilt helm assembly may be reconfigured to permit mounting on either a vertical or a 20 degree tilt dashboard. Also provided in a flexible helm cover which can be installed to the helm assembly without hardware.

Abstract: In its preferred embodiment, a scanning monochromator uses a pulse-driven micro-stepping motor to drive a spectral-dispersion element via a reduction-gear harmonic drive. The motor is directly coupled to the input hub of the reduction-gear drive, and the output hub of the reduction-gear drive directly supports the spectral-dispersion element. By selecting a motor with a great number of steps per revolution, and a harmonic drive with a great reduction ratio, a resolution of 5 million pulsed steps is available, per single rotation of the output hub of the reduction-gear drive. This translates into more than 600,000 incremental angular-displacement steps over a usable 45.degree. range of dispersion-element rotation.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a sensor head which senses liquid conductivity as well as liquid level. An optical prism is configured to provide two internal reflections of light entering on a first-axis alignment of 45.degree. incidence for the first internal reflection, and exiting the prism on a second-axis alignment that is parallel to and spaced from the first-axis alignment. The internal reflections may occur in a conical-prism configuration having a geometric apex angle of 90.degree., or in a triangular-prism configuration wherein two surfaces converge at 90.degree.. In either case, these internal reflections occur substantially in the single geometrical plane that is defined by the first and second axes. As a matter of structural practicality, each of these prism alternatives has greater body bulk, on both sides of this single geometric plane, than is needed for the indicated internal relfections.

Abstract: A three piece spherical bearing has a race having two axial halves. One axial half has a spherical bore. The other axial half has a bore which tapers radially outward and axially inward at an angle of about 11.degree. or more to an axial direction. The tapered wall has one or more annular depressions with radial walls and walls at angles to the radial walls. A ball having a spherical outer surface and an axial bore is placed in the race. An insert having a curved inner surface and having an outer surface with a diameter slightly less than the minimum diameter of the tapered wall is pressed into the race and is expanded around the ball into contact with the tapered wall. Forces which tend to force the insert cause sharp linear pointed surfaces at the insert of the tapered wall and radial walls of the grooves to bite into the outer surface of the insert, tightly gripping the insert within the race and holding the three part spherical bearing together.

Abstract: A flow-sensing configuration embodies straight-through geometry between inlet and outlet ports, all on a single central axis, using reed-switch and magnet technology to produce a logic output. Virtually all parts are of molded plastic, and the inlet and outlet port connections avoid thread formations by providing for sealed insertional reception of standard tubing at these port connections. When thus incorporated into a hydraulic system, the inlet and outlet tubing insertions at the respective ends of the flow sensor inherently retain integrity of flow-sensor assembly into the system. Flexibility of serving specific interface needs of the customer is achieved by using snap-in modular parts at the port connections.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wire helm in which a coil of electric wire within the bezel of the helm is contained by a wire coil retainer and a backer plate. The backer plate is mounted on the wheel shaft and rotates therewith, whereas the retainer is mounted in fixed relation to the dashboard. One end of the wire coil is connected to the dash through a hole or slot in the retainer, while the other end of the wire runs along a slot in the shaft to connections of the wheel. As the wheel turns in one direction, the wire coil tightens, whereas when the wheel turns in the opposite direction, the coil partially unwinds. In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a bezel which itself contains the wire coil. A bezel-mounted bottom backer plate serves as a barrier to keep the coil within the bezel. A first end of the wire runs along the shaft to the wheel, and a second end is connected to the dash through an opening in the plate.

Abstract: A differential pressure transducer has a first pressure chamber, defined by a first chip having a reduced-thickness first pressure-sensitive diaphragm on one side of that pressure chamber, and a second chip having a reduced-thickness second pressure-sensitive diaphragm on another side of that pressure chamber. A first pressure port communicates with that first diaphragm on a side opposite the first pressure chamber and a second pressure port is coupled to the first pressure chamber. A second pressure chamber is on a side of the second diaphragm opposite the first pressure chamber. Sensors are at the first diaphragm for measuring differential pressure between said first and second ports and at the second diaphragm for measuring differential pressure between said first and second pressure chambers. An aperture may extend through one of the chips in a region spaced from its pressure-sensitive diaphragm, which may therethrough be coupled to the second pressure port.

Abstract: A double-pass two-dimensional spectrometer utilizes a telescope wich contains only reflective optical components and is therefore free of chromatic aberrations. The telescope is so used in combination with dispersing optics as to allow double-pass use of the combination. The telescope has a state of correction such that, for example, an image which is diffraction-limited at 800 nm is produced over a flat field, corresponding to a wide-angle object coverage. This state of correction is accomplished with only two mirrors, one of which is a conic (e.g., hyperbolic) surface of revolution, while the other is a reflecting generalized polynomial aspheric corrector; and both mirrors are rotationally symmetric surfaces of revolution, each about its own axis of revolution.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a flow-switch construction of the straight flow-through variety wherein a magnet-bearing piston is displaced in response to a hydraulic-flow condition and in the displacement is caused to operate a magnetic-reed switch. The piston has piloted guidance in a first longitudinal portion of an elongate bore but is characterized by one or more straight channels in its periphery, whereby the piston per se constitutes relatively little restriction to flow; the downstream end of the piston carries a metering disc which substantially resists channel flow as long as the metering disc has predetermined close-clearance relation with the first longitudinal portion of the bore.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a two-dimensional spectrometer wherein a single catadioptric system is both the collimator and the camera for two-pass use of any two-dimensionally dispersed spectrometer. Off-axis aberration effects are minimized by arranging a fiber optic as the light-entrance aperture, on the central optical axis of the spectrometer and in close proximity to or centrally inserted in a two-dimensional array detector at the image plane. In other words, the grating of the spectrometer is also a reflector which folds admitted and dispersed light for return to the image plane along essentially the same path and through the same optical elements as are used on the incoming pass of light to the diffraction grating. The invention is shown for its applicability to each of various types of two-dimensional spectrometer-design configurations.

Abstract: Plural sensor prisms and associated opticalfiber circuits are arrayed as a single vertical stem by which the individual prisms serve for response to each of a plurality of different liquid levels. Each prism is formed of light-transmitting plastic material which can be injection-molded to precision dimensions. The body configuration is such as to adapt to arrayed interconnection with tubular members, also of plastic, and bonded at telescoping fit of each prism to the tubular member or members to which it is connected. The prism configuration relied upon for sensed response to the presence of immersing liquid (as compared to air) is a solid region having an exterior profile which includes a downwardly convergent conical surface portion at least at spaced locales which are at equal but opposite offset from the cylindrical body axis, wherein the geometric apex angle of downward convergence is 90 degrees.

Abstract: An optical sensor element provides cantilevered support of a bent length of glass-rod core of first refractive index having a cladding of second refractive index that is less than the refractive index of the core, and wherein the outer radius of the bend (which may be a single bend, or a plurality of spaced bends) is at least the diameter of the cladded core. Provision is made at the respective ends of the cladded core for completing a light circuit via the length of the cladded core, and flexible leads, as of multi-mode optical fiber, enable completion of the optical circuit to a remotely located control unit having an electrically powered light source and a photodetector, at the respective ends of the circuit.

Abstract: A stiffly compliant upstop extends parallel to the hinge axis of a bi-petal check valve and provides essentially a continuous line of contact with the downstream side of each valve member. This line of contact is symmetrically located to span virtually the entire distance between the spaced hinge-suspension points unique to each valve member. And continuity of the respective lines of upstop contact is maintained throughout a terminal range of angular displacement, as the upstop compliantly deforms in approach to the full-open condition of the respective valve members.

Abstract: A magnetically responsive reed switch assembly having one or two cantilevered reed members arranged to close and open a gap responsive to respective levels of magnetic exposure, supports two optical fiber members in end-to-end closely spaced confrontation with the common axis alignment or misalignment of the fibers being a function of the relative closed or opened gap condition. A convenient method of fabrication involves mounting opposing cantilevered reed members on a substrate which is bent to bring the reed members closer together longitudinally. While so bent, a gap closing magnetic field is generated and a continuous length of optical fiber is bonded to the flat aligned surfaces of the reed assembly. The fiber is scored, broken at scoring, and stress and magnetic field is relieved, whereupon fiber ends shift laterally to produce open circuit condition.

Abstract: A magnetically responsive reed switch assembly having one or two cantilevered reed members arranged to close and open a gap responsive to respective levels of magnetic exposure, supports two optical fiber members in end-to-end closely spaced confrontation with the common axis alignment or misalignment of the fibers being a function of the relative closed or opened gap condition. A convenient method of fabrication involves mounting opposing cantilevered reed members on a substrate which is bent to bring the reed members closer together longitudinally. While so bent, a gap closing magnetic field is generated and a continuous length of optical fiber is bonded to the flat aligned surfaces of the reed assembly. The fiber is scored, broken at scoring, and stress and magnetic field is relieved, whereupon fiber ends shift laterally to produce open circuit condition.