Abstract: A locking system including a combination of a multistrand locking wire and a ferrule bearing an identification mark for preventing threaded fasteners on a device from loosening due to vibration, each of the fasteners having an aperture for receiving the locking wire. The ferrule with an identification mark serves as a seal for identification and for preventing tampering with the device. The identification mark can be either premarked on the ferrule before system installation, or be applied to the ferrule during system installation, such as by shaping the crimped deformation on the ferrule into an identification pattern.

Abstract: A drive system for auxiliaries associated with a main gas turbine engine. The system includes auxiliary turbines for pneumatically driving the auxiliaries which are in turn divided into groups. A high pressure supply is tapped from the main engine or starter system and fed to the intakes of the respective auxiliary turbines. Controllers are associated with each of the auxiliary turbines to independently control the speeds of those turbines. Thus, the auxiliaries can be segregated between a group which is essential for starting the main engine, and a non-essential group. The former group is driven during starting while the latter group remains quiescent. Alternatively, the auxiliaries can be divided into one group mechanically coupled to the main engine and at least one other group driven by at least one auxiliary turbine.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for an aircraft gas turbine engine which provides a monitor intended to estimate, from actual engine starting or operating conditions, whether the fuel delivery system is capable of meeting predetermined operating specifications, such as adequate capacity for a windmill restart. The differential pressure regulating valve, which is normally provided to maintain a constant pressure drop across the metering valve which meters fuel to the jet turbine engine, has a position monitor associated therewith. A signal relating to the regulating valve position is processed along with a signal indicating the corresponding actual engine operating conditions, to determine "excess capacity" at the operating condition and estimate from the information whether the engine will likely be capable of meeting worst case demands.

Abstract: A multiplexed hydraulic control system which avoids the use of a rotary multiplexer and thereby allows for random selection of the multiplexed outlet ports and variable dwell times for the respective ports. A single hydraulic input is multiplexed among a plurality of hydraulic outputs. A control system provides two types of signals: (1) modulation signals selected from a plurality of multiplexed input signals for producing a modulating hydraulic flow, and (2) selector signals for operating on the multiplexer means to route the modulated signal to the appropriately selected channel.

Abstract: A time division multiplexed (TDM) hydraulic control system having a plurality of channels, each channel having a servo actuator. Electrical demand signals are arranged in TDM sequence and applied to a single multiplexed pilot valve so that the pilot valve produces a plurality of hydraulic signals. Commutator means are associated with the pilot valve for distributing the hydraulic signals to the associated channels. In order to achieve useful output flow rates in the channels, each channel includes a second stage valve which integrates the hydraulic signals for its channel to produce an output flow rate which is a function of the integrated signal. The flow rates are continuously produced (as compared to the multiplexed output signals) and are coupled to actuators in the channels for controllably adjusting the position thereof. Feedback means associated with the actuators includes rate feedback for stabilizing the multiplexed control loops.

Abstract: A missile is initially propelled through space by the burning of solid fuel in a combustor. The heat produced by the combustion of such fuel is used to vaporize a liquid, the pressurized vapor being used to pump liquid fuel to the combustor after the solid fuel has been depleted.