Abstract: A deicer for use on the propeller of an aircraft wherein the heating elements or elements of the deicer which are embedded in an electrically non-conductive material adhered to a propeller blade provide a gradient type of heat distribution pattern having the greatest heat concentration at the area of the propeller closer to the shank end and a lower heat concentration at the area of the propeller further away from the shank end.

Abstract: A rotationally symmetrical supporting member provides lift in response to movement of air over its upper surface, and such air movement is produced by the impeller of a coaxially arranged drive unit, the base of which is connected to the supporting member so that counter torque from the drive unit imparts rotational movement to the supporting member. A carrier which may hold a load or supporting steering flaps is rotatably mounted in relation to the supporting member and to the driving unit.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for reducing tire wear of airborne vehicles that require a runway upon which to land, wherein there is provided from an aircraft's engines, or other source, a stream of air such that the stream of air is directed against mechanical housings affixed to the wheels of the airborne vehicle, the housings comprising a number of radially spaced surfaces symmetrically positioned about the housings and thus about the wheels of the airborne vehicles such that the stream of air is directed against the radially spaced surfaces imparting to same energy thereby causing the housings and the wheels upon which the housings are mounted to rotate, resulting in controlled rotations of the wheels of the airborne vehicle at the point of landing so as to commence and continue rotation of the wheels at a regulated rate equivalent to the landing speed of the airborne vehicle prior to its landing thereby eliminating excess wear of the tires on the airborne vehicle as well as achieving an added degree

Abstract: A placement and retrieval modular barge arrangement for off-shore well drilling equipment comprising at least two separable barge sections having an arrangement for being joined together, each barge section being made of a floatable hull having a deck capable of carrying thereon sections of a blow-out collar or other equipment, the barge having a central opening formed therein for surrounding a well drilling derrick when the barge sections are joined together, each barge section being provided with a radially movable platform arrangement slidably supported in the hull thereof, and an arrangement for actuating the platform arrangement to retract it to the confines of the central opening or extend it therefrom a distance sufficient to support a blow-out collar or other equipment during assembly or disassembly thereof.

Abstract: A slotted plate mountable on a wall or other point of support for tying a rope thereto. The rope is looped about the plate and through a slot so that it cannot slip free when tension is applied.

Abstract: An article carrier adapted to be slidably urged upwards along a kite string under the influence of wind and to release the article upon reaching a predetermined position along the kite string. The article carrier includes a frame having a pair of upright arms adapted to be slidably attached to the kite string and to support the frame therefrom. A lever arm is pivotably connected to the frame at one end and a retainer member is connected to the frame intermediate the lever arm and defines a hook adapted to releasably receive the article thereon. An actuating member in the form of a stop is selectively positioned along the kite string and is engaged by the lever arm as the carrier is urged upwards along the string causing the lever arm to pivot and slide the article off of the retainer member freeing it from the article carrier.

Abstract: The present aircraft steering mechanism provides different steering characteristics for different aircraft speeds, especially at low speeds on the one hand and at high speeds on the other hand. For this purpose the steering mechanism, which is operatively interposed between a control input and a controlled member, such as a rudder or flap, forms a transmission system including a walking-beam type lever with a free-end member and a forked member. The forked member is movable relative to the free-end member in response to a flight parameter, such as the dynamic pressure, whereby the free-end member dips more or less into the forked member. Thus, the excursion of the free-end member is increasingly more limited as the speed of the aircraft increases. The see-saw type lever forms a control input and a control output and the degree of excursion is determined by the extent to which the free-end member dips into the forked member.

Abstract: A submersible floatation structure is formed of lengths of tubing which are interconnected by fittings. In one embodiment, the tubing end fittings are formed of a polymeric material, such as polyvinyl chloride. The tubing lengths and fittings are interconnected to form a selectable configuration, which, in some embodiments, may be in the form of a reclining chair, a raft, a buoy, or a life preserver ring. Valves are provided for allowing water to enter the structure and thereby provide a ballast which serves selectably to submerge the structure, or render the structure for use on land.

Abstract: The invention relates to aircraft wings, wherein the fairing element between the leading edge of a wing and the fuselage comprises a streamlining flap movable between a folded position in which it is housed in a recess in the fairing element and forms a part of the leading edge and the part adjacent the lower surface of said fairing element, and an extended position in which it ensures continuity of the leading edge between the fuselage and the high-lift spoiler likewise in extended position. Moreover, there is a communication between the housing of the streamlining flap and the housing of the high-lift spoiler so that, when these two flap elements are in their extended positions, the air penetrating in the housing of the streamlining flap disposed on the lower surface side emerges through the housing of the high-lift spoiler disposed on the upper surface side, with the result that there is an increased upper surface blowing.

Abstract: A new satellite system configuration is comprised of a power module with rigidly attached solar arrays and a control module including a sun pointing unit, an earth pointing unit and a rotary interface. The power module is attached to one face of the sun pointing unit and an opposite face of the sun pointing unit is attached to the earth pointing unit through the rotary interface to allow the earth pointing unit to remain pointing to the earth while the sun pointing unit rotates relative to it to keep the rigidly attached solar arrays of the power module pointing toward the sun. The earth pointing unit has a docking area for subsequent orbital docking of one or more earth pointing payload satellites to be serviced and controlled by the power and control modules.

Abstract: A kite of the winged and canopy type includes a central section of substantially arrow-head configuration, triangular-shaped wings extending along the sides of the central section, and triangular-shaped keel sections also extending along the central section sides. A spar extends across the kite from the apex of the wings and through the keel sections. A spar pole extends between the spar and central longeron to form a canopy of the central section and means to secure the spar, central longeron, and spar pole together when the kite is assembled.

Abstract: A high performance speedboat with a planing type hull and incorporating a drive mechanism having a one or two-speed-forward, step-up, V-gear, hydraulic transmission, which connects the engine drive shaft and the propeller shaft in V-drive structure. The propeller shaft extends rearwardly through the boat transom to provide a "thru-drive" system in coaction with a unitary strut and stern steering support assembly for placement on the boat transom. Such assembly includes a planar transom member secured to the boat transom, and a rearwardly extending, generally horizontal, planar structural member secured to the transom member and extending rearwardly of the boat. The structural member is bifurcated and has a pair of spaced rear end portions having rudder support means operatively disposed thereon for receiving rudder assemblies therein. Also provided is a pair of spaced strut support members secured to the assembly and extending downwardly therefrom with each having a propeller shaft support.

Abstract: An improved landing wheel for an airplane, which includes a plurality of freely pivoted fins from eccentrically located pivot pins around one side of the wheel, the fins being straight but flexible, so that in one position relative to the wind from a forwardly direction, the fins get caught against the wheel rim and are flexed into a cupped shape for causing the wheel to rotate prior to a landing.

Abstract: In an aircraft air cushion takeoff and landing system with a flexible trunk section in the form of a large expandable tube, having multiple air exhaust holes in the bottom thereof, encircling the bottom of the fuselage, a group of flexible finger-like protrusions beneath the forward section of the trunk. The downwardly extending finger-like protrusions make intermittent contact with the ground surface to suppress vertical vibrations in the trunk when the aircraft is hovering at ground level with the trunk inflated.

Abstract: An aircraft having, for example, a tailplane (4, 5) at least part of which is movable with reference to a fuselage (1) to effect control requires the control effect to be enhanced in a certain control position. Accordingly, fixed vanes (8, 9) are provided on the fuselage forward of the tailplane to form a substantially continuous leading edge root extension only when the tailplane is in a given control position.

Abstract: A main undercarriage train for an aircraft which is retractable substantially laterally, the train comprising two undercarriages which comprise identical legs each having a plane of symmetry which passes through its pivot mounting axis which is inclined relative to the plane of symmetry of the aircraft.

Abstract: A life belt comprising a ring shaped tubular body which incorporates a device for fastening the tubular body around a waist of a person, a compressed gas containing capsule connected to the tubular body and an actuator for releasing the compressed gas into the tubular body to inflate the tubular body, in which the tubular body has a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is obliquely bent downward at about 120.degree.-160.degree. relative to the first portion.

Abstract: An intake duct for an outboard engine. A cowling atop the engine forms, with a top cover plate, a recess which opens rearwardly. Intake parts are formed at the right and left sides of this recess, near the upper elevation thereof, in the vicinity of the cover plate. This provides for air flow in such a way as tends to remove, in the recess, water which is entrained in the air stream, before the air flows out of the intake ports to the engine.

Abstract: An aquatic recreation vehicle susceptible to use by one or a group of passengers or crew has an integrally formed hull having a plurality of surfaces. The hull is symmetrical about a central vertical symmetry plane which essentially divides the hull longitudinally in half. The surfaces include at least three longitudinally extending sections and at least two longitudinally extending pressure ridges. The pressure ridges are symmetrically located on the bottom of the hull and are inwardly directed toward the vertical symmetry plane. At least two longitudinally extending runners are located on the hull to provide high speed planing lift. The hull surfaces are curved upward at the bow to provide smooth entry into the water. A superstructure is located on the hull and extends longitudinally along a portion of the length of the hull. The combined centers of gravity and buoyancy of the hull and superstructure normally lie essentially in the same vertical symmetry plane.

Abstract: An aircraft has a series of strakes in the form of laterally projecting bs (low aspect ratio semi-delta type aerofoils) extending longitudinally rearwards from and on each side of the nose, each barb lying substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.