Abstract:
An apparatus for displaying collimated images including an ellipsoidal mirror having a focal surface and means for generating a bar and scale image for the mirror in the focal surface. The means generating a scale image includes an elongated strip of film or tape containing indicia which is positioned intermediate an elongated light source and the mirror to display a scale image on the mirror, and the means generating the bar image includes a transverse bar which reflectively defines a bar image on the mirror intersecting the scale image. The generating means includes means for moving the tape strip to modify the scale image and means for moving the bar to displace the bar image on the mirror and modify the position of intersection between the bar and scale images.
Abstract:
A piezoelectric pressure transducer particularly adapted for measuring fluid pressure up to and above ballistics levels of the order of 75,000 pounds per square inch with an accurate, linear response over a wide pressure range. The piezoelectric sensing element is housed in a cylindrical sleeve which is threaded into a wall of the chamber within which the pressure to be measured is developed. An end wall extending across the end of the sleeve is exposed to the pressure and deflects, compressing the piezoelectric element to generate an electric signal representing the pressure. A supporting wall for the end wall is located between the sensing element and the housing sleeve. Two flexure zones are formed in the end wall, one between the piezoelectric element and the supporting wall and the other between the wall and the sleeve. The supporting wall is connected with the end wall through a third flexure zone. The compliance of the supporting wall is less than the compliance of the piezoelectric element but greater than the compliance of the housing sleeve. Deformation of the housing sleeve, as by pressure on the mounting threads, is accommodated by the flexure areas and error creating stress on the piezoelectric element is minimized.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for determining the velocity of a fluid flow stream. A fluid jet source is disposed opposite a pair of fluid pressure detectors so that the jet stream equally intersects both detectors when the velocity of the fluid flow stream is zero. Means are provided for relatively laterally displacing the jet with respect to the detectors, and for sensing the pressure difference at the detectors, in order to indicate the velocity of the moving fluid flow stream.
Abstract:
A stall warning indicator having no moving parts is mounted on a leading edge of an aircraft wing, near the point of stagnation of airflow when a stall condition occurs. The indicator includes a transmitter emitting transmissions, as a continuous acoustic wave or a jet airstream, which are received by a pair of detectors connected to a differential sensor. When the stagnation point passes the axis of the transmissions, the differential sensor produces a signal to warn of an impending stall.
Abstract:
A ground proximity warning system for an aircraft which produces a warning signal when the rate of descent of the aircraft exceeds a limiting value determined by the aircraft altitude. The rate of descent of the aircraft is calculated from a combination of measurements of the altitude of the aircraft above ground and the barometric altitude of the aircraft. A signal representing the rate of change of the altitude of the aircraft above ground is limited, to minimize false warnings as a result of surface irregularities. The barometric portion of the system is disabled during take-off run and the initial portion of the aircraft climb-out to avoid a false warning resulting from an increased barometric pressure condition during this maneuver. The limits on the aircraft altitude rate signal are modified in accordance with the flight mode of the aircraft, to reduce the sensitivity of the warning system during the final stage of a landing approach. The warning system provides an alarm to the pilot which is an audio tone modulated at a low frequency repetition rate. A soft warning is actuated when the sink rate of the aircraft exceeds a desired level for the altitude at which the aircraft is operating. If the aircraft is also below a limiting altitude, a hard warn signal is provided. The repetition rate of the warning signal, while in a soft warn condition, is a function of the difference between the altitude of the aircraft and the altitude at which the sink rate would be proper. A complementary filter with which the altitude rate signals are combined, includes an operational amplifier connected in an unloading amplifier configuration with a resistive circuit connecting one input signal with the amplifier and a capacitive circuit connecting the other input signal with the amplifier, the resistive and capacitive input circuits forming a low pass filter for the first signal and a high pass filter for the second signal.
Abstract:
An analog position transducer connected to an aircraft flap generates a linear voltage representing flap position. Separate switching stages are responsive to different potential levels of the linear voltage to produce separate output waveforms which are summed by an operational amplifier for each reference program which is to be generated. The disclosed reference programs correlate desired angle of attack to flap position for an aircraft approach program and a climbout program.
Abstract:
A circuit for converting analog signals angularly related to the position of a rotor of a synchro or resolver or the like into digital signals representing the rotor position utilizes a phase locked loop circuit with a voltage controlled oscillator from which is derived a phase signal shifted in phase with respect to the excitation signal in direct proportion to rotor position. A phase measuring circuit determines the number of cycles of the clock signal occurring during the time period corresponding to the phase difference between the phase signal and the excitation signal to produce a digital signal representative of the rotor position. The voltage controlled oscillator has a frequency which is variable in direct proportion with the frequency of the excitation signal to eliminate error in the phase measuring circuit due to frequency changes in the excitation signal.
Abstract:
A circuit for detecting or sensing the ratio of or unbalance between two impedance elements, as the sections of a differential capacitor in a servoed instrument. A source of alternating current has two outputs of opposite phase, one connected in each of a pair of circuits with the two impedance elements. A diode in each of the circuits is poled so that both circuits conduct during the same half cycle. A load connected with both circuits sums the opposite phase currents and the difference between the currents represents the ratio of the impedance elements.
Abstract:
An accelerometer is provided for detecting acceleration which employs a flapper ring clamped at raised points between upper and lower portions of a magnet structure. The flapper is suspended by a bifilar hinge on the ring between two permanent magnets. Coils are mounted on opposite sides of the flapper, each encircling one of the permanent magnets and separated therefrom by an air gap. Each side of the flapper has a metallic coating thereby forming a capacitor with an inner face of the magnet structure on each side of the flapper. As the accelerometer is accelerated, the flapper is displaced relative to the magnet structure thus increasing the capacitance of one capacitor and decreasing the capacitance of the other capacitor. Electrical signals proportional to the change in the capacitances, and therefore proportional to the acceleration, are fed through a servo loop to the coil which set up a magnetic field which interacts with the magnetic fields of the permanent magnets to oppose the displacement of the flapper.
Abstract:
A servoed transducer uses differential sensing capacitors connected to a detector circuit to generate an error signal proportional to movement of a pivoted seismic mass. The error signal is amplified by a servo amplifier with closed loop feedback in order to maintain for a fixed error signal a constant current through a torque coil which rebalances the seismic mass. The servo amplifier output circuit presents zero impedance to an external load.