Abstract: A plate including a body with an aft face at an aft portion of the body, which is attachable to a leading edge of an ice accretion surface such that the body protrudes substantially in a forward direction from the leading edge, and a forward face opposite the aft face, which extends between opposing surfaces of the body and which is oriented substantially perpendicularly with respect to the forward direction and a predominant flow direction of air flowing past the leading edge.

Abstract: A plate including a body with an aft face at an aft portion of the body, which is attachable to a leading edge of an ice accretion surface such that the body protrudes substantially in a forward direction from the leading edge, and a forward face opposite the aft face, which extends between opposing surfaces of the body and which is oriented substantially perpendicularly with respect to the forward direction and a predominant flow direction of air flowing past the leading edge.

Abstract: A hoist rope for an elevator is formed from synthetic, non-metallic materials. The hoist rope includes a plurality of load-carrying strands with each strand encased within a coating layer. The coating layers provide protection against wear and provide sufficient lubricity to permit relative movement of the strands to equalize loading on the strands. The plurality of strands are surrounded by a jacket. The jacket provides sufficient traction with a traction sheave, transfers traction loads to the strands while permitting movement of the strands, and provides a flame retardant characteristic to the hoist rope. In one embodiment of an passenger conveyor system, the hoist rope is engaged with a traction sheave having a sheave liner. The material for the jacket and sheave liner are selected to optimize the coefficient of friction between the hoist rope and traction sheave.

Abstract: A hoisting rope for an elevator includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced, discrete targets retained within the rope. The targets have a characteristic that may be monitored by a device that is responsive to that characteristic. In a particular embodiment, the targets are formed from a magnetically permeable material and the monitoring device responds to changes in the magnetic field as the target passes the monitoring device. In another embodiment, the targets are formed from material that reflects electromagnetic energy. In this embodiment, the monitoring device emits electromagnetic energy and is sensitive to the energy that is reflected back from the target. A method to inspect the hoisting ropes includes the steps of positioning the monitoring device proximate to the hoisting rope, moving the hoisting rope relative to the device, and monitoring the targets to determine the spacing between targets. Changes in spacing are indicative of stretching of the rope, and thereby degradation of the rope.

Abstract: A hoisting rope includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced, discrete targets retained within the rope. The targets have a characteristic that may be monitored by a device that is responsive to that characteristic. In a particular embodiment, the targets are formed from a magnetically permeable material and the monitoring device responds to changes in the magnetic field as the target passes the monitoring device. In another embodiment, the targets are formed from material that reflects electromagnetic energy. In this embodiment, the monitoring device emits electromagnetic energy and is sensitive to the energy that is reflected back from the target. A method to inspect the hoisting ropes includes the steps of positioning the monitoring device proximate to the hoisting rope, moving the hoisting rope relative to the device, and monitoring the targets to determine the spacing between targets. Changes in spacing are indicative of stretching of the rope, and thereby degradation of the rope.

Abstract: A hoisting rope for an elevator includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced, discrete targets retained within the rope. The targets have a characteristic that may be monitored by a device that is responsive to that characteristic. In a particular embodiment, the targets are formed from a magnetically permeable material and the monitoring device responds to changes in the magnetic field as the target passes the monitoring device. In another embodiment, the targets are formed from material that reflects electromagnetic energy. In this embodiment, the monitoring device emits electromagnetic energy and is sensitive to the energy that is reflected back from the target. A method to inspect the hoisting ropes includes the steps of positioning the monitoring device proximate to the hoisting rope, moving the hoisting rope relative to the device, and monitoring the targets to determine the spacing between targets. Changes in spacing are indicative of stretching of the rope, and thereby degradation of the rope.

Abstract: A protective device for an elevator system extends about a rope and extends upward from an elevator car. The protective device blocks contact with the portion of the rope enclosed by the device. As a result, the risk of damage to the ropes caused by a person, such as a mechanic, who is present on the top of the car, is minimized. The invention is particularly advantageous for synthetic ropes that are subject to damage due to contact with abrasive objects or solvents. In one embodiment, the protective device is a tubular structure formed from a rigid, abrasion resistant material. In other embodiments, the protective device is a sheath formed from an abrasion resistant, woven fiber material that extends about the rope.

Abstract: A hoist rope for an elevator is formed from synthetic, non-metallic materials. The hoist rope includes a plurality of load-carrying strands with each strand encased within a coating layer. The coating layers provide protection against wear and provide sufficient lubricity to permit relative movement of the strands to equalize loading on the strands. The plurality of strands are surrounded by a jacket. The jacket provides sufficient traction with a traction sheave, transfers traction loads to the strands while permitting movement of the strands, and provides a flame retardant characteristic to the hoist rope. In one embodiment of an passenger conveyor system, the hoist rope is engaged with a traction sheave having a sheave liner the material for the jacket and sheave liner are selected to optimize the coefficient of friction between the hoist rope and traction sheave.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for removing acetaldehyde from polyester which comprises the steps ofa) transporting molten polyester to a vented, continuous screw conveyor having a polymer compression zone,b) rotating the screw of said conveyor so as to compress and convey through the extruder the molten polymer for a time of less than 15 minutes and at a temperature of less than 300.degree. C.,c) simultaneously with step b), flowing a purge agent into and out of said extruder to thereby remove volatile impurities and avoid appreciable build-up of acetaldehyde, andd) conveying the devolatized polymer melt to a mold wherein an article of manufacture is formed.

Abstract: An advanced composite blade construction for a helicopter rotor blade using for the most part fiber reinforced plastic materials in which the major assembly of blade elements is a single step co-cure operation and in which an integral spar/skin carries centrifugal, flapwise and chordwise loads and also incorporates redundant means to carry torsional loads and a honeycomb core carries shear and aerodynamic pressures loads.

Abstract: A linear motor drive assembly having a first primary and a second primary, with a plurality of highly conductive sheets therebetween is provided. The primaries are fixed to a center support extending lengthwise between the two primaries. In a first embodiment, a pair of highly conductive sheets is arranged between the two primaries, edge to edge, in the same plane. A gap, wide enough to permit the center support to pass through freely, separates the sheets. In a second embodiment, a secondary comprising two halves is also positioned between the two primaries. The two halves are arranged edge to edge, in the same plane, separated by a gap wide enough to permit the center support to pass through freely. Sheets of highly conductive material are fixed to the faces of the secondary halves.

Abstract: A layer of highly conductive material is provided which forms a complete electrical path about the secondary of a linear motor, perpendicular to the face of the secondary. The layer comprises a section of highly conductive material attached to each face of the secondary communicating with a primary. In one embodiment, the layer completely encircles the secondary. In other embodiments, electrically conductive means join the sections of the layer, thereby creating the complete electrical path about the secondary.

Abstract: A lightweight, prefabricated elevator cab is provided having a wall structure with a plurality of panel sections connected to one another by hinge seams. The integrally attached hinge seams and the panel sections are formed from the same homogeneous material. The hinge seams are capable of being elastically deformed.

Abstract: An elevator is driven by a linear motor having a flat secondary element comprised of a plurality of segments which extend the length of an elevator rise. The segments of the secondary element are connected by a bus bar which overlaps joints between each adjacent segment by enclosing an end portion of each segment. The bus bar, conducts current across the joints, provides a surface for guide rollers which maintain an air gap between the secondary element and a primary element, and minimizes relative motion between adjacent segments of the secondary element.

Abstract: An elevator is driven by a linear motor having an elongated flat secondary element disposed in parallel to a hoistway and extending along the length thereof, the secondary element being supported by an edge portion thereof by a support. The linear motor has a first primary element disposed on one side of the flat secondary element, and a second primary element disposed on the other side of the flat secondary element. A housing supports each primary element adjacent a face of the secondary element. The housing has an opening through which the support of the secondary element passes. The housing includes a counterweight assembly disposed at either end thereof.

Abstract: An improved helicopter rotor flexbeam (20) comprises a pair of generally parallel outwardly open, cross-sectionally C-shaped beams (25) of a geometry which defines therein a first inboard region (A) of enhanced out-of-plane flexibility and a second outboard region (B) of enhanced in-plane and torsional flexibility.

Abstract: The tiltwise stiffness of an axially-lobed, nearly-spherical elastomeric joint is made uniform at all azimuths by contouring the axial height of the elastomer or by reducing the thickness or durometer of the elastomer at azimuths where the joint otherwise would be tiltwise stiffer, such as at the lobes. The improvement is useful in the application of the joint to a gimbal-like rotor system.

Abstract: Hub moment and driving torque is provided for a helicopter gimbal rotor by two-part flat springs that are in-plane with the rotor tilt point (P). The inboard end of an outward part of each spring is connected to the rotorshaft and the inboard end of an inward part of the spring is connected to the tiltable hub member. The outboard ends of the two spring parts are journaled together by an eccentric elastomeric joint that allows for spring foreshortening that accompanies rotor tilt.

Abstract: A rigid soundproofing panel is supported from a vibration-prone wall through a support system which includes an elastomeric plate isolator of selected spring rate to tune the suspension system so that minimal wall vibrations are imparted to the soundproofing panel, and a second elastomeric member in parallel with the first in the form of an acoustic edge seal extending between the wall and the soundproofing panel throughout the full periphery of the soundproofing panel so as to prevent acoustic flanking therebetween and being of substantially reduced spring rate as compared to that of the elastomeric plate isolator so as not to interfere with system tuning.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the preparation of thermoplastic polymers. Specifically it relates to a process for the preparation of a substantially linear, high molecular weight phenoxy resin from substituted hydroquinone, less than 80 mole percent of hydroquinone and optionally up to about 20 mole percent of a second aromatic diol, epichlorohydrin (or another epihalohydrin) and a base, such as sodium hydroxide.Hydroquinone phenoxy resins of this invention are characterized by low permeability to oxygen and carbon dioxide and are, therefore, useful as a gas-barrier layer in multilayer plastic film constructions used in food packaging and beverage bottle applications, for example. For use in such applications, the resin is generally in the form of a thin, uniform film prepared by extrusion, casting, or other such method.