Abstract:
A vibrating crystal transducer for measuring temperature including a bonding area from which three or more tines extend. The tines have a torsional mode resonant frequency that is a function of temperature. Electrodes on the transducer excite the tines into vibration so that the torsional moments of the adjacent edges of the adjacent tines are reverse symmetric. When the tines are vibrated, the reverse symmetrical vibrational moments of the individual tines cancel so that there is no torsional moment, or twisting, within the area between the points where the tines intersect, which is the area defined by the bonding area. Since the bonding area does not serve as a sink for torsional energy, torsional energy is not lost through the bonding area so that the transducer has a relatively high quality factor and torsional vibration of the transducer cannot cause the transducer to eventually work loose of a mounting pad to which it is attached.
Abstract:
A mounting system for mounting a transducer to a case, such that the transducer position is fixed and stable, and such that stresses on the transducer due to thermal expansion are minimized. The mounting system comprises a band, lower arms extending in a first axial direction from the band, and upper arms extending in a second, opposite axial direction from the band. The transducer arms are connected to the lower, and the upper arms to the case. In response to differential thermal expansion, the arms S bend in a radial direction.
Abstract:
In the signal acquisition system disclosed herein, frequency, phase and time uncertainties are resolved essentially simultaneously by including a preselected code group in the transmitted signal and by applying the received signal to a differential detector and then to a passive differential matched filter, the parameters of which are selected in correspondence with a code group, thereby to generate a corresponding series of complex match values. The absolute magnitude of the complex sum of the match values is maximized when the received signal is modulated by the preselected code group. When the presence of the code group in the received signal is detected, the phasing of the complex sum is detected thereby to determine carrier frequency offset. A directly detected version of the received signal is applied to a corresponding masking filter and the phase of a resultant sum signal is detected to determine carrier phase offset.
Abstract:
A mounting/coupling structure for use in an accelerometer to mount the electronics assembly with respect to the case, and to electrically couple the electronics assembly to the acceleration sensitive structure. The mounting/coupling structure may be positioned such that it provides gas damping for the paddle, and may also include means for holding the acceleration sensitive structure in a fixed position with respect to the case.
Abstract:
A system for warning the pilot of a tactical aircraft in a tactical maneuver such as a dive of the point at which recovery must be immediately initiated to prevent the aircraft from descending below a minimum desired altitude monitors and the altitude, descent rate and pitch angle of the aircraft, and issues a voice warning when recovery must be initiated. The system also provides warnings of dangerous flight conditions during non-tactical or common route segments of a flight such as the take-off, landing and cruise segments of a flight. Circuitry responsive to the arming of the weapons of the aircraft enables the tactical warning portion of the system and disables certain functions of the non-tactical portion of the sysem that may cause false warnings to be genrated during tactical manuevers.
Abstract:
A limit sensing device for permanently indicating when a predetermined temperature limit has been reached in a fluid conduit, includes a housing mounted on the conduit in heat transmitting relation with the fluid and an indicator movable in the housing between a retracted position and an activated, non-resettable, extended position to provide a visual indication that the predetermined temperature limit has been reached. The indicator is biased outwardly towards the activated position and a retainer in the form of a separate and discrete annulus formed of fusible material normally secures the indicator in the retracted position within the housing against the force of a biasing spring until the predetermined temperature has been reached causing the retainer to melt or fuse and thereby release the indicator to move outwardly to the extended position providing a visual indication signaling that an overtemperature condition has been reached in the fluid conduit.
Abstract:
A transducer having compensation for a deflection due to an applied stress. The transducer a support ring (32) having a proof mass (34) cantilevered on a pair of flexures (38) between the magnets (26, 28) of a stator in which the transducer is mounted. Deflection of the support ring due to an imbalanced applied force is compensated by either moving the pads (30) used to mount the support ring, moving the centroid of capacitance (128) of the proof mass, or by modifying the support ring to provide a pair of moment arms (156), each approach insuring that an axis of deflection (102, 130) of the support ring is coaligned with the centroid of capacitance, thereby minimizing a bias error in the transducer output.
Abstract:
A proximity to terrain warning system for aircraft utilizes a first set of warning criteria to generate a warning in the event of insufficient terrain clearance after take off. A different set of criteria are employed to generate warnings when the aircraft in in a cruise or approach phase of flight or on a tactical mission. Mode switching is provided to select the appropriate criteria and to select an excessive descent after take-off set of warning criteria in addition to the first set of criteria when appropriate.
Abstract:
A compact torque motor providing bi-directional, limited angle reactionless torque to opposed structures. A motor (10, 150) includes an X-shaped core (12), and first and second pole pieces (14 and 16), which are disposed at opposite sides of the core. Two opposed legs on the X-shaped core (12) comprise a first core section (18), which is transverse to a similar second core section (20). A first electromagnetic coil (22) is formed on the first core section and a second electromagnetic coil (24) on the second core section. When the first and second electromagnetic coils are alternately energized, tabs (38, 40, 44, and 46) disposed approximate the ends of the first and second pole pieces are attracted to the resulting magnetic poles (26 and 28, 30 and 32), causing the pole pieces to counter-rotate back and forth about a central axis (48). Magnetic flux developed by the first and second electromagnetic coils is conveyed through the tabs and the first and second pole pieces between the opposite magnetic poles. Since the pole pieces are lightweight, rotational inertia of the motor is very low, and its efficiency relative high.
Abstract:
An improved accelerometer of the type that includes a proof mass suspended from a support by one or more flexures, such that the proof mass can pivot with respect to the support about a hinge axis. The proof mass includes a paddle attached to the flexures, the paddle having first and second paddle surfaces. The coil is mounted on the first paddle surface, and the accelerometer includes a stator for mounting the support and for forming a magnetic circuit with the coil. The improvement comprises positioning the flexures such that a plane containing the hinge axis and the center of mass of the proof mass is parallel to one of the paddle surfaces, and closer to one paddle surface than to the other paddle surface. In a preferred arrangement, the plane containing the hinge axis and the center of mass is approximately coplanar with one of the paddle surfaces and with the flexures.