Abstract: The present invention includes an instrument panel that is adapted to stand over the lap of a pilot within a cockpit of an aircraft to make more efficient use of the limited space within the cockpit. The panel houses at least a portion of the instruments that are installed in the cockpit to fly the aircraft. More efficiently use of the space within the cockpit reduces the size and weight of the cockpit. Moreover, reducing the weight of the cockpit allows the cockpit with the canopy to be ejected from the aircraft rather than just the pilot seat. The cockpit enclosed by the canopy ejects the pilot faster and protects the pilot during and after the ejection. The ejection is faster because there is no need to remove the canopy before ejecting the seat. The pilot is further protected because the canopy protects the pilot from wind impact and harsh atmospheric conditions at high altitude.

Abstract: A satellite dispenser adapted to be coupled to a launch vehicle. The dispenser includes a single-piece, integrally formed tubular shell for supporting a plurality of independent satellites thereon. The tubular shell is significantly lighter than multi-piece dispenser shells that require a connecting ring for coupling the post portion and base portion of the shell together. The single piece shell also significantly reduces the cost and simplifies the manufacture of the dispenser shell. The dispenser shell, in certain preferred embodiments, includes a tapered post portion which enables satellites being carried on the upper portion of the post portion to extend further into a fairing disposed over the satellites and dispenser shell during flight, thus making more efficient use of the envelope defined by the interior area of the fairing. A frusto-conical base portion integrally formed with the post portion enables the load supported by the dispenser shell to be evenly distributed throughout the base portion.

Abstract: This is an advanced simplified system for avoiding light aircraft crashes, using rate-of-turn sensors, solenoid-operated air valves and electrical circuits with relays. The sensors and air valves provide the needed corrections to an aircraft's pitch and roll angles to prevent it from going out of control. When needed, all valves blast out high velocity air to provide lift, thus preventing the aircraft from crashing upon landing. The system does not require air compressors and air tanks. In this simplified system, the inlets of the valves receive high velocity air from the aircraft's flight motion through the atmosphere. The more air valves installed on the wings of the aircraft the more lift produced. This system can continue to provide the needed lift and altitude corrections while the aircraft is in flight, the faster the flight, the greater the system's ability to make corrections, when needed, to avoid an aircraft crash.

Abstract: Positioning system for a high-precision measuring instrument (1) in a support structure (2) of a satellite, in which the measuring instrument (1) can be moved freely with predetermined degrees of freedom within a space (3) provided in the satellite support structure (2). The measuring instrument (1) produces reference signals required by it for its inertial alignment, and is aligned with respect to a predetermined measurement target by a first positioning device (7). The satellite support structure (2) follows the motion of the measuring instrument (1) in order to overcome external disruptive forces and moments.

Abstract: An aircraft is provided including oppositely opposed inner and outer skins. The outer skin, when subject to an impact, is movable towards the inner skin. The outer skin includes stiffeners that project into a cavity defined by a clearance located between the inner and outer skins. The inner skin includes stiffeners that project into the cavity towards the outer skin. The outer skin contacts the stiffeners when the outer skin is flexed inwardly rather than the stiffeners on the outer skin contacting the inner skin. The inner skin includes a noise abatement portion.

Abstract: A rotor aircraft has an adjusting mechanism that controls the sensitivity of the control stick relative to fore and aft tilt of the rotor. The control stick is pivotable between fore and aft directions as well as laterally about a control stick pivot point. A rotor linkage is connected between the control stick and the rotor rotor head. The rotor linkage assembly tilts the rotor head in response to tilting movement of the control stick. The linkage assembly has a control point that rotates at a radius about the control stick pivot point. An adjusting member located between the control stick and the linkage assembly can be moved to change the radius of the control point to the control stick pivot point. The change in radius corresponds to the amount of tilt that the rotor head make while the control stick moves between full aft and full forward positions. The control stick also controls ailerons and a horizontal stabilizer but these control services are not affected by the adjusting member.

Abstract: A dielectric coating is applied to a surface that is prone to icing. Ice detecting sensors are deployed over the surface that is in danger of excessive icing. When sensors detect the presence of ice, a charge opposite that of the ice coating is automatically applied to the surface beneath the dielectric coating. Since ice in its natural state is a negatively charged substance, an identical, negatively charged surface repels or loosens the ice.

Abstract: A flow-through thrust takeout apparatus comprises an injection manifold (coupler) mounted to an engine and having a manifold passage. A ball line is attached to the injection manifold, and has a ball line passage fluidicly coupled with the manifold passage. A ball clamp is movably connected with the exterior surface of the ball line. A tank interface is attached to the ball clamp. The tank interface and ball clamp form a socket around the ball line to be movable relative to the injection manifold and the ball line. The tank interface is attached to a fuel tank. The interface member has an interface passage fluidicly coupled with the ball line passage to permit fuel flow from the fuel tank to the engine. A valve is mounted between the engine and the interface passage, and is adjustable to control fluid flow between the tank and the engine. The apparatus transfers the engine thrust from the rocket engine to the fuel tank, and the flow-through passages permit fuel transfer from the fuel tank to the engine.

Abstract: A method for controlling the acceleration of a vehicle (10) reentering the sensible atmosphere, comprising executing a lofting translational rocket burn at an altitude of greater than about 40 km whereby the vehicle (10) reenters the sensible atmosphere at a maximum accelerative force of less than 4 g.

Abstract: In order to avoid converting a passenger chair, for example in an aircraft, into a passenger bed, the seating surface of the passenger chair is combinable with a separate bed surface to form a surface for sleeping. When the chair is used as a chair, the separate bed surface can be used for other purposes. The cooperation fo the seating surface with the bed surface in forming the surface for sleeping is accomplished in several ways.

Abstract: An aircraft propulsion system (10) is connected to a strut, fixed to the wing or fuselage, by a fixing device comprising at least one rear mount (22) and two front mounts (24, 26). The rear mount (22) and a first (24) of the front mounts connect a main part (12a) of the frame (12) of the strut to the central casing (16) of the engine. The other front mount (26) connects a front part (12b) projecting from the strut frame (12) to the fan stator case (20) and mainly takes up the vertical forces (Z). Thus, the first front mount (24) can be simplified and bending or sagging of the engine is reduced.

Abstract: A high altitude low flying platform hull, including a laminar flow airfoil, a first slab side, a second slab side, a first fin and a second fin. The laminar flow airfoil has a nose, the nose has a nose leading edge. The first slab side has a first slab side leading edge and a first slab side trailing edge. The first slab side has a serpentine or s-shaped first slab side leading edge. The second slab side has a second slab side leading edge and a second slab side trailing edge. The second slab side has a serpentine or s-shaped second slab side leading edge. The first slab side and second slab side mate to the laminar flow airfoil. The first slab side leading edge and second slab side leading edge intersect the nose leading edge. The first slab side trailing edge extends upward to create the first fin, and the second slab side trailing edge extends upward to create the second fin.

Abstract: During operation of the nuclear reactor, at specified time intervals, a neutron flux is measured using a set of neutron flux detectors which are fixed and arranged in the core (1) of the nuclear reactor, the maximum number n of detectors (8) being 15% of the number of fuel assemblies in the core. The measured signals are processed and the instantaneous distribution of neutron flux or of power throughout the entire core (1) is calculated from the measured signals. At least one core operating parameter is calculated from the instantaneous neutron flux distribution and an alarm is raised if at least one parameter exceeds a set range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing the size and appearance of luggage bins on aircraft in which a shelf extension is attached to the front lip of the shelf and supported by brackets mounted to the side bulkheads of the bin. A curved profile door having rearwardly disposed webs at each end is pivotally mounted at the top of the bin and is configured to close against the front edges of the bin side bulkheads and the upper front surface of the bin shelf extension. Trim is provided to close the gap between adjacent shelf extensions and to cover the portion of shelf brackets extending beyond the front edges of the side bulkheads.

Abstract: A rotor shaft support and drive arrangement comprises a bearing damper including a number of interconnected oil cylinders circumferentially distributed about a rotor to dampen the vibration thereof. A flexible diaphragm coupling is provided for transmitting a driving torque. The flexible diaphragm coupling provides improved misalignment capability.

Abstract: A fairing for protecting a payload from excessive acoustic energy is disclosed. The fairing can be used with a launch vehicle for launching payloads such as satellites or the like. The invention provides structure to surround a payload and absorbs acoustic energy so that the noise is suppressed to acceptable levels and the payload is not damaged. The fairing comprises a two dimensional honeycomb core having composite face sheets and load skins bonded to each side of the core. A water barrier is connected to the inner side of the fairing to prevent moisture from entering the payload area. The fairing wall further includes a liquid which is added to the two dimensional honeycomb layer. The liquid is jettisoned during the launch of the vehicle at a predetermined time when the additional acoustic suppression provided by the mass of liquid is no longer needed.

Abstract: A hook cable support assembly is arranged to support a hook cable above a runway surface for arrestment of an aircraft having a tail hook. The operating mechanism of the support assembly is mounted to the detachable cover of an enclosure. A cable support block holding the hook cable can be rotated to lower the cable into a runway slot for non-arrested landings and can be depressed downward upon impact by an aircraft wheel. Support block rotation is controlled by a pneumatic cylinder and compression spring combination acting via a four-bar linkage. Support block upward recovery following depression is controlled by torsion springs. The cylinder and compression and torsion springs are mounted to the lower surface of the cover and function as a self-contained mechanism isolated from mechanical contact with the enclosure. With this cover-mounted configuration, the operating mechanism of the cable support assembly is removable for service or replacement by detachment of the cover.

Abstract: The thrust T of an airplane is estimated by a thrust estimating device, and the motion state (the speed, the angular speed, the attitude angle and the elevation angle) of the airplane is detected by a motion state detecting device. Then, a drag estimating device estimates the drag D of the airplane, based on the thrust T and the motion state of the airplane. An operation-amount calculating device converges the steering angle into a target steering angle at which the drag of the airplane is minimized, by repeating the operation of varying the steering angle of a flap by a very small angle by an operating device, and further varying the steering angle by a very small angle, while monitoring the increase or decrease in drag resulting from such variation. Such a drag reducing control is carried out, while monitoring the actual drag and hence, is extremely effective, and also can exhibit an effectiveness, irrespective of the motion state of the airplane.

Abstract: A flyer assembly is adapted for launching with, transit in, and deployment from an artillery shell having a central void region extending along a ballistic shell axis. The flyer assembly includes a jettisonable shroud and a flyer. The shroud extends along a shroud axis, and is positionable within the central void region with the shroud axis substantially parallel to the shell axis. The flyer is adapted to withstand a launch acceleration force along a flyer axis when in a first state, and to effect aerodynamic flight when in a second state. When in the first state, the flyer is positionable within the shroud with the flyer axis parallel to the shroud axis and the shell axis. The flyer includes a body member disposed about the flyer axis, and a foldable wing assembly mounted to the body member. The wing assembly is configurable in a folded state characterized by a plurality of nested wing segments when the flyer is in the first state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement and a method in a mechanical control system of an aircraft. From the cockpit of the aircraft control surfaces (1) of the aircraft can be acted upon via the control system by means of at least one control element (3), for example a wheel, a control column or a pair of pedals operatively connected to the control system. A servomotor (5) together with sensors is also connected to the control system. The sensors are designed, when acted upon by the control element (3), to detect the torque exerted on the control element (3) by a force applied thereto, the trim angle of the control element and the angular velocity with which the action occurs. The arrangement comprises a control device (9) which, on the basis of the conditions detected by the sensors, is designed to control the servomotor (5) so that a ratio between the force applied to the control element (3) and the trim angle of the control element assumes a desired, essentially constant value.