Abstract: Three motors (9, 13, 17) are operated independently to extend telescopically first, second, and third coaxial stages (30, 38, 52). Each motor (9, 13, 17) has an axial extension (28, 36, 48) on its rotor (12, 16, 20) that threadedly engages the respective stage (30, 38, 52). Extension (28) is fixed to rotor (12). Extensions (36, 48) are spline connected to rotors (16, 20). First stage (30) is attached to extension (36) by a bearing (62). Second stage (38) is attached to extension (48) by a bearing (64). When first stage (30) extends or retracts, it carries with it second and third stages (38, 52) and extensions (36, 48). When second stage (38) extends or retracts, it carries with it third stage (52) and extension (48). Stages (30, 38, 52) are fixed against rotation relative to a housing (4).

Abstract: A workpiece drilling machine includes to be moved to any of several drilling locations along the workpiece. A plurality of indexing detents is formed along the rail coinciding with each drilling location. A cam follower on the drill carriage is engageable with the detents to coarsely position the drill carriage. An index-cancelling device is associated with each detent and controllable by a preprogrammed input device to determine which of the detents is to be available for engagement by the cam follower. The programmed input device has a visual marking thereon corresponding to the information encoded therein and a visually perceptible status readout is controlled by the index-cancelling means to permit visual verification that the index-cancelling devices are arranged in accordance with the desired pattern.

Abstract: An aircraft in which the fuselage and wings are configured in a blended wing design has a door opening in the fuselage adjacent the wing and a door assembly for closing the door opening. The door assembly includes a door having an exterior panel that conforms to the shape of the aircraft at the location of the door opening when the door is closed and having an interior structure configured in a series of steps. The door is movable between a closed position in which an upper edge of the door panel is adjacent an upper edge of the door opening and an open position in which the door panel lies substantially within the wing and in which the upper edge of the door panel is adjacent an upper surface of the wing and spaced from the fuselage. When the door is in the open position, the steps form a stairway leading from the fuselage up and out of the aircraft to the upper surface of the wing.