Abstract: The application of sand combined with sandblasting extinguishes oil and gas fires by cutting off oxygen, cooling the area and stopping the fuel supply. Sand mixed with soda ash converts to glass to smother high temperature fires. Sandblasting controls flames while a fire is smothered by mounding with sand.

Abstract: An improved control system for a rotary wing aircraft having a tail assembly comprising an annular duct within the interior of which a variable pitch propeller is concentrically mounted for rotation forwardly of movable surfaces for deflecting the slip stream generated by the propeller transversely of the duct as will provide transversely directed thrust forces for amounts required to counteract rotor torque and provide directional control of the aircraft in azimuth.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, a method of transporting upright cylindrical articles is provided wherein the articles are fed from a mass at an upstream location into single file at a downstream location. The articles are fed in mass into the infeed of the deck of an air table. A lower air pressure zone is created on a first lateral portion of the deck plate between the upstream and downstream locations. A higher air pressure zone is created on a second lateral portion of the deck plate to cause the articles to move into single file in the first lateral portion. Velocity air pressure is used to move the single filed articles to a downstream location. The articles are held in single file with a directional mass volume of air. The pressure differential between the high and low pressure zones can be adjusted to vary the density of the articles at the infeed.

Abstract: An explosion suppression system and triggering apparatus therefor are provided for quenching gas and dust explosions. An electrically actuated suppression mechanism which dispenses an extinguishing agent into the path ahead of the propagating flame is actuated by a triggering device which is light powered. This triggering device is located upstream of the propagating flame and converts light from the flame to an electrical actuation signal. A pressure arming device electrically connects the triggering device to the suppression device only when the explosion is sensed by a further characteristic thereof beside the flame such as the pioneer pressure wave. The light powered triggering device includes a solar panel which is disposed in the path of the explosion and oriented between horizontally downward and vertical. Testing mechanisms are also preferably provided to test the operation of the solar panel and detonator as well as the pressure arming mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an automobile fire extinguishing device that is applicable to all modes of transportation. The present invention retains a volume of pressurized fire retarding material which is kept within the container by a trigger cap that suspends a weight within a larger tubing juncture enclosure. As the invention experiences an abnormal acceleration force from a collision, the interia of the suspended weight breaks the trigger cap and releases the fire retarding material into the tubing juncture enclosure. The tubing juncture enclosure routes the fire retarding material into a plurality of tubes that extend to various potential fire sites. Similarly, the part of the trigger cap that suspends the weight is sensitive to heat. If an abnormally high heat is incurred, the weight will buckle the cap releasing the fire retarding material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mortar transport apparatus, consisting essentially of a rotor comprising cylindrical mortar transport chambers, the rotor being arranged between stationary sealing plates and being adapted to be driven by a motor, a feed hopper arranged above the rotor, the feed hopper being adapted to fill the mortar transport chambers via a filling hole provided in the sealing plate situated above the rotor, a blow-off chamber arranged under the lower sealing plate and adapted to have a transport hose connected to it, the blow-off chamber being adapted to be filled via a mortar discharge opening in the lower sealing plate, a duct for supplying air under pressure terminating in a slit-shaped opening in the upper sealing plate above the mortar transport chamber which communicates with the blow-off chamber for driving out the mortar present in the transport chamber, air being supplied to the blow-off chamber at the location opposite the transport hose connection, for pneumatic transport of the mortar

Abstract: A sprinkler head of the present invention comprises a cover plate which is operated to fall down at a temperature lower than the operating temperature of the sprinkler head body and a switching unit provided on the body side of the sprinkler head so as to detect the falling of the cover plate and send a fire detection signal.A sprinkler head comprises a switching unit provided on the side of the sprinkler head body so as to send a fire detection signal when the unit is operated at a temperature lower than the operating temperature of the sprinkler head and send a sprinkler head operation signal when it is returned to a non-operating state by detection of the firewater discharged by the operation of the sprinkler head after the fire detection signal has been sent.

Abstract: A system for preventing the sudden depressurization of a compartment in an aircraft from causing structural damage or damage to other critical aircraft components. The system includes a pivotable closure. Normally, this closure is latched across a passage between a pressurized compartment such as a passenger cabin and a dump such as the space between the cabin wall and the outer skin of the aircraft. In the event that pressure is suddenly lost in a second pressurized compartment such as a cargo hold beneath the floor of the passenger compartment, a pressure differential is created across a flap-type latch actuator carried by the closure. This rotates the actuator, disengaging an actuator-associated latch element from a fixedly mounted keeper and thereby allowing the closure to be swung to an open position by outrushing air. This makes the entire area of the passage to the dump available for the outflow of air.

Abstract: A transport apparatus for moving nylon fiber from a supply location to a remote location includes a hopper receptacle designed for receiving a supply of nylon fibers at or near ground level, a flexible conduit having a first end connected with the output of the receptacle and the opposite end disposed at the remote location for delivery of the nylon fibers to the remote location. The propelling or transport mechanism which actually moves the nylon fibers from the first end which is connected to the receptacle to the remote location includes an air compressor and output air tube which is inserted into the conduit line. When the air compressor is energized, the pressurized flow of air through the line and thus through the conduit creates a venturi effect which effectively pulls nylon fibers from the receptacle and propels them to the remote location.

Abstract: Completely fluorinated, saturated C.sub.2, C.sub.3 and C.sub.4 compounds are efficient, non-ozone-depleting fire extinguishing agents used alone or in blends with other compounds in total flooding and portable systems.

Abstract: In a method of passing a wire, cable, optical fiber or the like through a passage, a coanda spiral flow unit is connected to the passage, a pressure release port is provided along the length from the coanda spiral flow unit to the end of the passage, compressed gas is supplied from a portable-type compressed gas supply through a coanda slit of said coanda spiral flow unit, a conductor or a guide is inserted through an end introducing port of said coanda spiral flow unit and passed through the passage. Smooth passing operations can be conducted at high speeds, even through a long and thin passage with many bends.

Abstract: A linear fire extinguisher includes a high strength metal elongated tube containing a pressurized fire extinguishant such as Halon 1301. A pair of these tubes are mounted opposite each other with a pair of opposed shaped charges placed along exterior walls opposite each other so that when actuated they provide cutting lines which release the extinguishant in opposed directions so that reaction forces balance out. Concurrently the unwrapping of each container is counteracted and interfered with by the adjacent container to minimize the spread of container fragments. Appropriate intermediate retention of portions of the container is provided to also minimize fragments.

Abstract: Firefighting apparatus specially adapted to deliver pressurized foam to a target surface. The apparatus includes a unique air injection mixer in which the air discharge nozzles are oriented at oblique angles to the stream flow. The aspirated air causes the foam to expand in the mixer without loss of force through generated turbulence to increase the pumping efficiency of the apparatus.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for controlling the separation of a boundary layer from a surface on which an adverse pressure gradient exists. A streamwise jet of fluid is so discharged onto the surface at a location adjacent the juncture between the surface and an adjoining structure as to energize the boundary layer and thereby delay the separation of the boundary layer from the airfoil in the vicinity of that juncture.

Abstract: A fire-fighting system including a tractor and tanks mounted on the tractor at different elevations. The tanks are filled with water and during dispensing of the water during fire-fighting the tanks are emptied in order from the top-most down.

Abstract: There is provided a simple fire extinguishing apparatus comprising a fire sensor 2 and a fire extinguishing water spraying head 3 positioned at required positions, a water tank 1 serving as a water supply source, a level switch 13 and a resupply port 10 which is not in contact with the water surface, installed in the water tank 1, a driving pump 7, a main pipe 5 allowing the suction and delivery sides of the driving pump 7 respectively to communicate with the water tank 1 and the fire extinguishing water spraying head 3, a control valve 8 installed in the main pipe 5 and adapted to be actuated by the fire sensor 2 and the level switch 13, a resupply pipe 4 branching from a tap water pipe 11 and extending to communicate with the resupply port 10, and a control valve 9 installed in the resupply pipe 4 and adapted to be actuated by the fire sensor 2 and the level switch 13, the arrangement being such that when a fire breaks out, water is fed from the water tank 1 through the main pipe 5 to the fire extinguishing

Abstract: Coupling between a control surface and a flexible wing, or other lifting member, is provided by a novel piston-cylinder hinge mechanism which allows the control surface to move, out-of-plane, while following deflections of its associated lifting surface, reducing required actuator energy and enabling more effective use of control forces.

Abstract: A conduit having a circular or polygonal cross-sectional outline serves for reception of one or more receptacles which are conveyed therein by a hydraulic fluid. Each receptacle can be taken apart or is formed with one or more compartments for one or more sealed containers confining foodstuffs or other substances which are to be heated or cooled by the hydraulic fluid. The front and/or rear end walls of the receptacles are provided with distancing elements which ensure that the distance between two neighboring receptacles in the conduit cannot be reduced below a predetermined minimum value. The distancing elements of neighboring receptacles can form universal joints which maintain such receptacles at a predetermined minimum and maximum distance from each other. The openings of one-piece receptacles are immediately or closely adjacent the internal surface of the conduit, and the openings of sections of composite receptacles are accessible only when the respective receptacles are located outside of the conduit.

Abstract: A precision powder hopper comprises a canister for storing particulate material and a rotatable carrier wheel that accurately meters small amounts of the material to a powder out port. The carrier wheel has slots therethourgh that receive definite quantities of material, which is tamped into the carrier wheel slots by a tamper assembly. The tamper assembly includes a deflectable leaf spring that mounts to the same shaft that rotates the powder carrier wheel. A cam and spoke arrangement cause the leaf spring to deflect cyclically in response to rotation of the powder carrier wheel. A cupped spring washer cooperates with the leaf spring to absorb some of the deflection thereof, thereby decreasing the bending stress in the leaf spring and increasing its service life. Powder in the carrier wheel slots is wiped by a novel seal that has at least one circular line contact with the carrier wheel.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for establishing and maintaining a uniform mass flow rate of particulate solids and gas mixture from a container to a receiving reactor. A preferred embodiment utilizes a plurality of porous inserts in the walls of the container through which a gaseous fluid is forced thereby contacting particulate solids within said container and enhancing the flow of said solids.