Abstract: A method is described for preparing an eggshell catalyst comprising the steps of: (i) preparing a calcined shaped alkaline earth metal aluminate catalyst support, (ii) treating the calcined shaped alkaline earth metal aluminate support with a gas containing water vapour to form a hydrated support, (iii) with or without an intervening drying step, impregnating the hydrated support with an acidic solution containing one or more catalytic metal compounds and drying the impregnated support, (iv) calcining the dried impregnated support, to form a calcined catalyst having a catalytic metal oxide concentrated at the surface of the support and (v) optionally repeating steps (ii), (iii) and (iv).

Abstract: The actuation system of the present invention is based upon sensing relatively small delta errors over relative short strokes as opposed to absolute travel error.

Abstract: A vibration damping system for a transmission or gearbox which includes rotatable components. A housing structure is provided for supporting and journalling an inner rotatable component drivingly coupled to a plurality of outer rotatable components defining a plural load path. A compliant bearing is disposed between the housing and the inner rotatable component. The compliant bearing includes a laminated structure having an inner bearing member journalled on the housing, an outer bearing member supporting and journalling the inner rotatable component, and a resilient damping layer sandwiched between the inner and outer bearing members. A liquid squeeze film is located between the outer bearing member and the inner rotatable component, and passages through the housing and the compliant bearing supply liquid for the squeeze film.

Abstract: A pitot pump assembly including a rotating drum 12 having a central bore 14 and a cavity 20 between its two axial ends and at least one radially extending opening 22. A stationary shaft 24 is inserted within the bore 14 and includes a plurality of fluid passages 26. The shaft 24 has one or more bearing surfaces 28 and sealing surfaces 30 between the shaft 24 and the rotating drum 12. A unitary pitot sub-assembly 32 is inserted through the radial opening 22 of the rotating drum 12 and has one or more radially extending pitot tubes 36 in which to receive fluid from within the cavity 20 of the rotating drum 12. A sleeve 48 is disposed on the rotating drum 12 for sealing the opening(s) 22 and an outer housing 52 is secured to the stationary shaft 24 and encases the rotating drum 12.

Abstract: A dual concentric shaft coupling arrangement is provided with both inner and outer rotatable assemblies. An inner assembly comprises an inner rotatable driving member, an inner rotatable driven member and an inner rotatable intermediate member that is connected therebetween. An outer assembly comprises an outer rotatable driving member, an outer rotatable driven member and an outer rotatable intermediate member connected therebetween. Both the inner and outer rotatable intermediate members comprise first and second rigid portions which are connectable to the associated driving and driven members, respectively. Between the first and second rigid portions, a compliant portion is connected for the purpose of transmitting torque between the first and second rigid portions and, consequently, between the driving and driven members. Spline arrangements are also provided in a non-contact association with each other at low magnitudes of torque.

Abstract: A deployable radiator panel system for use in spacecraft or the like for rejecting power when exposed to space. A plurality of panels are mounted in stacked juxtaposition in stored condition for rotation from the stored condition about a common axis in a fan-type manner to fully operative angular positions to form a composite panel arrangement. The panels are formed with bowtie configurations having diverging panel sections projecting from opposite sides of the axis of rotation to form a circular panel array. Drive mechanisms are provided for drawing the panels axially to a generally common plane when the panels are in their fully operative angular positions, and for drawing the panels into tight engagement with a common condenser.

Abstract: To achieve increased critical speeds in turbines, pumps and other machines by limiting overhang while eliminating secondary sealing components, a face seal is provided for a rotatable shaft. The face seal includes an annular sealing ring formed of a rigid material and having a sealing surface adapted to be disposed in a plane substantially transverse to the rotatable shaft. The face seal also includes a static seal-carrying member formed of a rigid material and spaced from the annular sealing ring at a location remote from the sealing surface. Additionally, an elastomeric seal is disposed between the annular sealing ring and the static seal-carrying member in integrally associated relation.

Abstract: A shaft coupling apparatus connects first and second rotatable members by a compliant connecting component disposed radially between portions of the first and second rotatable members. A spline arrangement is also provided for the purpose of transmitting torque between the first and second rotatable members when the magnitude of torque between these members exceeds a predefined magnitude. The spline arrangement and the compliant connecting component are disposed in axial alignment for the purpose of permitting a degree of articulation to occur between the first and second rotatable members. When transmitting torque is below the predefined value, all of the torque is transmitted from the first rotatable member to the second rotatable member through the compliant connecting component which can be any resilient material, such as an elastomeric material.

Abstract: A single-piece thermally isolated multi-point injector for a hydrazine fuel catalytic gas generator having a series of integral feed tubes each with a fuel passage and with the fuel inlet ends thereof spaced apart for ease of manufacture and inspection and associated with a distribution manifold. The feed tubes are arranged in spaced-apart circular arrays to facilitate formation thereof from an investment casting or by radial electrochemical machining cuts. The fuel injector retains the thermal isolation features of a welded or brazed capillary tube injector, but eliminates leakage points encountered in such a structure. The outlet end of each feed tube has a porous member associated therewith to obtain a uniform flow path of hydrazine fuel in all directions onto a catalyst bed.

Abstract: Liquid-vapor phase separation in reservoirs for cryogenic liquid propellants in space vehicles at zero gravity conditions is achieved through a system including a unique heat exchanger. A mixed phase inlet stream is partially separated by centrifugal force imparted to the stream by swirl inducers as the stream enters the inlet of the heat exchanger. Lesser density components are provided to the interior of a spiralled tube forming part of a heat exchanger to be condensed therein by the higher density components which are applied to such tube within the heat exchanger. Heat transfer efficiency is mzximized by making the tube of rectangular cross section and providing liquid impingement jets active on three sides of the tube and by providing a baffle which forces the heat transfer fluid to further cool the tube by convection on the remaining side thereof.

Abstract: To provide for electrical connection of electrical components through a rotating shaft in a manner facilitating assembly and disassembly of the connection for replacement of the components, a connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes an insert disposed within an insulator both of which are fixed within the rotating shaft in proximity to an opening therein, electrical terminals or contacts associated with each of the electrical components in spaced relation thereto, and a conductive bushing extending through the opening in the rotating shaft in electrically isolated relation thereto. Additionally, the connector assembly includes an externally threaded fastener for releaseably securing the electrical terminals or contacts and the conductive bushing to the insert in the insulator to electrically interconnect the electrical components in a manner accessible externally of the rotating shaft.

Abstract: An oil scavenge system for use in a generator or the like which includes a housing having a plurality of isolated compartments into which oil may leak from the coolant flow passages of the generator. A plurality of fluid jet pumps are mounted in respective internal cavities about the housing of the generator. At least one internal passageway in the housing communicates each isolated compartment with one of the fluid jet pumps, whereby oil leaking into a compartment can be withdrawn therefrom by the respective jet pump. An internal conduit in the housing delivers oil under pressure to each fluid jet pump for operating the pump. An internal flow passage in the housing from the jet pump returns the oil to an engine gearbox pump.

Abstract: Windage losses in a liquid cooled dynamoelectric machine having a stator 10 including an armature 14, a rotor 20 journalled for rotation about an axis within the armature 14, a pump 50, a sump 56 and a liquid flow path 24 within the rotor 20 are avoided through the use of a first transfer tube 58 connecting the pump 50 and one end 68 of the flow path along with a second transfer tube 92 coaxially surrounding the first transfer tube 58 and connected to the other flow path end 91 and to the sump 56.

Abstract: Liquid-vapor phase separation in reservoirs for cryogenic liquid propellants in space vehicles at zero gravity conditions is achieved through a system including a unique heat exchanger. A mixed phase inlet stream is partially separated by centrifugal force imparted to the stream by swirl inducers as the stream enters the inlet of the heat exchanger. Lesser density components are provided to the interior of a spiralled tube forming part of a heat exchanger to be condensed therein by the higher density components which are applied to such tube within the heat exchanger. Heat transfer efficiency is maximized by making the tube of rectangular cross section and providing liquid impingement jets active on three sides of the tube and by providing a baffle which forces the heat transfer fluid to further cool the tube by convection on the remaining side thereof.

Abstract: The problem of compensating for dimensional differences occuring in the length of adjacent stacks of semiconductors or other electronic components in an electrical assembly of such components is avoided through the use of a plurality of housing sections one for each stack with each housing section being comprised of stacked thin sheets of electrically conductive or electrically insulating material. Some of the sheets have cutouts to receive semiconductors. The stacks are tied together by ribbon-like flexible tabs integral with at least some of the sheets and interconnecting the housing sections. The tabs are constructed to be deformable generally independently of the other of the tabs.

Abstract: A single-piece thermally isolated multi-point injector for a hydrazine fuel catalytic gas generator having a series of integral feed tubes each with a fuel passage and with the fuel inlet ends thereof spaced apart for ease of manufacture and inspection and associated with a distribution manifold. The feed tubes are arranged in spaced-apart circular arrays to facilitate formation thereof from an investment casting or by radial electrochemical machining cuts. The fuel injector retains the thermal isolation features of a welded or brazed capillary tube injector, but eliminates leakage points encountered in such a structure. The outlet end of each feed tube has a porous member associated therewith to obtain a uniform flow path of hydrazine fuel in all directions onto a catalyst bed.

Abstract: A power boost mechanism for converting pilot linear throttle input commands to rotary motion and providing amplification of output torque to an engine fuel control and having an output shaft adapted for connection to an engine power lever assembly. An input member is movable in response to a throttle input command and power boost structure responsive to movement of the input member causes rotation of the output shaft. The mechanism further includes feedback structure associated with the output shaft and responsive to movement thereof for returning said power boost structure to a null position independently of said input member, structure automatically enabling direct operation of the output shaft by said input member when the power boost structure is inoperative, and structure responsive to a malfunction in the engine fuel control causing limited rotation of the output shaft without movement of said input member.

Abstract: A power boost mechanism for converting pilot linear throttle input commands to rotary motion and providing amplification of output torque to an engine fuel control and having an output shaft adapted for connection to an engine power lever assembly. An input member is movable in response to a throttle input command and power boost structure responsive to movement of the input member causes rotation of the output shaft. The mechanism further includes feedback structure associated with the output shaft and responsive to movement thereof for returning said power boost structure to a null position independently of said input member, structure automatically enabling direct operation of the output shaft by said input member when the power boost structure is inoperative, and structure responsive to a malfunction in the engine fuel control causing limited rotation of the output shaft without movement of said input member.