Abstract: A system and a method for distance measurement utilizes a radio system. The distance is measured by determining the time it takes a pulse train to travel from a first radio transceiver to a second radio transceiver and then from the second radio transceiver back to the first radio transceiver. The actual measurement is a two step process. In the first step, the distance is measured in coarse resolution, and in the second step, the distance is measured in fine resolution. A first pulse train is transmitted using a transmit time base from the first radio transceiver. The first pulse train is received at a second radio transceiver. The second radio transceiver synchronizes its time base with the first pulse train before transmitting a second pulse train back to the first radio transceiver, which then synchronizes a receive time base with the second pulse train. The time delay between the transmit time base and the receive time base can then be determined.

Abstract: A gear pump mechanism shown in a variety of applications to control rotational output. Control of the output from the gear pump and feed to the gear pump of hydraulic fluid or oil can be controlled to establish conditions from free wheeling to fully locked. The gear pump includes a sun gear and planetary gears. The sun gear is attached to an output shaft while the planetary gears are rotatably mounted to the pump housing. Through rotation of the housing and control of the flow through the gear pump, relative rotation of the output shaft can be determined. Applications of rotational output control systems using the gear pump mechanism provide adjustable torque limiters, variable rate clutches, differentials, brakes, CVT transmissions, four wheel drive systems and forward and reverse variable rate clutches with no gear backlash.

Abstract: A weight measuring apparatus comprising a plurality of load sensors, together with an input network, a multiplexer, a reference, an analog to digital converter, and a processor, wherein the input network includes an analog summing network and direct sensor connections to the multiplexer. The multiplexer is arranged to permit measurement of the sum signal, a reference signal, and each direct load sensor signal in a prescribed sequence. The multiplexed signals are converted to digital and processed to derive a weight estimate based on the multiplexed measurements and a system error model. The prescribed measurement sequence permits measurement of the sum signal more frequently than each of the direct signals. A method is described for deriving correction factors for the error model comprising the placing of calibration weights primarily on each weight sensor and solving the system of simultaneous equations for the resulting correction factors.

Abstract: A weight measuring apparatus comprising a plurality of load sensors, together with an input network, a multiplexer, a reference, an analog to digital converter, and a processor, wherein the input network includes an analog summing network and direct sensor connections to the multiplexer. The multiplexer is arranged to permit measurement of the sum signal, a reference signal, and each direct load sensor signal in a prescribed sequence. The multiplexed signals are converted to digital and processed to derive a weight estimate based on the multiplexed measurements and a system error model. The prescribed measurement sequence permits measurement of the sum signal more frequently than each of the direct signals. A method is described for deriving correction factors for the error model comprising the placing of calibration weights primarily on each weight sensor and solving the system of simultaneous equations for the resulting correction factors.

Abstract: A one-part, moisture-cure urethane adhesive composition contains between 1 and 10 phr .gamma.-butyrolactone which acts as a moisture diffusion agent, thereby promoting a more rapid cure.

Abstract: A transient free synchronizer stores an input trim signal value on command, and provides an output signal value which transitions in a smooth, continuous manner, when the synchronizer is commanded to the store the input signal. Synchronizers are typically used to capture desired aircraft attitude, position, or velocity trim points for use in aircraft autopilot and automatic flight control systems.

Abstract: A helicopter flight control system (21) includes a model following control system architecture which operates in a velocity command mode at low ground speeds. The control system processes information from a variety of helicopter sensors (31) in order to provide a command signal to the main rotor (11) of the helicopter which results in a ground speed which is proportional to the input provided via a sidearm controller (29).

Abstract: An adjustable blade knife is made by extruding a continuous strip of extrudable hardenable material with the strip having a planer web between thicker marginal portions and opposing slots in the marginal portions, individual knife handle bodies are stamped from the strip and a knife blade is assembled to each body by inserting the blade in the opposed slots of the body. The blade is preferably preassembled to a slide plate with the slide plate and blade positioned together in the handle body slots to slide along the web portion of the handle body which is provided with a longitudinally extending slot having at least one side wall of an irregular surface configuration to co-operate with positioning means provided on the slide plate to facilitate locating the blade-plate sub-assembly in adjustable positions of use.