Abstract: A multiple stage pump for delivering fuel to an engine is disclosed which includes a pump housing, a boost stage operable at engine start to draw fuel into the pump housing at a boost stage pressure, a first pumping stage operable upon engine start for receiving fuel from the boost stage and delivering the fuel from the pump housing to a fuel metering unit, a second pumping stage operable upon engine start and during engine cruise operation for receiving fuel from the boost stage and delivering the fuel from the pump housing to said fuel metering unit, and a switching valve in fluid communication with the first and second pumping stages, and configured to control fuel flow through the first pumping stage in dependence on changes in boost stage conditions such as pressure or shaft speed.

Abstract: A fuel system including a fuel pump metering unit (FPMU) for delivering fuel to an engine manifold with an ecology valve for draining and storing fuel from the engine manifold. The ecology valve includes a housing having a piston dividing the housing into a first side in fluid communication with an output of the FPMU and a second side in fluid communication with the engine manifold. An assembly connected between the FPMU and engine manifold selectively creates a pressure differential across the first and second side of the housing when the FPMU delivers fuel to the engine manifold. In a run position, the piston moves to decrease a volume within the housing interior as a result of the pressure differential. In a drain position, the piston moves to increase the housing volume within the interior and thereby pull and store fuel from the engine manifold.

Abstract: A fuel system including a fuel pump metering unit (FPMU) for delivering fuel to an engine manifold with an ecology valve for draining and storing fuel from the engine manifold. The ecology valve includes a housing having a piston dividing the housing into a first side in fluid communication with an output of the FPMU and a second side in fluid communication with the engine manifold. An assembly connected between the FPMU and engine manifold selectively creates a pressure differential across the first and second side of the housing when the FPMU delivers fuel to the engine manifold. In a run position, the piston moves to decrease a volume within the housing interior as a result of the pressure differential. In a drain position, the piston moves to increase the housing volume within the interior and thereby pull and store fuel from the engine manifold.

Abstract: A multiple stage pump for delivering fuel to an engine is disclosed which includes a pump housing, a boost stage operable at engine start to draw fuel into the pump housing at a boost stage pressure, a first pumping stage operable upon engine start for receiving fuel from the boost stage and delivering the fuel from the pump housing to a fuel metering unit, a second pumping stage operable upon engine start and during engine cruise operation for receiving fuel from the boost stage and delivering the fuel from the pump housing to said fuel metering unit, and a switching valve in fluid communication with the first and second pumping stages, and configured to control fuel flow through the first pumping stage in dependence on changes in boost stage conditions such as pressure or shaft speed.

Abstract: A vane pump is disclosed for use with gas turbine engines that is adapted and configured to provide a failure mode similar to that of a traditional gear pump. The vane pump includes a pump housing, a cam member, a cylindrical rotor member and a mechanism for communicating a high pressure fluid from the discharge arc region to the inlet arc region when the tip surface of each vane element has experienced a predetermined amounted of wear so as to prevent pump startup. The tip surface of each vane element wears as a result the sliding contact with the circumferential surface of the pumping cavity.

Abstract: A vane pump is disclosed for use with gas turbine engines which has pressurized fluid supplied to the undervane portion of the vane elements to balance the forces imparted thereon. The vane pump includes a pump housing, a cam member, a cylindrical rotor member and a chamber. The chamber is defined within the housing and positioned for fluid communication with the undervane portion of each vane element to provide a desired pressure thereto. The chamber is in fluid communication with a first pressure source and a second pressure source, wherein the first pressure source is associated with the discharge arc segment of the pumping cavity, and the second pressure source is associated with the inlet arc segment of the pumping cavity.

Abstract: A light bar contains one or more rows of light-emitting diodes (LED's) in a housing which extends across substantially the entire width of a windshield of a vehicle and is narrow in width to minimize interference with visibility through the windshield. The LED's are arranged in banks generally symmetrically arrayed about the center of the length of the housing. Two of the banks, preferably equidistant from the center, are tilted in opposite directions to each other so as to project light toward the right side and left side of the vehicle. A mechanism is provided for displacing and tilting the housing and may use pivotal arms attached to the end of the housing or adjustable Z-shaped hangers attached preferably to clamps such as visor clips already on the vehicle.

Abstract: A multi-mode shutdown system in combination with a fuel metering unit of an engine to prevent normal fuel delivery during engine malfunction such as the engine overspeeding. The multi-mode shutdown system includes a shutdown solenoid capable of closing a pressurizing valve to prevent fuel flow to the engine for creating a shutdown mode of operation with no fuel flow to the engine. The multi-mode shutdown system also includes a minimum flow solenoid in fluid communication a source of fuel at a minimum flow rate for creating a minimum flow mode of operation with fuel provided to the engine at the minimal flow rate. In the minimum flow mode, the shutdown solenoid and minimum flow solenoid establish a flow path for the fuel to the engine manifold at the minimal flow rate. During normal operation, the fuel metering unit regulates the fuel flow to the engine.

Abstract: A fuel metering unit for controlling a variable displacement pump including a main metering valve in fluid communication with the pump for metering an output of the pump, a pressure regulator in fluid communication with the metering valve to create a spill return and a control valve in fluid communication with the pressure regulator and the pump for regulating the spill return flow so the spill return flow is maintained substantially constant at a low level to minimize the heat generated by recirculation by setting a displacement of the pump.

Abstract: A fuel metering unit including a pump having a rotor with a plurality of slots. The pump also includes a pivotally movable cam ring coaxially arranged with respect to the rotor. Vanes are slideably disposed in the slots for maintaining contact with the cam ring during movement thereof. A servovalve has a motor and nozzles operatively connected to the pump such that increased flow through the first nozzle pivots the ring of the pump toward maximum while increased flow through the second nozzle pivots the ring toward minimum. An arm extends between the nozzles for varying fluid flow therethrough. The arm couples to the motor such that the motor moves the arm. A flow meter connects to the pump and an end of the arm for applying a force against the arm to assist in maintaining position of the arm.

Abstract: A light bar contains one or more rows of light-emitting diodes (LED's) in a housing which extends across substantially the entire width of a windshield of a vehicle and is narrow in width to minimize interference with visibility through the windshield. The housing has an interior forming a channel with a throat; the throat acting as a hood which directs the illumination out of the windshield and minimizes stray light. The LED's are arranged in banks generally symmetrically arrayed about the center of the length of the housing. Two of the banks, preferably equidistant from the center, are tilted in opposite directions to each other so as to project light toward the right side and left side of the vehicle. The LED's may be illuminated continuously or in selected sequence, as established by the user with a switch on the housing. Attached to the housing in a separate compartment is another bank of LED's which may direct light inside the vehicle for use as a dome or map light.

Abstract: A fuel metering unit for controlling a variable displacement pump including a main metering valve in fluid communication with the pump for metering an output of the pump, a pressure regulator in fluid communication with the metering valve to create a spill return and a control valve in fluid communication with the pressure regulator and the pump for regulating the spill return flow so the spill return flow is maintained substantially constant at a low level to minimize the heat generated by recirculation by setting a displacement of the pump.

Abstract: A fuel metering unit including a pump having a rotor with a plurality of slots. The pump also includes a pivotally movable cam ring coaxially arranged with respect to the rotor. Vanes are slideably disposed in the slots for maintaining contact with the cam ring during movement thereof. A servovalve has a motor and nozzles operatively connected to the pump such that increased flow through the first nozzle pivots the ring of the pump toward maximum while increased flow through the second nozzle pivots the ring toward minimum. An arm extends between the nozzles for varying fluid flow therethrough. The arm couples to the motor such that the motor moves the arm. A flow meter connects to the pump and an end of the arm for applying a force against the arm to assist in maintaining position of the arm.

Abstract: A vane pump is disclosed for use with gas turbine engines that is adapted and configured to provide a failure mode similar to that of a traditional gear pump. The vane pump includes a pump housing, a cam member, a cylindrical rotor member and a mechanism for communicating a high pressure fluid from the discharge arc region to the inlet arc region when the tip surface of each vane element has experienced a predetermined amounted of wear so as to prevent pump startup. The tip surface of each vane element wears as a result the sliding contact with the circumferential surface of the pumping cavity.

Abstract: An adjustable fixed displacement vane pump is disclosed which includes a pump housing defining an interior pumping chamber having a central axis extending therethrough, a rotor member mounted for rotational movement within the interior pumping chamber of the pump housing about an axis aligned with the central axis of the interior pumping chamber, the rotor member having a central vane section with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart radial vane slots formed therein, each vane slot supporting a corresponding vane element mounted for radial movement therein, and each vane element having an outer tip surface, a cam member mounted for pivotal movement within the interior pumping chamber of the pump housing about a fulcrum axis extending parallel to the central axis of the rotor member, the cam member defining a cam body having a circular bore extending therethrough for receiving the rotor member, the circular bore forming a cam chamber defining a cam surface making continuous contact with the outer tip

Abstract: A vane pump is disclosed for use with gas turbine engines which has pressurized fluid supplied to the undervane portion of the vane elements to balance the forces imparted thereon. The vane pump includes a pump housing, a cam member, a cylindrical rotor member and a chamber. The chamber is defined within the housing and positioned for fluid communication with the undervane portion of each vane element to provide a desired pressure thereto. The chamber is in fluid communication with a first pressure source and a second pressure source, wherein the first pressure source is associated with the discharge arc segment of the pumping cavity, and the second pressure source is associated with the inlet arc segment of the pumping cavity.

Abstract: A vane pump is disclosed for use with gas turbine engines adapted and configured to provide a failure mode similar to that of a traditional gear pump. The vane pump includes a pump housing, a cam member, a cylindrical rotor member and a mechanism for communicating a high pressure fluid from the discharge arc region to the inlet arc region when the tip surface of each vane element has experienced a predetermined amounted of wear so as to prevent pump startup. The wearing of the tip surface of each vane element resulting from the slideable engagement with the circumferential surface of the pumping cavity.

Abstract: A vane pump is disclosed for use with gas turbine engines which has pressurized fluid supplied to the undervane portion of the vane elements to balance the forces imparted thereon. The vane pump includes a pump housing, a cam member, a cylindrical rotor member and a chamber. The chamber is defined within the housing and positioned for fluid communication with the undervane portion of each vane element to provide a desired pressure thereto. The chamber is in fluid communication with a first pressure source and a second pressure source, wherein the first pressure source is associated with the discharge arc segment of the pumping cavity, and the second pressure source is associated with the inlet arc segment of the pumping cavity.