Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for lashing down a rotorcraft wing, said wing being provided with at least first and second adjacent blades P and P?, the ends of said blades being provides with respective endpieces. In addition, the device comprises a main cord CP having a first end CPE1 fastened to first fastener means 5? arranged on a second end CPE2 secured to a second blade P? and having a second end CPE2 secured to a second fastener means M1 arranged on a first endpiece of the first blade P. The lashing-down endpiece includes first fastener means 5 for fastening to a first main cord CP and second fastener means M1 for fastening to a second main cord CP.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for lifting a rocket into the upper atmosphere and establishing forward flight at several hundred miles per hour, before the rocket engines are ignited and the rocket is released from the lifting system. The main subassemblies of this lifting system comprise: (1) an array of large helium-filled dirigibles, of a size that can provide hundreds or thousands of tons of lifting force; (2) a tank-holding assembly that will be tethered to the dirigibles, and that will contain pumps and high-pressure tanks, to recapture and store the helium for use in subsequent launches; and, (3) a winged platform, with wings that can be rotated vertically during liftoff, and horizontally to establish forward flight after a desired altitude has been reached, and having conventional aircraft engines on each wing. This system enables safer, less expensive, and more efficient launching of rockets and heavy payloads into space, using easily reusable subassemblies.

Abstract: A pivot assembly is provided including a first pivot boss having an engagement extension and a first race element having a central race socket. A central engagement bushing is rotatably secured within the central race socket and includes an engagement chamber adapted to removably engage the engagement extension. The central engagement bushing allows the first race element to rotate relative to the first pivot boss while remaining longitudinally engaged to the first fixed pivot boss.

Abstract: A remotely controlled model airplane includes a receiver responsive to signals from a transmitter to control the direction of flight of the model airplane. The receiver, powered by a battery, demodulates the signal transmitted by the transmitter to selectively energize an electrical coil to generate a magnetic field of a first or second polarity. A rudder pivotally attached to the vertical stabilizer includes a magnet responsive to the magnetic fields generated and is urged in one direction or the other resulting in commensurate pivotal movement of the rudder. A hinge interconnecting the rudder and vertical stabilizer urges return to center of the rudder after it has been deflected left or right by the magnet responding to the magnetic field created as a result of a signal transmitted by the transmitter. An electric motor also under control of the transmitter and receiver may be incorporated to rotate a propeller to provide thrust and forward motion of the model airplane.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for capturing, recovering, disassembling, and storing unmanned aircraft and other flight devices or projectiles are described. In one embodiment, the boom can be extended to deploy a recovery line to capture the aircraft in flight, a process that can be aided by a line capture device having retainers in accordance with further aspects of the invention. The aircraft can then be returned to its launch platform, disassembled, and stored, again with little or no direct manual contact between the operator and the aircraft, for example, by capturing a first wing of the aircraft and securing a second wing before releasing the first.

Abstract: The invention described here offers a low-cost method of remote flight control suitable for use in toy airplanes and ornithopters (flapping-wing aircraft). To accomplish this, the aircraft is powered by a reversible electric motor. The propeller or flapping wing produces a torque force, which is dependent upon the direction of motor rotation. This torque force is used to bank the aircraft and cause a turn. In the case of an airplane, a reversible-pitch propeller enables the propeller to produce thrust in either rotational direction. In the case of an ornithopter, the torque force results from an asymmetrical motion of the wings. By reversing the motor direction, the asymmetry is reversed and the ornithopter turns in the opposite direction. This control method reduces costs, because unlike other toy aircraft control systems, it provides full directional control of the aircraft without the need for any servo or actuator in addition to the drive motor.

Abstract: A system and method for supplying thrust to a structure, such as a satellite or spacecraft, for the purposes of station keeping and attitude control of the structure in low-gravity (orbital) and zero-gravity environments. The system includes devices for emitting energy beams and targets impacted by the energy beams to cause ablation of the targets. The beam-emitting devices and targets are adapted to cooperate and cause the structure to selectively undergo translational and/or rotational motion in reaction to the motion of material ablated from the targets. The position, alignment, and/or attitude of the structure can thereby be controlled in a zero or low-gravity environment by selectively emitting the energy beams at the targets.

Abstract: A lateral thrust control is provided for influencing the flight trajectory of a projectile. The control has a main control unit; a central, axially extending main recess in the main control unit; a plurality of thruster recesses in the main control unit for accepting correction thrusters; an ignition element for one of the correction thrusters disposed in each of the thruster recesses; and at least one tubular conductor support of an electrically insulating material arranged inside the main recess of main control unit. At least some of the electrical conductors are in the form of conductive tracks fixedly arranged on the at least one tubular conductor support such that a particular contact element for a particular ignition element contacts the conductive track assigned to the particular contact element.

Abstract: A window assembly incorporating a composite seal is provided. The composite seal has a first sealing member and a second member stiffer than the first sealing member.

Abstract: A system and a method is provided for fitting an aircraft cabin with modular sidewall panels, window reveals, and foam insulation blocks in an integrated manner. The system comprises a sidewall panel which may have one or more openings therethrough to receive a window reveal held by snap-fit fastenings. The bezel of the window reveal may be held by snap-fit fasteners for easy removal to allow removal and cleaning of the inner dust cover disassembly of the sidewall panel. Foam insulation blocks may be molded to fit in the cavity between the outer wall of the aircraft and the sidewall panels, held in place by compressive pressure between the frames of the airframe. The outer extent of the window reveal is tapered inwardly to guide the window reveal to mating contact with an outer window assembly in the aircraft fuselage without further adjustment of the sidewall panel.

Abstract: A lowerable luggage compartment (10); in particular for a passenger aircraft, comprises a force assistance device (12) disposed behind the back of the luggage compartment (10) for providing an assistance force during opening and/or closing of the luggage compartment (10). The force provided by the force assistance device (12) is transmitted by means of a flexible force-transmitting device (cable 14) to the luggage compartment (10). The force assistance device (12) is the sole force assistance device acting upon the luggage compartment (10).

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for launching and capturing unmanned aircraft and other flight devices or projectiles are described. In one embodiment, the aircraft can be launched from an apparatus that includes an extendable boom. The boom can be extended to deploy a recovery line to retrieve the aircraft in flight. The aircraft can then be retrieved from the recovery line. The boom can be retracted when not in use to reduce the volume it occupies.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wing, a wing, a tail unit or grid fins for a flying object moving with supersonic speeds. The wing comprises leading edges and tailing edges. According to the invention, the contour of at least one of the leading contour and the tailing contour has a meandered shape. By means of the inventive meandered contours the wave drag of the flying object may be decreased. The inventive design of the leading or tailing edges of a wing can be used for aircrafts, spacecrafts, missiles, projectiles and the like.

Abstract: A system for transportation and storage of cargo in space includes one or more platforms. The platforms are operable to hold multiple removable propellant tanks and rendezvous with one or more other platforms in space. The platforms also include one or more thruster systems and positioners. Each positioner has an effector operable to grip a band disposed around each propellant tank. Each positioner is operable to facilitate the transfer of the multiple removable propellant tanks between platforms during the rendezvous.

Abstract: The invention presented here relates to a device in a spacecraft comprising a carrier rocket, a satellite and a detachable adapter (4) for connecting a satellite to the carrier rocket, where the adapter (4) comprises a wall structure (14, 15) for supporting the satellite on the carrier rocket, and is fixed at its lower rim to the carrier rocket and is fixed at its upper rim to the satellite. The device is characterised in that the adapter (4) is divided essentially across the longitudinal direction of the spacecraft and that both of the adapter parts (12, 13) are detachably connected to each other. The invention comprises the said adapter design and a method for separating the invented device.

Abstract: A catapult for launching an unmanned aircraft. The catapult comprises a first carriage, to which the aircraft (5) can be arranged. The catapult further comprises a launching cylinder (23) that is arranged to move the carriage (4) in the launch direction (B) by means of a pulling element, such as a rope, and also a pulley mechanism. The carriage can be moved in the return direction (C) by means of a returning device (31) and a return-side pulley mechanism (51).

Abstract: Excessive fuel is dumped by ejection under a pressurized outflow velocity from an aircraft during flight as jets in a direction parallel to air stream flow relative to the aircraft, from a rearwardly facing exit opening of a fuel jettison device mounted on the lower surface of the aircraft, with the exit fixedly spaced below the lower aircraft surface a short distance to avoid the Coanda effect while reducing or eliminating fuel and fuel mist impingement on aircraft surfaces.

Abstract: An aircraft motion control mechanism for regulating aircraft motion from a location remote from an aircraft body portion. The aircraft auxiliary control mechanism has at least one control surface support arm connected to and extending from the aircraft body portion, and an auxiliary flow control surface connected to the support arm. By pivotally controlling the movement of the support arm, the auxiliary flow control surface is operative to deflect airflow to regulate orientation of the aircraft. In addition, the auxiliary flow control surface may further deflect the airflow by deflecting about the support arm.

Abstract: A safety and information device is arranged on at least one passenger seat in the passenger cabin of a commercial aircraft, wherein several passenger seats are arranged within the passenger cabin along at least one longitudinal aisle, and wherein display elements for providing the passengers with seat information are arranged on the respectively aisle seats. The arrangement should increase the safety of passengers who stand in the aisles during the flight and simultaneously improve the display of seat information for the passengers. This problem is solved in that the safety and information device also contains a handle element that is arranged on the passenger seat in the region of the upper lateral edge that faces the aisle and realized in the form of a recessed grip with a handle mounted thereon, and in that display elements for providing passengers with information are arranged on the outer side of the handle or on a recess flange that faces the aisle.

Abstract: Adjustment mechanism for adjustment area of variable-shape flow surface with two opposite skin surfaces includes plurality of whirl chambers swivelably arranged next to one another so that the whirl chambers are swivelable relative to one another, and the whirl chambers include lateral stiffening elements and longitudinal stiffening elements. Joints are structured and arranged to jointedly couple lateral stiffening elements and longitudinal stiffening elements of the whirl chambers, and a first drive tube section and a second drive tube section are arranged between adjacent longitudinal stiffening elements. A pump is coupled to first and second drive tube sections and control device is functionally connected to pump to swivel adjacent whirl chambers around joint axes via complementary volume changes in first and second drive tube sections. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.