Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Irick, S. C..
A spiral wound seal for effecting a seal between two surfaces is described. The seal consists of a strip of gasket material wound into a groove machined into one of the surfaces. The gasket strip is wider than the groove is deep so that a portion of the gasket material protrudes from the groove. The seal is effected by clamping the second surface onto the first surface and compressing the protruding gasket material.
An aircraft flight spoiler control mechanism is described. The invention enables the conventional, primary spoiler control system to retain its operational characteristics while accommodating a secondary input controlled by a conventional computer system to supplement the settings made by the primary input. This is achieved by interposing springs between the primary input and the spoiler control unit. The springs are selected to have a stiffness intermediate to the greater force applied by the primary control linkage and the lesser resistance offered by the spoiler control unit. Thus, operation of the primary input causes the control unit to yield before the springs, yet, operation of the secondary input, acting directly on the control unit, causes the springs to yield and absorb adjustments before they are transmitted into the primary control system.
Spiral-wound cryogenic gasket with one component requires no encapsulant and is easily produced with self-locking features. Seal either opens and closes or is fixed. It is made by skiving strip from circumference of disk of glass-filled material. Successive turns of strip are spirally wrapped in groove machined into one flange surface. Closing joint compresses gasket.
Three lathe tools form different joints in gasket material.
Single integral unit includes motor, gearbox, and clutch. Device has two-speed capability, fits within aerodynamic contours of aircraft, operates with onboard power source, does not interfere with normal landing gear functions, reduces use of regular brakes in congested areas, and provides locomotion and supplementary braking capability.
Constant-value weight-relieving apparatus, which moves on rollers on overhead track, supports weight of walking, stooping, squatting, or standing patient with combination of multiple pulleys and spring clusters. Individually preselected support force is constant for all movements.
Method reduces volumetric rate of hydraulic fluid or air to drive actuator at high speed. Method can be used with any positive displacement actuator with multiple chambers.
An underwater sound source is described that may be ejectably mounted on any mobile device that travels over water, to facilitate in the location and recovery of the device when submerged. A length of flexible line maintains a connection between the mobile device and the sound source. During recovery, the sound source is located be particularly useful in the recovery of spent rocket motors that bury in the ocean floor upon impact.