Abstract: A convergent type of spray gun is made portable by miniaturizing the components with the addition of a double tube, fluid tip and air cap for defining the discharge nozzle for the liquid resin and atomizing air. The dry powdered nozzle is likewise miniaturized and is adapted to fit over the double tube, fluid tip and air cap arrangement by including a sleeve disposed therebetween. The main body is configured in either an L-shape or straight-through configuration. Although the component parts are min is the spray gun is capable of flowing coating mixture at the same rate as the larger version convergent spray gun.

Abstract: A convergent type of spray gun is made portable by miniaturizing the components with the addition of a double tube, fluid tip and air cap for defining the discharge nozzle for the liquid resin and atomizing air. The dry powdered nozzle is likewise miniaturized and is adapted to fit over the double tube, fluid tip and air cap arrangement by including a sleeve disposed therebetween. The main body is configured in either an L-shape or straight-through configuration. Although the component parts are miniaturized, the spray gun is capable of flowing coating mixture at the same rate as the larger version convergent spray gun.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant coating to protect metallic and polymeric composite surfaces from corrosion and water promoted deterioration that is environmentally safe and non-toxic and is applied in one coat without the use of a primer is provided. The coating comprises a tough, flexible polyurethane binder and a corrosion inhibiting pigment selected from the group consisting of zinc hydroxy phosphite, zinc phosphate, calcium ion-exchanged silica, calcium strontium zinc phosphosilicate. The coating is effective in protecting both aluminum and steel surfaces against corrosion in salt spray environments and in protecting polymeric composite materials such as ablative coatings used in aerospace against deterioration after exposure to water.

Abstract: The openings in the fabric ribs of a deployable wing made from fabric sail material is automatically closed by use of a zipper mounted adjacent each of the openings that is actuated by movement of the cross spars of the deployable wing which serves to prevent the airfoil surface to the wing to bulge and cause a drag to the deployable wing when in flight.

Abstract: A bridge monitoring system uses laser light reflected from structural members of a bridge to create velocity and displacement time signals of the bridge's vibratory response to quiescent conditions, and converts the sensed velocity and displacement time data to frequency domain data to provide a “signature” waveform for the bridge indicative of its structural characteristics.

Abstract: A convergent spray gun which combines a liquid resin and dry metallic powder externally of the nozzle of the spray gun that utilizes a pair of diametrically opposing passages disposed at 0.degree. and 90.degree. relative to the central resin discharging orifice where the central orifice is approximately 0.015 inch and the air for atomizing the fluids is approximately 0.187 inch and the atomizing angle is approximately 180.degree.. The metallic filler is added to the plume of the convergent spray at the low pressure section and the ratio of the fluids are controlled by a computerized system. The spray gun, controls and mixing chambers of the resin (two part) and powder fillers are housed in separate rooms and the dust where the powder fillers are metered is controlled.

Abstract: A pair of concentric tubes having an inlet and an outlet with the outer tube being closed at either end and the inner tube having a plurality of holes with compound angles designed to impart a swirling motion of the air admitted into the interior of the inner mixing tube. The holes are judiciously located around the inner tube for creating a swirling pattern. The inlet of the tubes leads the dry particles of two different compositions intended to be mixed into the mixer and the outlet leads the mixture to the next station utilizing the mixture. Air admitted internally of the outer tube feed the plurality of holes and the force of the air can be controlled to control the transport of the mixed particles.

Abstract: The invention is a system of spraying coating on the surface of a substrate with a convergent spray gun that utilized separate pump and flow metering systems. Each part of a two part resin is pumped and metered separately. The third part which is a foaming agent and surfactant is also pumped and metered separately in a mix chamber. All three materials are mixed in the mix chamber and then atomized and combined with dry filler in the convergent zone of the spray gun. The quantity of the filler and the three part foaming resins are proportioned in order to maintain a predetermined ratio.

Abstract: A convergent spray gun which combines a liquid resin and dry metallic powder externally of the nozzle of the spray gun that utilizes a pair of diametrically opposing passages disposed at 0.degree. and 180.degree. relative to the central resin discharging orifice where the central orifice is approximately 0.015 inch and the air for atomizing the fluids is approximately 0.187 inch and the atomizing angle is approximately 90.degree.. The metallic filler is added to the plume of the convergent spray at the low pressure section and the ratio of the fluids are controlled by a computerized system. The spray gun, controls and mixing chambers of the resin (two part) and powder fillers are housed in separate rooms and the dust where the powder fillers are metered is controlled.

Abstract: A wand with a convergent spray end effector is utilized in a portable coating system for roofs, skid proof walk-ways and the like and includes a system of transporting the resin and dry filler materials to the end effector by including a movable cart that is capable of being raised that carries the pumps, meters, eductor and its dry powder feeder and optional pressure pots for the resin and including the necessary hoses to convey the materials to the wand. The wand includes the trigger and the necessary controls for effectuating the spray of the coating on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The deployable wing of the present invention comprises an internal structure having diverging leading edge spars attached to a keel spar and cross spars to form a delta wing configuration. This internal structure is enclosed within a volume defined by a fabric sail having an upper section and a lower section. This fabric sail volume is internally pressurized through a ram air intake at the nose stagnation point. This deployable wing can be folded closed, extracted from an aircraft, deployed in the air and landed with the aid of parachutes.

Abstract: Coating a substrate with a reinforced resin matrix comprised of liquid resin and reinforcing material can be accomplished with an apparatus where the liquid resin and the reinforcing material are mixed external to the apparatus prior to impacting the substrate. The liquid resin is directed through a cylinder 12 and then through an orifice 7 in nozzle 1, while the reinforcing material is carried in a gas stream through cavity 13, around cylinder 12, and past the nozzle 1. As the reinforcing material passes the nozzle 1, it is drawn into the liquid resin. Due to the distribution of the reinforcing material around the liquid resin flow, the reinforcing material is substantially homogeneously wetted by the liquid resin prior to impacting the substrate.

Abstract: A convergent end-effector which combines a liquid and dry flow external to a spray nozzle eliminates clogging problems common in the prior art spray coating systems. The end-effector utilizes a nozzle with an orifice and at least one atomizing hole, a conduit for directing a liquid resin through the nozzle and an outer housing disposed around said conduit to form a cavity. Reinforcing material enters the cavity on an gas stream supplied and controlled by an eductor located prior to the outer housing, in the direction of the nozzle, and at an angle of less than about 90.degree. with respect to the conduit. The end of the conduit near the nozzle is preferably angled toward the nozzle to further direct the reinforcing material into the liquid resin.

Abstract: The deployable wing of the present invention comprises an internal structure having diverging leading edge spars attached to a keel spar and cross spars to form a delta wing configuration. This internal structure is enclosed within a volume defined by a fabric sail having an upper section, a lower section, and fabric ribs disposed therebetween. This fabric sail volume is internally pressurized through a ram air intake at the nose stagnation point. This deployable wing can be folded and deployed in the air.

Abstract: Coating a substrate with a reinforced resin matrix comprised of liquid resin and reinforcing material can be accomplished with an apparatus where the liquid resin and the reinforcing material are mixed external to the apparatus prior to impacting the substrate. The liquid resin is directed through a cylinder 12 and then through an orifice 7 in nozzle 1, while the reinforcing material is carried in a gas stream through cavity 13, around cylinder 12, and past the nozzle 1. As the reinforcing material passes the nozzle 1, it is drawn into the liquid resin. Due to the distribution of the reinforcing material around the liquid resin flow, the reinforcing material is substantially homogeneously wetted by the liquid resin prior to impacting the substrate.

Abstract: A method of making molds which is easy, quick and can be accomplished at room temperatures and atmospheric pressures. The method includes applying at least one layer of gel to a male mandrel and curing at least one layer of polyester impregnated fabric to the gel layer. At least one layer of epoxy impregnated fabric is cured to the polyester impregnated fabric. At least one layer of plaster impregnated is cured to the epoxy impregnated fabric. At least one layer of epoxy impregnated fabric is cured to the plaster impregnated fabric. The resulting mold is removed from the male mandrel.

Abstract: A method of spraying fiber-containing fluids that results in smoother, more uniform coatings. The method comprises displacing a fiber-containing fluid through a nozzle assembly at about 69 KPa to about 386 KPa. The fibers have a length of about 1 mm to about 6 mm. The nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle extension, an elbow joint, and a nozzle in series communication through at least two hollow fluid passages. A first fluid passage exits at a first nozzle outlet having a diameter of about 2.5 mm to about 3.5 mm. A second gas passage exits at a second nozzle outlet and directs a gas at the fiber-containing fluid to atomize the fluid. Control means are disposed upstream of the nozzle assembly for controlling the fiber-containing fluid flow and the gas flow.

Abstract: A method of detecting cracks on the surface of an article after removal of a coating. A U.V. detectable compound is incorporated in a thermoset or thermoplastic grit blast media. A coated article is grit blasted to remove the coating. The surface of the article is exposed to U.V. radiation to detect grit blast media trapped in surface cracks. This facilitates the detection of surface cracks. U.V. detectable grit blast media is also used to provide improved coating adhesion. A U.V. detectable compound is incorporated into an abrasive mixture. A flow of the abrasive mixture is directed at the article to remove material from the surface of the article. The surface of the article is exposed to U.V. radiation in order to detect residual abrasive mixture on the surface of the article. Substantially all the abrasive mixture detected by exposure to U.V. radiation is removed from the surface of the article and at least a portion of the surface of the article is coated.

Abstract: A trowelable ablative coating composition is disclosed. The composition comprises an epoxy resin, an amide curing agent, glass microspheres and ground cork. A method for protecting a substrate is also disclosed. The method comprises applying the trowelable ablative coating discussed above to a substrate and curing the coating composition.

Abstract: A protective covering for electrical cables having a thermally intumescent coating supported on an open network of metal fibres is disclosed. A method of using the covering to prevent the spread of shipboard fires comprising applying the covering to shipboard electrical cables is also disclosed.