Abstract: A method for reducing a nose-up pitching moment in an unmanned aerial vehicle during forward flight. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes counter-rotating rotor assemblies that are mounted within a duct. Each rotor assembly includes a plurality of rotor blades. The method involves adjusting the rotor blades to have substantially zero pitch. Then rotating the rotor assemblies to produce a virtual plane across the duct. The virtual plane is operative for substantially deflecting air passing over the fuselage away from the duct. In one embodiment of the invention, the method involves the further step of obstructing at least a portion of the bottom of the duct to inhibit air that is flowing across the bottom of the duct from passing into the duct.

Abstract: A kite illumination system is provided including a plurality of chemilluminescent light units and electrical light modules each releasably attached to the kite. The electrical light modules are preferably selectively actuated via a switch and further have uniquely colored lights which illuminate intermittently upon actuation.

Abstract: A flight control system according to the present invention includes a vertical acceleration control device for calculating a pitch axis steering angle command to make a difference between a vertical acceleration of an airplane and a target turn acceleration to zero, and transmitting it as a variable to a pitch axis control device, a reference bank angle device for calculating a reference bank angle from the target turn acceleration, an altitude control device for calculating a bank angle correcting quantity from a difference between an altitude of the airplane and a target altitude and obtaining a bank angle command by correcting the reference bank angle, and a roll axis control device for calculating a roll axis steering angle command for make a difference between a real bank angle and the bank angle command to zero and for transmitting it as a variable to a roll axis control device.

Abstract: A device for braking the fall of a load, the device having a flexible fabric structure with a central hub connected to at least two radial blades adapted to impart rotary motion to the structure, thereby generating lift, and suspension rigging connecting the flexible fabric structure to the load beneath it.

Abstract: A variable bodied helicopter is disclosed. The helicopter is of a type that has tandem lifting rotors (1, 2) with a body consisting of a front section (3) and a rear section (4). The rear section of the body is narrower than the front section of the body, thereby allowing the rear section to travel into the front section. Channelled railings (5, 6) attached to the front section of the body firmly hold the rear section through railings (7, 8) attached to the rear section. These railings guide the movement of the rear section relative to the front section. A shaft consisting of two sections (9, 10) is used to synchronize the tandem arranged rotors. The narrower section (9) of the shaft slides into the wider section (10) of the shaft when the rear section of the body moves into the front section of the body. Bearings (11, 12, 13) support the synchronizing shaft.

Abstract: Methods that provide stationkeeping maneuvering of a yaw steered spacecraft that orbits around a central body, such as the Earth, and experiences solar radiation pressure produced by the sun. The methods comprise the following steps. A spacecraft having a solar array is launched into orbit at a desired orbital location. Once the spacecraft is in orbit at the desired orbital location, a reflected component of the solar radiation pressure is caused to selectively apply a force to the spacecraft that moves the spacecraft to perform stationkeeping maneuvers. The reflected component of the solar radiation pressure may be caused to selectively apply a force to the spacecraft in two exemplary ways. In one embodiment, the spacecraft is yaw steered to follow a yaw steering profile so that the axis of the solar array is substantially normal to a plane containing the sun vector and nadir vector.

Abstract: A method of reducing the bending moment effect of wind gust loads acting on the wing of an aircraft involves adjusting the aerodynamic configuration of the wing so as to alter the distribution of lift generated by the wing during phases of flight in which critical wind gusts are expected to occur. Particularly, during climb and descent phases of flight below cruise altitude, the lift generated by outboard portions of the wings is reduced while the lift generated by inboard portions of the wings is increased. Thereby, the 1 g basis load acting on the outboard portions of the wings is reduced, and consequently the total load applied to the outboard portions of the wings, resulting from the 1 g basis load plus the additional wind gust load, is correspondingly reduced. This leads to a reduction of the bending moments effective on the wings, and of any rolling moment effective on the aircraft.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus for locking both rotor blades of a rotor/wing aircraft at a common point to form a rigid wing having a uniform bilateral aerodynamic response. In one embodiment of the present invention the rotor blades of a rotor/wing aircraft are locked together to form a rigid wing assembly. This is accomplished by locking the blades together by a locking mechanism that engages when the rotor speed drops below a certain threshold. With the rotor blades locked together, the wing assembly can then be locked in position with the appropriate pitch angle simply by securing the pitch link of the rotor blade that is oriented at the leading edge of the fixed wing. In another embodiment of the invention the blades are locked directly to the rotor by two locking mechanisms that engage the hub directly.

Abstract: Provided is an emergency warning device useful for quickly warning persons in danger of being struck by a disabled aircraft during an emergency landing procedure. The emergency warning device consists of a mounting assembly, a sound emitting device, a power supply, and a switch. The mounting assembly consists of a door pivotably mounted on the cowling of the aircraft, the door having an external surface substantially flush with the external surface of the aircraft such that the aerodynamic characteristics of the aircraft are not substantially altered when the door is in a closed position. The power source selectively provides power, independent from the aircraft power, to the sound emitting device. The switch connects the sound emitting device to the power source upon activation of the emergency warning device. The mounting assembly exposes the sound emitting device in an open position upon activation of the emergency warning device such that the sound emitting device is audible external to the aircraft.

Abstract: A method of providing speed protection to a neutrally-stable aircraft including the calculation of at least one of a stall protection signal and an overspeed protection signal. The aircraft includes a pitch control system having a command pitch signal received from pilot input to a control column. The protection signal is provided to the pitch control system to limit the commanded pitch signal during flight. The calculation of a stall protection signal includes differencing the aircraft's current airspeed with a reference speed and multiplying the difference by a scaling factor that corresponds to the force required by the pilot to move the control column. The calculation of an overspeed protection signal includes calculating a first signal based on airspeed, calculating a second signal based on Mach, selecting the large of the two signal and passing it through a limiter. The limiter is a function of roll attitude and corresponds to the force required by the pilot to move the control column.

Abstract: A cabin interior assembly for an aircraft is disclosed, the aircraft having a primary airframe structure for supporting vibrating components. The cabin interior assembly includes a shell structure located within the airframe structure. The shell structure is formed from a plurality of axially spaced bell frames. Each bell frame is unitary and extends from one side of the cabin interior, across the ceiling and down to the other side. At least two longitudinal support members are attached to and extend between each adjacent pair of the bell frames. A plurality of panels are mounted to the shell structure with the edges of adjacent panels forming a butt joint as they overlap the bell frames and longitudinal support members. Isolators are disposed between the shell structure and the airframe structure. Each isolator includes a first component mounted to a lower end of a bell frame and a second component mounted on the airframe structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus (1'; 1") for tracking a stellar body (22) using a telescope (9; 32) of a spacecraft (e.g., a satellite) (10; 10"). In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the telescope (9; 32) is provided with gimbal supports (18a; 18b), and is maneuverable relative to the spacecraft (10; 10'). The stellar body (22) is acquired by the telescope (9; 32) so that the stellar body (22) is within the field of view (FOV) of the telescope (9; 32). After the stellar body (22) is acquired, an operation is performed for controlling the attitude of the spacecraft (10; 10') to within pre-established deadband limits, and, as a result, the spacecraft (10; 10') and telescope (9; 32) are each assumed to have a desired orientation relative to the stellar body (22).

Abstract: A method is provided for using at least two lunar flyby maneuvers to transfer a satellite from a quasi-geosynchronous transfer orbit having a high inclination to a final geosynchronous orbit having a low inclination. The invention may be used to take the inclination of a final geosynchronous orbit of a satellite to zero, through the use of a first leading-edge lunar flyby and subsequent successive leading or trailing edge lunar flybys resulting in a geostationary orbit.

Abstract: An aircraft landing gear brake arrangement wherein a landing gear stub axle and brake pressure plate are integrated. Each of the integrated assemblies is attached to a support fitting which pivots on the truck axle thereby causing the torque links to be unaffected by steering operations.

Abstract: Elastomeric transition sections (118, 124) are mounted between the upper and lower portions of a wing (100) and a control surface (102) hinged thereto. The elastomeric transition sections include elastomeric material (126) having a plurality of holes (128) formed therethrough. Flexible rods (134, 136) are secured to either the wing or the control surface and extend through the holes (128) in the elastomeric material (126). The elastomeric transition sections provide a smooth aerodynamic transition between the wing and the control surface while permitting the control surface to pivot about the hinge axis (108) to perform the control function.

Abstract: A drogue assembly (10) for in flight refueling includes a circumferenal array of triangular support arms which carry a drogue parachute (29) which extends circumferentially around their shorter sides. Each support arm is pivoted and mounted on a pivot pin (19) at its apex for pivotal movement in a radial direction. At least alternate ones of the support arms carry leaf springs which extend into pockets (51) formed in the drogue parachute (29). The leaf springs act on the drogue parachute (29) in opposition to air pressure loading on it in flight so that it tends to increase the chord angle of the drogue parachute (29) from the leading edge. Hence the effective area of the drogue parachute in flight is varied automatically above a certain predetermined minimum which depends on the dimensions of the trailing edge so it is reduced as air speed is increased and vice versa.

Abstract: A lighter than air lighting device is disclosed comprising a dual envelope balloon providing an inner, gastight, elastic, transparent, expandable polymeric envelope such as polyurethane, containing a lighter than air medium such as helium, and a replaceable lighting device such as a halogen or arc lamp. The helium thus functions to both elevate and cool the lighting device. The inner, transparent envelope is surrounded by an outer envelope such as a colored silk or nylon which functions as a diffuser to provide sufficient illumination without dazzling the user. The outer envelope may also be used to carry information and advertizing messages.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of steering a vehicle, as well as to said vehicle allowing the method to be implemented.The method of steering such a vehicle including a propulsion system (2) and a jettisonable nose cone (8) containing a payload is noteworthy, according to the invention, in that, during the trajectory of said vehicle, the propulsion thrust of said vehicle (1) is temporarily interrupted in order to allow said jettisonable nose cone (8) to be ejected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for control of an aerodynamic steering surface (D) of a helicopter (He), which includes an anti-torque system intended to counteract the torque induced by a main forward-movement and lifting rotor (R1) and comprising an anti-torque rotor (R2) exerting an anti-torque lateral thrust and said aerodynamic steering surface (D), controllable and generating an anti-torque transverse lift.According to the invention, said device includes controls means (1A) for controlling said aerodynamic surface (D) in terms of speed, as a function of the difference between a helicopter (He) yaw control demand and a datum demand for the auxiliary rotor (R2), as long as said difference is not zero.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the blowing of compressed air from an aerodynamic structure such as an aircraft wing or helicopter rotor blade and thus controlling the aerodynamic properties of the wing comprises a narrow slot (13) in the upper surface 915) of the structure near its trailing edge (14). Inside the wing (12) is a chamber (23) that is connected to the narrow slot (13) in the wing surface (15). The chamber (23) houses a compressed air conduit (16) for supplying and holding compressed air. A passageway (25) connects the conduit (16) to the slot (13) in the upper surface (25) of the wing (12). The lower wall (27) of the passage (25) has a slit (32) allowing a shutter (31) to move selectively into the passage (25) and obstruct the flow of compressed air through the passageway (25). The shutter (31) is attached to a smart material actuator comprising a piezoelectrical bender (29). When a control voltage is applied to the bender (29), the bender (29) will bend.