Abstract: A blade fixing and blade mounting slot arrangement for a gas turbine engine has a mismatch fit along a portion of the length of the blade fixing and slot where contact stress would otherwise be maximal.

Abstract: An undercut is provided in a gas turbine engine disk to smooth out an uneven axial distribution of radial stress in the disk. The undercut is defined radially inwardly of the blade attachment slots provided at the periphery of the disk.

Abstract: A cold forging apparatus for forming complex shapes at a single station includes a first multiple function punch assembly having an inner and outer punch. A third punch or a second multiple function punch assembly is provided in a confronting relationship with the first multiple function punch assembly. A conveyor conveys a metal work piece from a supply source to a loading/unloading area between the first multiple function punch assembly and the third punch or second multiple function punch assembly. The conveyor includes a pivot assembly, a moveable J-shaped robot arm having an end effector fixed to one end thereof to rotate about the pivot assembly. A servo actuator and crank arm connected to one end thereof rotate the robot arm and end effector to convey a metal work piece from a supply source to a loading/unloading position and for conveying a forged product from the loading/unloading position to a storage area.

Abstract: A tuning notch is defined preferably in the back of a blade root to tune the blade natural frequency in a gas turbine engine.

Abstract: An undercut is provided in a gas turbine engine disk to smooth out an uneven axial distribution of radial stress in the disk. The undercut is defined radially inwardly of the blade attachment slots provided at the periphery of the disk.

Abstract: A blade fixing and blade mounting slot arrangement for a gas turbine engine has a mismatch fit along a portion of the length of the blade fixing and slot where contact stress would otherwise be maximal.

Abstract: A cold forging apparatus for forming complex shapes at a single station includes a pair of confronting multiple function punch assemblies disposed on a common axis. Each of the multiple function punch assemblies includes an inner or a center punch and an outer or ring-shaped punch surrounding and in sliding contact with the inner punch. The apparatus also includes a die holder for positioning a mass or slug of metal between the punches. A computer system controls movement of the punches and is programmable to form parts of different shapes at a single station.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for a gas turbine engine, having a rotor member with axially spaced-apart front and rear end portions. A thermal shield is located axially downstream of the rear end portion of the rotor for thermally shielding the same from the hot surrounding environment. The thermal shield includes a rear coverplate and an axial gap between the rear coverplate and the rear end portion of the rotor member.

Abstract: A cold forging apparatus for forming complex shapes at a single station includes a first multiple function punch assembly having an inner and outer punch. A third punch or a second multiple function punch assembly is provided in a confronting relationship with the first multiple function punch assembly. A conveyor conveys a metal work piece from a supply source to a loading/unloading area between the first multiple function punch assembly and the third punch or second multiple function punch assembly. The conveyor includes a pivot assembly, a moveable J-shaped robot arm having an end effector fixed to one end thereof to rotate about the pivot assembly. A servo actuator and crank arm connected to one end thereof rotate the robot arm and end effector to convey a metal work piece from a supply source to a loading/unloading position and for conveying a forged product from the loading/unloading position to a storage area.

Abstract: A tactile feedback device such as a bumper or prod located to give the operator of a wheeled vehicle tactile feedback when the leg of the operator is in operable position to depress the brake pedal. Preferably, the feedback device is locatably adjustably fixed to the body of the vehicle in a location causing contact when the leg of the operator is in an ergonomically comfortable and ordinary position for depressing the brake. Illustratively, the device may depend from the steering column of a passenger automobile. In an alternative embodiment, the feedback device is readily removable from the vehicle. In a further alternative embodiment, contact characteristics may be adjusted to be, at one end of a range of adjustment a soft contact, at the other end of a range of adjustment a solid, unyielding contact, or any intermediate between the two ends of the range of adjustment.

Abstract: A cold forging apparatus for forming complex shapes at a single station includes a pair of confronting multiple function punch assemblies disposed on a common axis. Each of the multiple function punch assemblies includes an inner or a center punch and an outer or ring-shaped punch surrounding and in sliding contact with the inner punch. The apparatus also includes a die holder for positioning a mass or slug of metal between the punches. A computer system controls movement of the punches and is programmable to form parts of different shapes at a single station.

Abstract: A cold forging apparatus for forming complex shapes at a single station includes a plurality of multiple function punch assemblies disposed on intersecting axes. Each of the multiple function punch assemblies includes an inner or a center punch and an outer or ring-shaped punch surrounding and in sliding contact with the inner punch. The apparatus also includes a die holder for positioning a mass or slug of metal between the punches. A computer system controls movement of the punches and is programmable to form parts of different shapes at a single station. Off axis punches and angularly offset punches and an additional punch or punch assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tactile feedback device such as a bumper or prod located to give the operator of a wheeled vehicle tactile feedback when the leg of the operator is in operable position to depress the brake pedal. Preferably, the feedback device is locatably adjustably fixed to the body of the vehicle in a location causing contact when the leg of the operator is in an ergonomically comfortable and ordinary position for depressing the brake. Illustratively, the device may depend from the steering column of a passenger automobile. In an alternative embodiment, the feedback device is readily removable from the vehicle. In a further alternative embodiment, contact characteristics may be adjusted to be, at one end of a range of adjustment a soft contact, at the other end of a range of adjustment a solid, unyielding contact, or any intermediate between the two ends of the range of adjustment.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for a gas turbine engine, having a rotor member with axially spaced-apart front and rear end portions. A thermal shield is located axially downstream of the rear end portion of the rotor for thermally shielding the same from the hot surrounding environment. The thermal shield includes a rear coverplate and an axial gap between the rear coverplate and the rear end portion of the rotor member.

Abstract: A self-centering twist drill bit 20 is formed with a "fishtail" cutting section 32 having major cutting lips 72 and 74 on a working end 26 thereof at a point angle of 190.degree.. Tip relief surfaces 76 and 78 trail cutting lips 72 and 74. A pilot tip 38 on the working end 26 extends axially from the "fishtail" cutting section 32 and is formed with a split point having leading cutting edges 40 and 42 and minor cutting lips 46 and 48. Outer surfaces 58 and 60 of pilot tip 38 are each formed with a radial relief and a back taper and joins with cutting section 32 along fillets 92 and 100 which are also radially relieved.

Abstract: A modified Phillips-type screwdriver bit is disclosed that is fully compatible with a standard Phillips-head fastener, and is designed to significantly increase the level of torque that can be applied to the fastener while at the same time substantially reducing the cam-out forces normally produced by a standard Phillips screwdriver bit. These results are accomplished by forming generated surfaces along the side walls of the bit wings so that when the bit is initially inserted into a standard Phillips-head fastener, lines of contact occur between the bit and recess adjacent and parallel to the roots of the bit wings. In this manner, the application of torque is confined to the sides of the bit wings even as applied torque levels increase.

Abstract: A self-centering twist drill bit 20 is formed with a "fishtail" cutting section 32 having major cutting lips 72 and 74 on a working end 26 thereof at a point angle of 190.degree.. Tip relief surfaces 76 and 78 trail cutting lips 72 and 74. A pilot tip 38 on the working end 26 extends axially from the "fishtail" cutting section 32 and is formed with a split point having leading cutting edges 40 and 42 and minor cutting lips 46 and 48. Outer surfaces 58 and 60 of pilot tip 38 are each formed with a radial relief and a back taper and joins with cutting section 32 along fillets 92 and 100 which are also radially relieved.

Abstract: An inertial bulk material dispensing device for transporting and propellantly dispensing bulk material including an endless belt movably supported along a conveyor path, an impeller wheel drivingly positioned to engage the endless belt and to drive the same at a high linear velocity along said path so that as bulk material, such as wheat, sand, salt or any other like bulk material is presented to said belt, it is rapidly transported by said belt along said path and propelled to a predisposed location.