Abstract: Parallel transfer pumps (92, 94) operate to transfer fuel from auxiliary tanks (52, 60, 66) to the main tank (10). A pressure sensor (106) in the pump discharge line in combination with tank level rate mechanisms (86, 88, 90) sequences pumps (92, 92) and transfer valves (100, 102) if required, and confirms successful transfer or alarms when unsuccessful.

Abstract: A rotary hinge actuator, for instance for rotating a wing flap relative to a wing in an aircraft, has a sun gear, several spindle gears around the sun gear and several annular gear sleeves around the sun gear and spindle gears. Each spindle gear has sections with external helical gear teeth which are slanted in the same direction and which respectively mesh with internal helical gear teeth on the annular gear sleeves. At least one of the sleeves is connected to the wing and at least another to the wing flap. Upon rotating the spindle gears the wing flap is rotated relative to the wing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bulk material silo and method operating such silo, the silo being provided with a central discharge chamber from which a venting channel leads to the peripheral wall of the silo, the side walls of the channel having openings of the material to enter. Such a silo construction ensures a symmetrical material supply to the discharge chamber over the entire periphery.

Abstract: Flexible, soft objects such as ostomy pouches, wound dressings, bandages, diapers, etc. can be flushed down a conventional toilet by wrapping or enclosing the article within a material that rapidly becomes slimy or exudes a slimy material on contact with the water in a toilet bowl or by adding such materials directly to the bowl.

Abstract: An automatic fire sprinkler of commercial grade is installed in a domestic dwelling independent of existing plumbing and without alteration of the plumbing in the dwelling. The automatic sprinkler head is connected to one end of a flexible hose. The opposite end of the hose is connected to an existing spigot to the water supply of a central heating unit, hot water heater or the like. The spigot may be a drain outlet or other outlet. The opposite end of the hose may also be connected to a water faucet which provides water to the domestic clothes washing machine. The fire sprinkler head is hung above the heat system or clothes washer/dryer. In response to a fire the sprinkler automatically sprays water from the existing water supply to the immediate area.

Abstract: A built-in control flap for a ram air, multi-cell, wing type canopy having a ram air inlet is located in each side of the canopy at the rear portion thereof. Each built-in control flap is separated from the adjacent center portion of the canopy between the control flaps. A seal and guide of a sheet of flexible material connects the top of each control flap to the bottom of the adjacent center portion of the canopy across the separation for directing air flow thereby when a control flap is down. Each control flap receives air flow from the ram air inlet.

Abstract: An improved, cross braced airfoil for a wing-type parachute which is composed of an upper panel having a front edge and a rear edge and angularly oriented rib panels secured to the top panel and extending downwardly away from the top panel to a generally fore and aft row of suspension line attachments.

Abstract: The balloon according to the invention is formed by heat-sealing at least one heat-sealable sheet which comprises a plastic film and a metal vapor deposition layer formed on one side of the plastic film. The metal vapor deposition layer is discontinuously formed so that the sheet has a metallic but insulating surface. Resultantly, the balloon having a dielectric breakdown voltage of not less than 1000 V can be easily obtained. Preferably, the metal vapor deposition layer is formed in a state of islands in the sea, the size of the island being 200 .ANG. to 1 .mu.m and the interval between the islands being 100 .ANG. to 5000 .ANG..

Abstract: A caging system is used in a magnetic platform which is mounted on a pointing system on a spacecraft. The magnetic platform supports a payload, and provides a frictionless support in all conditions. The caging system clamps the payload in a caged condition and provides a frictionless support in an uncaged condition. The caging system includes a plurality of caging actuators. Each caging actuator has an upper support structure which connects to a snubber member, and has a lower support structure which connects to a first ring and to a coaxial second ring for clamping the snubber member. A cylindrical cam member has a plurality of groove surfaces and the first and second rings respectively have a plurality of cam followers. Clockwise rotation of the cam member urges the rings together. Counterclockwise rotation urges the rings apart. A second, auxiliary caging actuator is provided.

Abstract: An aeronautical drogue having a canopy and support members connecting the canopy to a connector provides for essentially constant drag at variable speeds by aerodynamic pressure modulation through controllably venting the canopy by constructing the canopy of a plurality of separate elastic bands positioned side by side the elastic bands being connected at spaced intervals by flexible connections.

Abstract: A high temperature heat shield system for re-entry vehicles and high speed ircraft is assembled from separate insulating panels made of metal foil layers diffusion soldered together and with a ceramic fiber material filled into interspaces between the metal foil layers. In this arrangement structural metal foil layers carry mechanical loads while separate reflecting foil layers and the ceramic fiber material are non-load bearing.

Abstract: Auxiliary landing equipment for aircraft which comprises a plurality of inflatable cushions arranged in a predetermined array relative to each other and structure for securing them to the aircraft so that, in an inflated state, the cushions can contact the ground during landing or on take-off and so that, in a deflated state, the equipment can closely follow the contour of the aircraft part to which it is attached.

Abstract: An improved means for convection cooling the skin surfaces of an atmospheric flight craft such as are subject to air friction-induced overheating when the craft operates at high speed, featuring employment of multiple layered, spaced apart skin members separated and relatively braced by web and post members. Fresh coolant fluid is simultaneously flushed against and contiguously covers a multiplicity of relatively small patches of the inside surface of the outer skin member to be protected, and the spent coolant from each patch is separately removed therefrom and returned to the craft's refrigeration facility. The web and post members also act to direct the pattern of coolant flow so as to provide a much improved heat transfer coefficient than can be attained by other coolant path configurations when an equal pressure drop is applied.

Abstract: An airfoil which is capable of being inflated either by using a lighter-than-air or other gas from a gas cylinder or by oral inflation comprising an aerodynamically shaped inflatable portion, a flexible keel and two flexible winglets, one spaced on each side of the keel equipped with a tether system for providing the airfoil aerodynamic stability and maneuverability in flight.

Abstract: A multiwheel landing gear assembly includes a forward set of wheels which are in tandem with a middle set of wheels which in turn are in tandem with a rear set of wheels. The forward set of wheels are connected to a main support strut of the landing gear by a levered arrangement. The middle and rear set of wheels are connected together by a truck beam which in turn is connected to the main support strut by a radius rod. When the middle and rear wheels are subject to an upward force such as when the aircraft is landing, the radius rod limits movement of the wheels in a generally upward direction along a path having a radius which is equal to the length of the radius rod. Movement of the middle and rear wheels along the path in the upward direction is resisted by a shock absorber. In this manner, the vertical loads are reacted in a lengthwise direction along the radius rod and shock absorber.

Abstract: A device for preventing aircraft wing flutter causes the port and starboard wings of the aircraft to oscillate at different frequencies. In an exemplary embodiment, engine nacelles are suspended from the port and starboard wings by strut assemblies in a manner that the port and starboard engine nacelles have different oscillation frequencies when subjected to a displacing force. The port and starboard strut assemblies each include a pair of flexible beams whose dimensions and composition may be adjusted to change its stiffness. In this manner, the oscillation frequency of the attached engine nacelle is adjusted in a known manner.

Abstract: An attachment for a rubber-tired skidder vehicles which is releasably and supportably mountable to the skidder. The attachment comprises a tank which includes a water tank compartment for storing water and a drive tank compartment for storing a hydraulic motor and a pump operable from the motor. Coupling hoses are provided for coupling the hydraulic motor to a hydraulic power supply of the skidder. The attachment further includes a discharge hose, a suction hose and first and second valves such that the tank may be selectively operated to: (1) pump water from the water tank compartment through the discharge hose; (2) pump water from the suction hose to the water tank compartment; or (3) pump water from the suction hose to the discharge hose.

Abstract: A body restraint system (30) allows the user's body (10) to be in the zero gravity neutral posture. The system (30) includes a waist restraint (32) in the form of a curved, padded unit (34) containing a retractable belt (36) coiled on a spring loaded capstan (38) with a buckle (40) extending from front (42) of the unit (34). A second belt (44) is fastened around the user's waist (16). A clasp (46) is configured to engage the buckle (40). The waist restraint (32) is positioned near foot restraints (52). The foot restraints (52) have foot platforms (59) with pads (60) of a suitable two part attaching material, such as the fasteners available from Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company under the trademark Scotchmate Duallock. A mating pad (62) of the material is provided on soles (64) of cotton net shoes (66).

Abstract: Device and method for aiming a space probe toward a celestial body. It comprises a solar sail (30, 31) having an asymmetry about an axis (Z) and which subjects the probe (S) to a tilting torque of solar pressure. A kinetic wheel (20) turns about a perpendicular axis (X). This results in a rotation of the probe about the axis perpendicular to the two preceding axes (Y). The rotational speed of the wheel (20) is varied by a control system (23, 24) in order to change the rotational speed of the probe.Application of the invention is to space probes that lie in the plane of the ecliptic.

Abstract: For acceleration of bodies along a track, a traction rope was wound onto a drum at the end of the track. During disengagement, the rope and the vicinity within range of the rotating rope were liable to suffer damage.The device according to the invention serves in particular for the catapult-launching of flying bodies. A winding drum driven by hydraulic motors is arranged below the point of maximum track velocity of the flying body and moves the latter along the longitudinal track until it reaches lift-off velocity. A flat traction ribbon connected to a carriage causes the winding drum to reverse its sense of rotation, so that the carriage is braked along a short stretch.The device can be mounted on a light truck and is electrohydraulically operated by the vehicle battery.