Abstract: A hollow helicopter blade pressure check and fill system and method to use same for hollow pressurized blades is disclosed including a digital pressure sensor, a control valve, a check/fill outlet, a gas supply connector, a check valve and interconnecting tubes incorporated into a carrying case. The digital pressure sensor does not require any barometric reading or correction thereby eliminating human error. The system is used in conjunction with a conventional gas supply system connected to a hollow helicopter blade to perform accurate structure integrity and airworthiness evaluation of the blade.

Abstract: A restraining barrier is positionable across a roadway in a deployed position to define a restraining zone and may be moved vertically to a passive position by first and second transport components. Opposite ends of the barrier are coupled to the first and second transport components, respectively, and also couple the barrier to first and second energy absorbers of differing restraintive force in order stop vehicles of varying weight. A support cable is coupled to an indicator for providing a signal indicating vehicle impact. Additionally, a series of restraining barriers and energy absorbers may provide a series of sequentially differing restraintive forces to stop lightweight and heavier vehicles. The barrier may be a net and include a lower wire below the net assuring effective trapping of autos and trucks of a variety of heights.

Abstract: A restraining barrier (30) is positionable across a roadway in a deployed position to define a restraining zone and may be moved vertically to a passive position by first and second transport members (13, 14) slideably mounted to first and second towers (3, 4) on either side of the roadway. The barrier may be a rectangular net. First and second cables (34, 35) each support an opposite end of the barrier to the said first and second transport means respectively and also couple the barrier to an energy absorber (known per se). The cable includes a support cable which also responds to the impact of a vehicle as by breaking. The cable is coupled to an operate indicator for producing a signal indicating the vehicle impact.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a twisted cable of unlimited length. The apparatus which is operative for performing the method includes a rotating reel having a group of wires or filaments wound thereon, a flyer which rotates around the reel for unwinding the group of wires or filaments therefrom, and a gathering assembly rotating with the flyer for gathering the individual filaments or wires from the group and twisting them to form a cable. The apparatus further includes a take-up assembly for drawing the cable from the gathering assembly and winding it on a take-up reel, and a control assembly for controlling the rotational speed of the flyer relative to the rotational speed of the reel to achieve a substantially uniform length of twist in the cable throughout its extent.

Abstract: A plastic material extruder having a barrel and an outer sheath with heating and cooling means in the outer sheath is disclosed, together with means for maintaining the temperature of the inner barrel, including two temperature sensing devices, one on the barrel and one on the other sheath, the sensing devices connected to control circuitry which actuates the heating and cooling means to maintain a temperature gradient between the two sensors by sensing the temperature change from the barrel and adjusting the set point of the sensing device on the sheath.

Abstract: An improved wire or fiber strand payoff neutralizer adapted for multi-position application is described, which permits numerous individual strands of wire or fiber that will be formed into a cable to be payed out linearly and uniformly under controlled and regulated tension to the other components of a cabling machine. The present invention utilizes a split shaft, the reel containing the wire or fiber strand being mounted on an arbor portion of the split shaft, and a flyer being mounted on the driven portion of the rotor shaft. The wire or fiber strands then travel from the product supply reel to the flyer and then back to the hollow core of the rotor shaft and thence to the other components of the cabling system. The flyer and the rotor shaft rotate at the same speed as the other components of the cabling system, as well as in the same direction.

Abstract: A continuous process of drawing a plurality of strands from a supply and neuturalizing the twist as taken from supply reels, twisting the various strands into a cable and then passing the cable over capstans and an accumulator to maintain proper tension in the cable and then on to a closer where the cable is packaged, all units being driven from a common shaft in time with each other and in a one-to-one relationship with the elimination of back twist in individual strands and the maintenance of uniform tension on the individual strands and a minimum tension on the cable.

Abstract: A cable strand tension-controlling apparatus is described. As numerous individual wire or fibre-optic cable strand material is fed from multiple pay-off neutralizers, the cable strand material is directed across a rotating driven capstan and subsequently a rotating idler capstan. The cable strand then is directed into contact with a moveable accumulator. The moveable accumulator is positioned appropriately in response to the internal tension of the cable strand that is in contact with it. Signals eminating from the rotating moveable accumulator are then transmitted to a take-up in order to control the position and movement of the take-up reel.

Abstract: A wire line includes a flyer payoff and means for controlling the wire discharged from the flyers payoff by a tension system comprising two spaced tensions, the first of which comprises two groups of rolls with the rolls of one group staggered with relation to the rolls of the other group with the groups relatively movable toward and from each other to apply more or less tension on the wire as it leaves the flyer payoff with the tension system also including a second tensioning means comprising a drum and a guide sheave spaced therefrom about which the wire is passed with sufficient surface engagement with the drum and sheave so that they will rotate as the wire passes thereover rather than the wire slip on either, and then applying a friction drag on the drum to retard the rotation and apply a greater amount of tension before the wire passes on to a point to be serviced.

Abstract: The invention provides a means of automatically winding several wire coils on a common reel with a fixed space between the coils. The width of the coils is adjustable with a hand wheel, and the quantity of coils may be selected. The gap distance between coils is also selectable by means of a selector switch. The automatic control of coil transfer, coiler slow down, and stopping at the end of the last coil is provided by a counter which measures the length of wire being wound on the coiler. The proper footages are set on the counter and as these lengths are reached signals are provided to the traverse system and drive to initiate the appropriate actions.