Abstract: A geostationary sun oriented communications satellite has an operational module with a payload platform rotating at one r.p. day. The antenna components are mounted on the platform. The antenna components are so oriented relative to each other and to the platform that an efficient folding and unfolding is possible without any complicated mechanism.

Abstract: A method and a system for raising a sunken vessel by positioning cryogenic piping around and within the sunken vessel so that an ice mass forms integral with the vessel and the vessel is raised to the surface of the water by action of the buoyancy of the ice mass.

Abstract: A boat with a raisable and lowerable keel is proposed, which can be constructed as a swivel, lifting or ballast drop keel. The keels are fixed to tensioning members either directly or via cables. The tensioning members can be spiral springs, which run in the lifting keel box and are guided in the interior of the lifting keel to the lower end thereof. If the lifting keel is lowered, the spiral springs are tensioned, so that only relatively limited forces are required for raising by means of a spindle (FIG 1).

Abstract: An inflatable aquatic device has a single inflatable, flotation chamber with a rigid flange element circumscribing the periphery of the inflatable chamber and a flexible lower sheet also attached to the chamber. The aquatic device conforms generally to a size for utilizing on the hand of a user and the flat, lower sheet, which is adhered at its edges to the inflatable chamber, is formed with apertures through which fingers and thumb of the user may pass, thereby permitting the user to utilize his hand for grasping objects and the like and yet still have the flotation chamber firmly attached thereto. The flange element is tapered so that it is deformed from a planar two-dimensional surface into a curved, three-dimensional surface to form a scoop-like element on the lower side and a curved water run-off channel on the upper side.

Abstract: A device for providing relative movement between three telescopically co-ordinated parts (1, 2, 3) which comprises a power device (7) of a type variable in length and acting between a point (8) on a first (1) and a point (9) on a second (2) of the parts, and a flexible traction element (12), which is arranged to cause relative movement between the third part (3) and the first and said second parts (1, 2) by transmitting forces between the first and the third parts when relative movement between the first and second parts (1, 2) is effected by the power device. The power device located externally of the parts is designed with a longitudinal internal passage (13), in which the traction element extends in its extension between a point (14) on the third part and a point (15) fixed in relation to the first part (1), whereby the power device will operate as a casing variable in length for the traction element.

Abstract: A method for transporting an article disposed on an upper surface of a stage in a vacuum. Gas is ejected through a plurality of inclined nozzles formed in the stage so that the article is transported in the direction of inclination of the nozzles.

Abstract: A planing boat is provided having a variable configuration hull including two side panels hingedly secured to opposite sides of a keel panel. When the boat is sitting still in the water or moving at relatively slow speeds, the side panels extend generally outwardly from the keel panel providing the boat with a degree of stability. As the speed of the boat increases, and upon attaining dynamic stability, the side panels pivot upwardly thereby reducing the effect of impact on the water. When the speed of the boat decreases, the side panels return to their normal outwardly extending position.

Abstract: A watercraft comprising a plurality of spaced-apart flotation members a corresponding plurality of elongate spar members, and a main mast. The spar members and the main mast each have opposite proximal and distal ends. A juncture means receives the proximal ends of each of the spar members and the main mast member. The watercraft further includes means for propelling itself. A plurality of spar attachment means connects each spar to its corresponding flotation member. The attachment means includes an elongate mounting bracket having an aperture attached to the distal end of its corresponding spar member, and a mounting assembly attached to its corresponding flotation member so as to retain the bracket by its aperture so that the spar member is connected to its corresponding flotation member so as to permit limited omni directional movement of the spar member relative to the corresponding flotation member.

Abstract: An oil-spill-combatting water craft for recovering oil which is present on the surface of water. The water craft has at the water level at least one water inlet and, secured just behind this inlet, a collecting boom (2) which extends forwards and outwards, directing water to inside the craft, where there is a separating device (5) for the recovery of the oil from the water. In the water craft of this type the difficulty so far has been that, when the craft travels at a somewhat higher speed, water pressure in front of the boom tends to rise so high that some of the oil-contaminated water (3) "escapes" under the boom (2). According to the invention, this is prevented by arranging, for at least part of the water from which the oil has been separated and which discharges from the craft, an outlet just behind the collecting boom (2). For the rest of the discharging water there is preferably arranged an outlet which is located further towards the bow than is the inlet.

Abstract: A system for circulating heated gases within the circular leading edge of a jet engine housing to prevent ice build-up thereon, or to remove accumulated ice thereform. Hot gases such as air from a hot, high pressure section of the jet-engine are directed through a conduit. The conduit enters the annular leading edge housing, usually from the aft side through a bulkhead, then turns about 90.degree. to a direction tangential to the leading edge annulus. The hot gases exiting the tube entrain the cooler air in the housing, causing a much larger mass of air to swirl circularly around the annular housing. The entering hot gasses heat the mass of air to an intermediate, but still relatively hot, temperature. This large mass of circularly moving hot air is quite efficient in uniformly transferring heat to the skin of the leading edge without leaving any relatively cold areas and preventing the formation of ice thereon.

Abstract: A novel portable flexible water tank and pump which can be carried on a firefighter's back and used for fighting forest fires. The water carrying backpack and water pump combination comprises: (a) a flexible hollow waterproof water container; (b) harness means attached to the water container suitable for securing the water container to the back of a human being; (c) means attached to the water container for filling the water container; (d) hand operated water pumping means; (e) means for connecting the hand operated water pumping means with the water container in order to permit water from the interior of the water container to be delivered to the hand operated water pump; and (f) perspiration ventilation means located on the side of the water container which rests against the back of the human being.

Abstract: In a lock for the transport of bulk material between chambers being under different pressure a lock chamber (4) is guided tightly and driven by a reciprocal movement in a preferably horizontal guide tube (2), which comprises on different sides of its wall a first opening (12) leading to the chamber with lower pressure and in an axial distance therefrom a second opening (15) leading to the chamber with higher pressure, wherein the chamber comprises openings (13, 14), which can be brought in coincidence with the first (12) and second (15) opening at the points or reversal of the reciprocal movement. Adjacent to the lock chamber (4) in axial direction is arranged a slide (3a) being tightly guided in the guide tube (2), which slide slides over the second opening (15).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the flow of solids in systems containing solid/fluid slurries is disclosed. An L-valve, having subsequent thereto a separator for separating the solid and fluid phases of the slurry, and a way to regulate the flow of the separated fluid permits the opening and closing of the L-valve without the necessity of mechanical valving systems in contact with the solid phase. A novel L-valve design comprising a radial barrier above a vertical outlet which barrier is of sufficient dimension to permit the solids to attain their angle of repose before reaching the outlet is also disclosed.

Abstract: A boat lift for a berth having permanently positioned piles in pairs spaced apart a distance sufficient to permit the boat to be berthed thereat to move between the paired piles while in the water includes a cradle having fore and aft transverse members upon which the boat is supported out of the water, a first pair of such piles equipped with first sheaves, a second pair of such piles with second sheaves, a third pair of such piles positioned between the first and second pairs adjacent the second second pair, first and second beams carried by the inside and outside piles of the second and third piles, motor driven winch drums supported by the first and second beams, third sheaves carried by the first and second beams, first inside and outside cables reeved respectively from the first and second drums via the first and second sheaves forward to the inside and outside piles of the first pair to lift the fore transverse member of the cradle, and second inside and outside cables reeved from the winch drums via t

Abstract: A pair of identical rigid arms are each pivotably attached at one end to a pair of identical brackets, one bracket attached to a boat and the other bracket attached to a dock, and an elongated helically wound spring is threaded on to each end of the arms to connect them together. The arms are held in place at the bracket by pins or rods which, particularly at the boat bracket, can be quickly and easily removed to free the boat.

Abstract: A section of tube with a series of inwardly directed projections is placed in the main conduit of a pneumatic applicator, upstream of the primary distribution head. The inner projections in the tube serve to center the direction of the blown granular material into the primary distributor head. The projections are arranged in annular rows with the projections of each row being offset from those of an adjacent row.

Abstract: A method of transporting large diameter solids, such as coal having a diameter of greater than 1 inch, preferably eight to twelve inches, predicated on pipe diameter, in the form of a slurry through a pipeline is disclosed. The method comprises the step of placing large diameter solids in a vehicle and pumping it through a pipeline. The specific gravity of the vehicle is substantially equal to the specific gravity of the solids so that the coal remains in suspension over a wide range of pipeline velocities. A lubricant is added to the vehicle to reduce friction and enhance energy efficiency of the process. The coal is pumped from a pumping tank into which the solids and vehicle are introduced, the pumping tank, after filling, is pressurized with a fluid such as air or inert gas to propel the mixture through the pipeline. This pump and its valving allows large diameter solids to be pumped through the pipeline.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for withdrawal and replacement of solid particles slurried in a fluid employing L-valves is disclosed. The flow through the L-valves is controlled by the control of the flow of separated fluid and the replacement and withdrawal functions are configured so as to permit removal of the solids from the system and addition of fresh material. Control of the fluid flow by means of exerting or controlling pressure on the gas phase in association with it.

Abstract: Pneumatic pipeline conveying system includes a bleed valve for bleeding conveying gas into or out of a pipeline conduit. Such bleed valve is located at one or more strategic locations along the pipeline conduit where a degree of gas/material separation occurs in the conduit such as at bends and in long horizontal runs where a re-entrainment device is employed to re-entrain particulate material into the conveying gas within the pipeline.

Abstract: Uniform flow of gas flowing in a cylinder having inner diameter larger than that of a pipeline is introduced through a funnelform reducer into the inlet of the pipeline, where uniform flow of gas turned to a spiral gas stream by bringing to the mean gas stream velocity faster than 20 meter per second there. When solid particles are introduced into the spiral gas strem zone, they are transported to the outlet of the pipeline. A compressed gas layer is formed along the inside wall of the pipeline by the spiral motion of gas stream, and the layer prevents the direct contact of the solid particles to the inside wall of the pipeline which causes the erosion of the pipeline. As the center part of the cross section of the pipeline becomes very low pressure, especially along the axis of the pipeline, solid particles containing or accompanying volatile matters are desiccated or concentrated as a result of the evaporation of volatile matters while being transported in the pipeline.