Abstract:
A workpiece is machined to preselected dimensions and tolerances using a computer numerically controlled machining system by probing the workpiece in the area to be machined to generate data representative of the actual position, generating a polynomial equation representative of the region of the workpiece to be machined using the measured data and preselected data indicative of the desired after machining dimensions of the workpiece generating machine tool instructions based on the generated equation, and using the instructions to machine the workpiece to the desired configuration. The method is also useful for machining features not directly measurable but relatable to the measured feature, and for machining parts where the acceptable tolerance of the mated assembly in less than the normal capability of the machining system to produce close-tolerance parts.
Abstract:
An engine failure monitor (50) for use with a multi-engine aircraft having at least two engines detects conditions indicative of a partial (700) or total (400) engine failure, including turbine shaft failures (600). In response to an engine failure, suitable inputs (134, 138, 712) are provided to an electronic engine control for operating the remaining engine. Additionally, indications indicative of the engine failure (132, 710) are provided to the cockpit.
Abstract:
During operation of a flight control system in a coordinated area bombing mode, one pair in a group of pairs of fire control azimuth coordinate error signal and elevation coordinate error signals (145) are faded-in as the aircraft yaw attitude reference and pitch attitude reference, respectively. Each pair is respectively indicative of the change in aircraft yaw attitude and pitch attitude for an aircraft reference axis to be aligned with an aiming line of sight. The aiming line of sight corresponds to a target location within a selected target area. A firing signal (685) is provided in response to both the azimuth and elevation coordinate error signals being below respective threshold magnitudes, and the next pair in the group of pairs of azimuth and elevation coordinate error signals provide the aircraft attitude reference. A selected weapon is fired in response to the firing signal.
Abstract:
A power supply for providing a symmetric drive for an AC electroluminescent (EL) display panel includes a single power supply which provides two voltage signal values of opposite polarity Vpos, Vneg to the panel's row drivers. The supply also corrects the difference between the two voltage signal values Vpos, Vneg as a function of the difference between the maximum column driver voltage value Vcol and its nominal value to reduce latent images on the display panel. By utilizing a single switching regulator to generate the opposite polarity row voltages Vpos, Vneg the circuit complexity and cost associated with providing a symmetric drive for an EL panel is reduced.
Abstract:
Single crystal superalloy castings are described which have excellent oxidation resistance. The oxidation resistance is due to the presence of small but effective amounts of magnesium in the casting. Single crystal castings containing magnesium in the range of 5-200 parts per million, by weight, are described. Up to 100 % of the magnesium could be substituted by an equal atomic percent of calcium. The superalloy further consists essentially of, by weight percent, 1-12 chromium, 2-12 cobalt, 0-2.5 molybdenum, 3-10 tungsten, 0-8 rhenium, 2.5-13 tantalum, 0-2 titanium, 4.5-6.5 aluminum, 0-0.5 hafnium, 0-0.1 carbon, 0.0005-0.0200 magnesium, remainder nickel.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for suppressing jet noise in a gas turbine engine powerplant (10) is disclosed. Various construction details are developed for providing sound suppression at sea level take-off operative conditions and not providing sound suppression at cruise operative conditions. In one embodiment, the powerplant (10) has a lobed mixer (152) between a primary flowpath (44) and a secondary flowpath (46), a diffusion region downstream of the lobed mixer region (first mixing region (76), and a deployable ejector/mixer (176) in the diffusion region which forms a second mixing region (78) having a diffusion flowpath (72) downstream of the ejector/mixer and sound absorbing structure (18) bounding the flowpath throughout the diffusion region. The method includes deploying the ejector/mixer (176) at take-off and stowing the ejector/mixer at cruise.
Abstract:
A laser diode distance measurement device includes a laser diode assembly (10), comprising a laser diode and photodiode, which emits light (17) to a lens (19) which provides collimated light (20) incident on a float (22) which is covered with reflective tape on its top surface (24). The light (20) is reflected from the float (22) back to the laser diode assembly (10) which caused the assembly (10) to provide a signal having magnitude pulses (due to coherent interference) on a line (15) to a liquid level measurement circuit (14) related to the distance L to the float (22). Use of the collimated beam (20) and reflective tape on the float (22) minimizes speckle while providing adequate optical intensity feedback. The laser assembly (10) is driven by a sawtooth waveform signal that reduces electronic processing. The distance measurement circuit (14) blanks-out the feedback signal during discontinuities of the laser diode drive signal to minimize associated noise from distorting the distance measurement. Alternatively, the float may be omitted and the tube (11) made small enough to provide a meniscus effect curvature at a liquid surface (250) which provides a curved reflective surface to reflect the incident light (20), in a consistent fashion, back to the laser assembly (10).
Abstract:
A magnetically levitated superconducting bearing includes a magnet (2) mounted on a shaft (12) that is rotatable around an axis of rotation and a Type II superconductor (6) supported on a stator (14) in proximity to the magnet (2). The superconductor (6) is positioned so that when it is cooled to its superconducting state in the presence of a magnetic field, it interacts with the magnet (2) to produce an attractive force that levitates the magnet (2) and supports a load on the shaft (12). The interaction between the superconductor (6) and magnet (2) also produces surface screening currents (8) that generate a repulsive force perpendicular to the load. The bearing also has means for maintaining the superconductor at a temperature below its critical temperature (16, 18). The bearing could also be constructed so the magnet (2) is supported on the stator (14) and the superconductor (6) is mounted on the shaft (12). The bearing can be operated by cooling the superconductor (6) to its superconducting state in the presence of a magnetic field.
Abstract:
A composite mold that facilitates the fabrication, in a single curing step, of composite articles having opposing sets of stiffening members disposed in combination with a main structural panel. The composite mold provides for simultaneous co-curing of the opposed stiffening members in combination with the main structural panel. The composite mold includes a rigid mold assembly and a 'T' mold assembly, which, in combination, define a rigid lay-up surface for the prepreg laminates forming the main structural panel. The rigid mold assembly includes rigid members that act as reactive surfaces for cure pressures, and removable end and wedge members for assembling/disassembling of the rigid mold assembly, 'T' mold assembly combination. The 'T' mold assembly is operative during the cure process to generate the pressure required to cure the legs of one set of the stiffening members. The 'T' mold assembly includes complementary first and second pressure blocks that define the configuration of the one set of stiffening members. At least one of the complementary pressure blocks has a thermally expansible material encapsulated therein that is operative, in response to elevated temperatures experienced during the cure process, to expand, causing the complementary pressure blocks to exert the pressure necessary to cure the legs of the one set of the stiffening members.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a lightweight composite propulsor blade of spar and shell construction comprises forming a composite spar (30) having an elongated foam body (20) bonded to a short metal retention tulip (10) and overlayed with a dry braided wrap of angular structural fibers and substantially unidirectional spanwisely aligned structural fiber plies disposed between the braided layers; adding a leading edge foam body (42) and a trailing edge foam body (44) to the spar assembly to form a blade subassembly (50); providing a dry braided fabric wrap over the blade assembly; disposing the fabric covered blade subassembly into a shell molding die and simultaneously impregnating the dry spar fabric wrap and the dry shell fabric wrap with a curable resin material; and curing the impregnated blade subassembly.