Abstract: Engine pre-engage starters formed of compactly interfit sections featuring a universally applicable high speed turbine rotor, formed preferably of nylon based plastic, the body of which is distinguished by low tensile strength, high impact resistance, radial growth and adjustment in correspondence with the speed of its rotation, minimal evidence of stress and no material fracture even under the most adverse conditions of its use and a structural composition which reduces to powder form when subjected to friction at such time the speed of its rotation reaches and exceeds a prescribed limit. The rotor is so connected with its power transmission shaft to position beyond and form an axial extension of one end thereof. The rotor is contained by a peripherally encompassing structurally complementary plastic buffer which enhances its fail safe properties. Optionally, the starter housing may be provided with discretely positioned sound deadening inserts.

Abstract: Pneumatic starters including a housing formed in sections interfit in telescopic and abutted relation, a cap forming its upstream end, a nozzle unit at the open end of said cap defining therewith a shallow chamber constructed to receive a flow of fluid under pressure to power said rotor and provide for its content a substantial pressure head, said end cap and nozzle unit being coaxially extended by a turbine assembly section, the rotor of which positions outwardly of the end thereof immediately adjacent said nozzle unit, positioning its buckets in coaxially aligned relation to its nozzles, said rotor nesting in a relatively axially extended portion of a cylindrical wall structure which forms a shroud for said nozzle unit, lines the inner wall of said housing and peripherally shrouds the buckets of said rotor, said nozzle unit being separable and interchangeable, said inlet chamber and required interrelation of the nozzles of said nozzle unit and the buckets of said rotor being achieved in assembly of said hou

Abstract: Apparatus associated with a component part of the drive system of a turbine assembly reduces the power applied to its drive rotor in a direct and substantially instantaneous response to the speed of its rotation rising to a predetermined level. A turbine starter for an engine embodying this apparatus comprises a housing for its rotor and the drive system of which it forms a part, a flow path for a gaseous fluid, delivered from a source, to power the rotor and a control device in connection with the drive system a component part of which moves radially thereof and, when its speed of rotation rises to a predetermined level, triggers a substantially simultaneous restriction of the flow path through which fluid can be applied to power the turbine rotor, thereby to produce a resulting reduction of the speed of rotation of the turbine drive system. If under such conditions the starter is engaged with a related engine, it will automatically disengage.

Abstract: A rotor is distinguished by parts including a radially innermost part and a radially outermost part which is actually a separate element. The two parts are normally coupled for their conjoint rotation by pins anchored to project radially from the innermost part and freely into apertures in the radially outermost part. The pins provide a bearing mount thereon of the outermost part which is fabricated to radially expand and contract in correspondence with the speed of rotation of the rotor and to have a benign failure in the location of one of the apertures upon excessive speed of the rotor. By virtue of such failure the radially outermost part opens and expands to be braked by engagement with the particular surface most adjacent its outer periphery. This rotor is particularly advantageous for use in providing a turbine drive unit, in which event its power transmitting outer peripheral portion is formed by turbine buckets.

Abstract: As originally fabricated the rotor of the invention is a unitized structure an outer portion of which, including its outer peripheral surface, is designed to separate shortly after the start of its rotation. As illustrated, this outer peripheral portion is a ring-shaped structure which is initially incorporated by an interference fit which establishes it in a fixed bounding relation to the rotor part immediately inward thereof. At the point in time that said outer portion of the rotor is separated, guide means are rendered operative to maintain a drive coupling as between the outer and inward rotor parts and such guide means then serve as bearings accommodating the radial movement of the outer separated part in correspondence with its changing radius in response to changing speeds of rotation of the rotor. Any failure of the rotor is benign in that at such time the rotor exceeds the designed limit of its speed of rotation the outer part expands sufficient to brake against its adjacent shield or housing.

Abstract: A system for obviating chance damage in starting a diesel engine due, for example, to hydraulic lock utilizes a two step starting cycle and includes means for applying power to initiate and maintain a drive of the engine for starting thereof and associated controls rendered operative on a drive of the engine to sense the speed of crankshaft rotation and interrupt said application of power in response to a pre-set speed thereof which is substantially less than that required to start the engine to induce thereby a reduction of said speed and in response to such reduction a reapplication of said power. A portion of said controls is conditioned to automatically respond to a predetermined extent of rotation of the engine crankshaft to nullify ability of the controls to thereafter functionally interfere with the engine drive, whereupon there is an increase in the speed of crankshaft rotation to a level sufficient to induce a starting of the engine and its normal operation.

Abstract: A tip turbine type fan particularly adapted for use to effect a substantially instantaneous inflation of an emergency lifesaving device such as an escape slide or life raft. It features a housing having an improved unitized construction which defines an axial flow passage. A rotor within and transverse to said passage is operated under the influence of fluid under pressure directed from a chamber formed within and circumferentially of the wall structure of said housing. Drive of the rotor induces air from the environment surrounding the housing to enter the flow passage at one end to co-mingle with the fluid furnishing the motive power for the rotor and to move therewith from the passage to the interior of a connected article to be inflated.It is a feature of a preferred embodiment of the invention that the entrance to the flow passage is bridged by a platelike closure device which is normally biased to a position to seal the entrance to said flow passage.