Abstract: An electro-hydraulic brake actuator for a vehicle can include an electric motor configured to operate at about 28 Vdc, and to operate at about 2 Amps or less to hold a vehicle brake in a disengaged position. A hydraulic master piston can be operatively coupled to the electric motor, the hydraulic master piston configured to slidingly move within a master cylinder fillable with a hydraulic fluid such that advancement of the master piston within the master cylinder varies the hydraulic pressure supplied to the vehicle brake. The electric motor and hydraulic master cylinder are configured to fit within a wheel hub corresponding to the vehicle brake, the motor configured to operate the hydraulic master piston to vary the hydraulic pressure applied to the brake.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic brake actuator for a vehicle can include an electric motor configured to operate at about 28 Vdc, and to operate at about 2 Amps or less to hold a vehicle brake in a disengaged position. A hydraulic master piston can be operatively coupled to the electric motor, the hydraulic master piston configured to slidingly move within a master cylinder fillable with a hydraulic fluid such that advancement of the master piston within the master cylinder varies the hydraulic pressure supplied to the vehicle brake. The electric motor and hydraulic master cylinder are configured to fit within a wheel hub corresponding to the vehicle brake, the motor configured to operate the hydraulic master piston to vary the hydraulic pressure applied to the brake.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic brake system for a vehicle can include at least one hydraulic piston that exerts a force on a brake pad in a direction away from a brake disk and opposite to a force exerted, e.g., by a spring, on the brake pad in a direction toward the disk. A hydraulic pressure actuator can in one embodiment actuate the hydraulic piston to hold the brake in a disengaged position. A controller can in one embodiment actuate the hydraulic pressure actuator to advance the brake pad into engagement with the disk to exert a braking force based on a brake command signal, and can in one embodiment actuate the hydraulic pressure actuator to retract the brake pad from engagement with the disk upon receipt of a brake release signal. In one embodiment, the brake pad can move into engagement with the brake disk when an emergency (e.g., a loss of power or hydraulic pressure) occurs.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide a robust radio frequency (RF) interface for a helix-type traveling wave tube (TWT). As a vacuum device, the RF input to the TWT and the RF output from the TWT are sealed to maintain the vacuum. The disclosed robust RF interface techniques are advantageously less prone to breakage than conventional sealing techniques. In addition, configurations of the disclosed robust RF interface techniques can further exhibit relatively good impedance matches between a TWT and an associated antenna, which can reduce insertion losses and reflection losses, thereby advantageously increasing system RF output power.

Abstract: A high recovery metering valve includes an inlet, outlet and a plenum. An internal valve trim places the plenum in communication with the outlet. A valve poppet is moveably positioned within the internal valve trim. In one embodiment, the valve poppet includes a distal portion that is tapered. In another embodiment, the distal portion is characterized by a double radius. In some embodiments the inlet and the outlet are orientated about ninety degrees with respect to each other.

Abstract: A seal mechanism for conveniently coupling bayonet-type connectors while providing stable compression of the seal therebetween. The mechanism enables a more rigid configuration providing increased resistance to deformation from lateral forces. The mechanism incorporates an internally threaded coupling nut support element which cooperates with a threaded flange projecting from the plug sleeve to maintain a hermetic seal under conditions applying lateral forces to the connection. Interaction between the support element and the threaded flange permit the support element to be installed onto or removed from the connector assembly.

Abstract: An arbitration system used with digital switching apparatus for coupling with a plurality of data signal sources, includes a plurality of bus slave arbitration systems in a one-to-one relationship with the data signal sources, a switch core assembly includes a shared bus subsystem having an arbitration control bus, a processor control bus with a plurality of shared cell buses is operatively connected to a bus master arbitration subsystem that arbitrates between a respective one of the data signal sources and the switch core assembly.

Abstract: A queue length measurement device that is comprised of a number of queues that are capable of holding data cells. A differential counter is coupled to each queue. The counter is incremented when a cell is written into the queue and decremented when a cell is read from the queue. An interval measurement device, coupled to the differential counter, generates a pulse to reset the counter at fixed intervals equivalent to n cells time (where n is the maximum number of cells the queue counter can measure). A multiplexer is coupled to the multiple differential counters. A transfer control circuit coupled to the interval measurement device selects the appropriate queue measurement to be output from the multiplexer to the other switch elements. A system and methodology provide for queue flow statistics and closed loop control of cell flow into the queue.

Abstract: An input processor recognizes and accepts a wide variety of protocols and formats. Queue management stores the uniform cells in a dual balanced bank memory system, which provides for utilizing an available bank of memory when the other bank of memory is in use, and otherwise balancing the use of the banks of memory, thereby maintaining equal free lists. Queue management apparatus and logic also ascertains and appends routing data to the stored data and transmits the data according to its priority.

Abstract: Apparatus for coordinating the positions of valves in a pair of air flow passages along a jet engine nacelle to control two rotary valves from a single linear actuator. Each of the valves is of a ball type which is rotatable within a housing to achieve variable flow control in accordance with the particular shape of the opening through the rotatable valve member which varies with valve member rotation. The valve member bore shape may differ for the two valves, as well as the angle of the linkage between the linear actuator and each valve, to achieve different flow control relationships for the two valves from the single actuator armature. Each valve incorporates a pressure balancing member at the inlet seal of the valve which results in a reduction of the force of the seal element against the rotatable valve member when the valve is in the closed position, thereby reducing the torque required to rotate the valve out of the closed position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hybrid packet/cell switching, linking, and control system and methodology for sharing a common internal cell format that supports multiple protocol operations to support both high speed Ethernet and ATM. The architecture is a shared memory common internal cell architecture (ATM is the preferred embodiment), providing capabilities that support multicast data traffic (which is specific in a LAN environment) and accommodates a large shared buffer and linked list queue set groupings to control reading and retrieving the cell and packet encapsulated cell data types to permit intercoupling all combinations of cross/hybrid switching. The new hybrid switch provides both a full non-blocking packet (e.g., Ethernet) switch having a plurality of ports (e.g., 32 @ 100 Mbps (full or half duplex) ports) and a full non-blocking cell (e.g., ATM) switch having a plurality of ports (e.g., 32 @ 155 Mbps ports).

Abstract: A switch core system for communicating with a plurality of separate sources of cell data, each of the separate sources having a slave arbitration subsystem, the system including a bus subsystem, an arbitration subsystem, a processor subsystem, and a shared memory subsystem for storing cell data from specific ones of the sources and outputting stored cell data to specified ones of the sources via multiple cell buses responsive to the arbitration subsystem.

Abstract: A digital switching system is provided for coupling with one or more external specific physical interface data signal sources regardless of signal protocol, and includes input subsystems for receiving and processing the data signal sources into data cells, a data multiplexer for multiplexing the processed data, an addressable memory for storing the multiplexed data, a queue controller for creating and managing memory queues which store the multiplexed data, a data demultiplexer for demultiplexing the stored multiplexed data in response to the queue controller, and output processors for outputting the demultiplexed data.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes the modulation ratio between the flicker of a sensor signal and the absolute signal average to detect fire conditions. The system of the present invention requires that the signal on a sensor channel be above a certain threshold and the ratio of the flickering portion of the signal to the absolute signal average be within a certain range. The system may be applied to any sensor signal in response to any source, including, but not limited to, radiation, acoustic or optical signals including ultraviolet, visible or infrared radiation. Signals may be filtered with a median filter to remove noise. A least-mean-square curve-fit is made to the data to account for any growth or decay in the fire signal. The flicker can be calculated using any of several metrics such as standard deviation, p-norms, or maximum deviation, but mean deviation seems to provide optimal performance. The modulation ratio system can be augmented with a separate detection scheme for large-scale fires.

Abstract: Electrical circuitry associated with a pneumatic pressure detector for use in an overheat condition or fire alarm system for aircraft. The pressure detector comprises a plenum situated between a pair of deformable diaphragms and pressurized by a capillary type sensor containing an absorbed gas. A control electronics stage is located remotely from the pressure detector stage and is connected thereto by a single wire extending between them. The control electronics stage senses integrity failure of the pressure detector, an overheat or fire condition, and a ground fault in the connection between the two stages and provides corresponding output indications. The circuitry also includes ground connections at the control electronics stage and the pressure detector, respectively.

Abstract: The strain relief device is used in combination with a metal electronic cable-connector assembly for high temperature applications and high mechanical shock application. The strain relief shrouds and protects the weld or braze between the cable and connector and also extends over a length of the cable to brace it from bending stress ad strain. The strain relief is generally hollow and tubular, an expanded end thereof being slip fitted over and/or welded to or threaded into an end of the connector and caused to extend over the cable-connector weld or braze, with a narrow end of the strain relief forming a lip surrounding the cable distal of the weld or braze to brace it. Thus, the cable and described connector end fit into the central longitudinal passageway in the strain relief and are enclosed by it. The strain relief can be in a form such that its central portion extends through a bulkhead and can be locked thereto.

Abstract: A primary electrochemical cell having an oxidizable active anode material, a cathode current collector, and an electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution consists essentially of liquid cathode material, an electrolyte solute for imparting conductivity, and iodine monochloride for catalyzing the electroreduction of the liquid cathode material. In specific embodiments the anode material was lithium, the liquid cathode material was thionyl chloride or sulfuryl chloride and the electrolyte solute was lithium tetrachloroaluminate.

Abstract: A primary electrochemical cell having an oxidizable active anode material, a cathode current collector, and an electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution consists essentially of liquid cathode material, an electrolyte solute for imparting conductivity, and molecular iodine for catalyzing the electroreduction of the liquid cathode material. In a specific embodiment the anode material is lithium, the liquid cathode material is thionyl chloride, and the electrolyte solute is lithium tetrachloroaluminate.

Abstract: The connector device comprises a male plug of stainless steel or the like having a housing containing a number of spaced passageways within which wire-bearing electrical conduits are hermetically secured. The device also includes a female receptacle of stainless steel or the like having an annular rim defining a central space within which the front end of the male plug is hermetically sealed. The female receptacle has a central passageway within which a multi-wire electrical conduit is hermetically secured. A dielectric wire spreader of polytetrafluoroethylene or the like is disposed in the central space with a frusto-conical front thereof abutting a dielectric spacer positioned against the conduit sealed in the female receptacle central passageway and with the rear end thereof abutting the front of the male plug. Passageways in the spacer and male plug rear end conduct conduit wires to the spreader where they are disposed in parallel surface grooves and interconnected.

Abstract: The mattress includes a hollow, elongated, fluid-inflated mattress body which may be permanently inflated or inflatable and deflatable by connection with a suitable inflation device. The mattress also includes a selectively inflatable patient support component which is disposed generally centrally of the mattress body and is connected thereto. The support component includes a number of cells which are individually connected to a device capable of individually inflating and deflating each of the cells to facilitate support of the patient's body, while lying on the mattress, and to minimize the development of bed sores. The support component inflation device preferably is both manually and automatically controlled. The support component's cells may be elongated, parallel, preferably transversely extending tubes, or a grid of inflatable pockets or the like.