Abstract: The invention is a portable spirometer for measuring the respiration rate of a patient. In detail, the invention includes a housing having a top and bottom, and first and second ends with an air passage extending therethrough. An air flow sensing member is movably mounted within the passage, the member movable forwards and backwards in response to the directional flow of air in the passage as the patient breaths in and out one end of the passage. A position sensing system is mounted within the housing for sensing the position of the air flow sensing member, the sensing system providing a first output signal when the air flow sensing member moves forward and backwards. A circuit is coupled to the sensing system for counting the number of times per unit time the air flow sensing member moves forward and backwards and provides a second signal proportional thereto.

Abstract: The invention is a propulsion system for a lighter-than-air vehicle. In detail the propulsion system includes a pylon having a longitudinal axis and first and second ends, the first end of the pylon rotatably mounted to the vehicle and the second end extending outward from the vehicle. The pylon is rotatable about the first end in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. A thrust producing assembly is mounted on the second end of the pylon and is rotatable about an axis of rotation in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pylon. A powerplant assembly is coupled to the thrust producing assemblies to provide power thereto. An actuation system is provided for rotating the assembly about the axis of rotation. A second actuation system is provided for rotating the pylon about the first end.

Abstract: The invention is a tool for removing and installing valve springs in an overhead valve engine of the type having a stud adjacent the valve spring. In detail, the tool is a locking type pliers having a first jaw with an aperture therethrough for engaging the stud and a second jaw for engaging the valve spring, the second jaw having an opening therein sufficient to allow the valve retainer to pass therethrough. Thus that when the tool is installed with the first jaw positioned with the stud extending through the aperture and the second jaw positioned over the valve spring, the pliers can be actuated to a locked position causing the second jaw to compress the spring with the first jaw reacting the force applied to compress the valve. spring. Upon compression of the spring the valve retainer is freed from the valve spring retaining cap and can be easily removed.

Abstract: The invention is a hollow tubular member with an integral attachment end fitting.

Abstract: The invention is a cargo compartment for a lighter-than-air vehicle, the vehicle having a longitudinal, vertical and lateral axis. In detail, the cargo compartment includes a cargo carrying structure mounted to the bottom of the vehicle, the structure extending along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and having a plurality of passageways extending along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Each of the passageways is aligned with the lateral axis of the vehicle and extend completely through the structure, and is adapted to simultaneously unload cargo from one end and load cargo from the opposite end. A cargo moving system is mounted in the floor of each passageway for moving the cargo in one end and out the opposite end of the passageway and intermediate positions therebetween. A cargo securing system is mounted on the floor of the passageway for releasable securing the cargo within the passageway at the intermediate positions.

Abstract: The invention is a ballonet system for a lighter-than-air-vehicle, the vehicle having a lift producing gasbag and a longitudinal, vertical and lateral axis. In detail, the ballonet system includes a plurality of ballonets located within the gasbag positioned along the longitudinal axis and on each side of the vertical axis of the vehicle. Each of the ballonets include a flexible sheet joined at its periphery thereof to a portion of the wall of the gasbag. A ballonet pressurization system is coupled to each ballonet for pressurizing them with air that includes the portion of the wall of the gasbag forming the ballonet having a plurality of holes therethrough. A manifold having an inlet port is joined to the wall covering the holes therein and is adapted to diffuse the pressurized air entering therein. Also included is at least one fan having an inlet port coupled to ambient atmosphere and an outlet port coupled to the inlet port of the manifold for providing pressurized air to the interior thereof.

Abstract: The invention is a propulsion system for powering an aircraft in both vertical and horizontal flight modes. In detail, the invention includes a pair of ducted lift fans mounted in the aircraft for providing thrust in the vertical flight mode. A pair of ducted cruise fans are mounted in the aircraft for providing thrust in the horizontal flight mode. Two sets of turboshaft engines are mounted in the aircraft with each of the sets comprising a plurality of the turboshaft engines, each turboshaft engine including an output shaft and having an optimal power output sufficient for powering one of the pair of ducted cruise fans in the horizontal flight mode. Each of the sets includes a sufficient number of the turboshaft engines to provide an optimal power output for powering one of the pair of ducted lift fans and one of the pairs of ducted cruise fans the vertical flight mode. A shafting system is mounted in the aircraft for coupling all of the turboshaft engines to the pairs of ducted fans.

Abstract: The invention is a propulsion system for powering an aircraft in both vertical and horizontal flight modes. In detail, the invention includes first and second gas-driven ducted lift fans mounted in the aircraft for providing thrust in the vertical flight mode. First and second shaft-driven ducted cruise fans that have inlet ducts and bypass air ducts that are mounted in the aircraft for providing thrust in the horizontal flight mode and supercharged air for the engines in all flight modes. First and second gas transfer ducts couple the bypass air ducts of the first and second ducted cruise fans to the first and second turbo compressors, respectively. First and second shaft-driven turbo compressors are mounted in the first and second gas transfer ducts, respectively. First and second high-pressure feed ducts couple the first and second shaft-driven turbo compressors to the first and second ducted lift fans, respectively.

Abstract: The invention is a propulsion system for powering an aircraft in both vertical and horizontal flight modes. In detail, the invention comprises a gas-driven ducted lift fan mounted in the aircraft for providing thrust in the vertical flight mode. A turbofan engine is mounted in the aircraft that comprises a fan section for providing thrust in the horizontal flight mode and a turboshaft engine having an output drive shaft coupled to the fan section for driving same. A gas transfer duct is mounted in the aircraft having a first end adapted to receive exhaust air from the fan section and a second end coupled to the lift fan. A turbocompressor is mounted in the transfer duct and a combustor is mounted in the transfer duct between the turbocompressor and the lift fan, the combustor for receiving and burning fuel and providing combustion gases for driving the ducted left fan. A shafting system couples the turbocompressor to the output shaft of the turboshaft engine.

Abstract: A vehicle in free space or air, with external surfaces primarily fashioned from planar facets. The planar facets or panels are angularly positioned to reduce scattered energy in the direction of the receiver. In particular, radar signals which strike the vehicle are primarily reflected at an angle away from the search radar or are returned to the receiver with large variations of amplitude over small vehicle attitude changes.

Abstract: The invention is a process for forming a hollow tubular member with an integral attachment end fitting.

Abstract: The invention is a propulsion system for a V/STOL type aircraft. In detail, the invention comprises a turbofan engine including a fan section, compressor section, combustion section, turbine section and nozzle section. The turbine section comprises a low-pressure turbine portion coupled to and driving the fan section and a high-pressure turbine portion coupled to and driving the compressor section. A lift fan is coupled to the fan section by means of a drive shaft. A clutch is incorporated for decoupling the lift fan from the fan section. A mechanism is incorporated for extracting additional power from the low-pressure turbine portion of the turbine section to drive the lift fan that augments the basic engine thrust for V/STOL operation.

Abstract: The antenna system includes a complementary "bowtie" dipole-slot antenna, the antenna having symmetrical halves about a plane of symmetry. The two halves of the antenna are slanted at the plane of symmetry such that the total included angle between the halves is between 70 degrees and 120 degrees. A ground plane is positioned between the halves of the antenna extending through the plane of symmetry. A circuit is included for independently exciting the halves of the antenna. In a second embodiment the ground plane incorporates a pair of notch antennas. Thus, both vertical and horizontal polarization can be achieved independent of each other.

Abstract: The invention includes an expandable closed-off container mounted within the tank. A pump system is coupled to the container for pumping the oil from the tank to the interior of the container. In one embodiment, the apparatus is mounted to a support structure located in proximity to the bottom of the tank and is expandable upward and outward therefrom with the pump system mounted in proximity to the bottom of the tank. In a second embodiment of the invention, the apparatus is mounted in proximity to the top of the tank and is expandable downward and outward. An individual pump is attached to the container.

Abstract: The invention is a pylon for supporting a model above a ground plane for radar cross-section testing using a radar providing a specific frequency range and power distribution above the ground plane. In detail, the pylon comprises a column made of a low dielectric constant foam material having a base end for mounting on the ground plane, a model mounting top end and a generally circular cross-section. The column has an abrupt change in diameter at a point between the ends forming a step and dividing the column into upper and lower tapered portions with each of the portions having a specific diameter range. The step is located at a point on the column such that the power is evenly split between the upper and lower portions and the specific diameter ranges of the portions are selected to maintain a 180-degree phase change in the return signal from each of the portions reducing the RCS of the pylon.

Abstract: A temperature compensated strain sensor for measuring the strain at specific locations within a molded composite structure and the like, is disclosed. In detail, the invention comprises a hollow tubular member mounted within the structure which has first and second ends extending out thereof and passing in proximity to each specific location at with strain is to be measured. A first optical fiber is mounted within the hollow tubular member and has first and second ends exiting the first and second ends, respectively, of the hollow tubular member. A plurality of second optical fibers, equal to the number of specific locations at which strain is to be measured, are mounted within the hollow tubular member and have first and second ends exiting the first and second ends, respectively, thereof. One each of the second optical fibers exits the hollow tubular member and extends across and is bonded to the resin of the structure at the specific location and thereafter re-enters the hollow tubular member.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for supporting a model above a ground plane for illumination by a radar signal in order to determine the RCS thereof. The apparatus includes a plurality of support towers in a spaced relationship extending vertically upward from the ground plane. An upper suspension system is provided that comprises a separate cable attached at one end to an individual tower and attachable at the opposite end to the model at a single point on the upper surface thereof so that the model can be simultaneously rotated about the yaw axis and pitch axis. A circular shaped track aligned with the direction of the radar signal is mounted below the ground plane having a center of the radius at the point that the cables of the upper suspension system attach to the model. A platform is movably mounted on the track and thus, moveable with a circular motion about the point that the cables attach to the model. The platform incorporates a drive system so that it can be positioned at any point along the track.

Abstract: The invention is a propulsion system. In detail, the invention comprises a hollow housing having a longitudinal axis and an inlet end and an exhaust nozzle end. A shaft is rotatively mounted along the longitudinal axis within the housing, extending from the inlet end to the exhaust nozzle end. A fan is attached to one end of the shaft in proximity to the inlet end of the housing. A turbine, having a plurality of blades, is attached to the opposite end of the shaft in proximity to the exhaust nozzle end of the housing. A solid propellant rocket motor is detachably mounted to the housing, having a thrust axis alignable with the longitudinal axis of the housing such that, when the motor is ignited, at least a portion of any exhaust gases therefrom are intercepted by the blades of the turbine for driving same.

Abstract: The invention is a device for dispensing melted resin on a surface. In detail, the invention includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet passages and a guide passage therebetween. The inlet passage is adapted to receive a solid resin rod and the outlet passage includes a nozzle for dispensing the melted resin to the surface. Also included is a mechanism to sequentially move the rod from the inlet toward the outlet passage. Additionally, a heating coil is positioned about the outlet passage. An air transfer tube is provided having an inlet coupled to and a source of pressurized air and an outlet in proximity to the nozzle. The tube includes a first coil section mounted about the heating coil so that the pressurized air is heated prior to reaching the nozzle such that the surface is heated.