Abstract: An electrochemical processor having a first frustoconical chamber for receiving a workpiece to be processed. A plurality of sources of process fluids are connected to the frustoconical chamber for sequentially cleaning, providing an electrolyte and sealing the surface of the workpiece. A first valve arrangement connected to the chamber and responsive to a signal from a central processing unit allows the selected fluid to recirculate to provide agitation and at the same time if need to either chill or heat the selected fluid to aid in the desired function of the selected fluid. A second valve arrangement responsive to a signal from the central processing unit allows the selected fluid to drain from the chamber for return to the original supply source or a second frustoconical chamber for processing workpieces in parallel with the first frustoconical chamber.

Abstract: An electro optic sensor for sensing unwanted axial motion of the turbine of a gas turbine engine away from its normal position, includes a pair of fiber optic wave guides interconnected through a frangible member disposed axially adjacent the turbine rotor. Upon axial movement of the rotor away from its normal position, the frangible element is broken to open the optical circuit associated with the guides. Associated electronic circuitry generates an output signal indicative of failure of the gas turbine rotor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a tension relief mechanism for a safety belt retractor that can be selectively actuated for adjusting the tension exerted on the safety belt. The tension relief mechanism is operable for permitting the seat occupant to selectively vary the loading exerted on a counterspring for counteracting the retractive biasing exerted on the safety belt by the retractor rewind spring. The tension relief mechanism is actuated in response to withdrawal of a predetermined length of the safety belt. Thereafter, the withdrawal and subsequent retraction of an additional incremental length of the safety belt causes loading to be exerted on the counterspring. Thus, the residual tension exerted on the safety belt by the retractor is proportional to the magnitude of the loading applied to the counterspring which, in turn, is proportional to the incremental length of additional safety belt withdrawn following actuation of the tension relief mechanism.

Abstract: A safety belt restraint system is disclosed which greatly reduces the loading exerted by the shoulder belt on both the seat belt retractor and the shoulder belt guide loop. In this regard, an improved guide loop assembly is mounted to the support pillar and includes a unique belt clamping mechanism that is operable in a first mode to permit movement of the belt webbing through a guideway during normal vehicle operating conditions, and in a second mode to clamp the belt webbing for restricting movement thereof through the guideway during a collision or a hard braking situation. The guide loop assembly of the present invention is preferably applicable for use in safety belt restraint systems of the type equipped with an emergency locking mechanism.

Abstract: A stator vane assembly for a gas turbine engine that includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced ceramic vanes, each of which has an inner and outer ceramic shroud, and a ceramic post extending from one of the shrouds, and a metallic platform having a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses. The posts are inserted into a metallic sleeve and then brazed. The brazed sleeves are then mounted in the recesses. A method for assembling these components to form the stator assembly is also described.

Abstract: A post depressurization device (30) for providing an indication of the pressure that existed within a fluid filled pressure vessel (22) just prior to depressurization of the pressure vessel, having a housing (102) and a piston (130) for temporality sealing an open end of the housing and outwardly movable in response to a pressure differential not less then a predetermined level generated subsequent to the depressurization of the pressure vessel. The piston and the housing cooperating to define a pressure storage cavity (156). The housing including a valve (122) for permitting the fluid within the pressure vessel to enter the pressure cavity and stabilize at a level substantially equal to the pressure level within the pressure vessel and for inhibiting a rapid decrease in the pressure within the pressure cavity immediately subsequent to depressurization of the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A circuit wherein a current sensing device is incorporated in an AC input line. An AC output is taken from the output of the current sensing device and from an other AC input line. Circuitry including a capacitor coupled bi-directional switching regulator and an energy storing capacitor adds current to or subtracts current from the instantaneous output load current. The arrangement is such that the AC output is equal to the AC input with no regulation effect. Substantially one hundred percent efficiency results when very little power factor correction is required.

Abstract: A virtual block system is provided in which a section of track is represented by a zone having a plurality of virtual track circuits. Communication between wayside and the vehicle is established within the zone, and may be used to provide the initial position of the vehicle to the carborne equipment. The carborne equipment can then calculate and up-date its position within the zone by using its initial position and sensor information relative to its movement within the zone. The actual position within the zone can be transmitted from the vehicle to the wayside equipment. The wayside equipment converts the actual position within the zone to a virtual track circuit occupancy. The wayside equipment may also use the train length to calculate one or more virtual blocks as being occupied. The wayside unit outputs the occupancy status, occupied or unoccupied, to the wayside interlocking equipment. The wayside equipment generates profile data which can be transmitted to the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention is a barium-containing alumina with the X-ray pattern of the FIGURE. The alumina may be synthesized by simultaneously adding a polyether or a polyalcohol and an aqueous solution of a water soluble barium carboxylate to an aqueous boehmite sol or suspension to form a gel, the gel having a polyether or polyalcohol content of about 2 wt. % to about 26 wt. %, preferably about 10 wt. % to about 20 wt. %. The gel is then dried and calcined to convert it to an essentially pure barium-containing delta alumina. The alumina may be optionally hydrothermally treated to induce further crystallization. The final product contains about 2 wt. % to about 18 wt. % Ba, preferably about 8 wt. % to about 12 wt. %.

Abstract: A carbon-containing black glass has the empirical formula SiC.sub.x O.sub.y wherein x ranges from about 0.5 to about 2.0 and y ranges from about 0.5 to about 3.0 and is resistant to oxidation up to a temperature of about 1400.degree. C. The black glass is synthesized by heating a spirosiloxane polymer in a non-oxidizing atmosphere up to a temperature in the range of from about 750.degree. C. to about 1400.degree. C. The polymers are synthesized by reacting the spirosiloxane oligomers: ##STR1## wherein a and b are integers from 0 to 20, preferably 1 to 5, c and d are integers from 2 to 20, preferably 2 to 6, m is an integer from 0 to 10, preferably 0 to 4, and wherein for each silicon atom in the oligomer having R and R' moieties, R is independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups from C.sub.1 to C.sub.20, preferably C.sub.1 to C.sub.5, and R' is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, and alkenyl groups from C.sub.2 to C.sub.20, preferably from C.sub.2 to C.sub.5.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for eliminating vortex whistle noise in a radial-to-axial compressor intake uses a plurality of vortex-disturbing tabs mounted to the trailing edges of inlet guide vanes and extending into the flow path between adjacent vanes. The tabs are mounted to the guide vane so that the tab is always perpendicular to the guide vane, regardless of the vanes angular position.

Abstract: A fuel flow delivery system for a gas turbine engine of simple, economical structure including a non-positive displacement centrifugal fuel pump delivering constant pressure, variable flow rate fuel flow through a venturi passage. A conical needle valve is variably positioned within the throat section of the venturi to variably meter fuel flow rate.

Abstract: A signal generator for generating an electrical signal which varies in accordance with movement of an actuating member includes a plunger slidable mounted within a housing which carries a pair of permanent magnets for generating a magnetic field to be applied to a hall effect generator. As the plunger is moved relative to the hall effect generator, the magnets are also moved relative to the hall effect generator, thereby varying the magnetic field applied thereto. Accordingly, a variable output signal is generated as a function of the position of the input member.

Abstract: An improved fiber reinforced glass composite includes a boron nitride-coated refractory fiber in a matrix of a black glass ceramic having the empirical formula SiCxOy where x ranges from about 0.9 to 1.6 and y ranges from about 0.7 to 1.8. Preferably the black glass ceramic is derived from cyclosiloxane monomers containing a vinyl group attached to silicon and/or a hydride-silicon group. Graceful failure can be obtained after exposure of the composites to temperatures up to 600.degree.-700.degree. C. in air.

Abstract: A brake and anti-skid system (8) having an operator controlled source (11) of hydraulic fluid pressure, a hydraulically actuated wheel brake (12, 39, 17, 41) which responds to applied hydraulic pressure to apply a braking force to the wheel to arrest wheel motion, a low pressure hydraulic fluid return line (26, 35), and a modulator (15) interconnecting the source (11), the return line (26, 35), and the brake (12, 39, 17, 41) for directing fluid from the source (11) to the brake (12, 39, 17, 41) when in a normal braking state and for directing fluid from the brake (12, 39, 17, 41) to the return line (26,35) when in a second state.

Abstract: A radiation curable coating composition comprising acrylate oligomers and monomers, vinyl ether monomers, and a free radical photoinitiator. The vinyl ether monomers replace N-vinyl-pyrrolidone or other undesirable reactive diluents while retaining or modifying the properties of coatings using such diluents.

Abstract: Dimensionally stable laminates of epoxy resin reinforced with glass fibers have a coefficient of thermal expansion which matches that of copper, making possible copper foil covered laminates which provide improved registration in multilayer printed circuit boards. New glass fabric styles provide balanced thermal expansion in both the warp and fill directions.

Abstract: A method of imparting acid dye stain resistance to polyamide substrates having improved durability of the stain resistance to detergent washings comprising treating the polyamide substrate with an effective amount of a mixture of phenyl vinyl ether/maleic diacid copolymer and 2-(4-hydroxymethyl-phenoxy)-ethyl vinyl ether/maleic diacid copolymer, wherein the phenyl vinyl ether/maleic diacid copolymer is the stain resist agent, and the 2-(4-hydroxymethyl-phenoxy)-ethyl vinyl ether/maleic diacid copolymer is added to improve the durability of the stain resist agent.

Abstract: A fluid pressure responsive valve includes a valve member mounted on a guide pin slidably carried by a piston. A valve guide is engaged by one side of the valve element, and the piston engages the opposite side. The piston controls the valve member. The valve guide acts as a stop for a check valve element that controls communication through the inlet port, and also guides and supports the spring controlling the check valve element.

Abstract: An armor system useful, for example, as a shroud, comprising a first pliable, cut resistant fibrous layer and a second pliable fibrous layer is disclosed. The first layer is arranged to receive an impact from a large projectile prior to the second layer and engages the projectile to slow its velocity. The second layer is substantially coextensive with the first and dissipates the incoming energy of the impact to resist complete penetration of the second layer by the projectile, preferably by deforming in response to the impact. Both layers comprise fibers having a tensile modulus of at least about 200 g/d, and an energy-to-break of at least about 8 J/g and a tenacity equal to or greater than about 10 g/d. In another embodiment, the layers are reversed relative to the impact face of the system so that the second layer becomes the first layer and is resistant to projectiles impacting the system, while the first layer becomes the second layer and resists deformation of the system by projectile impacts.