Abstract: A high tensile tape or cable is sewn into pockets in the arms of a flight suit. The pockets are closed over the tape or cable by a frangible thread. A non-frangible thread secures one end of the tape or cable to the wrist of the flight suit. The other end of the wire or cable is secured to a fastener that is adapted to connect to a ring member in the aircraft. The ring member is fastened to a tape or cable wound on a haul-back reel in the aircraft seat. Upon receipt of an ejection signal, the haul-back reel winds the tape or cable rupturing the frangible threads securing the pockets in the arms of the flight suit. The tape or cable pulls the arms up and against the chest of the air crewmember.

Abstract: Polycyclic addition polymers derived from norbornene-type monomers are mixed with a variety of other polymers to generate families of new blends, alloys, and block copolymers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the frequency of a desired resonant mode of a crystal arrangement, or other two-port device, during an automated operation. The crystal arrangement, or other two-port device, is placed into a test circuit and subjected to a sinusoidal test signal of known frequency. Based upon the output response of the crystal arrangement to the test signal, the frequency of the test signal is changed such that the test signal rapidly converges on a desired mode of operation of the crystal arrangement. This is accomplished by first noting a desired increase in amplitude of the output response of the crystal arrangement, followed by measuring an error signal related to the desired crystal arrangement mode of operation. When the error equals a predetermined value the frequency of the sinusoidal test signal is the frequency of the desired mode.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of high temperature composites made by the chemical vapor infiltration and deposition of a binding matrix within a porous structure. More particularly, the invention relates to pressure gradient processes for forcing infiltration of a reactant gas into a porous structure, apparatus for carrying out those processes, and the resulting products. The invention is particularly suited for the simultaneous CVI/CVD processing of large quantities (hundreds) of aircraft brake disks.

Abstract: This invention relates to a blend of polymers having electrostatic dissipative properties. The blend in particular comprises a thermoplastic base polymer, electrostatic dissipative agent and acrylic ESD enhancer.

Abstract: A deicer comprises a skin heating means immediately subjacent an outer skin overlying an apex of a leading edge, and a skin deflection means immediately subjacent the outer skin chordwise aft of the apex. The skin heating means prevents the formation of ice over the apex and the skin deflection means deflects the outer skin to expulse ice formed chordwise aft of the apex. A controller controls the heating and deflection cycles to minimize power consumption of the deicer.

Abstract: A combat maneuver training system includes a shooter platform (1) and a target platform (2). A first step is performed at the shooter platform, and operates a rangefinder (18) to determine a laser range of a shooter platform weapon (1A). At the target platform, the operation of the rangefinder is detected, and a controller (10) of the target platform transmits a current location (e.g. from GPS) of the target platform. At the shooter platform, when the target platform is in range, the controller (10) calculates an impact point of a simulated ordinance on the target platform and an impact time, and then transmits this and other information to the target platform. Meanwhile, an operator of the target platform, detecting the rangefinding operation, begins to maneuver the target platform to evade the simulated ordinance.

Abstract: An anti-icing blanket for preventing the accumulation of ice on aircraft surfaces due to cold soaked fuel disposed beneath the surface comprises a thermally insulative layer bonded to the aircraft surface and an erosion resistant layer disposed over the insulative layer.

Abstract: A method of preparing generally amorphous copolymers of ethylene and at least one norbornene (NB)-type comonomer. These polymers may be random or alternating, depending on the choice of catalyst and/or the relative ratio of the monomers used. This method comprises polymerizing said monomers in a diluent or in bulk in the presence of a cationic palladium catalyst resulting from reacting a chelating ligand with a palladium (II) compound. The catalysts employed in this invention may be represented by the formula: wherein X and Y each independently is a donor heteroatom selected from P, N, O, S and As or an organic group containing said heteroatoms, and the heteroatoms are bonded to the bridging group A; A is a divalent group selected from an organic group and phosphorus forming together with X, Y and Pd a 4, 5, 6, or 7-membered ring, and preferably a 5-membered ring; R is a hydrocarbyl group; and CA is a weakly coordinating anion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a susceptor lid for use in a CVI/CVD furnace. More specifically, the invention is directed to a lid configured to consecutively run CVI/CVD and heat treatment processes without opening the furnace. The susceptor lid according to the invention comprises: a susceptor lid body having a gas exhaust hole, the susceptor lid body having a top surface and a bottom surface; and an exhaust lid disposed over the gas exhaust hole, with a clearance between the exhaust lid and the gas exhaust hole such that exhaust gas pressure within the clearance is approximately equal to, or less than the exhaust gas pressure within the gas exhaust hole, the exhaust lid being positioned to block the majority of the radiation from below the bottom surface of the susceptor lid body.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reducing or eliminating the wavefront error caused by variations in the thickness of an optical coating applied to a mirror without requiring that the thickness variation in the optical coating be reduced to reduce the wavefront error. The reduction in the wavefront error is achieved by adding a compensating layer to the top of the optical coating. The thickness of the compensating layer is directly proportional to the thickness of the optical coating and inversely proportional to one minus the index of refraction of the material used for the compensating layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of deicers for inhibiting atmospheric ice accumulation on aircraft structures. More particularly, the invention relates to the bonding of a deicer to an aircraft structure. According to an aspect of the invention, a device for inhibiting atmospheric ice accumulation on an aircraft structure is provided comprising a deicer, and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer that defines a bonding surface that bonds the deicer to the aircraft structure, and wherein the deicer and aircraft surface are primed before application of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer.

Abstract: A pneumatic deicing system includes a deicer assembly comprised of an outer layer having a low modulus of elasticity, an inner ply, and a plurality of inflatable members provided therebetween for imposing strain in ice accumulated thereon. The deicer assembly is disposed directly on top of and bonded to the leading edge of an airfoil. The deicer has a plurality of large radius spanwise running inflatable members arranged substantially parallel to the leading edge and a plurality of small radius spanwise running inflatable members arranged substantially parallel to the leading edge and disposed chordwise aft of the large radius spanwise running inflatable members. The small radius inflatable members are covered with a low ice adhesion surface.

Abstract: A valve for use in an inflation system wherein the valve has a spring regulated piston which regulates the flow rate through the valve into the inflatable member, such that if the flow rate gets too high, the regulating piston will divert some or all of the flow out a neutral thrust over pressure relief vent, which vents outside the inflatable member. The valve also has a secondary form of overpressure relief in the form of a neutral thrust diffuser which also dumps outside of the inflatable member. Fluid is prevented from flowing out of the neutral thrust diffuser by a burst disk, but if the fluid pressure is high enough, the burst disk will burst, and the fluid will flow out of the neutral thrust diffuser.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of damping in load-carrying members, particularly those load-carrying members that carry a load between a plurality of masses that are subject to induced cyclic distortion or vibration. According to an aspect of the invention, a damped structural member is provided that carries a load between a first mass and a second mass. The damped structural member comprises a load-carrying member that carries the load between the first and second masses, and at least one damping member nested with the load-carrying member. The damping member and the load-carrying member move relative to each other during cyclic distortion of the load-carrying member thereby dissipating distortion energy at a damping interface between the damping member and the load-carrying member. The damping member bears essentially only cyclic loads induced by cyclic bending mode movement of load-carrying member. A method for damping a structural member is also provided.

Abstract: A novel energy hydraulic media is disclosed comprising a microgel dispersion. The microgel dispersion is a Non-Newtonian fluid. This microgel dispersion is useful in devices that utilize a hydraulic fluid, such as hydraulic energy transmission systems and mechanical energy absorbing devices. Examples include hydraulic brake systems, liquid springs, and dynamic damping devices such as aircraft landing gear shock struts, car bumpers, and automobile shock absorbers. Methods of transmitting hydraulic energy and for dissipating kinetic energy using this microgel dispersion are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of forming fibrous structures by needling processes. A process is provided for achieving a desired Z-fiber distribution in a fibrous structure by controlling transport depth during formation of the fibrous structure in a series of needling passes. Each needling pass generates a portion of Z-fiber bundles that penetrate adjacent fibrous layers, the Z-fiber bundles penetrating only those adjacent fibrous layers that need more Z-fiber bundles to attain a predetermined number of Z-fiber bundles within each fibrous layer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polymers containing a repeating unit derived from a norbornene sulfonamide. These may be addition polymers which include copolymers with one or more comonomers such as norbornene, ethylene, an acrylate or sulfur dioxide or carbon monoxide. Said monomers may be polymerized using single or multicomponent Group VIII catalysts. The norbornene sulfonamides can also form ROMP polymers using known metathesis catalysts. Preferably the ROMP polymers may be hydrogenated to give more stable polymers.

Abstract: A multistage stage deformable mirror structure (10) includes a backup structure (12) having a support surface; a single mirror facesheet (18) having an optical surface (18A); and, interposed between the support surface and the optical surface, at least one intermediate deformable structure (14) that is coupled at a first surface to the support surface through a first set of linear actuators (16) for being deformed by the set first set of actuators. The at least one intermediate deformable structure is also coupled at a second opposing surface to the optical surface through a second set of linear actuators (20) for deforming the optical surface. The optical surface assumes a shape that is a combination of the deformation imparted to the at least one intermediate deformable structure by the first set of linear actuators, and the deformation imparted to it by the second set of linear actuators.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a radiation sensitive photoresist composition comprising a photoacid initiator and a polycyclic polymer comprising repeating units that contain pendant acid labile groups. Upon exposure to an imaging radiation source the photoacid initiator generates an acid which cleaves the pendant acid labile groups effecting a polarity change in the polymer. The polymer is rendered soluble in an aqueous base in the areas exposed to the imaging source.