Abstract: A structure capable of being expanded and retracted. The structure includes a pair of cells each including a plurality of leg elements which are pivotally joined at one end to form an apex point and which are pivotally joined at their opposite ends from the apex point connection to the corresponding leg element from the other cell to form a plurality of common base points. The structure also includes a plurality of hinged elements connected between adjacent common base points to thereby form a common base and the hinged elements each have a pair of sections that are connected at a hinge point approximately midway between the adjacent common base points to which the other end of each section is connected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a uniform sealant coating over the portion of a fastener (14) exposed above a panel (10, 12) includes depositing an amount of uncured sealant (S) in a cavity (44) in a sealant retaining shell (40). The shell and sealant is applied over the exposed portion (22) of the fastener (14) and the retaining shell is brought into contact with the panel such that the uncured sealant is entrapped between the shell and the exposed portion of the fastener and the panel. As descent is made onto the fastener, a slight rotating motion may be used to adjust the sealant around the fastener equally. The sealant is allowed to cure and thereafter the shell is removed leaving a uniform sealant coating over the fastener exposed end.

Abstract: A system for sensing, computing, and displaying the length and the speed of chain or cable payout or reel in. The system employs only a single sensor which measures cable drum movement. The calculation function is accomplished by a microprocessor or minicomputer which is programmed with the basic dimensions of the cable and cable drum and with the required calculation formulae. A display gives continuous readout to the operator of the cable payout and speed values from a predetermined cable reference point. The system is directly employable in drum payout and recovery systems regardless of their application. The cable references may be of steel, rope or even chain and the system may be incorporated in helicopter or aircraft cable systems, mine hoists or elevator systems wherever a precise control or readout of cable payout is required.

Abstract: A well drilling apparatus includes a first swing-up elevator platform on which the mast structure is pivotally mounted. After the mast structure has been raised to its erect position, the first elevator platform is elevated to carry the mast structure to a high operational level. A second swing-up elevator platform is provided to carry the drawworks to the same high level at which the two elevator platforms are coupled together to form the working floor. All of the raising and elevating operations can be accomplished with power supplied by the drawworks. The elevator platforms may be lowered after the drilling operation has been accomplished without interfering with any control valve structures that have been placed on the wellhead while the structure was at its raised operational level; the swing-up elevator platforms swing down in opposite directions over any such valve structure.

Abstract: An aircraft propulsion system is disclosed having an exhaust nozzle structure having an exhaust deflection structure extending within an exhaust duct to direction exhaust flow along selected flow paths. In its preferred embodiment, the exhaust deflection structure is a variable geometry deflection structure having a distal end portion which is movable, relative to adjacent aircraft structure, within an exhaust duct whereby the exhaust deflection structure is positionable as an extension of an upper, aft wall portion of the exhaust duct. In the preferred embodiment, the exhaust nozzle structure includes a guide structure or nozzle segment, connected to the exhaust deflection structure, which is translatably mounted to adjacent aircraft structure for permitting fore and aft movement of the nozzle segment along the aircraft structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heat pump device comprising a pair of chambers and a plurality of elements extending within both chambers. A working fluid is disposed in both of the chambers and a displacer means is positioned in each of the chambers such that they are movable within their respective chambers. Both of the displacer means have a wall that divides their respective chambers into two zones, a regenerator material that is housed therein, a plurality of elements extending outwardly from and in proximity to the elements extending within the respective chamber, and at least one passageway communicating through each displacer means and through the respective regenerator material for the working fluid to flow therethrough between the zones. There is a drive means for reciprocably moving both of the displacer means in their respective chamber between the respective zones of the chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sealing arrangement comprising two rings which are complementary right trapezoids in cross-section. One ring is an elastomeric sealing ring. The other ring is a semi-rigid non-elastomeric back-up ring which is more rigid than the sealing ring. The rings are carried in a groove in one mating face of two members with mating faces which are movable with respect to each other. The sealing ring is arranged with the face represented by the shorter base of the trapezoid adjacent the member movable with respect to the member carrying the sealing ring and the back-up ring is arranged with the face thereof represented by the longer base of the trapezoid coplanar with the shorter base of the sealing ring. The elastomeric sealing ring is oriented so that it is nearer the area of higher fluid pressure.

Abstract: A loading arm utilizing a counterbalancing mechanism in which half sheaves are utilized to provide one interconnection between the counterbalance and the outboard arm and a member is pivotally connected to both the outboard arm and the counterbalance to provide the other interconnection between the counterbalance and outboard arm to provide for full retracted storage of the arm. Preferably, rods provide the majority of the interconnection between the outboard arm and the counterweight.