Abstract: An aircraft structure has an arrangement of aircraft components that provide inherent directional stability for a flight vehicle throughout an angle-of-attack range, even at very high angles-of-attack where conventional means of stabilization are ineffective. Components attached to an aircraft fuselage include a wing, horizontal stabilizers and vertical stabilizers. The wing is mounted forward of the horizontal stabilizers and is carried high on the fuselage. The horizontal stabilizer is mounted toward the rear of the aircraft and is attached near the bottom of the fuselage. The wing and horizontal stabilizers are joined on either side of the aircraft by forwardly sweeping aerodynamically shaped surfaces serving as the vertical stabilizers. The inclination of the vertical stabilizers preferably ranges from 45 degrees (top edge canted outboard) to 90 degrees (panels vertical).

Abstract: A flowline connection apparatus having a pivotally mounted funnel an upright frame, which is a permanent part of a subsea well installation such as a manifold or subsea production tree. The funnel rotates is rotatably mounted to rotate from a vertical position to a horizontal position. Retractable pins engage a slot in the funnel to lock the funnel in a vertical position or can be retracted to unlock the funnel, allowing the funnel to rotate to the horizontal position to engage a hub connector. A flowline end termination stabs into the funnel while the funnel is in the vertical position. The flowline termination body has a flange connector on one end that connects to a flexible flowline. The body has an annular external recess for securing the body within the funnel once in place. Pins engage the annular recess to hold the flowline end termination body in the engaged position. A mandrel is carried within an axial bore of the body for axial reciprocal movement.

Abstract: An improved bit body for a tri-cone drill bit has a bit body affixed to a terminal end of drilling string. The drilling string has at least one fluid passageway formed in its wall. The drilling string is dual passage drilling string formed of an inner drilling string and an outer drilling string. The terminal end of the inner drilling string has an area of reduced outer diameter. A cylindrical shroud is affixed to the drilling string and surrounds the area of reduced diameter and an upper portion of bit body, forming a shroud chamber. The shroud chamber communicates the fluid passageway of the drilling string with the fluid ports of the bit body. The lower edge of the shroud is closely spaced to an outer diameter portion of the drill bit body adjacent the recesses. Therefore, the shroud and recesses form fluid ports through which fluid may be directed to cool and remove debris from the roller cutters.

Abstract: A hydraulic coupling having a lower tubular member and an upper tubular member for sealing engagement one with the other. The lower and upper members are maintained in axial engagement by an axial load. The lower member and the upper member each have an annular body having an axial bore therethrough for the passage of fluid. A metal, concentric inner annular seal leg and outer annular alignment leg extend from the body of the upper member, defining an annular sealing recess between the seal legs. An annular metal sealing portion or wall extends from the body of the lower member and has an inner diameter that defines a sealing surface for insertion into the sealing recess for sealingly engaging the inner annular seal leg. The sealing recess has a backup elastomer ring, which is axially compressed by the sealing portion. When the couplers are made up, the metal-to-metal seal is achieved due to an interference fit between the coupler halves.

Abstract: An improved cableway system for providing a track over which a vehicle traverses. The improved system includes a catenary cable system and a pair of track cable systems. The track cable systems are hung from the catenary cable system and support tracks over which a vehicle traverses. A plurality of hangers is employed to suspend the track cable systems from the catenary cable system. A plurality of pylons support the catenary and track cable systems. A pylon includes a base pylon, a lower saddle, and an upper saddle. The lower saddle is pivotally mounted to the base pylon and supports the track cable systems. Preferred embodiments of the lower saddle include apparatuses that dampen the application of loads to the pylon by the vehicle traversing the system. The upper saddle is supported by the base pylon and supports the catenary cable system while providing for deflection of the catenary cable system in response to forces applied to the cableway system.

Abstract: A spooling device for load straps comprising a spool, which at one end portion is freely rotatably supported and is formed as a projection and has a centrally passing axial bore for receiving an axle, at the end opposite the free outer end of the spool, the axle is drivingly connected to a manual crank, the spool formed with a V-shaped notch tapering radially towards the bore, and the axle provided with a radially directed, strip-shaped clamping jaw, whose free edge extends parallel to the axis of rotation of the axle/spool and forms the carrier of the axle, for affecting and rotating the spool, the surface of the clamping jaw of the axle, facing the direction of the rotation, and the opposite clamping jaw surface defining the spool notch, form a co-operating clamping surface pair by which the strap end is clamped and kept clamped during the entire spooling operating as long as the cranking is kept up.

Abstract: A kit for monitoring mammalian reproductive cycles by monitoring variations in the quantity of one or more low molecular weight volatile compound having a molecular weight of less than 50 grams per mole present in a body constituent sample is disclosed. Samples of a body constituent selected from the group consisting essentially of humoral fluid, breath and body cavity air are collected from a female mammal a multiple number of times during the reproductive cycle. The quantity of a low molecular weight volatile compound in each sample is measured. In the preferred embodiment, the low molecular weight volatile compound, acetaldehyde, will be measured and monitored. Variations in the quantity of the low molecular weight volatile compound appearing in each sample is monitored to determine the phase of the mammal's reproductive cycle and to predict the occurrence of ovulation.

Abstract: A screwdriver has a handle having a storage area for storing bits used with the screwdriver. The storage area consists of races formed in the handle that securely hold the extra bits so that they do not rattle and can be seen without removing them from the handle. The screwdriver also has an adjustable or multi-position shank so that the length of the shank can be increased or decreased as desired.

Abstract: A bioreactor system for culturing cells, cellular aggregates, tissues and organoids and methods of using same includes a cylindrical reactor vessel having an unobstructed longitudinal axis that is rotated about that horizontal axis to suspend cells and/or tissue in a culture medium. Filters are used within the vessel to retain the cells and/or tissues within the culture chamber and may be also used to subdivide the culture chamber. A pump maintains a flow of oxygen rich culture medium through the vessel to sustain cell respiration. A gas exchange device maintains desired gas concentrations in the medium and the entire system is operated within an enlarged incubator to maintain appropriate temperatures. Access ports on the vessel are used to introduce various materials into the culture chamber and to remove bubbles that may form in the medium. Sensors and a microprocessor unit monitor operational conditions and direct adjustments to maintain desired conditions.