Abstract: A system and components are provided for assembling at least two boards into a composite. A pair of bridging members may each be secured to an associated board and have a central surface portion spaced apart from the surface of the associated board. An elongate bar is provided having a length, width and thickness effective to permit the bar to be inserted between the central surface portion and board surface of two adjacent bridging members so that the bar tends to hold the two boards in a predetermined alignment.

Abstract: A feeder uses vortex flow to facilitate the dissolving of a chlorine-containing water treatment chemical. A feeder inlet receives water which is directed to a chamber by a conduit. A vortex flow in the chamber receives amounts of the chemical from a reservoir. Chlorine-containing water exits through an outlet.

Abstract: Seal (20) is formed in two halves (22A, 22B) mated along a transverse centerplane (502). Each half faces outward from an associated side of centerplane (502) and includes centrally apertured (100) metal body (22A, 22B). Each body has an outwardly projecting hub (24A, 24B) having an outward-facing engagement surface (25A, 25B). A web (26A, 26B) extends radially outward from the hub (24A, 24B) to a perimeter and has interior and exterior surfaces. Bodies (22A, 22B) are secured to each other by an annular weld (40) to form a seal body. A longitudinal separation between the engagement surfaces (25A, 25B) is compressible via flexing of webs (26A, 26B) from relaxed separation to a range of compressed separations. In the compressed separation, the surfaces are sealingly engaged to respective ones of the first (44A, 44B) and second (45A, 45B) conduits. On each side of seal (20) there may be two polymeric sealing rings 44A, 44B) and an annular retainer (66A, 66B).

Abstract: A system and method for the capture of a target surface vessel by a second vessel. The system includes an initially stowed deployable net, means for deploying the net, a tether coupled to the net, and a winch for drawing in the tether to pull the target vessel toward the second vessel.

Abstract: Thermionic emission of electrons is utilized to initiate arc discharge in a pulsed plasma thruster.

Abstract: A bearing system has a bearing axis initially coincident with a shaft axis and an outer member axis. An inner bearing element is associated with and coupled to the shaft. An outer bearing element is associated with and coupled to the outer member. A first of the inner and outer bearing elements is coupled to its associated member via a coupling having a trunnion stiffness which, upon experiencing a trunnion moment above a threshold moment, releases from an initial stiffness to a reduced stiffness, less than the initial stiffness, entering a released condition and allowing the shaft axis to locally rotate out of parallel with the outer member axis.

Abstract: A case for carrying a pair of skis assembled bottom-to-bottom includes front and rear bags telescopingly overlapping. Preferably, the overlap is effective so that the bindings of downhill skis are accommodated within the overlapping portions of the bags. A padding layer enhances protection while a shoulder strap spans the bags to facilitate carrying by a user.

Abstract: An insulative cover is utilized to protect an insulator supporting an electrical power line relative to a support structure in an electrical power transmission system. A first end of the cover is secured to the insulator adjacent the insulator's first end and a second end of the cover is secured to the insulator adjacent to the insulator's second end. The cover defines a volume substantially enclosing a central portion of the insulator.

Abstract: A relatively high carbon, water-atomized, steel shot is softened via annealing to render it suitable for ballistic use. The annealing preferably includes decarburization from a surface layer or throughout and preferably provides the shot with a surface Knoop hardness of less than 250.

Abstract: An aircraft door is slidable along a door path between open and closed positions. The door is guided by one or more tracks. Riders carried by the door are engaged to the tracks. Each rider includes a roller held for rotation about a roller axis which is fixed relative to the door. Each roller axis extends generally horizontally and generally transverse to the track. Each track includes a first portion extending generally parallel to the aircraft fuselage and a second portion having a continuously curving transition to the first portion and extending partially inboard from the first portion. The second portion of the track guides the door into and out of the opening in the fuselage, allowing the door to achieve a substantially flush condition when in its closed position.