Abstract: An improved railway truck for providing non-contact active support between the unsprung and the sprung elements as well as lateral stability and banking of vehicles used in surface supported transportation systems having unsprung surface contacting elements, sprung load carrying elements, magnetic force fields, inertial and position sensing elements mounted on the sprung element and a non-linear feedback circuit for actively varying the strength of the force field to maintain a relatively stable air gap between the unsprung and sprung elements while also holding the sprung element to a smooth course notwithstanding irregular surface conditions encountered by the surface contacting elements or variations in loading on the load carrying element.

Abstract: An improved method for providing non-contact active support between the unsprung and the sprung elements of a railway truck as well as lateral stability and banking of vehicles used in surface supported transportation systems having unsprung surface contacting elements, sprung load carrying elements, magnetic force fields, inertial and position sensing elements mounted on the sprung element and a non-linear feedback circuit for actively varying the strength of the force field to maintain a relatively stable air gap between the unsprung and sprung elements while also holding the sprung element to a smooth course not withstanding irregular surface conditions encountered by the surface contacting elements or variations in loading on the load carrying element.

Abstract: The leading edge of the jet engine nacelle is provided with structure to prevent the formation of ice particles at the inlet of the jet engine. The nacelle is split into leading and trailing chambers and there is a partition separating the chambers, the leading one of which includes the anti-icing apparatus. The leading chamber includes a double skin generally facing interiorly toward the jet engine and that double skin defines the nacelle therebetween which permits the passage of the hot gases which heat the outer skin from the inside thereof. Conduit means controllably pass hot exhaust gases from the jet engine to within the leading chamber from where they pass into a cell via a series of spaced apertures formed in the inner double skin. A series of spaced channels are formed between the inner and outer skins and connect the leading and trailing chambers.

Abstract: In a small airplane, a combination nose wheel, shroud and rudder is provided. The shroud encloses all but a lower cord of the wheel. The shroud has an aerodynamic profile and is pivotable for inflight guidance by a pair of actuator pedals pivoted to the interior structure of the cabin. The shroud is directionally operatable by the pedals operating through a bellcrank and connecting rod. The shroud is returnable to a normal straight flight condition by airstream forces alone. An additional interconnection is provided from the shroud for simultaneously controlling a conventional rear rudder.

Abstract: A hand assist rail for a transit vehicle comprises an aluminum extrusion of Y cross sectional shape with a bulbous, preferably laterally offset, bottom portion shaped for gripping by hand of a passenger standing in the aisle of such vehicle. A resilient cushion of conforming shape comprises the under side of the bulbous hand grip bottom portion, and a web portion of the rail which comprises the stem of the Y preferably is reversely curved to permit the thumb and fingers of a hand grasping the bulbous bottom portion to overlap.