Patents Examined by Barry L. Kelmachter
  • Hub spring moment isolation in underslung two-bladed teetering rotor
    Patent number: 4115031
    Abstract: A method and system which isolates two-per-rev hub spring moment vibrations while providing control power during zero-g flight in a two-bladed teetering rotor helicopter. Hub spring structure is connected between the rotor and the pylon to resist rotor flapping about the teeter axis and thus provide control during zero-g flight. To isolate from the fusilage the hub spring moment two-per-rev vibrations, the rotor is coupled to the pylon below the rotor center of gravity at a distance related to both the hub spring rates and the in-plane frequency of the helicopter blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1974
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1978
    Assignee: Textron, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan M. Drees, Walter G. O. Sonneborn, Jing G. Yen
  • Hanging goods sorter
    Patent number: 4114538
    Abstract: A hanging goods sorter comprising a power and free conveyor system including a power track, a power conveyor movable along the track, a free track movable along a portion of the power track, and a gravity track connected at one end to the free track and at the other end to a spaced portion of the free track. A plurality of carriers are movable on the tracks and each carrier has a plurality of longitudinally spaced supporting hooks thereon which can be individually actuated between a position for carrying hanging goods to a position for releasing hanging goods. A loading station and a coding station are provided along the gravity track. A plurality of delivery stations are provided along the portion of the free track which is along the power track. Release mechanisms are provided at fixed points adjacent the discharge stations for actuating the hooks to release the garments at predetermined stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1978
    Assignee: American Chain & Cable Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert N. Nicodemus, Jr., James W. Bosler, Marvin R. Kershner
  • Airplane configuration designed for the simultaneous reduction of drag and sonic boom
    Patent number: 4114836
    Abstract: A plurality of passageways, each having its longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the flight path of an aircraft, extend through the wings, fuselage, horizontal elevators, and rudder for the purpose of permitting air to pass through these areas. The passageways diverge from front to rear on either side of the longitudinal axis. The front openings leading into the passageways are of such size and so spaced as to exhibit considerable reduction in parasite drag generated at the leading edges of the wings, elevators, and rudder, as well as at the front end of the fuselage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1978
    Assignee: Blair M. Graham
    Inventors: Blair M. Graham, Harry C. Hamrick
  • Parachute canopy deployment control apparatus
    Patent number: 4114840
    Abstract: A system for controlling the deployment of a parachute canopy having a pair of reinforcement ribbons secured to the canopy. The lower edge of the canopy is turned inward and has reefing rings which engage a reefing line that passes through reefing rings secured to the upper reinforcement ribbon. An anti-inversion netting is secured to the outer surface of the canopy adjacent the lower reinforcement ribbon; the anti-inversion netting has control lines connected to the lower edge adjacent alternate radial seams. The control lines have reefing rings which engage the reefing line. Suspension line guide rings secure the netting to the suspension lines at radial seams between those having the anti-inversion netting control lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1978
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Herbert R. Brown
  • Lighter-than-air apparatus and method of utilizing same
    Patent number: 4113206
    Abstract: Lighter-than-air apparatus includes a thin, pliable air-tight outer envelope disposed in overlying relationship over a light-weight, coarse-opening inner frame of a spherelike shape. The envelope includes a sealable opening therein, so that the envelope can be at least partially evacuated to render the apparatus lighter than air. A vacuum pump is provided and is connected in fluid communication with the opening for controlling the quantity of air contained in the envelope to determine the amount of lifting energy. In one form of the invention, an outer frame is disposed within the envelope and surrounding the inner frame, and the outer frame is composed of a stiff, rigid open-mesh material with the openings in the inner frame being smaller in size than the opening in the outer frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Inventor: David C. Wheeler
  • Flexible aerofoils
    Patent number: 4113210
    Abstract: A flexible aerofoil has a series of members extending chordwise from a structure such as a main spar. The members are rotatably connected at points adjacent the pressure skin and are secured to the pressure skin. Rods, movable in a spanwise direction, act on the members at positions adjacent the suction skin to rotate the members relative to one another and therefore to alter the aerofoil camber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
    Inventor: Donald Pierce
  • Helicopter rotor and transmission mounting and vibration isolation system
    Patent number: 4111386
    Abstract: A helicopter rotor and transmission mounting and vibration isolation system in which the transmission is supported from the fuselage by a plurality of elastomeric mounts which are selectively positioned and focused to establish a system roll axis and a system pitch axis on opposite sides of the elastomeric mounts and which mount members are of selected stiffness to establish selected roll stiffness and selected pitch stiffness of the system, to establish the natural frequencies of the system sufficiently below the blade passage frequency to minimize the response of the fuselage to forces and moments imparted by the helicopter rotor and to provide selected torque restraint and lift restraint for the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1978
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Irwin Jeffrey Kenigsberg, Larry Bruce Eastman
  • Vortex reducing wing tip
    Patent number: 4108403
    Abstract: An airfoil tip is constructed to droop downward and extend aft of the trailing edge of the air foil structure and to include air foil configuration both chordwise and spanwise with camber in both the chordwise and spanwise directions and further including a vortex opposing twist in the chordwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1978
    Inventor: Reginald Vernon Finch
  • Escape slide deploying apparatus for use in an airplane
    Patent number: 4106729
    Abstract: An escape slide container is mounted for selective, upward movement with a track-mounted, overhead sliding door in an aircraft fuselage. Slide deployment mechanism for releasing the container from the door and for attaching it to the floor of the aircraft allows the door to move upwardly independently of the container, leaving the container attached to the floor. An over-center linkage supports the container above the floor while upward movement of the door trips the over-center linkage to propel the container outwardly through the door opening to deploy the escape slide under the urging of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1978
    Assignees: The Boeing Company, Aeritalia S.p.A.
    Inventors: Burton Bergman, Stewart M. Herman
  • Variable lift inflatable airfoil for tethered balloons
    Patent number: 4102519
    Abstract: A variable lift inflatable airfoil for tethered balloons having a horizontal fin made up of two inflatable chambers. The primary or lower chamber is normally maintained at a greater pressure than the secondary or upper chamber. Proper inflation and deflation of the secondary chamber will stabilize the pitch attitude of the balloon at some desirable low, positive angle for any wind velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1978
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Edward L. Crosby, Jr.
  • Floating craft
    Patent number: 4100873
    Abstract: A floating vessel having a crane for lifting heavy weights comprises tanks having relatively large openings below the water-line which openings can be closed in a substantially water-tight manner to vary the shape of at least that part of the vessel which is below the water-line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1978
    Assignee: Netherlands Offshore Company (Nederlandse Maatschappij voor Werken Buitengaats) B.V.
    Inventor: Willem Paul Kaldenbach
  • Repeatable release holdback bar
    Patent number: 4101099
    Abstract: A holdback bar for restraining an aircraft temporarily prior to catapult isted launch which utilizes a ball and piston unloader valve to insure rapid, positive release of a pressurized hydraulic fluid. Compensator chambers each having a resilient piston cushion against release shock caused by rapid release of stored strain energy in the hydraulic fluid and provide hydraulic fluid make-up to allow for expansion and contraction and slight leakage losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1978
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: William H. Hickle
  • Strain actuated hydraulic holdback bar
    Patent number: 4101098
    Abstract: A holdback bar for temporarily restraining an aircraft against the combined orces of engine thrust and catapult force prior to a catapult assisted launch of the aircraft which utilizes strain of a mechanical component to measure the level of combined forces. Housing stretch beyond a pre-determined amount actuates a floating trigger rod to lift a valve from its seat and permit escape of hydraulic fluid from a pressure chamber. The holdback bar includes a compensator for absorbing fluid volume changes caused by thermal expansion or contraction of the hydraulic fluid, and a rupture disk for limiting the pressure obtainable within the hydraulic fluid pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1978
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: William H. Hickle
  • All-axis control of aircraft in deep stall
    Patent number: 4099687
    Abstract: Tilting the stabilizer at an extreme angle to the fuselage, with leading edge down, and varying engine thrust comprise a method for all-axis control of a generally conventional aircraft in deep stall. In an alternative embodiment, tilting the engines upward at an extreme angle to the fuselage and varying engine thrust comprise a method for all-axis control in deep stall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1978
    Inventors: Lawrence T. Roberts, Thomas H. Strom
  • Stabilized kite
    Patent number: 4099690
    Abstract: A kite is described in which a wing of flexible material is disposed symmetrically about a central line; a wing spreader is structurally associated with the wing for providing equal and opposite extension forces operable at the central line; and an improved stabilizer is provided. The stabilizer has a keel depending from and structurally associated with the lower surface of the wing being attached thereto along one end of the central line, an apertured elevating cell through which air is drawn while kite is in flight with two side walls and upper and lower walls, the cell depending from and structurally associated with the lower surface of the wing along the other end of the central line, and a stabilizer strut for holding open the apertured elevating cell during flight being disposed between the keel and the lower wall of the apertured elevating cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1978
    Inventors: Charles Richard Mendelsohn, deceased, by Phyllis Jean Mendelsohn, executrix
  • Parachute with selectively adjustable brake flaps for controlling angle of descent
    Patent number: 4098475
    Abstract: A parachute comprises a canopy having front and rear sections and a base with shroud lines attached to the base at circumferentially spaced-apart locations therearound. A plurality of brake flaps are disposed below the canopy base and between the shroud lines at the canopy rear section and are selectively adjustable between an inactive position wherein the brake flaps are fully slackened and interfere minimally with the inherent flight characteristic of the parachute and an active position wherein the brake flaps are fully extended and effectively brake the forward velocity of the parachute to thereby increase the parachute angle of descent. A set of control lines attached to the brake flaps selectively and adjustably effect actuation thereof between the active and inactive positions to accordingly control the parachute angle of descent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1978
    Assignee: Bruggemann & Brand KG
    Inventor: Helmut G. Heinrich
  • Aircraft ramp door
    Patent number: 4097009
    Abstract: A ramp door hinged along the forward edge of a cargo door opening in the fuselage of an aircraft is retained in a locked position until the abutting end of a cargo door is pivoted into the aircraft about a hinge along the aft edge of the opening. Cylindrical pins extend from brackets on the fuselage at spaced-apart locations along each side of the ramp door opening. The pins pass into eyelet openings in spaced-apart upstanding hanger members supported by the ramp door. The hinge for the ramp door includes crank arms coupled with a hydraulic actuator used to move the ramp door with a translating motion in an aft direction to disengage the hanger members from the support pins. This translating movement of the ramp door is required as an initial measure for lowering the ramp door but inhibited so long as the cargo door remains in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1978
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Franklin K. Barnes
  • Device for stabilization of captive aircraft
    Patent number: 4095759
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in a device for the stabilization of a captive aircraft with a drive unit for rotor blades which produce lift with the aid of thrust, wherein a mooring line engages below the aircraft center of gravity, and wherein the device includes a control device intervening in the drive unit and the rotor blades for producing thrust,The improvement comprisingA position regulator and translation damper for the purpose of influencing controls for the rolling and pitching axes,An angular velocity regulator for the purpose of influencing yaw control, andA cable line traction regulator operating in dependence upon cable line traction in immediate proximity to the aircraft, and in dependence upon an output or power regulator for the drive unit, for the purpose of influencing output power regulation and the rotor blades for producing lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1978
    Assignee: Dornier GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Woitschella, Wolfgang Reuter, Rolf Swik
  • Aerial refueling spoiler
    Patent number: 4095761
    Abstract: An aerodynamic spoiler mounted on the upper forward surface of the fuselage of an aircraft which is equipped to be refueled by another aircraft while in flight. The spoiler counteracts aerodynamic disturbances produced by the refueling boom and the resultant instabilities in pitch in the aircraft receiving fuel. Four species of the spoiler are disclosed and the device may be made retractable to eliminate drag when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1978
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Ardell J. Anderson, Kenneth D. Hurley, Richard H. Leckman, Ronald H. Robinson, Edward N. Tinoco
  • Seal for variable plug two dimensional nozzle
    Patent number: 4093157
    Abstract: This invention relates to a seal adapted to prevent leakage at the interface of a movable plug with articulated panels and the side wall of a two-dimensional nozzle for a gas turbine engine. The seal prevents the high pressure cooling air internal of the plug from escaping to the lower pressure exhaust gases and comprises judiciously located dam-like members installed in the vent slots in the side wall fabricated from Finwall.RTM. material which material achieves indirect heat exchange relation and film cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1978
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert B. Cavanagh, Jr., David K. Jan