Abstract: A re-entry vehicle that includes three detachable modular components which anticipate total re-useability. Modularization of the composite re-entry vehicle offers great flexibility in re-arranging the various modules to suit a particular mission. The three module components include a crew module, principally serving as a crew cabin, and attached thereto is a modular heat shield or re-entry module which principally provides for thermal protection of the cabin module during re-entry. Propulsion for the cabin module to achieve a particular re-entry orbit is provided by a versatile service stage which becomes detached from the other two modules upon attainment of a desired re-entry trajectory. When used in conjunction with a Space Station, the versatile service stage may be propelled back to the Space Station for refueling and re-use.

Abstract: A boom support system such as those used on various hoisting equipment, such as cranes or the like, mine scaling equipment and other equipment utilizing telescopic booms. The boom support system includes a plurality of longitudinally extending support rails spaced circumferentially of the telescopic boom components with radially adjustable slides on the telescopic boom components engaged with the rails for guiding and supporting the telescopic components during their telescopic movement.

Abstract: A variable camber flap assembly having first and second operative positions. A rotatable drive arm powers first and second linkage subassemblies. The first linkage subassembly extends the flap panel in a downward and forward direction to its operative positions, and also rotates a hinged bullnose outwardly so as to foreshorten the distance between the leading and trailing edges of the flexible flap panel, increasing the camber of the flap. The second linkage subassembly cooperates with the first to angularly orientate the flap panel in its operative positions, and also positions the trailing edge of the panel relative to the leading edge of the airfoil. In the first operative position the trailing edge of the panel is spaced forwardly from the leading edge of the airfoil so as to form an aerodynamic slot; in the second operative position the flap panel is drawn rearwardly so that its trailing edge forms an aerodynamic seal with the airfoil.

Abstract: A rope or cord system on a helicopter comprises a beam (18) fixed to the helicopter floor or roof in the vicinity of an opening (12). Ropes or cords (16) for the lowering to the ground of intervention personnel are attached to bolts (20) by rings (22). The operation of a handle (24) makes it possible to simultaneously and instantaneously release or jettison all the ropes (16) by pivoting a clasp (32) into each of the bolts in opposition to a spring (36). For this purpose the handle (24) simultaneously operates the pivoting latches (42), which cooperate with the clasps by complimentary cam surfaces (40, 46).

Abstract: A helicopter collective control stick having a pilot grip positioned by a linkage assembly whose kinematics permits the control stick to occupy a small envelope and to have the pilot grip motion to be about a large radius. Our collective stick includes a biasing member to balance the control stick and linkage in the mid collective position and which provides a force gradient when the control stick is moved from the mid collective or trimmed position. Further, our collective stick is operable in concert with the full authority side arm controller to operate in either a tracking or a command mode.

Abstract: A space station including a frame defining plural identical sites for receiving interchangeable cargo modules. The sites are angularly spaced about the center of the station. Modules may thus be received at any available site.

Abstract: An integral structure and thermal protection system, particularly designed for hypersonic aerospace vehicles, is comprised of a hard external shell or outer face sheet formed of a ceramic matrix, such as silicon carbide, and a rigid insulator core in the form of foamed ceramic, such as silicon carbide, the outer face sheet being integrally connected to the insulator core. A prime strucutral material, such as an aircraft structural member, is integrally connected as by bonding or brazing to the insulator core, the core being attached to the prime structural material or aircraft structural member by an inner face sheet forming the outer skin of such structural member.

Abstract: An aircraft passenger seat assembly, including an emergency oxygen system, a seat frame, seat bottom and seat back, and respective cushions for the seat bottom and seat back. A chemical reaction oxygen generating canister is positioned in the seat bottom below the seat bottom cushion. Oxyen flow conduit interconnect the oxygen canister and an oxygen mask compartment. A cable is operatively connected by a first end to the firing pin mechanism of the oxygen generating canister and extends from the firing pin mechanism to the mask compartment. A lever arm is positioned in the oxygen mask compartment to which a second end of the cable is attached. Another lever also includes a tether releasably connected to the lever arm and to a mask.

Abstract: An outboard motor for mounting on the transom of a boat, having a horizontal engine and output shaft, an exhaust system having horizontal and vertical portions including an enlarged cross sectional water jacketed muffler within a water chamber having a retaining wall defining the water level, is tiltable and provides an enclosure for the engine area including a cowling, hood, and moveable hood section and a sleeve between the moveable hood and engine to perfect enclosure during tilting.

Abstract: An anchor which attaches to a tree, stump or other stationary object for anchoring a buoyant vessel such as a boat, in a relatively stationary position. The anchor consisting of a clamping device, a pair of tongs attached to and extending from the clamping device, and an anchor line to attach the anchor to the boat. The tong engaging the tree or other stationary object to securely anchor and hold the boat in a relatively stationary position.

Abstract: A shock absorber for damping the movement of the body of an automobile. The shock absorber includes a pressure cylinder forming a working chamber with a piston disposed therein. The piston has a plurality of flow passages extending therethrough. A first valve disk is located on one surface of the piston, while the second valve disk is located on the second surface of the piston. Finally, an electromechanical transducer is disposed adjacent to the first valve disk so as to permit control of flow of damping fluid through the piston.

Abstract: A device for shipping suspensible piece goods has an elongated trolley which can travel along an overhead rail. A rod is fixed to either longitudinal end of the trolley and depends from the latter. The end of each rod remote from the trolley has an upwardly open hook-shaped portion. A carrier is removably suspended on the hook-shaped portions and has a cutout which allows goods to be suspended from the carrier. Once the carrier has been loaded, the entire shipping device can be placed in a truck for transport as a unit. A downwardly open hook-shaped element projects laterally of the carrier from the hook-shaped portion of each rod. These hook-shaped elements can be used to suspend the shipping device from a bar in the truck. Since the hook-shaped elements are located laterally of the carrier, the shipping device tilts to one side when it is suspended from the bar. The shipping device and its suspended goods then take up less room in the vertical direction thereby increasing the loading capacity of the truck.

Abstract: An air launched, air-to-surface missile which has extended range and reduced radar cross section for low observability is disclosed. The design uses a triangular cross section fuselage, for low profile drag and reduced weight, a very high aspect ratio, such as 22.5, folding wing for low induced drag and three folding tail fins for less profile drag. The wing is a composite structure of graphite/epoxy sparcaps and 2024 aluminum alloy core with glass/epoxy skins and full depth Nomex.

Abstract: The invention concerns aircraft propellers of the variable pitch type. Each propeller blade is carried by a trunnion which is rotatably mounted to a common ring. Each trunnion contains a reduction gear set which is driven by a radial shaft. The reduction gear sets multiply the torque applied by the shafts, thus allowing shafts of reduced diameter to be used. The reduced diameter is important when the shafts must pass through a turbine flowpath, and thus be concealed within turbine blades. The reduced diameter shafts can be easily concealed within turbine blades without redesigning and compromising blade aerodynamics.

Abstract: An improvement of a high density pneumatic transport system for pneumatically transporting powdered or granular materials placed in an airtight storage container to a collector through a transport pipe having a vertical riser pipe intermediately thereof by the use of pressurized gas. The transport pipe comprises a lower horizontal pipe being connected to the airtight storage container and having a convergent cylindrical accelerating reducer, an upper horizontal pipe being connected to the collector and having a divergent cylindrical decelerating reducer at its initial end, and a vertical riser pipe which connects the lower horizontal pipe to the upper horizontal pipe. The vertical riser pipe is provided at intermediate thereof up and down with an acceleration regulating reducer having a convergent accelerating portion above its bottom having a constricted portion and a divergent cylindrical decelerating reducer.

Abstract: A cylindrical elastic mount with a vibration damper, including radially spaced-apart inner and outer sleeves, an elastic body interposed between the inner and outer sleeves so as to elastically connct the two sleeves, and a generally cylindrical rigid split member disposed between the inner and outer sleeves and elasticallly supported by the two sleeves through the elastic body, such that the elastic body is divided by the rigid split member into radially inner and outer portions. The rigid split member and the elastic body cooperate with each other to provide the vibration damper. The generally cylindrical rigid split member consists of a plurality of rigid segments which are embedded in the elastic body such that adjacent segments of the plurality of rigid segments abut on each other at circumferentially opposed end faces thereof so as to assume a generally cylindrical shape.

Abstract: A planar coil construction, especially adapted for use in a force-producing device such as a de-icer, includes first and second sheet-like members, each defined by a continuous electrical conductor having a plurality of turns and first and second ends. The first end of the first conductor defines an electrical input to the coil, while the second end of the second conductor defines an electrical output from the coil. The second end of the first conductor and the first end of the second conductor are electrically connected. The sheet-like members are superimposed such that current flow through adjacent turns of the conductors is in the same direction. Within each sheet-like member, adjacent conductors also have current flow in the same direction. The invention includes a technique for spacing the conductors by means of a dielectric layer, and a technique for encapsulating the sheet-like members.

Abstract: A flight vehicle includes a fuselage 10 having a consumable fuel supply 18,12, main wings 12 each with an elevon 14 and a pair of jettisonable foreplanes 16. The foreplanes provide lift at take-off and during transonic flight and, at higher supersonic speeds they are jettisoned.

Abstract: A door for an amenity receiving section of a lavatory unit for a passenger airplane formed from honey-comb panels the door having a narrow width length plate and a structure wherein one side edge lengthwise thereof is curved, and a straight rigid rod is secured adjacent to the curved side edge lengthwise of the door and having a spring action for pressing a curved convex portion of the door to exert a spring force on the inside of the receiving section.

Abstract: A reeving apparatus for a crane having an overhead frame, a lifting beam subject to swaying forces, and a winding drum mounted on the frame for raising and lowering the lifting beam. First, second, third and fourth spaced apart rotatable sheaves are mounted on the lifting beam for supporting the lifting beam. The first and second sheaves are spaced apart in directions horizontally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the drum. The third and fourth sheaves are positioned generally below opposite ends of the drum. Alternate ones of the sheaves comprise single sheaves having first and second grooves and the other ones of the sheaves each comprise a pair of sheaves each having single grooves. A plurality of ropes are affixed to the drum and to the overhead frame, and each one of the plurality of ropes is wrapped around one of the sheaves for supporting the lifting beam together with the sheaves.