Abstract: The invention comtemplates preparation of glycol/water de-icing mixtures in a demand-operated system wherein index of refraction and temperature are continuously monitored in a recirculating loop. The supply of heat and changes in mixing proportions of separate flows of water and of glycol are monitored until such time as predetermined values of mixed-fluid temperture and refractive index are achieved. A computer accepts monitoring-signal values for mixed-fluid temperature and refractive index, and further accepts ambient-condition signal values for set-point variation in mixing proportions, as necessary for economical use of glycol in the mixture, under each of a plurality of different ambient conditions.

Abstract: A cover assembly for sealing a slotted opening about a shaft which moves across the opening; and in particular for sealing an opening in the fuselage of an aircraft which accommodates a movable flap support tube. The closure assembly includes a pair of material sections which cover the opening, and each having a fastener element such as a zipper track or magnetic strips or the like, along its inner edge. The fastener elements are joined together by a closure device which includes a pair of spaced apart rollers which engage the tracks and cause them to interlock during movement of the closure device with the support tube. Opening of the zipper tracks is caused by a wedge on the closure device which causes the interlocked tracks to separate. The rollers and wedge are mounted on a main plate which is fitted about the movable support tube.

Abstract: An aerofoil or hydrofoil (1) has a vessel (2) for providing a high velocity jet of fluid directed from a nozzle (3) in a direction having a component of velocity in the same direction as the required direction of lift (L). The aerofoil or hydrofoil (1) also has a curved surface (5) convex on the side of the aerofoil or hydrofoil which is in the direction of the required lift, and which serves to direct the velocity of the jet in a direction which is substantially opposite to the direction of the required lift or thrust force, the primary jet being directed over the convex surface for attachment thereto; and a duct formed over a rear part of the convex surface remote from the nozzle, whereby the primary jet of fluid flowing over and attached to the convex surface causes an enhanced flow through the duct, the duct being directed at least at its exit end in a direction so that the flow therethrough has a component of velocity opposite that of the required direction of lift.

Abstract: A tubing inside an aircraft fuel tank is encircled by a dielectric support and wear sleeve that is comprised of two members that are clamped together circumferentially around the tubing. The members include projecting portions having an adhesive applied thereto along mating surfaces to rigidly couple the support sleeve members to each other. The mating surface is a circumferential arc that provides complete overlap of a portion of the two support sleeve members. The adhesive extends circumferentially along the mating surface to provide sufficient dielectric strength due to the extended length of the adhesive coupling. The tubing and sleeve are supported by a support assembly including a clamp, bracket and tank wall. The sleeve material has the necessary thickness and length to provide dielectric isolation of the tube from the support assembly. The sleeve is designed having tight tolerances along the outside diameter to permit axial motion with respect to the clamp while restraining radial motion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for conveying sand at offshore locations with the assistance of compressed air. The sand is transferred from sand storage tanks positioned on a vessel to a sand aeration vessel under pressure and when needed is transferred, by low pressure air, through a conveying conduit to its destination.

Abstract: A system is disclosed wherein two or more lifting surfaces of an aerodynamic, hydrodynamic or other fluid dynamic device may be linked into a single system that in some circumstances improves the functioning of the device. An important species of the invention is the "Slave Tandem Freewing" airplane--an airplane with two flying surfaces (a wing and tail) both of which are free to rotate about a spanwise axis but are linked together in rotation by a linkage mechanism. Such an airplane exhibits significant improvements in performance and handling including attentuated responses to atmospheric turbulence, freedom from stall and spin, and higher than customary maneuverability. The same device may be built as submarine, boat or other fluid dynamic device.

Abstract: A microwave-powered aircraft has lifting surfaces for exerting lifting forces on the aircraft in response to the propulsion of the aircraft and a rectenna array for receiving and rectifying microwave energy transmitted to the aircraft from a location remote from the aircraft. An electric motor for driving a propeller is energized by microwave energy received by the rectenna array, which is provided in a body at the underside of the aircraft. The body has its major dimensions extending horizontally and is relatively shallow with a periphery which is vertically curved so as to reduce turbulence in the airstream over the body during flight. The body is separate from the lifting surfaces and shaped to at least substantially avoid the generation of lifting forces by the body.

Abstract: An aircraft with two aft mounted prop engines. The side surface portions at the rear portion of the fuselage adjacent to the propellers are contoured from a standard optimized configuration to alleviate adverse effects on the pressure distribution pattern on the surfaces adjacent to the propellers. This is accomplished by contouring the side surface portions at an inward and rearward slant in a forward region, while locating intermediate side surface regions more along a longitudinally aligned contour. The rear regions of the side surface portions slant rearwardly and inwardly to a closure location.

Abstract: A method for achieving satellite (24) attitude stabilization against the undesired influences of solar pressure or other attitude disturbances to be used with earth-orbiting satellites of the type employing two solar collection panels (30a), (30b) extending from the satellite body in generally opposite directions (36), (38). Synchronized simultaneous movement of both solar panels about their normal sun-tracking position causes desirable torques to be generated which have a cancelling influence on the undesired satellite movement caused by solar pressure or other attitude disturbances.

Abstract: A hinged container for use in a pneumatic tube including a primary container and a secondary container which is simultaneously opened and closed when the main container is opened and closed, the secondary container provides reinforcement for the hinge of the primary container.

Abstract: In a NOTAR.TM. (No tail rotor) system for a helicopter, the addition of vortex generators in the longitudinal slots or nozzles which produce the circulation control portion of the system which combines with a jet thruster and fluid resource to replace the tail rotor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating coal logs from crushed coal available at a mining site and for transporting coal logs through a pipeline to a combustion site for further coal processing and burning. The pipeline is operated to maintain the hydraulic carrier fluid flowing through the pipeline within a range of bulk velocities sufficient to force a layer of the hydraulic carrier fluid between contacting surfaces of each coal log and the pipeline, tending to lift and carry the coal log through the pipeline, and, thereby, significantly reduce the energy required to transfer the carrier fluid and the coal logs through the pipeline. The carrier fluid bulk velocity is also maintained sufficiently low to prevent unstable coal log flow behavior often resulting in coal log jamming and abasion. The range of optimum fluid bulk velocities is a function of various fluid and coal properties, the pipeline geometry and the coal log geometry.

Abstract: A nacelle for mounting under the wing of an aircraft a turbojet engine unit of the rear contrafan type with a very high by-pass ratio, the engine including a gas generator driving two overlapping contra-rotating turbines integral with ducted contra-rotating propellers downstream of the gas generator. The nacelle includes generally cylindrical inner and outer cowlings defining the secondary flow path containing the propellers, and a mast for suspending the engine unit comprising a pair of arms disposed in the longitudinal vetical axial plane of the engine unit and contained in a fairing, and a horizontal carrier beam fixed to the lower ends of the arms and disposed between the inner cowling and the engine casing. The upper ends of the arms are fixed to a box structure of the wing either directly or through a conventional engine pod suspension mast.

Abstract: The fiber processing plant has a pneumatic flock feed system which is operated in dependence on an operating parameter which, in turn, is dependent upon the number of fiber processing machines which are operating at a given time. In one embodiment, a meter is disposed in a feed duct of the flock feed system between a fan and a first of the fiber processing machines in order to sense the static pressure therein. The meter is used to sense a difference in pressure caused by one or more fiber processing machines becoming inoperative so as to cause a switching on or off of the fiber supply to the feed duct.

Abstract: A harness and belt assembly for a crewmember of an aircraft including left and right slings, a first belt assembly having first end second ends, a survival kit strap assembly attachment fitting which slidably engages the belt assembly, and a mechanism for releasably attaching the fitting to a seat of an aircraft. The slings are designed to extend from the chest of the crewmember, over the crewmember's shoulders, to the back of the crewmember. The first end of the belt assembly is attached to one of the slings at the portion designed to be adjacent the crewmember's chest. The second end of the belt assembly is attached to the other of the slings. A survival kit belt can be affixed to the fitting so that the survival kit ejects with the crewmember during an ejection.

Abstract: A fire extinguishing system for roof fires or the like includes a fire sensor for monitoring a condition indicative of a fire and for signaling the sensing of the condition. A first fire extinguishing member is provided for spraying a fire retardant fluid onto an exterior surface of an associated roof. A logic circuit is connected to the fire sensor and the first fire extinguishing member for actuating the first fire extinguishing member as driven by the fire sensor.

Abstract: An unducted turbofan engine comprises first and second fan blades journaled for rotation from a folded position substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the engine to a radially orientated propulsion condition. A releasable shroud normally retains the fan blades in the folded condition and releases the fan blades in a controlled sequence.

Abstract: A universal spaceport for launching a space vehicle of any type. The spaceport includes a gantry crane, an erector, a launch pad launch mount adapter and an umbilical tower which is used for any type launch vehicle. The gantry is provided with drive trucks that drive the gantry as the erector is lifted about a pivot so that the crane lift is always vertical. The erector is adapted to support any launch vehicle so that the center line is common for each different type vehicle. The erector and umbilical tower are provided with vertically movable platforms which may be moved to any position along the launch vehicle. Further, a vertically movable support arm is provided for the umbilical. Unique launch mount adapters are provided to provide vehicle securing to common pad hold downs.

Abstract: A rescue balloon for rescuing individuals from high places such as towers and buildings includes an enclosed envelope for holding heated air under substantially greater than atmospheric pressure with a burner contained within the enclosed envelope for burning a combustible gas to generate sufficient heated air under pressure in the envelope to provide lift to the balloon. A rescue compartment is carried by the envelope for accommodating rescued individuals and a tether is provided for guiding the balloon as necessary to effect rescues. The balloon includes a porous blast shield positioned within the envelope to prevent direct contact between the envelope and the flame of the burner. The blast shield comprises an upright cylinder supported and secured in fixed relation within the envelope by a plurality of catenaries attached to the blast shield and to the inner walls of the envelope around its perimeter. The burn super-pressurizes the heated air within the envelope.

Abstract: This invention relates to an aircraft having three lift surfaces, and precisely a main wing lift surface located in an intermediate position of the aircraft and two less extended lift surfaces positioned, respectively, in a position ahead of the main wing surface and astern thereof.