Abstract: A two-way check valve for a breathing gas supply assembly, comprises a body, a first inlet in the body for receiving a normal breathing gas flow, an outlet for delivering a gas flow from the body, first passage means communicating the first inlet with the outlet, second passage means communicating the second inlet with the outlet, a valve member mounted internally of the body so as to be movable between a first position in which it closes communication between the second inlet and the outlet and a second position in which it closes communication between the first inlet and the outlet, and resilient means biasing the valve member towards the first position.

Abstract: Air-oxygen mixture control apparatus includes a pressure control valve arrangement for substantially equalizing the pressures of oxygen and air supplied to the apparatus at variable pressures. A volume flow control arrangement produces volume flows of oxygen and air appropriate for mixing to provide gas of desired oxygen concentration to a breathing demand regulator for breathing by an aircraft aircrew member. An aneroid acts to occlude the supply of air when the aircrew member is exposed to low aircraft ambient atmospheric pressure so that undiluted oxygen is made available for breathing. The apparatus overcomes the problem of mixing oxygen with air when either one or both is supplied from a variable pressure source, such as is the case when high pressure air from a compressor stage of a gas turbine engine is used for dilution purposes.

Abstract: An aircrew breathing regulator having facility for mixing ambient air with oxygen-enriched breathing gas in supplying breathing gas to an end user, includes a demand valve connected between an inlet for receiving oxygen-enriched breathing gas and an outlet for delivering breathing gas to the end user. Ambient air is entrained by flow of oxygen-enriched breathing gas through an injector nozzle to enter an ambient air inlet and mix with the oxygen-enriched breathing gas downstream of the demand valve. Pressure build-up downstream of the demand valve resulting from the flow restricting effect of the injector nozzle causes a pressure feedback onto a head of the valve tending to force it closed. This is overcome by nullifying the action on the demand valve of downstream pressure so that the valve is pressure balanced.

Abstract: A film registration and ironing gate assembly has a gate with a positioning location or aperture for focal positioning of an image frame of a strip film with edge perforations. Undersized first and second pins enter a pair of transversely aligned perforations of the film to register the image frame with the aperture. An undersized third pin enters a third perforation spaced along the film from the second pin and then pulls the film obliquely to a reference line extending between the first and second pins to nest against the first and second pins the perforations thereat and register the image frame precisely at the positioning location or aperture. A pair of flexible bands extending along the film edges adjacent the positioning location move progressively into incrementally increasing contact with the film to iron it and clamp its perforations against the gate. The pins register the image frame precisely with the positioning location, and the bands maintain the image frame in precise focal position thereat.

Abstract: Inflation pressure of an aircrew G-suit is set by a servo-pressure which controls movement of inflation gas supply and vent valves 126 and 127, respectively. Servo-pressure is regulated by a torque motor controlled valve 124, 125 which receives a servo-demand signal from an electronic control unit (ECU) 123. The ECU receives an inflation pressure demand signal P.sub.DEM from an aircraft systems computer 120 which stores schedules of G-suit inflation pressure against increasing acceleration and decreasing cabin ambient pressure. The computer is programmed to look-up and output the higher one of values for inflation pressure dependent upon values of acceleration signals G.sub.Z and cabin ambient pressure signals P.sub.AMB input to the computer by sensors 121 and 122, respectively. The ECU compares an existing G-suit inflation pressure P.sub.

Abstract: A breathing demand regulator for use in aircrew life support apparatus has an aneroid capsule 56 coacting with a valve head 50 to restrict outflow from a breathing pressure control chamber 32. The aneroid capsule expands to move the valve head in the event of aircraft cabin altitude rising above a predetermined level due to loss of cabin pressure. An end face 53 of a valve stem 51 supporting the valve head senses inflation pressure of an aircrew G-suit by way of a passageway 59 for movement of the valve head in the presence of G-load. This arrangement provides for increased control pressure and, hence, increased breathing gas pressure in a regulator outlet 13, in meeting the higher of requirements for positive pressure breathing to protect an aircrew member exposed to both G-load and high aircraft ambient altitude (say above 12000 meters).

Abstract: Aircraft aircrew life support apparatus has a G-protection garment inflation pressure control valve disposed in a common body with a breathing demand regulator. Inflation pressure output by the garment inflation pressure control valve is ducted within the body to be directly applied as an operating force to a valve controlling outflow from a breathing-pressure control chamber of the regulator whereby positive pressure breathing obtains in the presence of G-load. The garment inflation pressure control valve comprises a pressure balanced valve adapted to be displaced against the bias of a spring in an opening direction by a pneumatic actuator. The pneumatic actuator is controlled by signals from an accelerometer sensing G-load for inflation of the garment when the aircrew member is subject to high G-load (typically in excess of 2G) and by signals from a cabin pressure sensor for inflation of the garment if the aircrew member is exposed to high altitude (typically in excess of 12000 metres).

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for plastically deforming and closing an very open, non-cylindrical shell (28) having axially extending lips (20c, 20t) spaced sufficiently far apart to permit a wound spool of strip material to pass laterally between such lips, the apparatus including a pair of closure jaws (670,676) having concave cylindrical surfaces for contacting the exterior surface of such a shell between such lips, the concave surfaces having a curvature corresponding to the desired final cylindrical shape for such a shell; a pivotable arm (608-612) for placing the closure jaws in an open configuration about such a shell and a linkage (614-674) operatively connected to the pivotable arm for closing the closure jaws about such a shell to move such lips into close proximity and form such shell into a cylindrical shape between such lips and thereafter for opening the jaws without contacting the closed shell as the jaws open.

Abstract: A substantially rectangular metal blank is formed about a mandrel (76) to provide a very open shell (28) having a pair of axially extending lips (20c,20t) separated by a distance sufficient to permit a prewound spool (10) or other product to be inserted radially, laterally into the shell prior to closing the shell about the spool or other product.

Abstract: A pair of relatively movable jaws (306) are provided with magnetic holders (306-316) for holding end caps (24) to be applied to a substantially cylindrical shell (28) positioned between the jaws; so that, closing of the jaws installs the end caps on the end edges of the shell. An end cap placing mechanism (50) removes end caps from a source (356) by means of a pair of rotatably mounted gripper arms (364) which place the caps in the magnetic holders.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for removing a very open shell (28) from a forming mandrel (76), the mandrel being configured so that when the shell is released from the mandrel, the shell springs to an open form. The apparatus includes a fixture (44) for receiving the shell from the mandrel after the shell has been formed and clamped in place, the fixture comprising a pair of spaced claw elements (308,310) having aligned openings (426) through which the mandrel and the shell can pass with the shell formed and clamped in place on the mandrel, the openings being sized to hold the shell in its open form due to the spring force of the shell, and a support (394) connected between the claw elements for maintaining the alignment of the openings. A universal mount (394,424) for the fixture enables it to be positioned accurately to receive the shell from the mandrel.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for acquiring, transferring and releasing an object such as a prewound spool of film (10), in which a rotatable frame (410-426) is provided with a slidably mounted block (434) which pivotably supports a pair of gripping fingers (464,466) for holding the object and rotatable cam plate (456) which includes cam slots (448,484,486) operatively associated with followers (454,476,478) on the frame and fingers; so that, upon application of a force (488-510) to the cam plate, the block initially translates away from the frame to a position where the fingers close to grip the object, after which rotation of the frame permits transfer of the object to another location where a reverse force is applied to the cam plate to release the object and translate the block back to its starting position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for forming a very open shell (28) having axially extending lips (20c,20t) spaced sufficiently far apart to permit a prewound spool of web material (10) to be inserted radially, laterally into the very open form shell, after which the shell is closed and end caps (24) are installed. Apparatus are disclosed for forming the very open form shell (40), transferring the shell to a mechanism for applying end caps (48), inserting a prewound spool of web material (56) into the very open shell, positioning the spool accurately within the shell (780-856), closing the shell about the spool (58) and staking the end caps in place (60).

Abstract: Apparatus for splicing together opposite ends of a sheet of material, such as a photoconductor, to form an endless loop includes a generally cylindrical drum on which the sheet material is wrapped. The drum has edge portions that can be adjusted relative to each other to vary the circumference of the drum, and the sheet is wrapped on the drum with opposite ends of the sheet being in overlapping relationship adjacent the edges of the drum. The drum edges are adjusted relative to each other while a sensor detects the relationship between perforations or other identifiable features on the sheet. When a predetermined relationship is obtained, the opposite ends of the sheet are bonded together to form an endless loop. The apparatus produces a loop that is cylindrical in shape with the pitch of the perforations across the splice being equal to the pitch of the perforations in other portions of the loop.

Abstract: An on-board oxygen generating system (OBOGS) includes a molecular sieve oxygen generating system (MSOGS), a breathable gas delivery regulator selectively operable to deliver 100 percent MSOGS output gas or air diluted output gas to a user, a back-up storage plenum and control means arranged so that when air diluted delivery gas is selected a portion of 100 percent MSOG output gas is diverted to charge the storage plenum and when 100 percent MSOG output delivery gas is selected diversion to the storage plenum is automatically prevented. The breathable gas delivery regulator includes an injector adapted to induce a flow of air to mix with 100 percent MSOG output gas when air diluted delivery gas is selected.

Abstract: A nonimpact printer, for example, a color printer, of the type having an endless movable web on which two or more images are formed by an electronic printhead and transferred in registration provides reliable registration using perforations along an edge of the web. A first sensing means, for example, a printhead sprocket, senses an edge of the perforations and controls the printhead. A second sensing means, for example, a transfer sprocket also senses an edge of the perforations and controls transfer. Error in image formation because of error in perforation formation is substantially corrected by using the same perforation for transfer that is used for printing.

Abstract: A record disk drive is disclosed which includes a rotating drive shaft and means for receiving a record disk. A torque-transmitting helical spring clutch drivingly interconnects the shaft and the disk. The clutch includes a first coil portion which is in driven engagement with the shaft upon rotation of the shaft in a certain direction relative to the receive disk. A second coil portion of the clutch is continuous with, but eccentric to, the first coil portion. Abutment means on the second coil portion are normally in driving engagement with a received disk, but means are provided for shifting the second coil portion toward a position concentric with the first coil portion, whereupon the abutment means moves out of engagement with the received disk, and thereby disengages the clutch. The shifting means may be a cylindrical sleeve which is axially slidable over the helical spring clutch to move the second coil portion toward its concentric position relative to the first coil portion.

Abstract: A work piece transfer mechanism is disclosed for placing work pieces on a moving conveyance along an axis which is substantially normal to the direction of movement of the conveyance. The mechanism has a plurality of work piece holders which follow a hypocycloidal path and which always face radially outwardly. The mechanism is translated laterally alongside the path of the conveyance to match the conveyance velocity at the instant of work piece placement. Only one holder is extended at a time, so that the mechanism translation drive can be timed to the function of the extended holder.

Abstract: The kinetic energy of an intermittently movable work member is converted, independently of its main drive motor, to potential energy during deceleration of the work member as it approaches each of its dwell positions. During the initial portion of the next index step, the stored potential energy is imparted to the work member, again independently of the drive motor, to assist in the work member's acceleration and to reduce the demands on the drive motor. Since the energy storage and transfer occurs independently of the drive motor, armature current and temperature increase in the drive motor is minimized for any given performance level.