Abstract: The present invention relates to a reduced scale industrial helicopter, with an integrated automatic flight control system, that includes core autopilot functions, GPS management, and full-function navigation systems. The autopilot technology includes rapid launch capability, real-time in-flight switching between one or more of a) remote control, b) autopilot-directed, c) ground station controlled, and d) home modes, and is upgradeable. The helicopter is used for high or low altitude surveillance, and can handle various payloads, including photographic missions. The helicopter may include onboard batteries and/or a unique battery unit disposed beneath the helicopter, and includes autonomous features such as automatic takeoff, automatic landing, safety return to home base, and predetermined mission plans.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Personal Electric Helicopter device with an integral wind turbine recharging capability. The device is a relatively small, lighter weight powered aircraft capable of vertical take-offs and propulsion across various terrain at low altitudes. The device is uniquely capable of re-charging its power source by connection to an electrical grid or by using its uplift components as a wind turbine for re-charging. The preferred embodiment is comprised of a rechargeable uplift and propulsion power system with components and features; a frame structure to carry an operator and/or payload; a means to connect the structure to the power system; and a means to control the uplift and propulsion system wherein the vehicle may be used to elevate and propel a payload at low altitudes across various terrains and may be positioned to reverse power the wind turbine to recharge the batteries.

Abstract: An aircraft landing gear comprising: a shock-absorbing main leg having a sprung part for attachment to an aircraft and an un-sprung part including a slider and an axle carrying at least one wheel, the wheel having a toothed ring gear; a drive transmission mounted externally on the sprung part, or on the un-sprung part, of the main leg, the drive transmission having at least one motor and a drive pinion for meshing with the toothed ring of the wheel; and an actuator for lifting the drive transmission into and out of driving engagement with the toothed ring and for maintaining the driving engagement as the landing gear deflects during a ground taxiing operation. Also, a method of operating the aircraft landing gear.

Abstract: A method of configuring a wing velocity profile includes segmenting a complete wingbeat cycle into a set of quarter-strokes including a first quarter-stroke, a second quarter-stroke, a third quarter-stroke, and a fourth quarter-stroke. The method further includes generating time-varying quarter-stroke wing position commands for each of a first and second wing planforms to produce wing flapping trajectories that generate non-zero, cycle averaged wing lift and drag and alter a cycle average center of pressure of each of the first and the second wing planforms relative to the aircraft. The wing position commands include velocities and positions with temporally symmetric and asymmetric quarter-stroke components for the first wing planform and the second wing planform. The first wing planform and the second wing planform produce controlled six-degrees-of freedom vehicle motion without using actuators in excess of the first actuator and the second actuator.

Abstract: A leaktight nose cone backplate for an aircraft having a first side oriented towards a radome zone intended to house a mobile antenna, and a second side opposite the first side and oriented towards a cockpit of the aircraft. The second side has at least one recess intended to receive at least one piece of cockpit equipment, each recess being partly delimited by a backplate structure forming a protrusion on the first side.

Abstract: A nacelle configured to be coupled to an underside of a wing so as to form a clearance space therebetween includes at least a lip defining an inlet and a first cowling disposed aft of the lip. The first cowling has an outer surface with at least one concave region that is depressed relative to another region of the outer surface. In some aspects, the depressed region can be disposed on an inboard side of the wing, for example, on an upper surface of the first cowling facing a wing. The nacelle can include a second cowling disposed between the lip and the first cowling and the first cowling can translate in a longitudinal direction relative to the second cowling.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for transporting and dispersing solid particles into the earth's stratosphere, comprising a conduit connecting a substantially ground level location to an elevated location, a particle transport means, and a deagglomeration means coupled with a dispersal means, wherein the deagglomeration means and dispersal means are located at an elevated location, and to a method of transporting particles of high refractive index into the stratosphere as well as to an aircraft and to a cloud thus formed.

Abstract: A yoke for controlling the attitude of an aircraft is provided. The yoke includes a chassis, a pitch hub, a roll hub, a support column, a control wheel and a connection arrangement. The pitch hub rotatably mounts to the chassis. The roll hub rotatably mounts to the chassis for motion being generally parallel to the pitch hub. The support column attaches to the pitch hub for rotational motion with the pitch hub relative to the chassis. The control wheel pivotally attaches to the support column for rotational motion about a control wheel pivot axis being generally perpendicular to the pitch and roll hubs. The connection arrangement couples the control wheel to the roll hub and is configured to rotate the roll hub about the roll axis when the control wheel is rotated about the control wheel pivot axis. A system including interconnected yokes is also provided.

Abstract: A fishing teaser or lure having a bilateral body comprising two planar pieces in a perpendicular configuration having a fish shaped silhouette. The teaser or lure moves straight and/or laterally through the water when towed. The teaser or lure is particularly suited for deep sea fishing.

Abstract: A drainage mast for draining liquids from an APU compartment of an aircraft with a first end connected to the APU compartment and a second end for discharging the liquids to the atmosphere. The drainage mast is configured with at least a sector having decreasing cross section areas towards the second end. The area of the initial cross section of the sector is lesser than the area of any cross section of the drainage mast closer to the first end. The invention also refers to an aircraft comprising the drainage mast.

Abstract: An absorbent article for pet includes: a top sheet; a back surface layer; an absorbent core, a first end portion and an opposing second end portion; side portions orthogonal to the first and the second end portion, a hook member disposed along a width direction of the absorbent article on a top sheet side in the first end portion; a first engaged portion provided on the back surface layer side in the second end portion, engageable with the hook member; folding lines extending in a longitudinal direction of the absorbent article; and a second engaged portion provided on the top sheet side in the first end portion on outer sides of the folding lines in the width direction of the absorbent article. The second engaged portion is engageable with the hook member with a smaller engagement force than that of the top sheet with the hook member.

Abstract: Enclosures for mass delivery of a living biological pest control agent according to the embodiments disclosed herein include a body section having a generally cylindrical wall with opposed ends defining an interior surface, parasitized eggs of a living biological pest control agent (e.g., an endoparasitic insect) adhered to the interior surface of the wall, and at least one egress opening to allow the pest control agent to exit the body section to an exterior environment.

Abstract: A passenger seating arrangement in an aircraft cabin, comprising a plurality of pairs of seat units, the pairs of seat units being located directly behind one another, and each seat unit having a longitudinal axis. Each pair of seat units comprises an aisle-seat unit and a non-aisle-seat unit. The longitudinal axes of the non-aisle-seat units are arranged in-line with one another, and the longitudinal axis of the aisle-seat unit of each pair of seat units is angled so as to provide a passenger access path linking the non-aisle-seat unit of a pair, with the aisle.

Abstract: The present invention provides an excrement treatment material capable of being treated by a water-disintegration treatment after use. The excrement treatment material contains a water retaining material including at least one material of papers, fibers, woods, plants, plastics, rubbers, organic sludge and animal waste, an adhesive and a water absorbing resin, and is formed in a granular shape, wherein the water retaining material has a grain size of 0.6 mm or less, and the adhesive is contained in an amount of 5 wt % to 20 wt % with respect to a total weight of the excrement treatment material.

Abstract: Horn wraps are disclosed for protecting the horns and head of a steer, e.g., during team roping. The horn wraps can be easily and safely applied to a steer, can be left on the steer for an extended period of time, and have a relatively long use life due to the replaceability and interchangeability of the parts of the horn wrap. In some implementations, the horn wraps are attached to the steer using an attachment system that includes replaceable closures having hook and loop fasteners.

Abstract: In first, second, and third embodiments of the invention the dog lead is formed from a cord and has a first loop and a second loop at one end and a handle at the other end. The handle and a portion of the cord are passed through the first loop to form a collar. The handle and an additional portion of the cord are then passed under the dog's chest and through the second loop to form a chest band. In a fourth embodiment of the invention, a stop is mounted snugly on the cord and a washer is mounted to the cord. In a fifth embodiment of the invention, an inner stop and a outer stop are provided on both sides of a ring to keep the collar from becoming tight or loose, making the dog lead virtually escape proof.

Abstract: A 3-seat seating grouping is presented that includes a center seat configured for vertical translation from a lower position to a raised position when converted from an upright to an inclined mode. The center seat can be disposed between an aft-facing seating assembly and a fore-facing seating assembly, and be configured to overlap both when in a lie-flat position. Non-overlapping footspace can be shared between a center passenger and an aft-facing passenger. When upright, a center seat can be at the same height as a non-translating aft- or fore-facing seat, reducing loads on a seat track during aircraft take-off. Seats within the 3-seat group can be angled or aligned with respect to cabin longitudinal axis. A plurality of 3-seat groups can be combined in various orientations to span a cabin. Groups can be arranged to mirror each other to maximize seating directed to an aisle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for an apex fitting for securing to a high altitude balloon. An example apparatus involves: (a) a base plate defining an opening, where the base plate is configured to be securable to an exterior of a balloon envelope, (b) at least one stud coupled to the base plate and configured to be securable to a tendon, (c) a retention ring defining at least one opening configured to receive the at least one stud, (d) a fill-port body defining a cavity, wherein a flange is coupled to the fill-port body, wherein the fill-port body is arranged coaxially with and extends through the opening of the base plate such that the flange lies adjacent to the bottom surface of the base plate, and (e) a locking body coupled to the fill-port body, wherein the locking body defines an opening arranged coaxially with the fill-port body.

Abstract: An aircraft hybrid fuel system includes a main tank and a set of flexible bladders, the main tank and the set of flexible bladders defining a fuel containment space. The system further includes a set of pathways coupling the set of flexible bladders to the main tank. The set of pathways is constructed and arranged to vent gas out of the set of flexible bladders into the main tank while fuel from a fuel source is provided into the fuel containment space defined by the main tank and the set of flexible bladders. Along these lines, each flexible bladder can be provisioned with a fuel port to provide fuel, and a separate vent port to vent gas to the main tank.

Abstract: A power assist device for use in a luggage bin with a drop-down shell has a load measuring mechanism, a power assist mechanism, and an actuation mechanism. The load measuring mechanism is changed from the inactive operating state to the active operating state by the actuation mechanism when the load determined by the load measuring mechanism exceeds a specified threshold that is larger than an assist force. The actuation mechanism has cooperating locking elements of which a first element is connected to a first abutment point and a second element is connected to a second abutment point. The locking elements can move relative to one another such that, in an inactive operating state, the one locking element meshes with a friction fit into the cooperating other locking element and releases it in an active operating state.