Abstract: A servicing bridge (10) for servicing a vehicle (14) is provided including a main bridge section (16) that is mechanically coupled to a terminal (22) and a bridgehead (18). A retractable bridge extension system (12) is mechanically coupled to the bridgehead (18). The extension system (12) includes a bridge extension (30) that mates a bridge floor (36) to a vehicle floor (38) and extends the servicing bridge (10). A bridge extension bumper (32) is mechanically coupled to the bridge extension (30) and dampens contact between the bridge extension (30) and the vehicle (14). An extension mechanism (34) is mechanically coupled to the bridge extension (30) and the servicing bridge (10) and actuates the bridge extension (30).

Abstract: A restrictor plate assembly (46) for an air distribution nozzle (16) of an aircraft (13) includes a restrictor plate (84) and a support structure (80). The restrictor plate (84) has an outer periphery (66) with multiple notches (68). The support structure (80) is coupled to and supports the restrictor plate (84).

Abstract: An aircraft composite assembly 10 is provided, including a first composite member 12, at least one first flange joint 26 comprising a first plurality of plies 24 cured to the first composite member 12, a second composite member 30, and at least one second flange joint 38 comprising a second plurality of plies 36 cured to the second composite member 30. The at least one second flange joint 38 is bonded to the at least one first flange joint 26 such that the first composite member 12 is affixed to the second composite member 30.

Abstract: A skewed-roller brake assembly 10 is provided, including a first rotor disc 12 and a second rotor disc 12. A stator disc 14, positioned between the first and second rotor discs 12, includes a plurality of skewed-roller slots 16 formed through the stator disc 14. A pair of roller elements 20 are positioned within each of the plurality of skewed-roller slots 16 such that a first of the pair of roller elements 21 protrudes from the stator disc 14 in the direction of the first rotor disc 22 and a second of said pair of roller elements 23 protrudes from the stator disc 14 in the direction of the second rotor disc 24. When the first and second rotor discs 12 are moved towards the stator disc 14, the first of the pair of roller elements 21 and the second of the pair of roller elements 23 rotate in concert while transmitting frictional torque to the first rotor disc 12 and the second rotor disc 12 respectively.

Abstract: An aircraft seat assembly 10 is provided including a plurality of aircraft seat elements 12. The aircraft seat assembly 10 includes a first aircraft seat element 18, having a first seat portion 16 and a first back portion 18. The first back portion 18 includes a lower back portion 22 and an upper back portion 24. The lower back portion 22 is rotatable between a raised position 26, wherein the lower back portion 22 is tangential with the upper back portion 24 to form a contiguous back rest 29, and a lowered position 28, wherein the lower back portion 22 is tangential with the first seat portion 16 to form an extended horizontal sleeping platform 32.

Abstract: A snap-on sidewall assembly is provided for attachment to an airframe of an aircraft. The snap-on sidewall assembly includes an outer rail member that has a mounting portion for attachment to the airframe. The outer rail member has at least one recess integrally formed therein and at least one outer support flange extending from the recess. Each recess is adapted for engaging at least one protrusion integrally formed within an inner rail member. The integral inner rail member further includes at least one inner support flange extending from the protrusion. Finally, the snap-on sidewall assembly includes at least one sidewall panel. Each sidewall panel has an end portion that is, intended to be sandwiched between one of the outer support flanges and one of the inner support flanges.

Abstract: An aircraft control surface actuator assembly 12 is provided, including a flight control surface 14. A mechanical drive mechanism 18 is in communication with the flight control surface 14. An actuator rod assembly 24 is mounted to the mechanical drive mechanism 18 and includes a first segment 26 having a first segment outer diameter 34 with a plurality of first segment outer threads 36. A second segment 38 has a split sleeve passage 50, a second segment inner diameter 40 with plurality of second segment inner threads 42, and a second segment outer diameter 44 a plurality of second segment outer threads 46. The second segment inner threads 42 engage the first segment outer threads 36. A third segment 52 includes a third segment split sleeve passage 60 as well as a plurality of third segment inner threads 58 engaging the second segment outer threads 46. Rotation of the second segment 38 causes the first segment 26 and third segment 52 to move in opposing lateral directions.

Abstract: A modular seating system (12) for a vehicle is provided. The seating system (12) includes at least one seat assembly (14) having a primary seat structure (24) and an integrated base panel (26), which is mechanically coupled to and actuateable with the primary seat structure (24). A base structure (22) is mechanically coupled to a vehicle support structure (16) and includes at least one attachment mechanism (76). The seat assemblies (14) are engageable with the attachment mechanisms (76). A method of installing the seating system (12) is also provided.

Abstract: A system to accurately detect skewing of high lift devices. In one embodiment, the invention provides a system to sense the position of the inboard and outboard ends of each flap. This system preferably detects development of a skewed condition and shuts down the flap drive system before unacceptable aerodynamic or structural conditions occur. In one embodiment, a commercial aircraft has two trailing edge flaps on each wing. Each of the four flaps on the airplane is driven by two ballscrews, one near the outboard end and one near the inboard end of each flap. All ballscrews on all flaps are driven synchronously by a mechanical drive system. By comparing the revolutions of the ballscrews, the differential ballscrew travel can be determined. This differential is a direct measure of flap skew.

Abstract: A stowable aircraft cabin vertical partition comprising (1) at least three rigid rectangular-shaped panels attached to each other by panel hinges along the horizontal joints between the panels, that permit the partition to hang vertically when in use and to be fan folded along the joints when stowed (2) a partition support to which the partition is attached near or along its top edge, (3) a stowage support which holds the fan-folded partition next to the support for stowage; wherein a portion of the panels form a vertically-hinged cabin access door having a sufficient number of vertical and horizontal hinges to keep the panels of the access door in a planar alignment with each other when the partition is in use, and to be fan folded with the rest of the partition when the partition is stowed.

Abstract: A connector assembly mounted on a printed wiring board allowing modifications to be made to the connectivity using simple wiring techniques. The connector assembly contains special contacts providing three connections. One end of the contact mates with the source or destination of the signals in a modular electronic device. The other end accepts a wired contact for making additional connections not contained in the printed wiring board. The middle section of the contact makes a compliant connection to the printed wiring board. A signal can be disconnected from the printed wiring board by removing the contact and replacing it with a contact that is insulated from the printed wiring board.

Abstract: An air return grille for an aircraft mounted below the passenger cabin sidewall comprises openings to allow return airflow from the air conditioning system. In a preferred embodiment, the grille openings are covered by a single thin baffle 32 with cutouts within its periphery that slip over and are held in place by fasteners on the molded grille 28. The thin baffle 32 is affixed to the molded grille 28 along one or more edges on the grille. All other thin baffle 32 attachments allow for the baffle to be disengaged upon the onset of a rapid decompression. During normal operation, the thin baffle 32 restricts flow through a small opening in the grille. During a sudden/rapid decompression of the cargo compartment/lower lobe, the baffle is dislodged from the fasteners and forced into a position parallel to the airstream. This allows the airflow to pass through all of the molded grille 28 openings in order to achieve rapid pressure equalization.

Abstract: Novel organic ion-exchange polymers and membranes formed from these polymers provide improved performance in electrolytic cells. The membranes exhibit an expanded micro-structure as the result of the removal of organic groups previously reacted with the ion-exchange groups of the polymer. The polymers are also useful in finely divided form as catalysts or deposited on a catalyst support. When formed into sheets, the polymers are useful as membranes in the separation of miscible liquids and in the separation of gases.

Abstract: The invention relates to 2,7-substituted-9-substituted fluorenes and 9-substituted fluorene oligomers and polymers. The fluorenes, oligomers and polymers are substituted at the 9-position with two hydrocarbyl moieties which may optionally contain one or more of sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorous or silicon heteroatoms; a C.sub.5-20 ring structure formed with the 9-carbon on the fluorene ring or a C.sub.4-20 ring structure formed with the 9-carbon containing one or more heteroatoms of sulfur, nitrogen or oxygen; or a hydrocarbylidene moiety. In one embodiment, the fluorenes are substituted at the 2- and 7-positions with aryl moieties which may further be substituted with moieties which are capable of crosslinking or chain extension or a trialkylsiloxy moiety. The fluorene polymers and oligomers may be substituted at the 2- and 7'-positions. The monomer units of the fluorene oligomers and polymers are bound to one another at the 2- and 7'-positions.

Abstract: A composite oxygen electrode/electrolyte structure for a solid state electrochemical device having a porous composite electrode in contact with a dense electrolyte membrane, which electrode includes: (a) a porous structure having interpenetrating networks of an ionically-conductive material and an electronically-conductive material; and (b) an electrocatalyst different from the electronically-conductive material, dispersed within the pores of the porous structure. This electrode structure is relatively simple to manufacture, requiring relatively few steps to infiltrate an electrocatalyst precursor material to obtain an electrode structure which will perform advantageously in a solid oxide fuel cell, has a relatively low internal resistance, and permits the selection of an optimal electronically-conductive material and electrocatalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to poly(tertiary di- or polyarylamines) which have more than one aryl moiety which is further substituted with a moiety capable of chain extension or crosslinking. In another aspect, the invention relates to poly(tertiary di- or polyarylamines) which have more than one aryl moiety which is further substituted with a moiety capable of chain extension or crosslinking which are partially or completely crosslinked or chain extended. The invention further relates to films prepared from such chain extended or crosslinked poly(tertiary di- or polyarylamines). The invention further relates to electrophotographic devices and electroluminescent devices, such as polymeric light-emitting diodes, containing such films.

Abstract: Described is a process for preparing polyaniline polymer which includes contacting aniline monomers with (a) hydrogen peroxide, (b) at least one acid, including hydrogen chloride, hydrogen bromide, or a mixture thereof, and (c) a catalytic amount of at least one metal-containing compound or complex, under reaction conditions sufficient to form a polymerization reaction product containing a polyaniline polymer. It has been discovered that the processes described herein provide means to prepare polyaniline having a relatively high conductivity at a high degree of aniline monomer conversion using hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant.

Abstract: Described is a process for preparing a three-dimensional article of a lyotropic polymer comprising the steps of (a) forming a shaped article of a liquid crystalline solution of a lyotropic polymer; (b) washing the shaped article with a washing fluid under conditions sufficient to reduce the solvent content of the article to less than about 2,000 parts per million, wherein the dimensions of the washed article are no less than 0.05 inches by 0.05 inches by 0.05 inches. Such articles are useful for many applications, particularly those requiring fire- and/or heat-resistance.