Abstract: The fuel tank as disclosed is provided particularly for storage of aggressive fuel as they are used for and in control jets, attitude positioning systems in satellite and space vehicles. The fuel tank is of a spherical configuration and partitioned by a conical insert to obtain two spaces of different volumes. The small end of the cone faces the fuel outlet, opposite the driving gas inlet, and is constructed as a narrow mesh sieve. The fuel outlet is surrounded by a collection chamber likewise closed off by a narrow mesh sieve. The smaller one of the two chambers includes fuel lines which end in the corner space where the conical partition is affixed to the spherical tank and are closed likewise by sieves. The invention uses the strong surface tension forces of the fuel wetting the mesh to create a barrier against the passage of driving gas into the fuel line and outlet of the tank.

Abstract: A device for skinning spilled oil from a water surface includes a container being open at the front and having hydrodynamically stabilized, float-controlled shear flaps whose sharp front edge "shears" off an oil layer from the water and guides it onto a steadying surface having flow-through openings for water collected and dammed up until permitted to be discharged through bottom apertures by float-controlled barriers. The oil is collected in a tank in the rear from which it can be pumped into a mother ship which tows the container.

Abstract: A thruster particularly for maneuvering space vehicles is provided with a device for decomposing liquid fuel into gaseous components. It includes the decomposition chamber and a heating device downstream for further heating and decomposing the gaseous products. The heater is preferably a coiled tube disposed in the inner one of two concentrically nested sleeves, the space between them being a part of a recuperative heat exchanger. The coiled tube ends in the thrust producing nozzle while its other end is connected to the space between the nested tubes.

Abstract: A screw is captured in an assembly of concentric sleeves, the inner one of which has a flange, and an outer workpiece is clamped between the flange and the outer sleeve. The outer workpiece has a sufficiently large, beveled bore to permit radial play of the assembly. The outer sleeve has a threaded inner flange at the other end; and the two sleeves are assembled in press fit.

Abstract: An object carrier has a transparent plate with an opaque backing and carries a thin liquid crystal layer which, in turn, is covered with a 2 .mu.m glass plate carrying an object (microorganism, etc.). This carrier is placed in a microscope for photographic observation of the temperature-dependent reflectivity of the crystal layer as heat conductively coupled to the object. The average reflection of light by the crystal layer is used as a representation of its average temperature, to control backlighting of the opaque layer to, thereby, stabilize the average object temperature to at least 10.sup.-3 degrees centigrade.

Abstract: The panel includes two thermally prestressed silicate glass plates with metalized edges to which are solder-sealed lead bars which, in turn, are solder-sealed to a tubular frame. An outer protection frame covers the plate edges. Spacer posts and elements support the plates against pressure upon evacuation. The absorber proper is centrally disposed in the evacuated chamber.

Abstract: An auxiliary gas source for blowing a ballast tank of a submarine craft includes a casing with a store for pressure gas, a container for liquid and a gas generator proper into which the liquid can be forced by the gas. The liquid is contained in a flexible bag and the pressure gas acts on the bag from the outside, to be separately discharged as a supplemental supply of gas.

Abstract: A solar panel is constructed from plural parabolic-cylindrical mirrors arranged side by side, and each mirror has three functions. Its concave ground focusses solar energy, its convex rear carries a strip-like solar cell being thereby disposed close to the focal line of the adjacent mirror, while the rest of the rear surface and possibly also the ground surface dissipates thermal energy.

Abstract: The two-part nut has a socket member and a member with an internally threaded shank and a flange which is received in a transverse groove in the socket member having a central bore traversed by the shank. The shank has a groove adjacent the flange into which reach upset portions of the socket member to hold the members together with play. The socket member has alternate bores for riveting.

Abstract: Water with algae and nutrients follow a meandering flow path, across which are established alternating, wide, dark and narrow, illuminating zones.

Abstract: A floating platform has a polygonal, submerged floating body constructed from concentric pipe sections whereby the space between each two concentric pipes is compartmentized and serves as storage facility as well as ballast tanks. Columns also constructed as upright concentric pipes extend from the submerged float and carry platform defining and establishing frame which carries e.g. a drilling derrick. The interior spaces of all inner pipes serve as transport path, a closed one being provided in the main float and elevator(s) as well as pump-up paths for liquid loads are provided in the columns.

Abstract: Method of providing position, e.g. attitude control for space vehicles having control thrusters producing thrust for imparting momentum upon the vehicle, further having a control apparatus for the thrusters causing them to produce thrust bursts or pulses so that controlled, incremental momenta be imparted upon the vehicle, such thrust bursts being triggered respectively when the vehicle tends to move beyond selected descrete deviations and error position levels. The highest level, one in either direction, define a range of positional tolerance, and the thrusters are operated, so that a relatively small momentum is produced when the vehicle tends to move past either of said maximum levels; the thrusters are operated on the other levels under these conditions.

Abstract: A plurality of similarly constructed gas generators are disposed in the ballast tanks of a submarine vehicle, each generator decomposing hydrazine in an emergency gase for developing a particular amount of gas for blowing all or a part of a ballast tank. Each gas generator has a hydrazine reactor, one or two storage containers for hydrazine and either a pump for moving hydrazine to the reactor; or a container filled with driving gas for the same purpose; or both. The number of gas generators triggered depends on the depth of the craft in each instance, and once a generator has been triggered, the development of gas by the generator does not depend on any control, but a triggered generator develops all of the gas it is capable of developing.