Abstract: A cargo ramp configured for stowage on a cargo carrying vessel and deployment between a cargo opening or the outer boundary of a cargo deck and the surface of a cargo handling region such as a runway, dock or pier. The cargo ramp includes two hinged together ramp sections having a motor-driven wheel assembly at the lower terminus of the ramp and a vessel-to-ramp interface at the upper terminus of the ramp. Deployment and retrieval of the cargo ramp is effected through predetermined sequential operation of motor-driven deployment wheels located beneath the upper ramp section, actuators for operation of the hinge and the motor-driven wheel assembly at the lower terminus of the ramp. A power operated deployment mechanism contained in the ramp-to-vessel interface permits vertical adjustment of the upper terminus of the ramp when required.

Abstract: A base vent assembly for entry space vehicles having an access cover utilized in conjunction with a plurality of spaces and deflector member so as to establish a labyrinth vent adjacent the access opening of the entry vehicle. The labyrinth vent is created by carefully forming a passageway between the edge of the access opening and the access cover using spacers and carefully shaping of the innerface therebetween. Consequently a decrease in weight over a non-vented structure is created.

Abstract: An aerofoil has a tip section formed at least in part of composite structure wherein a substantial number of fibres are skew to the spanwise direction, resulting in the direction of principal bending stiffness of the aerofoil being diverted away from the spanwise direction in said tip section to induce twist under certain loading conditions.

Abstract: A ruddevator assembly for controlling movement of an aircraft refueling boom, comprising two ruddevators mounted to the boom, each at a dihedral angle of about 42.degree.. Each ruddevator has an outboard section, which is an advanced technology cambered airfoil for high lift at transonic speeds, with a raked wing tip. The inboard portion of the airfoil has a forwardly extending strake-like member having a sharp leading edge which in planform comprises three sections. There is a curved forward edge section and two rearwardly extending edge sections, which in operation are positioned at high sweep angles. The side edge portions of the strake-like member create vortices which travel over the inboard portion of the ruddevator to augment lift over a wide range of surface deflection of the ruddevator (i.e., angle of attack).

Abstract: A satellite intended for insertion into a quasi-synchronous earth orbit is adapted for efficient launch by minimizing the amount of launch vehicle cargo capacity employed. The satellite includes at least one major thrust source, such as an apogee kick motor, defining a major thrust axis for the satellite. A reusable launch vehicle such as the Space Shuttle, includes a cargo bay whose largest dimension is parallel to the launch vehicle thrust axis. Minimizing satellite use of cargo bay capacity is obtained by adapting the satellite to lie within the cargo bay of the launch vehicle with its thrust axis perpendicular to the thrust axis of the launch vehicle.

Abstract: An elongate hollow structure with a plurality of reinforcements arranged in a pattern and acting as spacers between a pair of skins. The skins are of resin impregnated wound filaments with reinforcing strips of facing preimpregnated wound filaments that crisscross at the spacing reinforcements, abutting panels extend between adjacent reinforcing spacers to fill the space between the skins, and the structure is bonded with resin into a composite structure.

Abstract: A tuned spring-mass vibration absorber in which a dynamic mass is suspended from a vibrating support member, such as a helicopter fuselage, by a plurality of cantilevered leaf springs integrally connected to the dynamic mass at selected stations so that the mass CG and the spring center of force are coincident, so that the springs are shaped to constitute a substantial part of the vibration absorber effective mass, and so that the springs are pivotally connected to the support member so as to impart no moments thereto.

Abstract: A device for locking the ailerons and elevators of an aircraft controlled by a wheel-operated longitudinally shiftable and rotatable control column, and, at the same time preventing theft of the navigational instruments and radio equipment mounted on the instrument panel in the cockpit of the plane. The protective device takes the form of a cover plate mounted immediately adjacent the instrument panel by means of upper and lower clamping blocks secured about the control column in such a manner as to prevent unauthorized movements of the column and access to the instruments on the panel. The blocks have complementary semi-cylindrical grooves which clamp about the control column, and one block is fixed to the cover plate while the other has sliding, tongue and groove engagement to couple with said one block and clamp the control column against movement. The pair of blocks are held in clamped arrangement by a padlock whose shackle passes through aligned apertures in the blocks.

Abstract: An airfoil or wing is connected to the body of an aircraft or spacecraft through a main connector comprising metal and nonmetal components. Tension load take-up loops and a pressure load take-up core are arranged or held in a metal grommet which in turn is centered relative to and integrated with a main connector bushing. Thus, the tension loads are solely introduced into the wing structure through the tension loops and pressure loads are taken up solely by the pressure core, whereby the advantages of fiber compound materials are optimally utilized.

Abstract: A kneeling nose landing gear assembly for an airplane enables the nose of the airplane fuselage to be lowered to facilitate loading and unloading of cargo. A pair of hydraulic kneeling actuators pivotally coupled to the midsection of a pivotable landing gear strut are selectively positionable against a pair of retractable stop assemblies positioned above the strut. The actuators are pressurized against the cooperable stop assemblies to thereby cushion the descent of the airplane nose to a lowered position wherein the landing gear strut is pivoted forwardly into an angled kneeling position intermediate between an upright taxiing position and a retracted position. The kneeling actuators are subsequently pressurized to raise the nose of the airplane and swing the landing gear strut back into the taxiing position from the kneeling position.

Abstract: A kite simulating an actual flying thing such as a bird comprises a central body of light material and a pair of wings easily attached to and detached from the central body, each of the wings being provided with two projections orthogonal with respect to each other so that one is inserted into the body in a direction substantially traversing the longitudinal axis of the body and the other is inserted into the body in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body for fixing the wing to the body. The skeleton of the wing is constructed of flexible material so that it flaps during its flying operation.

Abstract: A horizontal stabilizer structure for improved stabilizer performance at positive and negative angles of attack is disclosed in which a leading edge slat/spoiler extending lengthwise along the stabilizer is disposed forward and below the leading edge of the stabilizer. The leading edge slat/spoiler directs airflow along the under surface of the stabilizer at negative attack angles and disrupts airflow over the upper surface at positive attack angles.

Abstract: A toy parachute for being attached to and traveling up a kite string with the wind and for being released from the string for free flight to the ground. The toy includes a weight, a parachute having shroud lines attached to the weight, a carrier mechanism connected to the weight for movably engaging the kite string, and a mechanism for releasing the carrier device from the string. One embodiment of the toy parachute includes an aerodynamic device having an aperture which permits the carrier mechanism to pass therethrough and engage the string, and which prevents the weight from similarly passing through the aperture. When the carrier mechanism is released from the string, the aerodynamic device and parachute toy separate and individually free flight to the ground. In a second embodiment of the invention, the carrier mechanism comprises a pulley having a groove formed therearound for rotatably engaging the kite string.

Abstract: Apparatus for alleviating high angle-of-attack side force on slender pointed cylindrical forebodies such as fighter aircraft, missiles and the like and employing a symmetrical pair of helical separation trips to disrupt the leeside vortices normally attained. The symmetrical pair of trips start at either a common point or at spaced points on the upper surface of the forebody and extend along separate helical paths along the circumference of the forebody.

Abstract: A pair of pocketed, triangular shaped wings are stored in two zipper closed longitudinal pockets in the one piece body of a polyester ski suit. The wings are permanently connected to the sides of the suit and are attached by zippers to the lower edges of the arms of the suit. The outer edges of the wings are elastic. The suit has an optional head covering.

Abstract: A device is disclosed, carried by a first vehicle such as an orbiting space shuttle, having a plurality of contact members for engaging and holding an annular ring on a second vehicle such as an orbiting payload. The contact members are connected to manipulator arms which are mounted at a fulcrum point and which are moved by an iris-type mechanism. Movement of the manipulator arms causes the contact members to grasp or release the annular ring. Bumper devices are provided to axially align the annular ring and draw the contact members into engagement therewith.

Abstract: An airport complex comprising a main multi-level passenger terminal having peripheral gates for the enplaning and deplaning of passengers and cargo. A cargo building which is disposed in close proximity to the passenger terminal greatly shortens the time factor which usually is involved in transporting cargo to and from the passenger terminal. The airport complex is designed principally to accommodate ultra large aircraft of the jet-propelled type and novel facilities are provided for routing enplaning cargo on a priority basis from an arriving jet to a departing jet through cargo-handling facilities which are disposed within the passenger terminal, and also for routing enplaning cargo from the cargo building to a departing jet through the passenger terminal, likewise on a priority basis.

Abstract: A reclining or semi-supine aircrew ejection seat is provided with an ejection gun that is in the usual upwardly extending and rearwardly inclined attitude, and the seat is attached to the portion of the gun assembly that leaves the aircraft by a pivotal connection between the back of the seat and the upper part of the gun assembly portion. This allows the part of the seat that supports the user's back to extend forward away from the pivotal connection and the gun assembly. During the initial phase of ejection, the seat turns angularly, bringing the part of the seat that supports the user's back against the gun assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides a helicopter of the type having two coaxial counterrotating rotors with a differential drive mechanism interposed between the power plant and the rotors. The power output of the power plant is coupled to the power input of the differential drive which has two power outputs, one of which is directly connected to the mounting hub of one of the rotors and the other one is connected to the mounting hub of the other rotor through a rotation inverting mechanism. Two embodiments are described and illustrated which differ only by the construction of the differential and the rotation inverting mechanisms.

Abstract: A three link system in combination with the linear translation of a rear cowl section for non-linear rotation of each of a plurality of blocker doors for providing constant engine pressure characteristics during all positions of blocker door rotation between stowed and fully deployed. A first link is pivotally attached at one end to the engine and pivotally attached at its other end to a second link member which in turn is pivotally attached at its other end to the blocker door. A third link member is pivotally attached to the engine rearward of the first link connection and pivotally connected at its other end to the second link intermediate the end of the first link and blocker door. Actuators are provided for linear translation of the rear cowl section.