Abstract: A drainmast (10) for discharging liquid from a moving aircraft (12). The drainmast (10) includes a fairing (20) having a mounting flange (24), a flow-controlling cap (26), and an aerodynamically advantageous mast (28) extending therebetween. The flow-controlling cap (26) has a lower surface defining an airflow-redirecting zone, a liquid-release zone, and a liquid-recirculation zone. The redirecting zone is shaped to redirect airflow (A) into the release zone in a direction parallel to the discharge direction (D) of the drain tube (22). The release zone is shaped to encourage the redirected airflow (Aredir) to sweep a substantial portion of the released liquid away from the fairing in a primary flow path (L). The recirculation zone captures escaped liquid from the release zone and recirculates this escaped liquid back into the release zone in recirculation flow path (Lrec1). The rear and side surfaces of the cap (26) may include a continuous groove (66) aligned with the airflow direction A.

Abstract: A method of driving a plurality of actuators comprising the steps of providing a plurality of actuators and a controller having drive output signals for driving said plurality of actuators. At least one multiplexer is provided between said controller and said plurality of actuators and driving said actuators using said controller drive output signals by causing said actuators to be energized and deenergized by mutiplexing through said multiplexer.

Abstract: A passenger restraint system (100) for an occupant of a vehicle (102) includes an inflatable belt portion comprising a seamless hollow inflatable textile member that becomes inflated upon the occurrence of a collision. The inflatable textile member may vary in size and construction along its length. The belt portion (104, 112) tightens against the occupant's body when the inflatable belt portion becomes inflated.

Abstract: An ice detector includes a pair of electrodes connected by a pair of leads to a control unit which measures the admittance between leads to thereby sense and detect the presence of ice and other contaminants formed on top thereof utilizing a detection circuit. The electrodes are integrated into patch which can be placed at different locations on an aircraft.

Abstract: An inflatable air bag, in its uninflated state, is folded against a seat belt that is secured around the waist of a vehicle occupant and is enclosed by a tubular webbing making the assembly appear as a typical seat belt. Upon a sudden deceleration of a vehicle, the air bag inflates and takes an L-shaped form against an occupant of a vehicle. A rearward protrusion from the upright portion of the L bears against the upper torso portion of the occupant. The rearward protrusion does not bear against the face of either a fifth, fiftieth or ninety-fifth percentile occupant. When inflated the air bag in addition to the rearward protrusion, has a torso section, a waist section and a lap section. The waist section functions to bear against the occupant to push the occupant back into the seat. The torso and lap sections function to push the occupant back and down into the seat. The deployment sequence of the inflation of the sections is determined by the method of folding the air bag against the seat belt.

Abstract: The invention relates to method and apparatus for cooling a furnace configured for processing refractory composites. More specifically, the invention is directed to method and apparatus for cooling a furnace more rapidly than prior art methods. According to the invention, a cooling gas is flowed in a closed circuit through the furnace, over the refractory composites disposed within the furnace, and over a cooling element disposed within the furnace. The cooling gas may be flowed by natural convection or by force.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of ice protectors for inhibiting atmospheric ice accumulation on aircraft structures. More particularly, the invention relates to the bonding of an ice protector to an aircraft structure. According to an aspect of the invention, a device for inhibiting atmospheric ice accumulation on an aircraft structure is provided comprising a flexible ice protector, an intermediate layer bonded to the flexible ice protector, and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer bonded to the intermediate layer. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer defines a bonding surface that bonds the ice protector to the aircraft structure.

Abstract: A catalyst system and a process for the bulk addition polymerization or of polycyclic olefins, such as norbornene, methylnorbornene, ethylnorbornene, butylnorbornene or hexylnorbornene, 1,2,3,4,4a,5,8,8a-octahydro-1,4:5,8-dimethanonapthalene, 5,5′-(1,2-ethanediyl)bisbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene, and 1,4,4a,4b,5,8,8a,8b-octahydro-1,4:5,8-dimethanobiphenylene are disclosed. The catalyst includes an organonickel or organopalladium transition metal procatalyst and an activator compound. Polymerization can be carried out in a reaction injection molding process to yield thermoplastic and thermoset molded polymeric articles possessing high glass transition temperatures.

Abstract: A system for controlling with safety the transfer or control of high pressure fluids from a container for use as to an inflatable escape slide. The pressurized container houses valve mechanisms such as a first and second valve mechanism, with the first valve mechanism controlling by actuation the on off flow of high pressure fluids to the second valve mechanism. The second valve mechanism controls the rate of flow by reducing the pressure for delivery to the inflatable escape slide. A safety valve operates in conjunction with the first valve mechanism and upon breaking of the valve mechanisms from the pressurized container to prevent the contents of the pressurized container from rapid escape or uncontrolled release.

Abstract: A rollover cushion and system for a motor vehicle is fabricated from a lightweight, low denier material having its inside surface coated with a gas retention material. A gas generator responsive to a sensor generates an inflation fluid that fills the sealed curtain causing the curtain to deploy over the side windows of the vehicle. In this position, the head and upper torso of an occupant are protected from striking or going through an open window during a rollover or side impact collision. Several styles of tethers are used to maintain the desired shape of the cushion. A manifold system directs the flow of the inflation fluid from the gas generator to the gas inlets in each individual cylindrical tube of the curtain. The cushion is folded either in a “Z” fold or in a tuck fold and at one end fastened to the structure of the vehicle and at the other end extending in a direction down the window.

Abstract: In the invention there is provided a disk brake stack having disks with predetermined available wear portions of a first thickness, a second thickness and a third thickness. In the initial configuration a first group of disks is interleaved with a second group of disks. The first group of disks comprises thick disks and the second group of disks comprises thin disks which have an available wear portion approximately one third of the thickness of the thick disks. At the first overhaul, the thin disks are substantially fully worn and are removed. The second group of disks is replaced with mid-thickness disks which have an available wear portion of about two thirds of the initial thickness of the wear portion of thick disks. At the second overhaul, the remaining wear portion of the first group of disks is approximately the thickness of the wear portion of the thin disks. The second group of disks are removed and replaced with thick disks.

Abstract: An all-reflective zoom optical system is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of curved relay mirrors successively reflecting electromagnetic radiation received by the system to generate a real image with electromagnetic radiation on a focal surface that is fixed across the zoom range. Further, the entrance aperture also is constant for any zoom position. The curved relay mirrors are movable in relationship to each other in mutually parallel tracks to effect the magnification. The system further includes a primary and secondary mirror for collecting and reflecting incoming electromagnetic radiation to the curved relay mirrors.

Abstract: A blend of one or more crosslinked polymers or copolymers prepared from an olefinically unsaturated polymerizable carboxylic or anhydride monomer and at least one high molecular weight essentially linear polymer prepared from an olefinically unsaturated polymerizable carboxylic acid monomer. The blend is neutralized to typically a low pH, and generally contains a noncovalent, e.g. ionic, crosslinking agent, and a cure rate modifier. The hydrogel blend is capable of containing a large amount of water, has good tack, good adhesion, and can be utilized as an application vehicle having a backing thereon as well as containing various substances such as personal care compounds, pharmaceuticals, active ingredients, and the like.

Abstract: A blend of one or more crosslinked polymers or copolymers prepared from an olefinically unsaturated polymerizable carboxylic or anhydride monomer and at least one high molecular weight essentially linear polymer prepared from an olefinically unsaturated polymerizable carboxylic acid monomer. The blend is neutralized to typically a low pH, and generally contains a noncovalent, e.g. ionic, crosslinking agent, and a cure rate modifier. The hydrogel blend is capable of containing a large amount of water, has good tack, good adhesion, and can be utilized as an application vehicle having a backing thereon as well as containing various substances such as personal care compounds, pharmaceuticals, active ingredients, and the like.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of hydraulic actuating devices for positioning aircraft landing gear components, and more particularly relates to a dual mode positioner for an aircraft landing gear axle beam. The dual mode positioner serves to position an aircraft axle beam relative to an aircraft strut dependent alternatively for taxi and retraction into the aircraft, and also provides a predetermined amount of damping of the axle beam during taxi.

Abstract: Copolymers containing repeating units polymerized from at least one polycyclic monomer and at least one acrylic monomer are disclosed. The copolymer is formed by addition polymerization in the presence of a Group VIII transition metal catalyst. The copolymers contain hydrocarbyl and/or functional substituents pendant from the polymer backbone. In one embodiment the copolymer contains pendant ester substituents containing acid labile groups. The copolymers are useful as resist materials that are sensitive to imaging radiation.

Abstract: A fluoropolymer composition, containing one or more fluoropolymers, is used in a polyurethane composition to facilitate extrusion of the polyurethane composition. The addition of the fluoropolymer composition to the polyurethane composition typically results in less build up in an extruder than would be produced without the fluoropolymer composition.

Abstract: A method is provided for arranging the components and power connection points within an electromechanical braking system architecture in order to better maintain isolation of the power busses, and thereby improve overall integrity of the system, while still meeting system redundancy, performance and safety requirements as in the past. In addition, a method is provided for connecting and efficiently using available power in emergency braking and parking modes.

Abstract: A restraint system for a flight helmet that functions to hold the head steady and centrally located in the aircraft seat. The inflatable is stored on the helmet and upon activation of an ejection sequence. The inflatable member is inflated and breaks a frangible cover to rest on the shoulders. In addition, the inflatable member operates to seal the neck and, in another embodiment, to shield the face from the windblast the air crewmember encounters during ejection. The inflatable member can also function to lift the head and reduce spinal compression encountered during ejection.

Abstract: A strain compatible attachment arrangement for releasably securing a plurality of metallic thermal protection system (TPS) panels to a space vehicle substructure to provide an outer mold line of the aeroshell of the vehicle. The TPS panels are spaced from the substructure to support aerodynamic loading on the TPS outer panel surface while isolating the outer panel surface from strains in the substructure and to isolate the vehicle substructure from direct thermal energy conductance though the outer TPS panel surface of the space vehicle. The attachment arrangement provides for a stand-off leg member to be secured at an inner end to the substructure and at its outer end to be releasably secured to a corner of a TPS panel, such panels being arranged in an edge abutting relationship.