Abstract: A tool for removing and/or replacing bearings in situ comprises a brace having a first end adapted to engage a first end of the bearing housing, and a second end adapted to engage a second end of the bearing housing. If the two ends of the bearing housing are different in configuration, the respective ends of the brace are correspondingly configured. An elongate guide member integral with the brace has two parts, each projecting endwise from a respective end of the brace. A pressure plate is alternatively removable mountable on either part of the guide member for longitudinal movement therealong, and has first and second ends of different configurations adapted to engage first and second ends respectively of the bearing. A threaded-type drive is cooperative between the guide and the pressure plate to move the pressure plate longitudinally along the guide and apply a force to the bearing, either to remove the bearing from its housing, or to emplace a new bearing in the housing.

Abstract: A releasable fastening apparatus includes a connecting member and a housing, the housing supporting a gripping mechanism adapted to engage the connecting member. A triggering member is movable within the housing between a first position in which it constrains the gripping mechanism in locked engagement with the connecting member, and a second position in which the gripping mechanism is disengaged from the connecting member. A shaped memory alloy actuator is employed for translating the triggering member from its first to its second position, the actuator being operable to expand longitudinally when transitioned from a martensitic to an austenitic state.

Abstract: A latching device which is lever operated sequentially to actuate a set of collet fingers to provide a radial expansion and to actuate a force mechanism to provide a compressive gripping force for attaching first and second devices to one another. The latching device includes a body member having elongated collet fingers which, in a deactuated condition, are insertable through bores on the first and second devices so that gripping terminal portions on the collet fingers are proximate to the end of the bore of the first device while a spring assembly on the body member is located proximate to the outer surface of a second device. A lever is rotatable through 90.degree. to move a latching rod to sequentially actuate and expand collet fingers and to actuate the spring assembly by compressing it. During the first 30.degree. of movement of the lever, the collet fingers are actuated by the latching rod to provide a radial expansion and during the last 60.degree.

Abstract: A bio-reactor system wherein a tubular housing contains an internal circularly disposed set of blade members and a central tubular filter all mounted for rotation about a common horizontal axis and each having independent rotational support and rotational drive mechanisms. The housing, blade members and filter preferably are driven at a constant slow speed for placing a fluid culture medium with discrete microbeads and cell cultures in a discrete spatial suspension in the housing. Replacement fluid medium is symmetrically input and fluid medium is symmetrically output from the housing where the input and the output are part of a loop providing a constant or intermittent flow of fluid medium in a closed loop.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a 3-dimensional cell to tissue and maintenance process, more particularly to methods of culturing cells in a culture environment, either in space or in a gravity field, with minimum fluid shear stress, freedom for 3-dimensional spatial orientation of the suspended particles and localization of particles with differing or similar sedimentation properties in a similar spatial region.

Abstract: The process of the present invention relates to a three dimensional co-culture process. Wherein two distinct types of mammalian cells are co-cultured in a rotating bioreactor which is completely filled with culture media and cell attachment substrates. As the size of the tissue assemblies formed on the attachment substrates changes the rotation of the bioreactor is adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: A suspension cell culture system where a culture chamber is rotatable about a horizontal axis and has a vertical large area oxygen transmissible membrane spaced a distance about 0.25 inches less than 1.0 inches from a facing vertical wall surface for effective transmission of oxygen to cells in suspension in the culture chamber. The facing vertical wall surface can be a dialysis membrane for exchange of fresh nutrient from a dialysis chamber with cell waste product in the culture chamber.

Abstract: A bio-reactor system where cell growth microcarrier beads are suspended in a zero head space fluid medium by rotation about a horizontal axis and where the fluid is continuously oxygenated from a tubular membrane which rotates on a shaft together with rotation of the culture vessel. The oxygen is continuously throughput through the membrane and disbursed into the fluid medium along the length of the membrane.

Abstract: A Sharps container constructed from lightweight alodined non-magnetic metal material with a cup member having an elongated tapered shape and a length greater than its transverse dimensions. A magnet in the cup member provides for metal retention in the container. A non-magnetic lid member has an opening and spring biased closure flap member. The flap member is constructed from stainless steel. A Velcro patch on the container permits selective attachment at desired locations.

Abstract: An electromagnetic attachment mechanism for use as an end effector of a remote manipulator system. A pair of electromagnets 15A, 15B, each with a U-shaped magnetic core with a pull-in coil 34 and two holding coils 35,36 are mounted by a spring suspension system 38,47 on a base plate 25 of the mechanism housing 30 with end pole pieces 21,22 adapted to move through openings in the base plate when the attractive force of the electromagnets is exerted on a strike plate 65 of a grapple fixture 20 affixed to a target object 14. The pole pieces are spaced by an air gap from the strike plate when the mechanism first contacts the grapple fixture. An individual control circuit and power source is provided for the pull-in coil and one holding coil of each electromagnet. A back-up control circuit connected to the two power sources and a third power source is provided for the remaining holding coils.

Abstract: A microporous structure with layered interstitial surface treatments, and method and apparatus for preparation thereof. The structure is prepared by sequentially subjecting a uniformly surface-treated structure (10a) to atomic oxygen treatment to remove an outer layer (16) of surface treatment to a generally uniform depth, and then surface treating the so exposed layer with another surface treating agent. The atomic oxygen/surface treatment steps may optionally be repeated, each successive time to a lesser depth, to produce a microporous structure having multilayered surface treatments. The apparatus (200) employs at least one side arm (228) from a main atomic oxygen-containing chamber (202). The side arm (228) has characteristic relaxation times such that a uniform atomic oxygen dose rate is delivered to a specimen (239) positioned transversely in the side arm (228) spaced from the main gas chamber (202).

Abstract: A system for prolonging the life of a GAC water treatment device in which an ultraviolet light transparent material is used to constrain water to flow over carbon surfaces configured to receive maximum flux from a U/V radiation source, for the purpose of preventing microbial proliferation on the carbon surfaces, oxidizing organic contaminants adsorbed from the water onto the carbon surfaces and from biodegradation of adsorbed microbial forms, disinfecting water, and oxidizing organic contaminants in the water.

Abstract: A payload retention device (10) for grappling and retaining a payload (14) in docked position on a supporting structure (18) in the cargo bay of a space vehicle. The device comprises a two-fault tolerant electromagnetic grappling system comprising electromagnets (30A,30B) for attracting and grappling a grapple strike plate (20) affixed to the payload when in proximity thereto and an electromechanical latching assembly comprising a pair of independent latching subassemblies. Each subassembly comprises a set of latching pawls (29) which are driven into latching and unlatching positions relative to a grappled payload by a pair of gearmotors (40), each equipped with a ratchet clutch drive mechanism (75, 76) which is two-fault tolerant with respect to latching such that only one gearmotor of the four needs to be operational to effect a latch of the payload but is single fault tolerant with respect to release of a latched payload.

Abstract: A portable diagnostic image analysis instrument for retinal funduscopy in which an eye fundus image is optically processed by a lens system (24) to a CCD device (32) which produces recordable and viewable output data and is simultaneously viewable on an electronic view finder 36. The fundus image is processed to develop a representation of the vessel or vessels from the output data.

Abstract: A composite nut is shown which permits a fastener to be inserted or removed from either side with an indicator of fastener engagement. The nut has a plurality of segments, preferably at least three segments, which are internally threaded, spring-loaded apart by an internal spring, and has detents on opposite sides which force the nut segments into operative engagement with a threaded member when pushed in and release the segments for quick insertion or removal of the nut when moved out. When the nut is installed, end pressure on one of the detents presses the nut segments into operative engagement with a threaded member where continued rotation locks the structure together with the detents depressed to indicate positive locking engagement of the nut. On removal, counterclockwise rotation of the nut relieves the endwise pressure on the detents permitting internal springs to force the detents outward and allowing the nut segments to move outward and separate to permit quick removal of the fastener.

Abstract: A whole body cleansing agent for bathing with a small quantity of water in microgravity conditions which consists essentially of a paste comprising an acyltaurate, a skin conditioner, a hair conditioner, and a preservative. Also disclosed is a method of bathing with a small quantity of water which includes the steps of wetting the skin and hair with a small quantity of water, lathering the skin with the paste, rinsing the lather from the skin and hair with a small quantity of water to produce a rinse water containing the cleansing agent, defoaming the rinse water and supplying the defoamed rinse water to a water reclamation unit for recycle thereof.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an electrolysis cell forming hydrogen and oxygen at spaced terminals. The anode terminal is porous and able to form oxygen within the cell and permit escape of the gaseous oxygen through the anode and out through a flow line in the presence of backpressure. Hydrogen is liberated in the cell at the opposing solid metal cathode which is permeable to hydrogen but not oxygen so that the migratory hydrogen formed in the cell is able to escape from the cell. The cell is maintained at an elevated pressure so that oxygen liberated by the cell is delivered at elevated pressure without pumping to raise the pressure of the oxygen.

Abstract: An airtight, flexible joint is disclosed for the interfacing of two pressure vessels such as between the Space Station docking tunnel and the Space Shuttle Orbiter's bulkhead adapter. The joint provides for flexibility while still retaining a structural link between the two vessels required due to the loading created by the internal/external pressure differential. The joint design provides for limiting the axial load carried across the joint to a specific value, a function required in the Orbiter/Station tunnel interface. The flex joint comprises a floating structural segment which is permanently attached to one of the pressure vessels through the use of an inflatable seal. The geometric configuration of the joint causes the tension between the vessels created by the internal gas pressure to compress the inflatable seal.

Abstract: A metallic threaded composite fastener, particularly suited for high temperature applications, has a body member made of high temperature-resistant composite material with a ceramic coating. The body member has a head portion configured to be installed in a countersunk hole and a shank portion which is non-circular and tapered. One part of the shank may be non-circular and the other part tapered, or the two types of surfaces could be combined into a frustum of a non-circular cone. A split collar member made of high strength, high temperature-tolerant metal alloy is split into two halves and the interior of the halves are configured to engage the shank. The exterior of the collar has external threads and the upper portion of the collar has a circumferential groove which receives a lock ring to secure the collar halves to the shank.

Abstract: An apparatus for rejecting waste heat from a system located on or near the lunar equator which utilizes a reflective catenary shaped trough deployed about a vertical radiator to shade the radiator from heat (i.e., infrared radiation) emitted by the hot lunar surface. The catenary shaped trough is constructed from a film material and is aligned relative to the sun so that incoming solar energy is focused to a line just above the vertical radiator and thereby isolate the radiator from the effects of direct sunlight.The film is in a collapsed position between side by side support rods, all of which are in a transport case. To deploy the film and support rods, a set of parallel tracks running perpendicular to length of the support rods are extended out from the transport case.