Abstract: An apparatus is for use with a container of liquid that is suspended from an aircraft flying over a ground target area. The container has an outlet through which the liquid is dropped from the container. The apparatus includes a diffuser configured to diffuse the liquid exiting the container outlet horizontally outward beyond the container into the air above the ground target area, whereby the liquid is diffused over a correspondingly wide area. The liquid can be fire extinguishing liquid, and the ground target area can be a forest fire.

Abstract: An apparatus is for use with a container of liquid that is suspended from an aircraft flying over a ground target area. The container has an outlet through which the liquid is dropped from the container. The apparatus includes a diffuser configured to diffuse the liquid exiting the container outlet horizontally outward beyond the container into the air above the ground target area, whereby the liquid is diffused over a correspondingly wide area. The liquid can be fire extinguishing liquid, and the ground target area can be a forest fire.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a source of light including a first orientation device that includes a latitude scale, a latitude pointer rotatable about a first axis relative to the latitude scale, and a platform configured to support an architectural model. The platform is mounted on the latitude pointer such that rotation of the pointer about the first axis produces a corresponding change in the position of the platform relative to the latitude scale. The apparatus also includes a second orientation device that includes a time scale and a time pointer rotatable about a second axis relative to the time scale. The first orientation device is mounted on the time pointer such that rotation of the time pointer about the second axis produces a corresponding change in the position of the platform relative to the time scale without changing the position of the platform relative to the latitude scale.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a source of light including a first orientation device that includes a latitude scale, a latitude pointer rotatable about a first axis relative to the latitude scale, and a platform configured to support an architectural model. The platform is mounted on the latitude pointer such that rotation of the pointer about the first axis produces a corresponding change in the position of the platform relative to the latitude scale. The apparatus also includes a second orientation device that includes a time scale and a time pointer rotatable about a second axis relative to the time scale. The first orientation device is mounted on the time pointer such that rotation of the time pointer about the second axis produces a corresponding change in the position of the platform relative to the time scale without changing the position of the platform relative to the latitude scale.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a shadow on a scaled figure is presented herein. The apparatus includes a circular disk with a lines corresponding to the declination angle of the earth with respect to the sun at particular dates of the year. The apparatus also includes arcs on the circular disk which correspond to the earth's rotation at particular times of the day. The circular disk can also have a slot to facilitate insertion of a pencil or pen time therein. The circular disk is substantially transparent to enable a user to lay the disk over a scaled figure and make calculations and measurements corresponding to a shadow to be estimated. Also disclosed is a method for estimating a shadow for a structure depicted in a scaled figure. The circular disk is placed over the scaled figure such that the slot in the disk is aligned with an azimuth of the sun so as to trace a shadow line. The circular disk is then reoriented perpendicular to the shadow line so that a scaled height line may be traced.

Abstract: An apparatus is for use with a container of liquid that is suspended from an aircraft flying over a ground target area. The container has an outlet through which the liquid is dropped from the container. The apparatus includes a diffuser configured to diffuse the liquid exiting the container outlet horizontally outward beyond the container into the air above the ground target area, whereby the liquid is diffused over a correspondingly wide area. The liquid can be fire extinguishing liquid, and the ground target area can be a forest fire.