Abstract: According to a preferred embodiment, a multi-piece fastener with self-indexing nut is disclosed. The multi-piece fastener is designed for use in low clearance areas such as aircraft wing side-of-body joint locations. The multi-piece fastener comprises a stud comprising an elongated part extending between a first end face and a second end face, a threaded head fastener, a threaded tail fastener, and a wrenching feature. A self-indexing feature is provided on the stud and head fastener which allows automatic orientation of the head fastener with respect to the stud.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, a wire bundle wrap cutter is provided for cutting wire bundle wraps. The wire bundle wrap cutter generally comprises a shaft with a cutting end, and a handle end, a cutting head perpendicular to the cutting end, and a handle with a trigger at the handle end. The cutting head defines a channel between a tongue and a blade enclosure. There is a cutting blade disposed in a slot in the blade enclosure which is movable from an enclosed position wherein the cutting edge is inside the blade enclosure to an activated position wherein the cutting edge is moved toward the tongue portion to cut a wire bundle wrap placed in the U-shaped channel.

Abstract: An electrostatic colloid thruster for implementing a method of ionizing a liquid is disclosed herein. The electrostatic colloid thruster includes an electrically conductive extractor having a plurality of holes defined therethrough; an ultrasonic atomizer having an electrically conductive atomization surface at least partially facing the extractor and being arranged relative thereto so as to define a gap; a reservoir system in fluid communication with the atomization surface; and an electrical power source in electrical communication with both the extractor and the atomization surface. The apparatus and method are generally utile in various applications including, for example, spacecraft propulsion, paint spray techniques, semiconductor fabrication, biomedical processes, and the like.

Abstract: Provided herein is a female hormone-containing patch wherein an active ingredient is highly soluble in a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and the active ingredient is not adsorbed to a backing, and the patch per se can follow the irregularities on the skin surface or body movements. The patch is an external patch containing, as a female hormone, a follicular hormone estradiol and/or its derivative or a progestational hormone norethisterone and/or its derivative. The external patch comprises an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive containing 0.01 to 1% by weight of an isocyanate-based crosslinking agent as an essential ingredient.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a cargo bar having high load strength. The cargo bar generally comprises an outer sheath and an inner cylindrical telescoping portion. The telescoping portion has a ribbed section with ribs formed from the walls of the telescoping portion. Fastened to the outer sheath is a handle mechanism comprising a handle frame and a lever, the lever having teeth for gripping the ribs of the inner telescoping portion. The handle may be moved from an open position to a closed position, thereby extending the inner portion away from the outer portion through the interaction of the teeth with the ribs of the inner bar. Increased strength is provided by the ribs formed from the walls of the telescoping portion.

Abstract: An I.V. support stand (10) includes a support section and a base (20). The base (20) includes a base body and a plurality of wheel assemblies (24), each wheel assembly including a wheel support (26) operatively mounted to the base body for pivotal movement relative thereto and at least one wheel (28) operatively mounted to the wheel support. The wheel supports are pivotally movable relative to the base body between an extended position in which the wheels rest on a support surface and retracted position, the arrangement being such that when the base is disposed on the support surface the wheels are caused to adopt the extended position and when the base is moved clear of the support surface the wheel assemblies are caused to adopt the retracted position.

Abstract: A propellant depot (40, 150) includes a utility box (42, 42?) that has space flight equipment. A propellant cartridge adaptor (95) is coupled to the utility box (42, 42?) and to an exchangeable propellant cartridge system (41). The propellant depot (40, 150) also includes a docking adaptor (44) for coupling to an approaching spacecraft (24). A controller (66) controls the transfer of propellant from within the exchangeable propellant cartridge system (41) to the spacecraft (24). A method of providing propellant to a spacecraft in space includes launching an orbital propellant depot (40, 150) into space. The spacecraft is docked to the orbital propellant depot (40, 150) in space. Propellant is transferred to the spacecraft. The spacecraft is separated from the orbital propellant depot (40, 150).

Abstract: A mandrel for manufacturing a unitary seamless section of an aircraft fuselage comprises a thin lay-up mandrel element disposed onto the outer shell surface of an inner mandrel shell, forming a mandrel with a substantially continuous lay-up surface. A unitary pre-cured section of an aircraft fuselage is formed by laying up a plurality of resin impregnated skin fibers onto the mandrel's lay-up surface while the mandrel rotates.

Abstract: An airfoil member and an airfoil member altering system are provided for significantly modifying the shape and size of the airfoil member while simultaneously providing an airfoil member with increased adaptability to various flight conditions throughout a flight envelope. The airfoil member comprises at least one motor or actuator, a system controller, a plurality of vehicle performance sensors, at least one temperature controller and airfoil member comprising at least one geometric morphing device that is adjustable in both size and shape and one or more rigid members.

Abstract: An adaptive control method that provides the ability to address control uncertainties in both the sign and magnitude of the control power of the system to ensure stability and command tracking. The adaptive control system also functions correctly and remains internally stable in spite of control limits. The control system has the following elements: (i) a filter that smoothes the command to the plant and modifies the command when a control limit is reached, (ii) an element that receives command error input and constructs a nonlinear function of the accumulated error, (iii) an element that converts the nonlinear function of the accumulated error into a control signal to be added to the output of a baseline control system, and (iv) an element that computes the difference between the actuator command and the maximum achievable output.

Abstract: A parachute support system for supporting a helicopter emergency parachute is provided, comprising a parachute support shaft located within a main rotor shaft, said parachute support shaft being rotationally separated from the rest of the helicopter through the use of bearing supports or enclosures. As the parachute support shaft is connected to the main rotor shaft at multiple distinct and distant points, the system described also provides a preferable load path transfer route, such that parachute system malfunction is minimized.

Abstract: A one-way valve allows air to be drawn from a collapsible, flexible, airtight bag using a vacuum source. When the vacuum source is removed, the one-way valve prevents air from re-entering the bag. The valve assembly comprises a valve base attached to a bag wall and having an opening, a cap base coupled to the valve base, a flapper held in place by the valve base and cap base, and a cap connected to the cap base by a living hinge. When the cap is snapped onto the cap base after bag evacuation, the cap maintains the flapper in a position so that the opening in the valve base stays closed, preventing the admission of ambient air into the evacuated bag.

Abstract: An extraction apparatus (40) for the removal of a riveted fastener (12) from a structure (10) includes a shaft (42) and a cutting element (62). The cutting element (62) is mechanically coupled to the shaft (42) and is configured to cut a portion of the riveted fastener (12). The shaft (42) and the cutting element (62) are configured for insertion through an inner channel (24) of the riveted fastener (12). A method of replacing the riveted fastener (12) from the structure (10) includes inserting the extraction apparatus (40) through the inner channel (24). The extraction apparatus (40) is rotated. A portion of the riveted fastener (12) that extends through the structure (10) is removed. A head (20) of the riveted fastener (12) is also removed from the structure.

Abstract: A placard for displaying a customer specific message includes a receiver, a capacitor, and an electronic updateable static display. The receiver has a memory storing an identification code and an antenna for receiving a signal. The capacitor is coupled to the receiver and capable of being charged by the signal. The electronic updateable static display is coupled to the receiver, is powered by the capacitor and is capable of displaying customer specific messages when a portion of the signal matches the identification code of the placard. The coupling means are conventional and the methods for affixing them are well known in to those skilled in the art. A method of using the placard for displaying a customer specific message is also provided.

Abstract: A layered material for use in transparent, flame resistant components couples a thin, fire resistant outer polymeric film to a thicker, transparent inner polymeric material. The resultant transparent layered material meets FAA flammability requirements for OSU heat release, has excellent solvent resistance and cleanability, is scratch resistant, and is transparent enough for use in interior applications in the aerospace industry. The layered material is formed via a co-extrusion or co-lamination process.

Abstract: An electronic network filter for classified partitioning in an ATM network. The filter has a classified network buffer for identifying whether data is classified or unclassified to define invalid and valid data packets. Invalid data packets are dropped from the classified network buffer and valid data packets are sent to an unclassified network for testing without interrupting the operation of the classified network. In one embodiment, the classified network buffer is programmable to adapt to the continually changing requirements of classified networks.

Abstract: A secure network server wherein both the forwarding process and the receiving process are created upon connection initialization, and the receiving process is held off from communicating with the source host until the forwarding process has created a connection with the destination host. This solves the problem of message loss when the destination host is unreachable.