Abstract: Apparatus for coupling to an aircraft a high pressure air flow from ground equipment to start engines includes a hollow housing attachable to the ground equipment. A pair of members defining a first valve form a clamshell within the housing. Such members are biased to a closed relationship and are rotatable to an open relationship. A hollow coupling member includes a ring for rotating such valve members equally to the open relationship in response to incremental linear movements of the ring member. The coupling member receives a hollow start nipple in the aircraft. A pair of members defining a second valve form a clamshell rotatable within the housing in a direction opposite to the direction of the first clamshell rotation. The second valve members are biased to close such valve and are rotatable to an open relationship. The coupling member includes prongs which act linearly on the second valve members, in a manner similar to the ring action on the first valve members, to open such valve.

Abstract: A valve assembly provides for a controlled flow of waste material from a toilet in an aircraft under all weather conditions including freezing. The valve assembly includes a first valve disposed within a hollow tube and manually movable between a first position sealing the tube against the passage of waste material and a second position providing for such passage. The valve includes first and second members and a plate manually rotatable within the tube between the first and second positions, the second member and the plate receiving a multiplied force from a further rotation of the first member to pivot to a position sealing the valve to the tube. An energy storage member associated with the second member facilitates the pivotable movement of the second member. Detents in the tube and at the end of the second member retain the plate in sealing relationship with the tube.

Abstract: A clamping assembly constructed to hold an electrical cable or tube in a fixed position includes retaining and clamping members. A first surface of the retaining member, which may be made from a compliant material, has raised and lowered portions in a particular pattern. One end of the retaining member has a face transverse to the first surface of the retaining member with raised and recessed portions defining a mating relationship with the raised and recessed portions on the first surface of the retaining member. The clamping member may be made from a springlike material and may be disposed in an open loop in an unconstrained relationship. The clamping member may be disposed in a longitudinal slot in the retaining member so as to be encased by the retaining member. The retaining member may be slitted to communicate with the slot for facilitating the disposition of the clamping member in such slot.

Abstract: Apparatus seals holes in an airplane bulkhead and provides for the passage through such holes of members (e.g. electrical wires) furnishing utilities to the airplane. The apparatus includes: 1. A hollow sleeve made from a light, strong and stable material (e.g. titanium) to provide a conduit for the utility members; 2. A relatively hard (e.g. 90 durometer "A") grommet having an internal opening and with an axially extending recess for disposition on the bulkhead with the bulkhead hole in the recess; and 3. A compliant (e.g. 55 durometer "A") gasket with internal opening to receive the sleeve in tight fit relationship. The gasket is provided with first and second portions each having an external periphery with a diameter greater than the diameter of the internal opening in the grommet. The gasket has an external recess axially defined between the first and second portions to receive the grommet at the internal opening in the grommet.