Abstract:
A binary valve (40) for use in an anti-lock brake system having an electronic control unit (12) responsive to a wheel speed sensor (14) for optimizing the utilization of pressurized fluid to front (20, 22) and rear (24, 26) wheels during a brake application. The binary valve (40) is responsive to an input signal from the electronic control unit (12) derived by calculating when a complete stop (54) of a vehicle would occur and at approximately five seconds prior to such complete stop (54) decaying the fluid pressure supplied to the front (20, 22) brakes to provide a transition (58) between the rate of deceleration (52) and a delayed complete stop location (58).
Abstract:
A polymeric film having superior oxygen barrier properties comprising at least five layers with at least one exterior layer comprised of polyester, one exterior layer selected from the group consisting of a polyester, an aliphatic polyamide, and an aliphatic/aromatic polyamide, an interior layer of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer or a blend of an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer and an aliphatic/aromatic polyamide, and a modified polyolefin adhesive layer between each exterior layer and the interior layer.
Abstract:
An optical illumination system comprising a waveguide (16) that accepts light generated by a diffuse light source (14) and transmits the light via total internal reflection. Attached on one face of the waveguide is an array of microprisms (90), with each microprism (90) having a light input surface (92) parallel to a light output surface (94) and at least two sidewalls (96, 98) tilted at an angle from the direction normal to the surface of the waveguide (16) such that light escapes from the waveguide, reflects off the tilted sidewalls (96, 98) and emerges from the microprism (90) as a spatially directed light source. An array of microlenses (80) may be positioned to accept the output of the microprisms (90) so that the light exiting from the microlenses (80) is a substantially collimated light source. The optical illumination system is advantageous for any application that requires a non diffuse or substantially collimated that is both energy efficient and contained in a low profile assembly.
Abstract:
A gas turbine engine has a low cost combustor liner cooling sytem combining the benefits of high internal heat removal with improved film cooling by employing a large number of strategically positioned, laser-drilled cooling passages (28). Cooling air flows through these specially tailored passages (28) to absorb heat from the liner (20) prior to injection as a protective film on the interior surface. The passages (28) are set in staggered rows on a thickened portion of the liner (20) and have a rough internal heat transfer surface and an exit with a steep injection angle (34B) to evenly distribute the cooling film along the interior surfac of the liner.
Abstract:
A method of attenuating audible sounds generated during a brake application through the engagement of a friction member (10, 30) with a rotating member. The brake is evaluated by modal and frequency response analysis to determine the natural frequencies generated during a brake application and identify the natural frequencies that create audible sounds. The locations on the friction member (10, 30) are identified which are most sensitive to generate audible sounds. Thereafter, portions (12-18, 32-54) of the friction material at the most sensitive locations are removed to change the natural frequency and attenuate the development of audible sounds.
Abstract:
A spark plug for an internal combustion engine is provided with a fine wire platinum firing tip. The platinum tip is preformed in a rivet before being welded to the center electrode during manufacture of the spark plug. Accordingly, the amount of platinum required is closely controlled.
Abstract:
An electromagnetically-excited silicon micromachined vibrating beam accelerometer (40) includes a proof mass or pendulum (44) attached to an outer casing (42) by way of a pair of flexures (46) defining a hinge axis HA. A double-ended tuning fork (DETF) (48) is connected between the proof mass (44) and the casing (42) along an axis generally perpendicular to the hinge axis (HA) defining a sensitive axis SA such that forces applied along the hinge axis HA will cause the DETF (48) to go into either compression or tension. Electromagnetic excitation causes the vibrating beams (52, 54, 102, 104, 106, 108, 134, 136) to vibrate at a resonant frequency when the proof mass (44) is at rest. In response to a force along the sensitive axis SA, the vibrating beams (52, 54, 102, 104, 106, 108, 134, 136) go into either tension or compression resulting in a change in the resonant frequency which, in turn, is used as a measure of the force. The excitation includes a magnetic field B, applied in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the DETF (48) and perpendicular to the sensitive axis SA. In order to eliminate the effects of variations in the resistance path of the vibrating beams (52, 54, 102, 104, 106, 108, 134, 136) due to either manufacturing tolerances and temperature, the DETF (48) in accordance with the present invention is formed as a dual-port device with separate conducting paths for the drive circuit and the pick-off circuit. By providing separate conducting paths, the effects of changes in the resistance path of the drive circuit have little effect on the overall performance of the oscillator. Since the beams (52, 54, 102, 104, 106, 108, 134, 136) are separated, the DETFs (48) are configured to provide sufficient mechanical coupling of the beams (52, 54, 102, 104, 106, 108, 134, 136) forming the DETF (48).
Abstract:
Hydrofluoroalkanes useful as solvents, especially for vapor degreasing and solvent cleaning, are one or many of the above mentioned formulae.
Abstract:
A redundant electrical drive motor has a rotor assembly including a pair of coaxial permanent magnet sections (2, 4) and a pair of stator assemblies (16, 18), one for each of the magnet sections (2, 4). The magnet sections and the stator assemblies are mounted in tandem. The arrangement described minimizes motor size and weight and achieves high reliability and efficiency for applications where a back-up or redundant capability is required.
Abstract:
The drum brake (10) comprises a backing plate (11) having an anchor block (15) and shoe retainer (17) attached thereto, a parking brake lever (40) connected with one (14) of a pair of drum brake shoes (12, 14), a first pair of drum brake shoe ends (16, 18) engaging an actuation mechanism (20) and a second pair of drum brake shoe ends (22, 24) engaging the anchor block (15). A cam mechanism (50) is attached pivotally to the backing plate (11) and extends transversely relative to the plane of the backing plate (11). A parking brake cable (72) extends through an opening (25) in the backing plate (11) and is connected with the cam mechanism (50) and a second, shorter cable (70) extends between the cam mechanism (50) and an end (42) of the parking brake lever (40). Retraction of the parking brake cable (72) effects a greater displacement of the shorter cable (70) and parking brake lever (40) to effect a parking brake application.