Abstract:
A thermionic or thermotunneling converter consisting of two electrodes maintained at a desired distance from one another by means of spacers in which the electrodes comprise silicon coated with a hard material, or comprise a ceramic or other refractory material. The spacers are formed by oxidizing one electrode, protecting certain oxidized areas and removing the remainder of the oxidized layer. The protected oxidized areas remain as spacers. These spacers have the effect of maintaining the electrodes at a desired distance without the need for active elements, thus greatly reducing costs.
Abstract:
The invention disclosed is a self-propelled aircraft undercarriage for driving an aircraft on the ground, comprising: an axle; a strut supporting said axle; at least one wheel rotatably mounted on said axle; and drive means for driving said at least one wheel; characterized in that said drive means is disk shaped and is external to said wheel. In one embodiment of the invention, said drive means is mounted on said axle between said strut and said wheel. In a second embodiment, said drive means is mounted on said axle, on the side of said wheel furthest from said strut.
Abstract:
The invention disclosed is a self-propelled aircraft undercarriage for driving an aircraft on the ground, comprising: an axle; a strut supporting said axle; at least one wheel rotatably mounted on said axle; and drive means for driving said at least one wheel; characterized in that said drive means is disk shaped and is external to said wheel. In one embodiment of the invention, said drive means is mounted on said axle between said strut and said wheel. In a second embodiment, said drive means is mounted on said axle, on the side of said wheel furthest from said strut.
Abstract:
A system for minimizing damage on collision to a vehicle having at least one self-propelled wheel is disclosed. The system comprises a motor in a wheel of said vehicle which drives the vehicle, means for measuring the speed of said wheel, means for measuring the torque of said motor, means for monitoring the ratio of the torque of the motor to the speed of the wheel, and means for stopping said motor when torque:speed ratio exceeds an acceptable value.
Abstract:
An apparatus for remotely controlling an aircraft having a self-propelled nosewheel, on the ground, comprises parking brakes; an APU on said aircraft; control means for applying and releasing said parking brakes; control means for turning on and off said APU; transmitting means for transmitting information to said parking brakes and said APU; receiving means for receiving information at said parking brakes; and receiving means for receiving information at said APU.
Abstract:
A method of measuring the weight of an aircraft is disclosed. The method comprises, in a self-propelled aircraft undercarriage having a electrical rotating machine, the steps of: measuring the current and voltage going into the rotating machine using current and voltage measuring means, calculating the power into the rotating machine, measuring the speed (or torque or acceleration) of said machine using speed sensing means, and comparing the power and speed (or torque or acceleration) results with a database of power and speed relationships of comparable aircraft of varying weights.
Abstract:
An apparatus for controlling the movement of an aircraft having a self-propelled nosewheel, on the ground, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a control arm; a control unit; means for transmitting information to said self-propelled nosewheel; means for receiving information at said self-propelled nosewheel; and means for controlling at least one of the speed and direction of said nosewheel; whereby airport ground staff can intuitively control the movements of said aircraft by holding said arm and moving it in the direction of required movement of said aircraft.
Abstract:
Methods for fabricating nano-structured surfaces having geometries in which the passage of elementary particles through a potential barrier is enhanced are described. The methods use combinations of electron beam lithography, lift-off, and rolling, imprinting or stamping processes.
Abstract:
In the method of the present invention, electrostatic fields are used to induce heat pumping action of a working fluid. A plurality of heat pumps with no moving parts are used. The operation of the one pump enhances the operation of the next. The method of the present invention is conducive to devices of a wide range of scales. Furthermore, operation at partial power levels is practicable, and precise control of temperature possible. Control is further enhanced by the addition or removal of further units to the system. Reliability should be enhanced, and peak power demands reduced. Wide selection of possible working fluids allows for the elimination of environmentally harmful halocarbons. In one embodiment of the present invention, chemical working fluids are eliminated entirely. In another embodiment, supercooled fluids such as liquid helium may be used while eliminating the wastage commonly encountered using such fluids.
Abstract:
A wheel design is provided for an aircraft landing gear wheel that is configured to maximize the space available within a landing gear wheel well to support a motor driver assembly that drives the aircraft wheel when the aircraft is on the ground. The wheel includes inboard and outboard support walls that are spaced apart a selected distance along the wheel axle so that the motor driver assembly components are substantially completely contained within the wheel space defined by the support walls. The preferred motor driver assembly includes an electric motor and a gear and clutch assembly operatively connected to the wheel to drive the wheel and move the aircraft on the ground. The wheel and motor driver assembly described herein may be retrofitted in an existing aircraft wheel without changing existing landing gear components, including tires, piston, and axle.