Abstract: An extendable leading edge for the fuselage and wings of an aircraft is disclosed. The leading edge may be extended from a retracted position adjacent to the fuselage and wings to an extended position. In the extended position, the leading edge increases lift of the aircraft at low speeds. In the retracted position, gaps associated with the leading edge are avoided.

Abstract: In one preferred embodiment, a structure is provided that includes a body having a first wall and a second wall. At least one appending component extends from an end of the body and includes a first skin and second skin. The structure additionally includes at least one actuator positioned within a cavity formed in the body first wall and the appending component second skin. The actuator includes at least one shape memory alloy (SMA) wire adapted to constrict when activated to move the first skin of the appending component from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: A float device which provides an on-demand change in tacking or planing direction without having to retrieve the float or adjust the float configuration. The float utilizes a float body and at least two longitudinal keel members oppositely disposed on the float body. In a first orientation, the first keel is submerged and the second keel is in the air and the float tacks in the first keel direction. A sharp pull on a tether line connected to the float causes the float body to roll 180 degrees such that second keel is submerged and the first keel is in the air and the float tacks in the second keel direction.

Abstract: A method for selecting a freshwater fish able to tolerate conditions of varying salinity is disclosed. Fish are first selected by pre-screening for salt-tolerance. The selected fish are bred using techniques essentially described herein. The offspring of the selected fish may then be subjected to additional factors to increase salt-tolerance. Thereafter, the offspring are reared in normal freshwater conditions resulting in a freshwater fish suitable for brief exposures to saltwater conditions.

Abstract: Valves for annular conduits and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A fluid transmission system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a first conduit having a first wall aligned with a flow direction in the first conduit and a second conduit disposed annularly around the first conduit with a second wall aligned with the flow direction. An access channel can be positioned to have an aperture in fluid communication with the first conduit and can be isolated from fluid communication with the second conduit. A valve element can be positioned in fluid communication with the access channel and can be movable between a first position and a second position, with the valve element being positioned to allow a first amount of flow through the access channel when in the first position and being positioned to allow no flow or a second amount of flow less than the first amount of flow through the access channel when in the second position.

Abstract: A pet carrier for transporting an animal includes a floor panel having a substantially rigid bottom, a pair of side panels each having a lower edge and an upper portion, the lower edges of each side panel attached to opposite ends of the floor panel, and an arcuate top panel having a pair of oppositely located lateral edges, a pair of oppositely located ends, and an inner surface, the ends being fixedly attached to the floor panel and the lateral edges being releasably attached to the side panels. At least two arches are detachably engaged to the top panel inner surface and spaced above the floor panel, the arches being formed from a resiliently planar material and bent to conform with the arcuate top panel. An inflexible bar is positioned along an apex of the top panel inner surface for providing longitudinal stability to the carrier.

Abstract: A reconfigurable interior sidewall system includes one or more simply curved sidewall panels, each curved around the fuselage but longitudinally linear and providing a consistent mating surface for monuments. Panel openings are provided in each panel so that inner window assemblies may be installed for opposing structural windows, each inner window assembly having outward sculpturing for additional cabin room. A cover plate is also provided for flush insertion into the opening to fill the opening when it is not needed and to provide a constant profile for cabin monuments whenever the layout of the cabin changes. This results in the production of fewer parts as well as facilitating faster and less expensive interior reconfigurations.

Abstract: A projectile for a weapon comprises an axially movable firing pin, an initiator actuable when impinged by the firing pin, a plurality of external peripheral fins movable from a radially inward position to a radially outward position when the projectile leaves the weapon, fin engaging means for moving each fin from the radially inward position to the radially outward position and for maintaining each fin in the radially outward position, and internal actuating means for actuating the fin engaging means to engage and thereby move the fins to deploy from the radially inward to the radially outward position as the projectile leaves the weapon.

Abstract: A munition is presented which includes an integrity verification system that measures the integrity of the munition. When an integrity threshold is not met, engagement of the munition with a predetermined target is aborted. Also presented is a methodology for gating the engagement of the munition with the target. The methodology includes performing an integrity check of the munition after it is deployed. The method further includes aborting the engagement of the target when the integrity check of the munition fails.

Abstract: A blade restraint system for restraining a blade of a helicopter comprising a blade clamp releasably mounted to the blade and a pole pair releasably mountable to the blade clamp at a clamp end. The pole pair is releasably mountable to the helicopter fuselage at an aircraft. The pole pair includes a first pole and second pole. The first and second poles are moveable relative to each other between a storage position and an extended position. The first pole is positioned generally within the second pole in the storage position.

Abstract: An improved pet feeding dish is herein disclosed for causing pets to eat their mealtime ration at a slower pace. The pet feeding dish generally comprises an annular-shaped trough which compels the pet to move its snout in a circular fashion therethrough, thereby slowing the eating process. Additionally, obstructions in the form of wave-like indentations are formed in the base of the dish to provide for even distribution of food within the dish as well as to cause the pet to reach into each of the furrows created thereby, thus further retarding the eating process. The teachings of the present invention may be adapted for use with virtually any type of pet that is capable of consuming food from a dish structure such as dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, or other similar type domesticated or non-domesticated animal.

Abstract: An articulated leading edge for the fuselage and wings of an aircraft is disclosed. The leading edge may be moved from an undeflected or retracted position adjacent to the fuselage and wings to a deflected or extended position. The leading edge includes fuselage and wing portions which are articulated with respect to each other. The fuselage portion of the leading edge may be rotated around an axis near the nose of the aircraft. When the fuselage portion is rotated, the region between the fuselage portion and wing portion of the leading edge bends and the wing portion is elevated with respect to the wing. In such an extended position, the leading edge increases lift of the aircraft at low speeds. In the retracted position, gaps associated with the leading edge are avoided.

Abstract: An orbital debris shield for protecting the hull of a spacecraft is claimed. The shield is comprised of a number of flexible and releasably attached gores that substantially cover the hull. Interleafed between layers of the gores are layers of a spacing material. As debris collides with the gores, the material is shocked and breaks up to some degree. As the shocked debris disperses through a layer of the gore, the spacing material interacts with the debris. After dispersing through a number of layers of the gores and the spacing material, the debris transfers a significant portion of kinetic energy and the probability of the remaining particles piercing the hull is significantly decreased.

Abstract: A protective facemask for horses includes a panel of an open mesh material and an elastic headstall and an elastic throatlatch that are without fasteners. When the facemask is worn, an upper edge portion of the panel passes around a horse's forehead below the forelock and above the eyes and a lower edge portion of the panel passes over an upper region of a horse's muzzle forward of a horse's eyes and from this region to adjacent a throatlatch region of a horse's throat. When the facemask is worn, the headstall passes over the poll region of a horse's head and the throatlatch extends from the ends of the headstall under a throatlatch region of a horse's throat.

Abstract: An aircraft cabin includes an area to permit administration of first aid medical care to a passenger. The area includes at least a regulatory space located in front of an access door to the cabin. The rest of this area is occupied by a medical module fully dedicated to the first aid medical care.

Abstract: A VTOL aircraft includes a wing, a propulsion system, and an air dam. The propulsion system is located in a central void formed in the wing to cause air flow from an outer perimeter of the wing over the wing and down through the void to generate lift. The air dam is located over the central void to promote flow of air over the wing. The aircraft also may utilize sub-atmospheric pressure gas to reduce the relative weight of the aircraft.

Abstract: A process for improving the landing of an aircraft may include, prior to the aircraft contacting the ground, nose-up under-deflecting the aircraft's adjustable horizontal tail plane and nose-up deflecting the elevators. This arrangement increases the maximum nosedown swing of the elevators to increase the ability of the elevators to make the nose of the aircraft tilt downwards.

Abstract: A cabin crew area (10) of an aircraft (14) includes an aft area (16) with multiple galley carts (30). The aft area (16) has a fore/aft depth that is approximately equal to the depth of two or more of the galley carts (30). A galley storage unit (32) resides in the aft area (16) and stores the galley carts (30). The galley storage unit (32) is configured for placement of a portion of the galley carts (30) in a lateral row in a forward section (42) of the aft area (16). A main counter (34) resides over the galley storage unit (32) and extends laterally across a galley-servicing area (12) of the aircraft (14).

Abstract: The present invention provides an arrangement for filtering milk in a milking system, wherein said arrangement comprises a movable filter magazine provided with at least three filter devices (8), each of which comprises a tube housing a disposable filter and a support structure for supporting the disposable filter, and each of which is connectable to said milking system for filtering milk therein; and an actuating device for connecting each of said at least three filter devices, one at a time, to said milking system.

Abstract: A downrigger release comprises a “scissors-like” release clip, which includes a release arm mounted to an arm holder and adapted to rotate between closed and open positions for carrying and releasing a fishing line, a bifurcated pincer clip, which includes a pair of beams that receive the arm holder, an axially extensible and retractible spring for connecting the pincer clip to a downrigger line, a retainer for retaining and triggering release of the release clip from the pincer clip, the retainer comprising a boss on one of the beams and a detent on the arm holder, release being effectuated by the action of a transverse force camming the boss outwardly from engagement with the detent, a positioner for positioning the release arm in the closed position, and a force adjuster for adjusting the amount of transverse force needed to trigger release of the pincer clip from the release clip.