Abstract: Vapor compression systems are supplemented with a charge control loop that includes a discharge control valve, a transfer pump, and a mass storage vessel configured to add or remove refrigerant to or from the refrigeration loop during operation to optimize efficiency according to variations in thermal load. Methods for operating the vapor control systems include adjusting the refrigerant charge in the refrigeration loop by activating the discharge control valve to remove refrigerant or by activating the transfer pump to add refrigerant, thereby maintaining optimal pressure and temperature conditions in the refrigeration loop over large variations in environmental temperatures. Refrigerant removed from the refrigeration loop through the discharge control valve may be held in the mass storage vessel until subsequently being added back into the refrigeration loop by the transfer pump.

Abstract: Control methods for vapor compression systems and multiple-load vapor compression systems having one or more refrigeration loops include selecting a desired set-point temperature range for a load temperature at one or more load locations. The vapor compression system is then operated to transfer heat from the one or more load locations to a rejection location. While the vapor compression system is operating, a control apparatus continually adjusts various parameters. A capacity of an adjustable-capacity compressor is adjusted to maintain with respect to an evaporator load a maximum low-side pressure of the refrigeration loop as measured by a first sensor. An adjustable rejection capacity of a rejection apparatus is adjusted to maintain a minimum high-side pressure of the refrigeration loop as measured by a second sensor. An adjustable opening of an expansion valve is adjusted to maintain a load temperature measured by the third sensor within the desired set-point temperature range.

Abstract: A direct metering fuel supply system includes a plurality of axial gap motors, a fixed displacement, variable speed positive displacement piston pump, and a gas turbine engine control. Each axial gap motor is configured to be selectively energized and is operable, upon being energized, to supply a drive torque at a drive speed. The fixed displacement, variable speed positive displacement piston pump is coupled to each of the axial gap motors to receive the drive torque selectively supplied therefrom and is operable, upon receipt of the drive torque, to supply fuel at a flow rate dependent on the drive speed. The gas turbine engine control is adapted to receive fuel flow commands and is operable, in response to the fuel flow commands, to energize one of the plurality of axial gap motors.

Abstract: A photonic proximity sensor and photonic sensor system are provided. The photonic proximity sensor includes a first light source, a second light source, and a magneto-optic device. The magneto-optic device receives light emitted from the first and second light sources, and is responsive to variations of a magnetic field to rotate the light from one of the sources significantly more than the light from the other light source.

Abstract: A torque balance servo is provided for use in conjunction with a fluidly-controlled device. The torque balance servo includes a pivoting table assembly and an electromagnetic force bias mechanism. The pivoting table assembly includes: (i) a pivoting table configured to pivot about a rotational axis, and (ii) a roller assembly mechanically coupled to the fluidly-controlled device and contacting a surface of the pivoting table. The electromagnetic force bias mechanism is disposed proximate the pivoting table assembly and configured to exert a variable torsional force about the rotational axis of the pivoting table.

Abstract: A direct metering fuel supply system includes a plurality of axial gap motors, a fixed displacement, variable speed positive displacement piston pump, and a gas turbine engine control. Each axial gap motor is configured to be selectively energized and is operable, upon being energized, to supply a drive torque at a drive speed. The fixed displacement, variable speed positive displacement piston pump is coupled to each of the axial gap motors to receive the drive torque selectively supplied therefrom and is operable, upon receipt of the drive torque, to supply fuel at a flow rate dependent on the drive speed. The gas turbine engine control is adapted to receive fuel flow commands and is operable, in response to the fuel flow commands, to energize one of the plurality of axial gap motors.

Abstract: A fuel control valve (100) includes a rotary throttling valve assembly (4,7) providing one or more of the benefits of being lightweight, having a relatively low power consumption, having a fail-closed structure and/or zero leakage. The fuel control valve (100) is a rotary, throttling valve that is actuated via a rotary torque motor (70). The valve (7) can be spring loaded for providing positive shutoff. Position indication of the valve (7) is obtained via a position sensor (31) and cam (13) mounted to the throttling valve shaft at a driven end (98). In a de-energized state, a torsion spring (45) is provided that is loaded to rotate the valve (7) to the closed position. The fuel control valve (100) may be advantageously utilized in extreme operating environments, e.g., such as extreme temperature and vibration environments found in missile control fuel systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to a micro-optic switch used for transmitting optical signals between optical fibers. More particularly, the invention pertains to a micro-optic switch using polymer structures to position a microactuator and optical fibers on a substrate so that the microactuator can move an optical fiber cantilever between two fixed fibers to transmit optical signals between either one of the fixed fibers and the cantilever fiber. Using polymers instead of micromachined structures to position components of the switch reduces cost and simplifies assembly. The invention further provides processes for producing a micro-optic switch and for switching the path of an optical signal.

Abstract: A high response valve (10) has a leaf spring (25) preloaded and positioned over an orifice plate (23). The orifice plate (23) has a plurality of interleaved ridges (62, 64) and grooves (61, 63, 65) with the grooves being in continuous communication with a valve inlet (13, 19). A plurality of slits or openings (49, 51) in the aperture plate (23) are in continuous communication with a valve outlet (21), each opening (49, 51) passing through a corresponding ridge (62, 64). A pair of electromechanical transducers (27, 29), each comprising a generally cylindrical stack of piezo-electric disks having a central axis (71), actuate the valve (10). One end of each stack (27, 29) is adjustably fixed relative to the housing by adjustment screws (41, 43), and a cap (35, 37) at the other end of the stack couples the stack to a corresponding spring (25) end. Each cap (35, 37) includes a notch (39) for engaging and maintaining a corresponding spring end near the corresponding central axis (71).

Abstract: A sensor for use in an optic system to detect current conditions in an environment. The sensor has a crystal member with a first waveguide extending from a top surface and a second waveguide extending from a bottom surface of a core member. Polarized light waves from a source are simultaneously communicated to the first and second waveguides. A first pressure is communicated to the top surface of the crystal member and an unknown pressure corresponding to the pressure of the environment is communicated to the bottom surface of the crystal member. The first pressure and the unknown pressure develop a pressure differential which acts on the crystal member to deform the first and second waveguides. The deformation of the first and second waveguides modifies the polarized light waves to create first and second output waves which are communicated to an optical interface where differences therebetween are extracted.

Abstract: A sensor for use in an optical temperature detector system having a birefringent element made of a single crystal metal oxide plate. A broad band light spectrum is transmitted through a first linear polarizing element to create a linearly polarized wave. The linearly polarized wave on passing through the single crystal metal oxide plate decomposes into first and second orthogonally polarized waves. Propagation of the linearly polarized wave through the birefringent single crystal metal oxide plate introduces a temperature dependent phase shift between the two waves. Thereafter, a second linear polarizer combines the first and second orthogonally polarized waves to create a modulated light spectrum having a fringe pattern, the fringe pattern being a function of the current temperature experienced by said birefringent element.

Abstract: An arrangement and technique for decoding optical wave division multiplexed Manchester Gray coded serial binary signals is disclosed wherein synchronization information is utilized to establish a preferred timing of bits of data and then the incoming signal is monitored to detect data bits appearing within prescribed bounds of permissible timing variation from the preferred timing. When a bit is detected within these prescribed bounds, it is reset to appear at the time at which it should have occurred according to the preferred timing.

Abstract: An optically controlled fluid powered actuator is disclosed and includes a primary fluid valve positioning transducer which responds to optical binary coded control words to position a fluid. The actuator has a pair of opposed stacks of piezoelectric elements with the relative length of the piezoelectric elements in each stack being in the same ratios as the relative weights of bits in the control words. There are two sets of optically actuated electrical switches each responsive to control words to energize corresponding ones of the piezoelectric elements in an associated stack of elements. A first class lever has one end coupled to a controlling portion of a fluid valve and the other end interposed between the stacks of piezoelectric elements so that the lever can translate motion of elements in a piezoelectric stack into fluid valve actuation. A fluid powered electrical generator provides the sole source of electrical energy for the piezoelectric elements.

Abstract: An optical spectral analyzer (10) for receiving an input beam (30) through a multi-mode optic fiber (28). The input or beam (30) has a predetermined spectral band width. The random individual spectral components of the beam (30) are dispersed by a grating (40) to generate a spectrum (42, 42' . . . 42.sup.N). A detector (52) senses the magnitude of the elements in a reflected focused spectrum (50, 50' . . . 50.sup.N) to recover the information placed on the optic fiber (28) at a remote location by a spectrum encoding device.

Abstract: An electro-optic speed sensor for sensing the speed of rotation of a rotating sending unit which includes an optical switch transducer for sensing disturbances in a magnetic field caused by the passage of a rotating magnetic sending wheel on the rotating member. The optical switch transducer uses a Faraday material and provides its signal by rotating the polarity of polarized light from a first source of light having a first bandwidth while allowing a second source of light having a second bandwidth to pass through unaffected. The first and second sources of light are thereafter, reflected within the transducer. The disturbances in the magnetic field generate an optical signal resulting from changes in the Faraday rotation. A photodetector receives the light from the first source to develop an operational signal corresponding to the speed of rotation of the rotating member and light from the second source to check on the continuity of the sensor system.

Abstract: The invention is a temperature sensor which uses the variation in the critical angle between two optically transparent media, at least one of which has an index of refraction variable as a function of temperature, to variably refract and reflect portions of a spectrum incident on the junction of the media at angles less than and greater than the critical angle to produce an optical signal variable as a function of temperature.