Abstract: A flexible coupling between two rotary shafts comprises a flexible metallic member rigidly connected to each of the shafts, the flexible member comprising connection zones interconnected by deformation zones which are traversed by slots perpendicular to the axis of the shafts and dividing the deformation zones into a plurality of strips which are integrally connected with each other and with the connection zones.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for sealing the end of a hollow shaft having internal splines extending into a passageway longitudinal through the shaft. The device has a locking member pivotally attached to a sealing member which is sized so as to seal the opening in the shaft to prevent the leakage of oil through the shaft opening. The locking member and sealing member each have splines which are capable of engaging the internal splines of the hollow shaft. A knob member is attached to the locking member and extends from an opposite end of the sealing member to enable the user to manually impart rotational movement to the locking member about a generally longitudinal axis. The locking member may be pivoted between a first position wherein its splines are aligned with those of the sealing member such that the device may be slid longitudinally into the open end of the hollow shaft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining a reference axis for a gear shaft about which the centering chamfers may be formed to facilitate the final machining of the remaining elements on the gear shaft. The invention includes the attachment of rolling path elements to either end of the shaft such that their positions may be laterally adjusted with respect to the shaft. A mandrel is located within the gear shaft and may extend from either end thereof. The assembly is placed in a rotatable device such that it is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the mandrel. While rotating, the positions of the rolling path elements are laterally adjusted such that their centers are coincident with the rotational axis. The mandrel is then withdrawn and the gear shaft, with the rolling path elements still attached is placed in a grinding or dressing machine such that it is supported and rotated by the rolling path elements so as to rotate about their centers.

Abstract: An armored turret for a light-armored vehicle is disclosed having an auxiliary weapon mounted on the side of the turret by a hollow support arm. A control mechanism for operating the gun extends from the interior of the turret through the hollow arm and is connected to the auxiliary weapon to enable the operator to operate the auxiliary weapon from inside the turret. The auxiliary weapon is pivotally attached to the auxiliary weapon mount to enable it to be elevated about an elevation axis extending substantially parallel to the elevational axis of the primary weapon. A mechanical linkage device interconnects a shaft, which is rotated by the elevation changes of the primary weapon and the auxiliary weapon such that any elevational changes in the primary weapon are imparted to the auxiliary weapon. The linkage is mounted externally of the turret.

Abstract: A thrust reverser for a turbofan-type turbojet engine is disclosed having first and second thrust reverser doors pivotably attached to the turbojet housing. The outer door is pivotably attached to the housing so as to pivot about a fixed axis extending generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The inner thrust reverser door pivots about a second axis, extending generally parallel to the first pivot axis, which axis is also capable of moving along a translational path in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. An actuator is connected to both the inner and outer thrust reverser doors such that they are simutaneously moved between their closed and opened positions. The inner thrust reverser door pivots abouts its pivot axis as it is being moved to its open position as the pivot moves along a translational path from one end of the path to the other end.

Abstract: An oil deaerator device for an oil tank comprises a cylindrical chamber having a tangential inlet duct in its lower portion for the introduciton of pressurized oil to be deaerated, tangential outlet ducts for the deaerated oil in the upper portion of the chamber, and an axial outlet duct, also in the uper portion of the chamber, for the discharge of air from the chamber.The device, which operates on the vortex principle, is fitted within the tank in the upper portion thereof above the normal level of oil in the tank.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for finish grinding splines or teeth on workpieces is disclosed which includes a device to check the cross-sectional shape of the grinding portion of the grinding wheel between grinding steps. When a grinding wheel is withdrawn from the workpiece, the cross-sectional contour of the grinding wheel is checked. The device for dressing or sharpening the grinding wheel is controlled by data generated by the checking of the cross-sectional contour of the grinding wheel so that the desired contour is maintained. After being withdrawn from the workpiece, the grinding wheel contacts a strip of metal foil to leave an impression of its contour. A checking head mounted on the device checks the contour of the impression left in the metal foil. The checking head is connected to a computer unit which, in turn, controls the operation of the sharpening or dressing device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a locking hinge assembly for pivotally attaching a movable cowling panel to a stationary cowling portion in which the locking mechanism is incorporated into the hinge assembly. The hinge assembly includes pivoting links attaching the movable cowling panel to a stationary fitting member which, in turn, may be attached to the stationary cowling. The links, along with the stationary fitting member and the movable cowling panel form a quadrilateral with four pivot axes located at the apexes of the quadrilateral. The assembly includes a movable hook member mounted on the stationary fitting member such that it moves into engagement with a pivot shaft attaching one of the links to the movable cowling panel when the panel is in its closed position. A cam portion formed on one of the links contacts the hook member as the panel moves toward its closed position so as to move the hook member into engagement with the pivot shaft.

Abstract: The trunnion assembly according to the present invention has a pivot pin with a longitudinal axis defining the pivot axis of a weapon carrier with respect to a support member. A pair of pivot pins are located on either side of the weapon carrier with their longitudinal axes generally co-axial and are each mounted in the support member by a bearing enabling each of the pivot pins to readily rotate about their longitudinal axes with respect to the support members. The pivot pins, which may be supported in a mounting box attached to each of the support members, are biased in a first direction toward each other by a spring device interposed between the bearing and the mounting box. When in their most extreme biased position, the distance between them is inadequate to accommodate the insertion of the weapon carrier between them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light weight turret for use on an armored vehicle that is easily movable between stowed and deployed positions. In the stowed position, the turret is folded downwardly adjacent to the top of the armored vehicle. In the deployed position, the turret extends above the top of the vehicle to provide the necessary clearances for use of the weapon at elevational angles between -15.degree. and +45.degree. . The turret consists of a pair of mounting members, each having a generally "U" shape with their bases pivotally attached to a support plate which, in turn, is pivotally attached to the top of the vehicle. Cross members connect the mounting members and pivotally mount a weapon support. The pivot axis of the weapon support extends generally horizontally and, when the turret is deployed, is located in a plane with the generally vertical azimuth axis about which the turret rotates.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for finish grinding splines or teeth on workpieces is disclosed which includes a device to check the cross-sectional shape of the grinding portion of the grinding wheel between grinding steps. when a grinding wheel is withdrawn from the workpiece, the cross-sectional contour of the grinding wheel is checked. The device for dressing or sharpening the grinding wheel is controlled by data generated by the checking of the cross-sectional contour of the grinding wheel so that the desired contour is maintained. After being withdrawn from the workpiece, the grinding wheel contacts a strip of metal foil to leave an impression of its contour. A checking head mounted on the device checks the contour of the impression left in the metal foil. The checking head is connected to a computer unit which, in turn, controls the operation of the sharpening or dressing device.

Abstract: A thrust reverser having a multi-panel construction is disclosed. The thrust reverser has a main door operatively associated with a deflector panel. The door and the deflector panel are pivotally attached to the housing so as to pivot about axially displaced pivot axes. The deflector panel and a downstream inner door panel surface extend along an ideal for flow line between the stationary upstream housing portion and the downstream housing portion when the thrust reverser is in the forward thrust mode. A cavity is defined between an upstream stationary housing portion, an upstream inner door panel surface and the deflector panel communicates with the ambient atmosphere such that the pressure acting on the upstream inner door panel surface is substantially equivalent to the ambient air pressure.

Abstract: A movable cowling for an aircraft is disclosed having a stationary fairing portion attached to an engine support pylon and a movable cowling portion. The movable cowling portion defines a generally longitudinally extending slot to accommodate the stationary fairing portion when the movable cowling portion is in its closed position to enclose the aircraft engine. The movable cowling portion, which may be generally annular in shape and have a generally "C"-shaped cross sectional shape, is attached to the engine by way of a telescoping beam. A portion of the beam is attached to the movable cowling and a second portion of the beam is attached to the engine. The movable cowling moves in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the engine such that it has no portions requiring lifting about a hinge axis. A locking mechanism is provided between the movable cowling portion and the stationary fairing to lock the movable cowling portion in its closed position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for controlling the flow of lubricant oil through an axial passage of a rotating shaft in which the flow of lubricant is not solely dependent upon a nozzle output. The device includes a member extending generally transversely across the axial passage and located downstream of the stationary nozzle. The member has an inner side facing the axial passage and an outer side facing the lubricant nozzle. The member, which also defines an internal cavity, has an intake opening defined through the outer side to enable the oil emanating from the nozzle to pass into the cavity. The member also has a discharge orifice extending through the inner side and communicating with the cavity to enable the lubricant to exit the cavity and enter the axial passage. An evacuation opening is formed through the outer side to control the amount of oil retained in the cavity. The discharge orifice is located a greater radial distance from the center line of the rotating shaft than is the evacuation opening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining a reference axis for a gear shaft about which the centering chamfers may be formed to facilitate the final machining of the remaining elements on the gear shaft. The invention includes the attachment of rolling path elements to either end of the shaft such that their positions may be laterally adjusted with respect to the shaft. A mandrel is located within the gear shaft and may extend from either end thereof. The assembly is placed in a rotatable device such that it is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the mandrel. While rotating, the positions of the rolling path elements are laterally adjusted such that their centers are coincident with the rotational axis. The mandrel is then withdrawn and the gear shaft, with the rolling path element still attached is placed in a grinding or dressing machine such that it is supported and rotated by the rolling path elements so as to rotate about their centers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thrust reverser for a turbojet engine that improves the efficiency of the engine in both the forward thrust and reverse thrust operating modes. The invention achieves these goals by providing deflector panels attached to a stationary engine housing structure that are moveable between forward thrust and reverse thrust positions as the thrust reversing doors are moved between their forward thrust and reverse thrust positions. The deflector panels are attached to the housing so as to have a single degree of freedom and are actuated by linkages interconnecting them with the thrust reversing door actuator cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for optically checking the inner profile of a tube or a bore, especially the tubes of steam generators in nuclear power stations, the apparatus includes a probe which is positioned within and is movable longitudinally within the tube or bore and is connected to an external power supply and analysis system. The probe includes a source of light, a mechanism for causing the light to illuminate the wall of the tube or bore along a line corresponding to the intersection of the wall with a cross-sectional plane, and a mechanism for forming an image of this line on a photo-sensitive sensor, so that variations in the inner profile of the tube or bore can be determined from deviations of the image from a theoretical image corresponding to the typical profile of the tube or bore.

Abstract: A thrust reverser is disclosed having a thrust reverser door with an outer door panel pivotally attached to an inner door panel which, in turn, is pivotally attached to an annular housing. The door panels are pivotable about parallel, but displaced pivot axes such that the inner door panel undergoes a greater range of motion between its closed and open positions that does the outer door panel. This enables the inner door panel to be flush with the upstream and downstream portions of the inner housing surface to provide a smooth airflow through the air duct during the forward thrust mode, while at the same time enabling an efficient operation of the door during the reverse thrust mode.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed to rotate a gear shaft about a reference axis and to position rolling path support elements such that their centers coincide with a reference axis. Once the rolling path elements have been centered and adjusted to compensate for any offset or warp they are fixedly attached to the gear shaft and serve to accurately support the shaft in a grinding or machining device which forms internal centering chamfers. Once the centering chamfers have been formed, they may be used to support the device during its final machining. A computer is included in the apparatus and is operatively connected to rotating and feeler devices. The computer is also operatively connected to a display screen which displays a sequence of events enabling the operator to adjust the positions of the rolling path elements. The display screen may include infrared heat sensitive areas to enable the operator to input data into the computer and control the operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: A trust reverser is disclosed for a turbofan-type turbojet engine having the capabilities of reversing the air passing through a cold flow air duct to provide a reverse thrust for the engine and also adjusting the cross-section of the cold flow air duct. This enables the cold flow air duct to be increased in cross section during periods of high thrust operation, a cowl defining the outer limits of the cold flow air duct has a stationary portion arranged generally, concentrically about the hot gas exhaust duct, and two movable portions, each of which are movable axially with respect to the stationary cowl. Locking systems are utilized to releasably lock a first movable cowl to the stationary cowl, and to releasably lock the second movable cowl to the first movable cowl.