Abstract: A motor with a variable speed controller is used to operate a hose reel for connecting a fuel source or decontaminant on a tanker plane to a fuel tank or other receptor on an unmanned vehicle. The hose reel is controlled to feed the fuel or other liquid through the hose and a drogue to a receiving probe on the unmanned vehicle and is also controlled to maintain the drogue in proper position. This end result is achieved by means of a controlling transponder on the unmanned vehicle which receives radio control signals from a communicating transponder on the tanker. A microcomputer processes the received control signals which are then fed to the motor controller. The motor controller not only controls the positioning of the drogue but also controls the motor so that excess hose is reeled in by the hose reel. The controller in addition controls the thrust power. A lidar tracker with a miniature video camera maintains a line of sight between the drogue and the receiver probe and tracks the drogue-probe.

Abstract: System and method for pressurizing and dispersing fire retardant from an aircraft, particularly aircraft structured and equipped for retarding or extinguishing forest fires, that includes a small power pack having a plenum operatively interconnecting a plurality of individual solid propellant gas generator devices each containing solid propellant materials that react pyrotechnically when initiated electrically to generate large quantities of high-pressure gas in a few seconds for discharging a liquid retardant reservoir.

Abstract: An engine arrangement (10) comprises propulsion means for propelling the aircraft (12), and drive means to drive the propulsion means. The arrangement (10) further includes mounting means to mount at least the propulsion means in a location spaced above the upper surface of the aircraft (10). In the preferred embodiment, the propulsion means is in the form of tip driven fans (14), and the drive means comprises gas generators (34) mounted within the body of the aircraft (10) fixedly connected by intake ducts (36) to the underside of the aircraft (10).

Abstract: A portable pet carrier having a top portion, a middle section and a bottom portion made primarily from a molded synthetic material, with the top portion having a handle-like structure for carrying the assembled pet carrier and the middle portion having holes for ventilation and a door or window-like structure for placing a pet in or removing a pet from the carrier. The middle and bottom portions and the top and middle portions having mating connectors wherein the middle and bottom portions and the top and middle portions can be securely fastened to each other when assembled and can be easily separate from each other when disassembled by way of their respective mating connectors.

Abstract: A man-made nesting structure for northern rough-winged swallows for mounting on a wall having a substantially upright surface, such nesting structure being substantially elongated and mounted parallel on the wall surface with an entrance defined at one end and a nesting area defined at the opposite end.

Abstract: A kite control assembly permitting arch-type kites with four attachment points to be flown with two control lines and further including changeable length line elements which may be set to cause particular performance by the kite under given wind conditions and to make the kite optimally maneuverable. Cross bridles, changeable in length, may be used to alter the turning radius of the kite in various wind conditions. Line guides and line stops may be provided for rapidly de-powering the kite.

Abstract: A deicer is provided for breaking up and removing accumulated ice on an airfoil surface. The deicer includes a bondside surface that is bonded to the airfoil surface, a breezeside surface on which the ice will accumulate, and passage-defining surfaces therebetween. The passage-defining surfaces define a plurality of expansible and contractible inflation passages and include a moisture-impervious coating whereby moisture within the inflation passages will not be absorbed by the surfaces. The bondside, breezeside and passage-defining surfaces may be contained on a deicer panel and means may be provided for introducing inflation fluid to and evacuating inflation fluid from the passages to expand and contract the inflation passages to break up and remove the accumulated ice.

Abstract: A spacecraft orbit control system and method for controlling the orbit of a spacecraft during orbit raising includes processing spacecraft position data to meet the spacecraft attitude sensing needs for long duration, low thrust orbit raising burns. The actual spacecraft position as determined by a global positioning system (GPS) receiver is compared with the desired spacecraft position to generate an error signal indicative of a spacecraft position error for adjusting the attitude of the spacecraft as thrusters move the spacecraft. The attitude of the spacecraft is adjusted to eliminate the spacecraft position error such that the actual spacecraft position corresponds with the desired spacecraft position and the spacecraft maintains a desired orbit during the orbit raising.

Abstract: A pet toy that projects a moving light beam in various directions to entertain a pet is provided. The pet toy comprises a hollow housing having an upper opening and a lower opening. A domed cover is pivotally attached to the housing and capable of closing the upper opening. The domed cover has a reflective material on an underside thereof. A light source is operatively received within the housing and capable of producing a beam of light directed upward through the upper opening. An electric motor is operatively received within the housing and capable of moving the light source. A power source is operatively received within the housing for powering the light source and the electric motor. A switch is located on the housing and movable to an on position allowing the power source to power the light source and/or the electric motor and an off position for preventing the power source from powering the light source and/or the electric motor.

Abstract: Displacements of output portions 35, 36 of a pair of piezoelectric actuators 25, 26 arranged spanwise in a flap drive apparatus are magnified by a displacement magnification mechanism 27 so that a swing arm 28 is driven in swinging fashion with large amplitude. A flap 22 attached to the trailing edge of a blade 21 by way of a connecting rod 30 connected to a tip of the swing arm 28 is driven in vertical angular displacement fashion. The displacement magnification mechanism 27 possesses an eccentric shaft 40 has a first shaft 41 and second shaft 42 with offset axes. An output portion 35 is coupled to the first shaft 41, and an output portion 36 is coupled to the second shaft 42. The swing arm 28 is fixed to the eccentric shaft 40. Displacement of the output portions 35, 36 of the actuators 25, 26 in opposite phase results in a stable swing of the swing arm 28.

Abstract: A box for housing breathing masks in a passenger aircraft has a housing closed by a door and a pipe in the housing for delivering respiratory gas under a first pressure to the masks via a flexible line. In rest condition a catch holds the door in closed position. It may be disabled for providing access to the masks. A command, electrical or in the form of a second pneumatic pressure in the pipe, limits the opening of the box to a partially-open position preventing the masks from falling out upon release of the latch.

Abstract: Vortex generators are arranged on the edges of aircraft wing control surfaces to generate smaller vortices that weaken the main vortex that would otherwise be generated at these areas, and thereby reduce the aerodynamic generation of noise. Each vortex generator includes plural elongated elements in the form of rigid rods or flexible bristles protruding laterally outwardly from the respective edge of the control surface. The vortex generators are preferably arranged on the inboard and outboard edges of high lift flaps and slats.

Abstract: A flexible structural frame (100) includes a structure (110) having a passage (112), the walls (114) of the passage (112) defining an opening (116). The flexible structural frame (100) also includes a piece of elastomeric material (120) that has a first surface (122) and a second surface (124). The first surface (122) of the elastomeric material (120) is coupled to at least one of the walls (114) of the passage (112). The flexible structural frame (100) further includes at least one rigid member (130) coupled to the elastomeric material (120) and at least one tension bearing member (140) coupled to the rigid member (130), such that the elastomeric material (120) is compressed when the tension applied to the tension bearing member (140) increases.

Abstract: A ballistic shield containment system for preventing fragments expelled from an engine assembly from penetrating the casing of an adjacently disposed engine is provided. In a turboprop engine assembly having two power sections connected through a combining gearbox to a single propeller shaft, it is imperative that failure of the rotor disks in one engine not cause failure of the remaining engine. A substantially rectangular shaped panel member is supported at approximately the mid-point between the power sections by a support truss system extending from the panel to a space frame. The space frame is supported by a separate truss system connected to fixed bulkhead. The panel includes reinforcing ribs to prevent fragment penetration and excessive deformation. Each of the truss members is attached at either end to a spherical bearing capable of transmitting force loads while preventing transmission of moment loads.

Abstract: A plant cover includes a flower pot cover having a skirt connected to an upper end of the flower pot cover, and a base having a plurality of expansion elements extending thereabout and including an excess of material shaped in the form of a pleat. To form the plant cover, a pot is disposed in the flower pot cover, and the base is disposed about the flower pot cover such that the expansion elements permit the base to expand and contract to both closely encompass and follow the contours of the flower pot cover.

Abstract: A compound autogyro has a unique system of rotor blade retraction and vectored thrust. Redundant thrust systems provide for emergency conditions. Located in the upper mast are twin gas lines leading to a hub section of the rotor. In the hub, they divide the mass flow into two additional gas lines reaching to the tip ends of rigid rotor blades. A revolving, upper section of the rotor mast is attached to a lower, non-rotating section by a spherical bearing. Directly beneath this attach bearing is a distribution plenum, which receives the mass flow from each of three or four turbofan engines. To achieve high levels of propulsion, the turbofans are equipped with vectoring vanes that direct the mass flow to a plenum or, in the alternative, out a jet pipe for conventional flight. Another set of vectoring vanes can direct the mass flow downwardly, in case of a serious failure upon takeoff.

Abstract: A satellite communication system has a first deployment of a plurality of satellites deployed in a medium earth orbit and two later deployments of a plurality of satellites deployed in the medium earth orbit. The first deployment is spaced so that the second deployment may be easily deployed and interleaved into the first deployment. A ground terminal is used for communicating with the satellites in the first and second deployments.

Abstract: A passenger cabin window, especially in a commercial passenger transport aircraft, includes an outer window pane and an inner window pane with an interspace formed therebetween, and a frame around the perimeter of the window interspace. The frame has a funnel-like shape that expands or enlarges from the smaller dimensions of the outerpane to the larger dimensions of the inner pane. At least a visible portion of the frame bounding the window interspace is provided with a mirror reflective surface and particularly a reflective coating thereon. The reflective surface reflects the outside scene, so that the window frame with the reflective surface appears to be a part of the outside view, to a passenger looking out of the window. This visually enlarges the window opening and visually reduces the structural thickness of the fuselage wall, thereby avoiding a closed-in feeling and a tunnel-vision-effect through the window funnel.

Abstract: A new and improved collection device is disclosed which would be attached to the rear of a horse in order to ensure that fecal matter emitted from the horse would be collected in the collection device and not all over a street or other ground surface. The collection device would comprise an inner bag and an outer bag, with the inner bag being emptied when full. The inner bag would be located inside the outer bag, with both the inner bag and the outer bag being placed over a horse's rear end in order to properly collect fecal matter emitted by the horse. Further, the outer bag would be connected to a rear strap, with the rear strap being connected to a series of other straps which would permit the present invention to be removably mounted onto a horse.

Abstract: An improved bird feeder includes a tubular main body having a top open end and a bottom open end. The tubular main body is made of wire mesh material. A bottom cap is attached to the bottom open end to enclose it. A tubular adapter sleeve is positioned in the top open end to protect and isolate the commonly sharp and dangerous top edge of the main body from the user. A top cap is removably positioned over the adapter sleeve to enclose the feeder to protect the feeder located therein. The adapter sleeve not only shields the user from a sharp and dangerous top edge of the mesh main body but also maintains the mesh main body in its original shape by avoiding flexing and bending of the mesh material of the main body.