Abstract: An automatic controlled parachute includes a parachute canopy, a flight controller and risers connecting the canopy to the flight controller. Pneumatic actuators are connected along the risers. The flight controller operates the pneumatic actuators to control the length of the risers. The direction of flight of the parachute is controlled by the length of the risers.

Abstract: A passenger restraint system actuates a passenger restraint device more appropriately in situations where a vehicle rolls over. When the steering is turned in the same direction as the roll direction before the roll angle of the vehicle exceeds a threshold value, the passenger restraint system assumes the vehicle is headed toward recovery from the rollover behavior and subtracts a predetermined angle successively from the roll angle in accordance with the steering angle. Thus, the passenger restraint device is not actuated when the steering operation will stop the rollover behavior. On the other hand, the passenger restraint device is actuated when the steering is not operated and the vehicle rolls over, and when operation of the steering begins to effect a recovery but ultimately the vehicle rolls over anyway. In this situation, the passenger restraint system bypasses executing subtraction from the roll angle after the roll angular velocity exceeds a prescribed angular velocity.

Abstract: 13A case telescoped ammunition cartridge includes: a cylindrical cartridge case, a projectile disposed within the casing and a sleeve surrounding a portion of the forward end of the projectile. An obturator is disposed between the aft end of the sleeve and part of forward end of the projectile. A cup-shaped aft end seal is affixed to the case at the aft end thereof so as to be relatively movable with respect thereto during firing of the cartridge. The seal includes an external lateral surface adapted to engage an inner wall surface of a gun chamber. A cup-shaped forward end seal is affixed to the case at the forward end thereof so as to be relatively movable with respect thereto during firing of the cartridge. The forward end seal includes an external lateral surface adapted to engage the inner wall surface of the gun chamber and an external end surface adapted to abut a forward end surface of the gun chamber.

Abstract: A self-deploying net, wherein depression of a locking mechanism springfully urges a net from out a compact, portable housing, thus minimizing overall deployment time, eliminating lengthy net assembly processes and enabling single handed net deployment.

Abstract: A suction strainer includes a hollow internal core tube and an external filtering surface built around the internal core tube. A plurality of openings are defined through the side wall of the internal core tube core. In some cases the openings through the side wall are constructed and arranged such that there is somewhat less open area near the downstream end than the upstream end of the internal core tube, and the amount of open area tapers between the upstream end and the downstream end. As a result, when liquid is drawn into the internal core tube through the plurality of openings, a substantially uniform inflow distribution may be defined along substantially the entire length of the internal core tube. The internal core tube functions as a rigid structural support for the external filtering surface, enabling the apparatus to withstand post-LOCA hydrodynamic forces.

Abstract: A cat climbing and scratching device for providing a scratching and perching area for cats. The cat climbing and scratching device includes a base. A pole has a first end coupled to the base such that the pole extends upwardly from the base. The pole is generally centered on the top surface of the base. A top wall has a bottom surface and a top surface. A second end of the pole is attached to the bottom surface of the top wall. A substantially rigid helical member is positioned around the pole and has a first end positioned adjacent to the top surface of the base and a second end positioned adjacent to the bottom surface of the top wall. Each of plurality of rods has a first end attached to the pole and a second end attached to the helical member. The rods are spaced from each other.

Abstract: A scent dispensing device for luring an animal to a hunter. The scent dispensing device includes a housing. The housing has a top portion and a bottom portion. The top and bottom portions are removably securable to each other such that a lumen is defined between the top and bottom portions. The bottom portion has an opening therein. The housing has an aperture therein. A rod is positioned in the housing. A nub extends away from and is integrally coupled to an end of the rod. The nub extends through the opening. A crank means for rotatinig the rod with respect to the housing is coupled to the nub. A flexible elongate member has a first end and second end. The first end is coupled to the rod. The second end of the flexible elongate member extends through said aperture. Scented fluid is placed in the lumen so that the flexible elongate member is coated with the fluid.

Abstract: The nozzle of an acoustic jet directs high momentum flux gas particles essentially tangentially into the boundary layer of the flow in a diffuser, an engine air inlet, a jet engine gas flow path or on the suction surface of an airfoil, the gas particles in the chamber of the tangential acoustic jet being replenished with approaching low momentum flux particles drawn from the gas flow in a direction normal to the surface, thereby to provide a net time-averaged flow of increased momentum flux particles to defer the onset of boundary layer separation and/or reduce the thickness of the boundary layer. The acoustic jet is driven by a gas pressure oscillation generator which may be a loudspeaker, a resonant solenoid piston, a cranked piston, or the like.

Abstract: In an exemplary form, the invention provides a liner for a litter box cover designed to rest on a litter box bottom. The liner comprises a sidewall for lining a substantial portion of a sidewall of the cover otherwise exposed to pet waste during normal operation. The sidewall comprises a fluid impermeable layer and an aperture for access by a pet. The liner further comprises at least one fastener for being held in position relative to the cover. The liner may include a top comprising a fluid impermeable layer attached to the liner sidewall around a substantial portion of a lateral periphery of the top. In addition to the fluid impermeable layer, the liner sidewall preferably includes a sorbent layer for absorbing pet urine and preferably a claw-resistant layer for protecting the sorbent layer. Using the foregoing liner for a litter box cover together with a liner for a litter box bottom achieves significant reduction in bacteria or odor buildup in a litter box.

Abstract: A hydroponic culture procedure and device which provides for attachment of plant roots and further provides channel units for fertilizer liquid. In the device, successively hanged channel units are established on parallel supports. An upper sheet has holes for the implantation of respective plants. A lower sheet, devoid of holes, acts as a sump. Intermediate sheets are provided between the upper and lower sheets, and have the same number of holes as the upper sheet, although longitudinally offset. The channel units are fed by a tube that supplies water and nutrients, and which also provides temperature control. From this tube emerges, above the upper sheet, a micro-tube or similar device for feeding the water to individual plants. The liquid descends in the form of a cascade along the channel units and through the holes down to the lower channel unit, and in turn directs the plant roots along the same path of the nutrients.

Abstract: A spacecraft launch system includes a support assembly and a seat coupled to a hinge having a hinge axis. In operation, the support assembly and the seat rotate about the hinge axis to move the spacecraft from a horizontal position to a vertical position for launching. The launch system may incorporate an alignment technique that includes alignment members and actuators.

Abstract: Environmentally friendly high performance minimum signature propellants have been demonstrated for use in next generation tactical missile applications. Bismuth salicylate and bismuth citrate have each been used in propellant formulations and evaluated for processing, ballistic, mechanical, aging and signature properties. These high performance formulations have potential to replace current formulations used in some fielded tactical systems. The propellant binder network is achieved using energetic nitramine polymers where inert polymers have been the polymer of choice for minimum signature propellants. The significance of this has to do with achieving propellant specific impulses greater than 245 seconds without nitroglycerin being used in the formulation. This improves propellant safety properties during the propellant processing and the manufacturing of the final missile configurations. The Army has mandated that the next generation propellant formulations show improvements in safety to the end users.

Abstract: The initiator (1) has a one-piece overmoulding (2) covering three pins (3, 4, 5) which constitute the three electrical connections of the said initiator (1). Two igniter heads (16, 17), each containing a heating resistive element, are fixed into the overmoulding (2) in such a way that, on the one hand, one of the three pins is common to the two heating resistive elements and, on the other hand, each of the other two pins (4 and 5) is connected to just one of the two heating resistive elements.This electro-pyrotechnic initiator makes it possible to measure, in a mode of pyrotechnic non-activation, the resistance of each of the two heating resistive elements by successively passing electric test currents generated by an electronic control unit.

Abstract: A device for retaining garden beds, retaining water, and/or blocking plant roots, with the device having two connected reinforcing members with a liquid permeable member positioned between the reinforcing members. A method of building a garden bed includes using the device around the perimeter of a bed. A method for building a pond or stream includes using the device around the perimeter of the pond or stream. Finally, a method of blocking root travel includes burying the device to block travel.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus introduce a self-propelled in-pipe manipulator into the interior of a pipeline. A hollow body receives the in-pipe manipulator, is open at least at one end surface and is positioned at an opening of the pipeline, from where the in-pipe manipulator can drive on its own into the pipeline.

Abstract: A method and aerodynamic transport body for delivering biological control agents into a field is provided. The aerodynamic transport body is a biodegradable device into which the biological control agent is placed and then the device is projected into the field using a catapult.

Abstract: A miniaturized bulkhead with a barrier member having a thickness in the range of less than 0.05 inches thick for separating explosive charges on opposites sides. The miniaturized bulkhead is manufactured from an age hardened nickel-base alloy. First and second cavities are separated by the barrier member integral with the initiator body. The first cavity is filled with an explosive donor charge, and the second cavity is filled with an explosive acceptor charge. The composition of the age hardened nickelbase alloy includes nickel in the range of 50-55 percent by weight.

Abstract: An airbag deflection mount for mounting an airbag cushion to an airbag module and for deflecting hot inflation gas away from a throat of the airbag cushion. The airbag deflection mount includes a generally flat retainer ring for securing a collar of the airbag cushion around an inflator of the airbag module that produces and expels the inflation gas from a plurality of inflation ports for inflating the airbag cushion upon a vehicle collision. The airbag deflection mount also includes a plurality of deflectors extending upwardly from the retainer ring and positionable, spaced-apart from the inflator, between the plurality of inflation ports of the inflator and the throat of the airbag cushion. The plurality of deflectors deflect hot inflation gas away from the throat of the airbag cushion and substantially prevent the throat of the airbag cushion from being burned by the hot inflation gas.

Abstract: A process for preparing a nitrated arene which comprises reacting an arene and nitric acid in the presence of a water tolerant Lewis acid catalyst under process conditions sufficient to form the nitrated arene and recovering the nitrated arene. Suitable Lewis acid catalysts are represented by the formula M.sup.n (A.sub.1).sub.x (A.sub.2).sub.n-x whereinM is selected from the group consisting of La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Sc, Hf, Lu and Li;A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 are independently selected from a perfluoroalkylsulfonate, a fluorosulfonate, a hexafluorophosphate or a nitrate;n is the common oxidation state of M andx is 1, 2, 3 or 4 with the proviso that x is never greater than n.The catalysts of the process are isolatable from water and can be recycled for subsequent process cycles.

Abstract: A hunting projectile with a hollow point is produced with a only few working steps, and in particular a hollow point construction is formed out only in one working step. For this purpose the whole projectile is made of a metal powder by a powder-metallurgical process and then calibrated and during the powder pressing, the hollow tip construction is brought in so that during the calibration it is deformed to produce a final projectile tip.