Abstract: A piston type compressor is disclosed, which comprises a cylinder block having axial cylinder bores, pistons defining compression chambers in the bores, a drive shaft, and a gas suction and discharge chambers in a housing. A valve receiving chamber is formed around the drive shaft in the cylinder block, for accommodating a rotary valve which rotates in synchronism with rotation of the drive shaft. The rotary valve has a suction passage formed therein for providing gases from the gas suction chamber to a compression chamber during the chamber's gas suction stroke. A plurality of gas communication passages are formed in the cylinder block in association with the compression chambers, each having a first port open to the associated cylinder bore and a second port open to the valve receiving chamber. The first port is located at a position (P2) apart by a predetermined distance (L) from a top dead center position (P1) of the associated piston.

Abstract: A plasma jet igniter is used to reliably relight a jet engine at high altitudes under adverse combustion conditions. The air-fuel mixture from the primary combustion zone of the jet engine combustor may be used as the plasma medium or, alternatively, liquid fuel direct from the aircraft fuel system may be used as a fuel charge.

Abstract: A piston type compressor is disclosed, which includes pistons disposed in bores of a cylinder block, to be reciprocated by a piston driving mechanism in cooperation with a drive shaft. A valve receiving chamber is formed around the drive shaft in the cylinder block, for receiving a rotary valve to rotate together with the drive shaft. The rotary valve has a suction passage formed therein for providing gases from a gas suction chamber to a compression chamber defined in each bore. A plurality of communication passages are formed in the cylinder block in association with the compression chambers, to provide gas communication between the compression chambers and the valve's suction passage.

Abstract: A canned pump is described which includes a motor, an impeller, a rotatable shaft, and a high inertia flywheel mounted on the shaft and within a hermetically sealed housing. The flywheel comprises a heavy metal disk made preferably of a uranium alloy and having an inner circumferential annular recess portion. One embodiment employs a radial bearing assembly mounted to a bearing housing member, which also carries a thrust bearing assembly, for bearing surface contact with the inner circumferential surface of a stepped portion of the flywheel assembly. A second embodiment employs a radial bearing assembly mounted on the bearing housing member for bearing surface contact with a journal on the outer surface of the shaft. These arrangements locate the radial bearing assembly within the vicinity of the inner circumferential annular recess portion of the flywheel.

Abstract: A very compact flashlight having an external diameter and length comparable to a typical single AA cell flashlight, but with much higher emitted light intensity, is described. The flashlight fits into pre-existing mounts designed to attach AA cell flashlights to weapons (e.g., pistols) for target illumination. It is shorter than multi-cell AA flashlights and brighter than single cell AA flashlights, thereby providing better weapon target illumination without the bulk associated with prior art multi-cell units. The flashlight barrel is shaped to accommodate a bundle of, for example, three AAAA batteries arranged in a side-by-side relationship. Circuit boards located at opposite ends of the battery bundle interconnect the batteries in series so that higher voltage, higher intensity lamps can be used. Alignment means inside the barrel hold the batteries and circuit boards in a predetermined relationship to accomplish the series interconnection.

Abstract: A vehicular headlamp assembly with a tilt measuring device of small height, which is difficult to damage, requires a decreased number of parts, and is easy to assemble. The tilt measuring device is interposed between a protruding portion of a horizontal aiming screw protruding rearward of a reference member and the reference member. The tilt measuring device includes a fixed holder fixed to the reference member and covering the protruding portion of the horizontal aiming screw protruding rearward of the reference member, an elongated groove being formed in said fixed holder extending parallel to the horizontal aiming screw. A slidable nut member is received in the fixed holder in such a manner as to be longitudinally slidable relative to the fixed holder. The nut member threadedly engages the protruding portion of the horizontal aiming screw. A portion of the nut member is exposed through the elongated groove of the fixed holder.

Abstract: A rotary hydraulic vane pump includes a rotor mounted within a housing, with a plurality of vanes individually slidably disposed in corresponding slots in the rotor periphery. A cam ring surrounds the rotor within the housing and has a radially inwardly facing vane track defining as least one arcuate fuel pressure cavity between the rotor and the cam ring. A fuel inlet in the housing includes a primary inlet port opening into the cavity at the leading circumferential edge of the cavity with respect to the direction of rotation of the rotor within the housing. A pump outlet includes an outlet port that opens into the cavity adjacent to the trailing circumferential edge of the cavity. A secondary inlet port opens into the cavity circumferentially between the primary inlet port and the outlet port, and is directly connected to the pump outlet port such that fluid, at outlet pressure is available at the secondary inlet port.

Abstract: The assembly, designed for use in combination with a straight-cylinder, gas-compression chamber, has a center bolt which is threaded at opposite ends thereof to receive a pair of valve sets. Each of the latter has a ported valve seat, valve guard, and ported valve plate. The guard is set about the bolt, and against a shoulder formed on the bolt therefor. The seat is centrally threaded, to engage one of the threaded ends of the bolt, and it and the guard confine the valve plate therebetween. In that one of the valve sets is turned 180.degree. from the other, i.e., the two guards being in confrontation, and the two seats remotely disposed, vis-a-vis, the one valve set is open to fluid flow, while the other is closed, as the assembly is reciprocated in such a straight-cylinder, chamber. Identical valve sets, on different, short bolts set in end closures of such a chamber, serve as gas inlet valves, while the reciprocable assembly carries the discharge valves.

Abstract: A whirlpool jet assembly adapted to be mounted in an opening in the wall of a water tub for discharging the water stream into the tub. The jet assembly includes a housing defining a socket having an air inlet and a water inlet and a ball fitting pivotably supported within the socket having openings positionable in alignment with the air and water inlets in the socket. A nozzle assembly supported on the ball fitting is of a unitary one-piece construction forming a Venturi nozzle, mixing chamber and directional nozzle in an integral structure. The nozzle assembly is rotatably supported on the ball fitting with the ball fitting and nozzle assembly having shaped openings through which water from the water inlet flows into the Venturi jet nozzle. Rotation of the nozzle assembly with respect to the ball fitting changes the combined shape of the shaped openings to alter the pressure of water flowing through the jet assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for eliminating at least a portion of the energy losses in a well pumping system which are due to "regeneration" (i.e. those periods during the pumping cycle in which the pumping system experiences negative net torque). This is accomplished by positioning a clutch means in the driving connection between the prime mover and the pumping unit of the well pumping system so that the clutch means forms a driving connection between said prime mover and said pumping unit during periods when said pumping unit experiences positive net torque and effectively disengages the driving connection between said prime mover and said pumping unit to allow freewheeling therebetween during periods when said pumping unit experiences negative net torque.