Abstract: An exemplary autonomous seabased resupply system includes an unmanned blob positioned in a water body, the blob containing fuel, a pump on the blob configured to pump the fuel through a conduit to a craft, and a ballast system operable to change a vertical position of the blob in the water body.

Abstract: Provided is a floating type solar power generation equipment stage (10) device, comprising a carrier (1) and a plurality of floating collars (2). The carrier (1) is made of a hard material, and has an outer frame portion (11) in a horizontal direction and a link bar (12) disposed at the center of the outer frame portion (11). Further, the outer frame portion (11) is vertically disposed with a plurality of straight strip-shaped bonding columns (13) downwards, and an adjustment portion (14) for adjusting the buoyancy of the stage is disposed on the carrier (1). Each of the plurality of floating collars (2) is a buoyant hollow ring, and its center has a sleeve hole (114) into which the bonding column (13) can be inserted so that the floating collars (2) can be arranged vertically up and down on the bonding column (13), and the stage (10) can be floated on the water with vertical buoyancy.

Abstract: One variation of a tram system includes: a chassis; a latch configured to selectively engage a latch receiver mounted to an aircraft; an alignment feature adjacent the latch and configured to engage an alignment receiver mounted to the aircraft and to communicate acceleration and braking forces from the chassis into the aircraft; an optical sensor facing upwardly from the chassis; a drivetrain configured to accelerate and decelerate the chassis along a runway; and a controller configured to detect an optical fiducial arranged on the aircraft in optical images recorded by the optical sensor adjust a speed of the drivetrain to longitudinally align the alignment feature with the alignment receiver based on positions of the optical fiducial detected in the optical images, trigger the latch to engage the latch receiver once the aircraft has descended onto the chassis, and trigger the drivetrain to actively decelerate the chassis during a landing routine.

Abstract: One variation of a tram system includes: a chassis; a latch configured to selectively engage a latch receiver mounted to an aircraft; an alignment feature adjacent the latch and configured to engage an alignment receiver mounted to the aircraft and to communicate acceleration and braking forces from the chassis into the aircraft; an optical sensor facing upwardly from the chassis; a drivetrain configured to accelerate and decelerate the chassis along a runway; and a controller configured to detect an optical fiducial arranged on the aircraft in optical images recorded by the optical sensor adjust a speed of the drivetrain to longitudinally align the alignment feature with the alignment receiver based on positions of the optical fiducial detected in the optical images, trigger the latch to engage the latch receiver once the aircraft has descended onto the chassis, and trigger the drivetrain to actively decelerate the chassis during a landing routine.

Abstract: An amphibious aircraft trailer includes a frame supported on a wheel/suspension bearing axle for movements over a roadway surface. Incorporated into the trailer is a cradle configured to engage a hull of the amphibious aircraft when it is loaded and unloaded in water conditions. A lift mechanism interposed between and coupled to the frame and the cradle is operable to displace the cradle vertically with respect to the frame such that landing gear associated with the amphibious aircraft can be extended or retracted while on the trailer. The trailer may also include a plurality of wheel tracks aligned with the landing gear to facilitate the aircraft's loading and unloading in its ground based mode of operation.

Abstract: Polymer (preferably polyimide) sheets (10) with laser ablated through-holes plated with metal (20) are used for making electrical conections to specified microcircuits, especially unbumped microchips and Tape Automated Bonding (TAB) articles. Bonding with different melting point materials at opposite ends of the plated holes is disclosed. Preferred polyimides are those derived from polymerisation of 4,4'-biphenyldianhydride and (4,4'-diaminobiphenyl, or 4,4'-diaminobiphenylether, or phylenediamine, preferably p-phenylenediamine).

Abstract: A floating seaplane docking facility provides for the completed removal from the water of a seaplane, amphibious aircraft, or surface effect vehicle for ease of boarding and departing, maintenance and inspection, etc. The facility includes a non-buoyant hinged ramp with relatively low friction coefficient tracks or skids for the floats or hull of the aircraft, which tracks may be positioned as required for aircraft of different dimensions. A turntable is included in the ramp, allowing seaplanes to be taxied up onto the ramp and tracks as they are lowered into the water, and turned for maintenance and/or for ease of departing the ramp. The apparatus allows for manual or powered operation by a single person, thereby eliminating need for additional crew. A collapsible, telescoping hangar is also disclosed, which hangar may be installed in combination with the above described floating seaplane dock and is also adaptable for use by land based aircraft.

Abstract: An amphibious aircraft capable of V-STOL operations, the aircraft comprised of a pair of buoyant, coterminus, and elongated body members having an axially converging and diverging profile, joined together at the forward end thereof by a forward fuselage having at least one cambered surface, the entire structure thereof functioning as a lifting body, the forward fuselage having a pair of wings rigidly attachable thereto, and at least one propulsion unit attachable thereto proximal to the aircraft's longitudinal centerline, whereby the transition between vertical and conventional flight modes may be accomplished, the aircraft further having a stabilizer for pitch and yaw control which are pivotally and hingedly attachable to the rear of said elongated body members.

Abstract: A watercraft lift supported on one or a pair of stanchions that include a sleeve assembly mounted for slidable movement on the stanchions. A platform is mounted on forks carried by a cross arm inserted into the sleeve assemblies which protrude out from the stanchions. Upright members mounted on the platform carry fender members.In a modified form of the invention a single stanchion with a similar sleeve assembly, a cross arm and twin forks, lifts a floating dock.In a further modified form, a single stanchion with a similar sleeve assembly, a cross arm and twin forks, lifts a non-floating dock.In still another modified form a single stanchion with a sleeve assembly cross arm and twin forks carries a spaced frame for receiving a seaplane.

Abstract: An emergency aircraft landing device is shown of the type having a base with a concave upper surface for receiving and supporting the fuselage of an aircraft. A plurality of resilient, elongate members are arranged in rows at spaced intervals along the upper surface and the rows are oriented normal to the upper surface for stopping the forward progress of an aircraft landing on the upper surface. An inflatable bag on either side of each of the rows supports the elongate members normal to the plane of the upper surface. The base is mounted on wheels and is powered by an electric motor for moving down a runway. A second electric motor is remotely controlled by a radio signal and operates a worm gear to position the front wheel of the device control the direction of travel.