Abstract: An airship system having a flexible envelope and at least one bladder positioned therein is described. The bladder(s) provide an impervious barrier between the gas within the bladder(s) and the air exterior to the bladder(s). The envelope includes longitudinal and hoops straps weaved together in a criss-cross manner. The envelope also includes rings positioned thereon that include truss members for receiving struts for removably coupling the airship to another airship. A tri-hull delta dirigible system is also described, comprising three airships coupled together using struts and arranged in an equilateral triangle formation. The tri-hull delta dirigible system has a similar lift capacity (volume) as a conventional large mono-hull dirigible, while minimizing the detrimental bending in the center of the conventional mono-hull dirigible.

Abstract: An airship system having a flexible envelope and at least one bladder positioned therein is described. The bladder(s) provide an impervious barrier between the gas within the bladder(s) and the air exterior to the bladder(s). The envelope includes longitudinal and hoops straps weaved together in a criss-cross manner. The envelope also includes rings positioned thereon that include truss members for receiving struts for removably coupling the airship to another airship. A tri-hull delta dirigible system is also described, comprising three airships coupled together using struts and arranged in an equilateral triangle formation. The tri-hull delta dirigible system has a similar lift capacity (volume) as a conventional large mono-hull dirigible, while minimizing the detrimental bending in the center of the conventional mono-hull dirigible.

Abstract: Roadway barrier system and method are disclosed for decelerating a moving vehicle in a controlled manner and for retaining the decelerated vehicle. A net or mesh of the roadway barrier system receives and captures the moving vehicle. The net or mesh is secured to anchors by energy absorbing straps. The energy absorbing straps deploy under a tensional load to decelerate the moving vehicle, the straps providing a controlled resistance to the tensional load over a predefined displacement or stroke to bring the moving vehicle to rest. Additional features include a sacrificial panel or sheet in front of the net that holds up the net or mesh while deflecting vehicles that collide only tangentially with the roadway barrier system.

Abstract: A spacecraft window assembly for providing external viewing from inside an inflatable module is claimed. The inflatable shell has a plurality of layers and each layer has a window opening. The spacecraft window assembly comprises a body, a window assembly window opening, and at least one pressure pane disposed within, and forming a substantially airtight seal with, the window assembly. The body of the window assembly is adapted for securedly receiving each one of the plurality of layers of the inflatable shell to the body of the window assembly such that the window opening in each layer of the inflatable shell is substantially aligned with the pressure pane. Further, the body of the window assembly is adapted to form a substantially air tight seal with at least one layer of the inflatable shell.

Abstract: An inflatable module comprising a structural core and an inflatable shell, wherein the inflatable shell is sealingly attached to the structural core. In its launch or pre-deployed configuration, the wall thickness of the inflatable shell is collapsed by vacuum. Also in this configuration, the inflatable shell is collapsed and efficiently folded around the structural core. Upon deployment, the wall thickness of the inflatable shell is inflated; whereby the inflatable shell itself, is thereby inflated around the structural core, defining therein a large enclosed volume. A plurality of removable shelves are arranged interior to the structural core in the launch configuration. The structural core also includes at least one longeron that, in conjunction with the shelves, primarily constitute the rigid, strong, and lightweight load-bearing structure of the module during launch.

Abstract: Roadway barrier system and method are disclosed for decelerating a moving vehicle in a controlled manner and for retaining the decelerated vehicle. A net or mesh of the roadway barrier system receives and captures the moving vehicle. The net or mesh is secured to anchors by energy absorbing straps. The energy absorbing straps deploy under a tensional load to decelerate the moving vehicle, the straps providing a controlled resistance to the tensional load over a predefined displacement or stroke to bring the moving vehicle to rest. Additional features include a sacrificial panel or sheet in front of the net that holds up the net or mesh while deflecting vehicles that collide only tangentially with the roadway barrier system.

Abstract: A portable, collapsible hyperbaric chamber. A toroidal inflatable skeleton provides initial structural support for the chamber, allowing the attendant and/or patient to enter the chamber. Oval hatches mate against bulkhead rings, and the hyperbaric chamber is pressurized. The hatches seal against an o-ring, and the internal pressure of the chamber provides the required pressure against the hatch to maintain an airtight seal. In the preferred embodiment, the hyperbaric chamber has an airlock to allow the attendant to enter and exit the patient chamber during treatment. Visual communication is provided through portholes in the patient and/or airlock chamber. Life monitoring and support systems are in communication with the interior of the hyperbaric chamber and/or airlock chamber through conduits and/or sealed feed-through connectors into the hyperbaric chamber.

Abstract: An inflatable module comprising a structural core and an inflatable shell, wherein the inflatable shell is sealingly attached to the structural core. In its launch configuration, the wall thickness of the inflatable shell is collapsed by vacuum. Also in this configuration, the inflatable shell is collapsed and efficiently folded around the structural core. Upon deployment, the wall thickness of the inflatable shell is inflated; whereby the inflatable shell itself, is thereby inflated around the structural core, defining therein a large enclosed volume. A plurality of removable shelves are arranged interior to the structural core in the launch configuration. The structural core also includes at least one longeron that, in conjunction with the shelves, primarily constitute the rigid, strong, and lightweight load-bearing structure of the module during launch.

Abstract: The present invention is a dissipating protection energy system designed to receive and safely dissipate the kinetic energy from high energy fragments. The energy dissipation system dissipates energy transferred to it by the incremental and progressive rupturing at an approximately constant force of strategically placed sacrificial stitching applied to a number of high strength straps, such as an aromatic polymide fiber of extremely high tensile strength. Thus, the energy dissipation system provides a lightweight device for controlling and dissipating the dangerous and destructive energy stored in high strength fragments released by catastrophic failures of machinery minimizing damage to other critical components.

Abstract: A first space vehicle is attached with a second space vehicle which includes a rocket propulsion nozzle having a combustion chamber upstream from the nozzle throat. Apparatus 10 includes an elongate grappling arm 12 extending from the first space vehicle, a pair of inflatable bladders 16, 18 positioned about the grappling arm for engaging an inner surface of the combustion chamber upon inflation, and a pair of rear bladders 20, 22 positioned about the grappling arm for engaging an inner surface of the nozzle downstream from the combustion chamber upon inflation for aligning the grappling arm and the rocket propulsion nozzle. A pressurized fluid source 24 is provided on the first space vehicle for supplying fluid pressure to the inflatable bladders, and a fluid control valve manifold 30 selectively controls the release of pressurized fluid to the bladders.

Abstract: Various techniques for forming superconductive lines are described whereby superconductive lines can be formed by stamping, etching, polishing, or by rendering selected areas of a superconductive film (layer) non-superconductive. The superconductive material can be "perfected" (or optimized) after it is formed into lines (traces). In one embodiment, trenches are etched in a substrate, the trenches are filled with superconductive material, and any excess superconductive material overfilling the trenches is removed, such as by polishing. In another embodiment, superconductive lines are formed by rendering selected areas of a superconductive layer (i.e., areas other than the desired superconductive lines) non-superconductive by "damaging" the superconductive material by laser beam heating, or by ion implantation. Superconductive lines formed according to the invention can be used to protect semiconductor devices (e.g.

Abstract: Various techniques for forming superconductive lines are described whereby superconductive lines can be formed by stamping, etching, polishing, or by rendering selected areas of a superconductive film (layer) non-superconductive. The superconductive material can be "perfected" (or optimized) after it is formed into lines (traces). In one embodiment, trenches are etched in a substrate, the trenches are filled with superconductive material, and any excess superconductive material overfilling the trenches is removed, such as by polishing. In another embodiment, superconductive lines are formed by rendering selected areas of a superconductive layer (i.e., areas other than the desired superconductive lines) non-superconductive by "damaging" the superconductive material by laser beam heating, or by ion implantation. Superconductive lines formed according to the invention can be used to protect semiconductor devices (e.g.

Abstract: A motorcycle throttle control for installation in a hand grip throttle control comprises a body designed to be threaded into a motorcycle throttle housing, a plunger within the body, and a cam lever mounted by the body for engaging the plunger to urge it into binding contact with a motorcycle throttle drum to hold a motorcycle throttle in a predetermined position.

Abstract: In the representative embodiment of the invention disclosed herein a load limiting, energy absorbing net is arranged to overlay a normally-covered vent opening in the rear bulkhead of the space orbiter vehicle. Spatially-disposed flexible retainer straps are extended from the net and respectively secured to bulkhead brackets spaced around the vent opening. The intermediate portions of the straps are doubled over and stitched together in a pattern enabling the doubled-over portions to progressively separate at a predicable load designed to be well below the tensile capability of the straps as the stitches are successively torn apart by the forces imposed on the retainer members whenever the cover plate is explosively separated from the bulkhead and propelled into the net.

Abstract: A pyrothechnic actuated structural release device which is mechanically two fault tolerant for release. The device comprises a fastener plate 11 and fastener body 12 each attachable to one of a pair of structures to be joined. The fastener plate 11 and the fastener body 12 are fastenable by a dual swivel toggle member 13. The toggle member is supported at one end on the fastener plate and mounted for universal pivotal movement thereon. Its other end is received in a central opening in the fastener body 12, and has a universally mounted retainer ring member 38. The toggle member 13 is restrained by three retractable latching pins symmetrically disposed in equiangular spacing about the axis of the toggle member 13 and positionable in latching engagement with the retainer ring member on the toggle member. Each pin is retractable by a pyrotechnic charge, the expanding gases of which are applied to a pressure receiving face on the latch pins to effect retraction from the ring member.

Abstract: Apparatus for projecting multiple images from a pair of reticles (117) to a photo-sensitive coated substrate (1) to produce large scale electronic devices (2). A pair of parallel and proximate optical systems (29) are used, the optical systems being positioned to project in the z-direction upon a movable stage (11) subject to controlled motion (159, 169) in the x- and y-directions. The apparatus includes means (225) for determining the coordinates of motion of the stage relative to images projected from the reticles, means for using the determined positions to establish a stage transfer function for the apparatus relative to various positions of stage, and means (130) for applying the transfer function to adjust the relative positions of the reticles (117) and substrate (1) for accurate image projection, and for thereafter projecting an image upon the substrate.

Abstract: A disc brake system for a shuttle orbiter including an annular disc element (10) having internal radially directed and angularly spaced relief slots (12) and trapezoidial shaped carbon pad members (15) disposed circumferentially around the disc element. T Clips (19, 19') snugly engage the outer ends of the pad members and are attached to rivet heads (34, 35) and (34', 35') and have guide members (51, 51') slidably received in guide grooves (50, 50') in a spring housing (20). Springs (61) provide a force tending to move the T Clips toward the center of the disc where the magnitude of the force can be adjusted by a screw (65).

Abstract: Apparatus for projecting multiple images from a pair of reticles (117) to a photo-sensitive coated substrate (1) to produce large scale electronic devices (2). A pair of parallel and proximate optical systems (29) are used, the optical systems being positioned to project in the z-direction upon a movable stage (11) subject to controlled motion (159, 169) in the x- and y-directions. The apparatus includes means (225) for determining the coordinates of motion of the stage relative to images projected from the reticles, means for using the determined positions to establish a stage transfer function for the apparatus relative to various positions of stage, and means (130) for applying the transfer function to adjust the relative positions of the reticles (117) and substrate (1) for accurate image projection, and for thereafter projecting an image upon the substrate.