Abstract: A microwave switch includes a housing having at least three spaced coaxial conductor terminals extending from the housing; an electrical conductor extends inwardly from each of the terminals to a housing interior; and a housing cover effectively seals the housing and includes a pair of bearing apertures. A pair of switch operators, each having a headed top confines return springs between an underside of the headed top and a top surface of the cover, a central guide portion passes through said bearing apertures and a distal end protrudes from an underside surface of the cover into the housing interior toward the electrical conductors. A switch reed is fixedly attached to the distal end of each of the operators within said housing, each switch reed including reed distal ends which electrically interconnect, upon alternative operation of said operators by a rocker assembly, a pair of the electrical conductors including a common electrical conductor.

Abstract: A valve actuation device. The device may include a free floating valve bridge movably supported within a cavity in the engine housing. The bridge may be provided with a cavity and an orifice arrangement for pumping gases entrained with lubricating fluid toward the piston stems as the bridge reciprocates back and forth. The device may also include a rocker arm that has a U-shaped cross-sectional shape for receiving at least a portion of the valve bridge, valve stem valve spring and spring retainer therein. The rocker arm may be provided with lubrication passages for directing lubrication to the point wherein it is pivotally affixed to the engine housing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrochemical gas sensor network. The network includes a gas sensor for receiving a gas and for generating a target gas concentration signal. The gas sensor has an output terminal for providing an output signal that is a product of the target gas concentration signal and a first transfer function. The network also includes a compensation circuit having an input terminal connected to the output terminal of the gas sensor. The compensation circuit also has an output terminal which provides an output signal that is a product of the output signal from the gas sensor and a second transfer function. The second transfer function is approximately an inverse of the first transfer function. The present invention also contemplates a method of compensating for the attenuation of a high frequency component of an output signal of a gas sensor.

Abstract: A plasma cold hearth melting process which provides an ingot of improved properties and including a plasma cold hearth melting furnace operated inside an air-tight chamber containing an inert gas, such as helium, at subatmospheric pressure levels. Raw material metals for a desired titanium or titanium alloy composition are supplied to a melting hearth located inside the chamber and heated by a plasma torch which utilizes an inert gas. The plasma torch melts the raw material metal thereby forming a molten pool of metal that is directed to at least one refining hearth. Plasma torches located in the refining hearths maintain the composition in a molten state as it passes through the cold hearth furnace to allow impurities present in the composition to be refined therefrom. After passing through the refining hearths, the molten pool of metal is poured into an ingot mold while still under subatmospheric inert gas pressure. The molten material is then allowed to cool and solidify into an ingot.

Abstract: A step connector assembly for establishing electrical connections between electrical components located at different levels, and a method for manufacturing the step connector assembly. The connector assembly is stepped such that the ends of the connector assembly are at different levels. The components of the assembly include a plurality of electrical connectors, and a plastic body that anchors the connectors and gives structure to the assembly. Each connector is formed with sequentially a base, a knee, and a footing. Due to a bend in the knees of the connectors, the footings are stepped to a different level than the bases of the connectors. The plastic body is formed with a shoulder. To join the connectors with the plastic body, a portion of the plastic body is formed around the base sections of the connectors. After the body is formed around the connectors, the connectors are pulled into the body until abutments on the connectors are embedded into the body, thereby anchoring the connectors into the body.

Abstract: Niobium, Nb, is refined from FeNb by electron beam melt refining. The amount of the impurities in the FeNb which form suboxides with oxygen is optionally determined. Sufficient oxygen is added to form oxides with these impurities. The electron beam melt refining process is carried out at a sufficiently high temperature and under a sufficiently low vacuum so that the impurities are removed as oxides from the liquid Nb and the purified Nb is recovered. Preferably the oxygen is added as an oxygen-containing compound such as Nb.sub.2 O.sub.5. The recovered Nb can be subjected to additional electron beam melt refining cycles to obtain the desired purity.

Abstract: A light source for a display panel of the type used in notebook computers. The light source consists of a housing having diffusively reflecting bottom and side interior surfaces that form a cavity. The housing defines an aperture that is juxtaposed with a rear surface of the display panel. A first series of LEDs is mounted within the cavity around the perimeter of the aperture and is shielded from the aperture by perimeter baffles that extend around the periphery of the aperture. A second series of LEDs is mounted within the cavity on the bottom wall of the housing. A series of baffles is interposed between the second series of LEDs and the aperture. A series of light quality enhancing films is interposed between the cavity and the display panel. The light source produces light of a uniform character with relatively high intensity and whiteness.

Abstract: A fuel control system responsive to a power controller and controlling a fuel delivery system. The fuel control system includes a control arm connected to both the power controller and the fuel delivery system, a position sensor connected to the control arm, and a trim controller connected to the control arm at a pivot point and connected to the position sensor.

Abstract: A press assembly includes first and second members which engage opposite sides of a workpiece during operation of the press assembly. A cushion assembly is provided to absorb force transmitted from at least one of the members during operation of the press assembly. A high pressure reservoir is connected in fluid communication with a cylinder of the cushion assembly to receive fluid during operation of the press assembly. Hydraulic fluid is supplied to the cushion assembly at a relatively low pressure during operation of the press assembly. A valve is operable to block a flow of hydraulic fluid from the cushion assembly as the press assembly begins to operate from a closed condition toward an open condition to thereby retain the cushion assembly in a retracted condition. A secondary or pump cylinder may be actuated by operation of the press assembly to pump hydraulic fluid to the cushion assembly.

Abstract: A land grid array (LGA) includes a base having a first surface and a second surface which is substantially parallel thereto. The base is formed with a plurality of apertures which open through the base, and a plurality of electrical connectors are mounted on the base. Specifically, the connectors are formed with a central portion, and each connector has one deflectable finger and one extension which project in opposite directions from this central portion. The central portion of the connector is embedded into the base to cantilever the finger and the extension into respective juxtaposed apertures. When not deflected, the finger of the connector projects outwardly from its aperture and beyond the first surface of the base, while the extension is formed with a solder point surface which is generally coplanar with the second surface of the base. In a plurality of apertures, one finger projects one way and another finger projects the other way.

Abstract: Required blower power in an induced draft combustion system is reduced by recovering pressure from dynamic energy of flow of combustion products. To this end, the outlet duct is diverged gradually, such as an included angle of less than fifteen degrees, and preferably at an angle of substantially seven degrees. Divergence of the outlet duct may be expressed in polar coordinates having a polar axis, overlapping radius vectors and a variable polar angle of such overlapping radius vectors relative to the polar axis. A difference between such overlapping radius vectors is increased in a direction of flow of the combustion products and the outlet duct is structured with cross-sections increasing incrementally in terms of the increasing difference between the overlapping radius vectors. Condensate may be drained from a combustion product by providing the duct with a lateral offset having a bottom extending at an angle to the earth's field of gravity.

Abstract: A cutting tool insert comprises a hard metal substrate having at least two wear-resistant coatings including an exterior ceramic coating and a coating under the ceramic coating being a metal carbonitride having a nitrogen to carbon atomic ratio between 0.7 and 0.95 which causes the metal carbonitride to form projections into the ceramic coating improving adherence and fatigue strength of the ceramic coating.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing large diameter, spray formed billets, rings, or tubular forms by spraying atomized molten metal onto a rotating surface. The rotating surface has a collector surface that is maintained at a predetermined temperature or reheated to the predetermined temperature by an external heat source. The external heat source impinges upon the collector surface to form a reheated or preheated zone. The external heat may be provided by a laser, high temperature flame, plasma arc, electric induction or radiation source. The molten metal is sprayed onto the collector surface in the reheated or preheated zone. Apparatus for carrying out the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: An aircraft canopy fracturing system includes a canopy having fore and aft portions and a region that is severable from the canopy to provide an opening therethrough for the egress of aircraft occupants. The severable region has a shape that inhibits passage of the severable region through the opening created in the canopy once the severable region is freed from the canopy and is displaced aftward relative to the canopy. The canopy fracturing system also may include one or more mechanisms that will impart an aftward impulse to the severable region of the canopy once it has been severed and freed from the remainder of the canopy.

Abstract: A non-flowing pilot operated relief valve system having modulating action includes a relief valve and a pilot valve. The pilot valve includes a body forming a channel, an inlet port, a control port, and a vent port. A portion of the channel forms an inlet chamber in communication with the inlet port. A piston is axially movable within the channel and has a vent-valve seat communicating the control port and the vent port. A spool extends through the sleeve and is substantially coaxial with the piston. The spool is axially movable within the channel in response to fluid pressure within the inlet chamber. The spool has an inlet-valve seal member closable on the inlet-valve seat and a vent-valve seal member closable on the vent-valve seat. The spool is adapted such that the inlet-valve seal member is seated on the inlet-valve seat when the a vent-valve seal member is unseated from the vent-valve seat.