Abstract: Point take-off and landing systems for an unmanned flying object. In one embodiment, the flying object is guided along a flight trajectory and approaches a landing body such that a latching element, coupled with a suspension cable suspended from the flying body, latches with a receiving latch, coupled with an extendable retractable beam projecting horizontally from a landing body side surface. A cable release/retraction mechanism engages and then releases/retracts the suspension cable. The beam is as maneuvered to haul the flying object onto a landing surface. In another embodiment, the flying object is guided along a flight trajectory and approaches a landing body such that a latching element, coupled with a suspension cable suspended from the flying body, latches with a receiving cable, supported by cable supports projecting vertically from a landing body top surface. A cable release/retraction mechanism releases/retracts the suspension cable, hauling the flying object onto the landing surface.

Abstract: A plasma-assisted synthetic jet device, an aircraft including a plasma-assisted synthetic jet device, and a method of improving aerodynamic properties are disclosed for providing air flow control at an aerodynamic structure by ionizing one or more gases exiting through an aperture of the synthetic jet device disposed in the aerodynamic structure.

Abstract: The present inventions relate to apparatus and systems for feeding livestock, particularly to nipple-actuated feeding stations which include a nipple insert assembly having an internal valve system actuable by a nipple and insertable into an insert assembly having a normally-closed internal valve system and connectible to a pressurized feed line. Inserting the nipple assembly into the insert assembly opens the insert assembly valve system and subsequent nipple actuation discharges fluid from the pressurized feed line. The nipple assembly may be removed from the insert assembly without depressurizing the feed line or manipulating other process conditions. A plurality of insert assembly and nipple assembly pairings may be positioned throughout one or more pressurized feed lines to form a feeding system, and the flow rates of each individual feeding station may be manually or automatically controlled.

Abstract: A vehicle lavatory, in particular an aircraft lavatory, is described. The lavatory includes a cabin space with a centrally located vertical axis around which a washstand and a urinal unit are located. The washstand and urinal unit are arranged to each have an approximately horizontal surface at their top, such that a person using the lavatory has a location to place personal items during use. The horizontal surfaces of the washstand and the urinal are arranged to exist in the same plane and may be a continuous surface that may additionally cross the entirety of the width of the cabin. The urinal is arranged such that a plane defining the opening of the urinal is at an angle relative to a plane defining a front surface of the washstand such that a person using the lavatory only has to turn slightly to access the urinal and the washstand.

Abstract: A combination rotor and wheel assembly for an unmanned vehicle with ground and aerial mobility has a rotor arm adapted to be attached at an inner end thereof to a vehicle body. A rotor is rotatably connected to an outer end of the rotor arm about a rotor axis, and a rotor drive mounted on the rotor arm rotates the rotor such that the rotor exerts an upward lift force on the rotor arm. An open spoked wheel is rotatably connected about the rotor axis independent of the rotor The diameter of the wheel is greater than that of the rotor, and a bottom edge of the wheel is below the rotor. A wheel drive rotates the wheel. Vehicles can have various numbers and orientations of the rotor and wheel assembly to provide aerial and ground mobility.

Abstract: A pet amusement device formed in two halves, with a scratching pad removably attached to one half and an interior space accessible through openings in the second half. A ball with a bell may be contained in the interior space, allowing a pet to reach through the openings to play with the ball. A continuous track may surround the device, and a ball may be contained within the track, allowing the pet to bat the ball around the track.

Abstract: A hollow kite control bar is provided with means for sliding access to the bar for one or multiple lines or groups of lines. Each line has one end towards the kite and the other towards the bar. The length of each line between the kite and the bar can be adjusted by pulling into and releasing from the bar, which length or lengths can be locked at multiple positions in one or more locking means fixed to the bar. The excess line length pulled in is automatically held inside the bar.

Abstract: A window funnel for an aircraft is provided, which has a ring made of an elastic material, which is arranged by means of an adhesive layer on an outer side of the window funnel, the ring having a hollow profile. The ring serves as a sight screen, light screen and dust screen for the rear side of the window funnel.

Abstract: A landing gear for an aircraft having a main fitting arranged to be coupled to the aircraft and arranged to move between a stowed condition and a deployed condition and a trailing arm movably coupled to the main fitting. A torsion spring is coupled to the trailing arm such that the movement of the trailing arm causes torsion loading of the torsion spring. A stay assembly is provided which comprises the torsion spring, the stay assembly having a first condition in which it is arranged to react axial loading thereof so as to maintain the main fitting in the deployed condition and a second condition in which it is arranged to permit the main fitting to move between the stowed condition and the deployed condition.

Abstract: Transformation method of hybrid transportation vehicle for ground and air includes the following transformation and reciprocal steps: Tilting the compensation cover (7) on. Expansion of both whole wings (1) from the transportation vehicle longitudinal position around two vertical axes (2) into the flying position. Expansion of rear parts of wings (1) from the top front parts of wings (1) into the spread flying position by tilting the rear of each wing (1) around a horizontal axis (3). The take-off and landing tilting of wings (1) by an angle of attack alpha=0 to 40° of the wings onset. Front wheels track (5) is reduced by axially shifting the front wheels (5) towards the fuselage. Furthermore, a corresponding hybrid transportation vehicle for ground and air is described which contains reciprocal transformation mechanisms for transformation from a sterling double or four-track automobile into a sterling aircraft for take-off and landing on the ground or water, and vice versa.

Abstract: An aircraft cabin (26) has a plurality of seat units (10) including first (10) and second (12) seat units in a first row (22) and a third seat unit (14) in a second row (24). The first and second seat units (10, 12) are separated by an aisle (38). The seats all face in the same direction (31), said direction (31) being inclined to the longitudinal axis (30) by a seat offset angle (S?), and are configurable between a bed mode and a seat mode. A console (20a) of the first seat unit (10) is directly adjacent to the aisle (38) and accommodates a foot-well (40) for use by a passenger in the seat (18c) of the third seat unit (14). At least a part of the console (20a) of the first seat unit (10), in a region no higher than a first distance from the floor, extends further into the aisle (38) than the rest of the first seat unit (10) in a region higher than the first distance from the floor.

Abstract: An air vehicle, such as a munition like a guided bomb or missile, has a control system that allows control surfaces to be mechanically uncoupled from one or more actuators to allow the control surfaces to freely move (rotate) relative to a fuselage of the vehicle, for example allowing the control surfaces to “weather vane” by assuming an orientation corresponding to the direction of airflow past the air vehicle (direction of airflow relative to the air vehicle). When active positioning of the control surfaces is desired, the control surfaces may be mechanically coupled to one or more actuators that are used to position the control surfaces. The selective coupling of the actuator(s) and the control surfaces may be accomplished by selectively coupling together a sleeve that is mechanically coupled to the control surfaces, and a nut that moves along a shaft of an actuator, for example using a resilient device.

Abstract: A bunk assembly is provided. The bunk assembly includes a first plurality of bunks including a first bunk and a second bunk coupled end-to-end with the first bunk. The first and second bunks each include a cutout that substantially align forming a bunk slot between the first and second bunks when coupled end-to-end. The first plurality of bunks also includes a third bunk stacked on top of the first and second bunks when positioned in the bunk slot.

Abstract: A block of two seats side by side which can be converted individually between a chair configuration and a horizontal flat bed configuration, the longitudinal axes of two of the seats in the bed configuration converging towards a point situated in front of the seats at a distance such that the foot areas in front of the seats in the bed configuration are superposed. Bed planes of the two seats of the block are vertically offset and extended by rest surfaces of the foot areas arranged in a column arranged between the seat backs of the seats of a block situated in front, making it possible to reduce the seat pitch while not affecting comfort, and allowing an improved cabin layout for transporting passengers.

Abstract: A compact in-wheel vehicle motor and gearing system designed to meet high power and torque requirements for driving a vehicle on the ground independently of other power sources is provided. The motor and gearing system includes a motor assembly with an outside rotor element mounted for rotation about an inside stator element and a gear assembly with a plurality of gear stages mounted inside the stator and drivingly connected to the motor assembly. The motor assembly and gear assembly are mounted interiorly of the wheel and completely within a space defined by the internal dimensions of the wheel. This motor and gearing system can be effectively installed in an existing aircraft wheel without changes to other components to produce a drive wheel with the torque and power required to move the aircraft independently on the ground.

Abstract: A support strut for use as a primary load-bearing structural component for the hinged coupling of at least one additional primary load-bearing structural component. The support strut includes: a rod-shaped base body extending in a longitudinal direction, a fiber composite with an annular cross section, central hole originating from the first end of the base body, and with annular holes spaced apart relative to each other in the circumferential direction of the annular cross section and originating from the first end of the base body as well as running along the longitudinal direction in the base body; roving bundles imbedded in a matrix material that fills up the respective annular hole; and a hinged connecting body with a bearing receptacle for holding a swivel joint; as well as a guiding system with such a support strut and a method for manufacturing such a support strut.

Abstract: A modular floor track adapter system including a plurality of adapter plates laterally sized to span existing aircraft floor beams, each of the plurality of adapter plates shaped to interlock with an adjacent adapter plate in a side-by-side arrangement and including a series of holes for attaching seat track crown sections and panel attachment tabs for securing an aircraft floor panel thereto.

Abstract: A compression rod may include a plunger and a spring. A proximal end and a distal end of the compression rod may contact engagement features in a core cowl of a gas turbine engine. The compression rod may transmit loads between halves of the core cowl. The spring may cause the plunger to extend and contract in response to vibrations or other relative movement between halves of the core cowl.

Abstract: Evacuation slide systems including a slide pack comprising a packboard coupled to an aircraft door, a girt bar coupled to an aircraft floor when the aircraft door is armed, and a restraint coupled to the packboard and the girt bar are detailed. The restraint controls a speed at which the aircraft door opens when the aircraft door is armed until the aircraft door has traveled beyond a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A traction-on-demand landing gear tire control system and methods are presented. An outer tire of an aircraft wheel is depressurized to a depressurized state in response to a non-optimal aircraft landing condition. An inner tire of the aircraft wheel contacts the outer tire in response to the depressurized state, and a plurality of traction studs are deployed to protrude from the outer tire in response to the inner tire contacting the outer tire.