Abstract: A cover for openings in a partially assembled missile or aircraft structure to prevent entry of chips, oil or other debris during further machining or other manufacturing operations. The cover has a central elastically compressible plug section adapted to fit snugly in an opening and an outwardly extending flange around one end of the plug. When the plug portion is inserted into the opening, the flange covers a ring of bolt holes surrounding the opening. The plug is formed from an elastic closed cell foam material and preferably has a cross-section slightly larger than the opening so as to be compressed slightly when inserted in the opening. The cover is coated with an elastomeric polyurethane coating to prevent flaking of the foam plug when inserted and removed from the opening and to prevent adhesion of contaminates to the cover. Because of the compressibility of the plug, each cover can be used with similarly configured openings of slightly varying sizes.

Abstract: A deployable truss structure particularly adapted to space applications which has high structural efficiency, packages in a volume efficient manner and can be remotely deployed in a controlled, sequential manner. The truss in its deployed configuration exhibits a "diamond" cross section. Each of the four sides of the structure is essentially a "Warren" truss. Diagonals on the opposite sides of each diamond incorporate a mid-span hinge and the other two diagonals are rigid tubes. When packaged, all elements of the truss are folded so that they are parallel to one another and contained between two guide rails. The guide rails are located on either side of the diamond truss. The horizontal strut connection points or nodes are fitted with rollers that are locked in the guide rails for movement therealong. At the start of deployment the upright truss members are lifted to the vertical position, forming the basic diamond shape of the truss.

Abstract: A mobile vehicle having a high degree of survivability against a nearby nuclear blast. The vehicle includes a chasis on which wheels or the like are mounted for movement along the earth's surface and a protective shell covering the vehicle. A skirt extends downwardly from the shell to a substantially uniform distance above the earth's surface during normal conditions. In the event of a nearby nuclear detonation, sensors on the top of the shell detect the initial flash and initiate braking, retraction of the wheels, and closure of any vents. The vehicle comes to rest on the skirts, which may include seals in contact with the earth. Blast overpressure and winds cannot leak underneath the vehicle. Overpressure on top then forces the vehicle tightly against the earth, preventing it from being overturned or blown away by the blast winds. Thereafter, the vehicle can return to its normal function, e.g. erect and launch a missile contained therein, extend the wheels and resume movement, etc.