Abstract:
In order to provide a more accurate representation of aircraft pitch attitude for use in aircraft head up display devices, a circuit for generating a computed pitch signal responds to a longitudinal accelerometer and a vertical gyroscope within the aircraft wherein the computed pitch signal is generated by adding to the gyro pitch signal a correction factor computed by subtracting the value of the computed pitch signal from an inertial pitch signal derived from the longitudinal accelerometer. In order to compensate for the effects of aircraft acceleration on the longitudinal accelerometer signal, a computed acceleration signal derived from the difference between the longitudinal accelerometer signal and the gyro pitch signal is subtracted from the longitudinal accelerometer to generate the inertial pitch signal. To further compensate the systems for long term errors in the gyro pitch signal, the combined longitudinal acceleration and gyro pitch signal is subtracted from a differentiated air speed signal and the resulting difference signal is integrated over time to generate an acceleration correction signal that is applied to the computed acceleration signal.
Abstract:
An on-axis, optical head-up display device, for use in fixed installations, vehicles or aircraft, utilizes a single block of transparent acrylic resin with the upper surface curved and coated to form a collimating mirror. The block itself is comprised of two major portions cemented together with a transparent bonding material wherein the resulting interface forms a combining surface. A generated image is transmitted from the focal plane of the collimating mirror upwardly through the combining surface; then it is reflected downwardly by the collimating mirror back to the combining surface which in turn serves to combine the generated image with a background view. The combined image is viewed by an observer through a back window of the block. Optical aberrations are reduced by extending the material of the block to the focal plane of the collimating mirror where an image generator is located.
Abstract:
An aircraft instrument for warning the pilot that the aircraft is in an unsafe condition in proximity to the ground. The instrument has inputs representing aircraft configuration, flight condition with respect to the ground, and glide slope. Detector circuits process the inputs and give a warning of unsafe proximity to the ground. The boundary conditions for the warning are selected to avoid false warnings. A glide slope detector distinguishes between a valid glide slope signal and spurious signals, without need for pilot input.
Abstract:
An aircraft instrument for warning the pilot that the aircraft is in an unsafe condition in proximity to the ground. The instrument has inputs representing aircraft configuration, flight condition with respect to the ground, and glide slope. Detector circuits process the inputs and give a warning of unsafe proximity to the ground. The boundary conditions for the warning are selected to avoid false warnings. A glide slope detector distinguishes between a valid glide slope signal and spurious signals, without need for pilot input.
Abstract:
An aircraft instrument for warning the pilot that the aircraft is in an unsafe condition in proximity to the ground. The instrument has inputs representing aircraft configuration, flight condition with respect to the ground, and glide slope. Detector circuits process the inputs and give a warning of unsafe proximity to the ground. The boundary conditions for the warning are selected to avoid false warnings. A glide slope detector distinguishes between a valid glide slope signal and spurious signals, without need for pilot input.
Abstract:
A lightweight, substantially corrosion-proof, conductive wire and terminal assembly (10) comprising a wire (12) laid on and welded to a terminal pad (18) at or near the end (16) of the wire. The wire (12) has an electrically conductive core (24) having a cylindrical surface. The cylindrical surface is substantially completely enveloped in a sheath of noble metal plating (26, 28). The terminal pad (18) has a noble metal surface where it is welded to the cylindrical surface of the wire (12), so the joint (22) formed by the weld is substantially sheathed in a noble metal, and thus is substantially as corrosion-proof as the noble metal sheath (26, 28) and terminal pad (18). The wire (12) is preferably covered with insulation (30) except at its end (16), which may be stripped. This invention has the advantage that the joint (22) does not require a post-plating operation after the wire and terminal pad (18) are welded together, yet the joint (22) is stronger than a joint between dissimilar metals such as copper wire (12) and a gold terminal pad (18) and substantially as corrosion-proof as the plating (26, 28). A method for forming the assembly (10) is also disclosed.
Abstract:
An improved preload system for an accelerometer in which an acceleration sensitive structure is clamped between first and second clamping members. The acceleration sensitive structure includes a paddle supported such that the paddle has a degree of freedom along a sensing axis. The accelerometer further includes a case within which the acceleration sensitive structure and clamping members are mounted. The preload system comprises an internal mounting surface in the case that faces in a first direction along the sensing axis, and that contacts the second clamping member and prevents it from moving in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The preload system also includes a spring washer extending between the first clamping member and the case, such that the spring washer exerts a force on the first clamping member in the second direction. A positioning ring may also be provided between the first clamping member and spring washer, to laterally locate the first clamping member within the case.
Abstract:
A racquet handle with an ellipsoidal cross-section, the long axis of which increases toward its distal end. Attached to the distal end of the handle is a metal weight, which extends the center of percussion, increases racquet head control, increases the power of heavily wristed shots, and neutralizes impact forces that may cause damage to a player's joints. The long ellipsoidal axis may be made radially adjustable about the longitudinal axis of the handle to suit the grip styles of individuals.
Abstract:
A push-pull accelerometer in which both force transducers lie in a common plane. Thus, when implemented in silicon micromachined device, both transducers can be fabricated from a single crystal layer, thereby producing transducers with closely matched common mode responses.