Abstract: A structural member having integral surface de-icing capability and method of manufacture are described. The structural member includes a non-metallic high tensile modulus fiber-reinforced matrix structural backing, thin force and displacement generation means, and a thin high tensile modulus outer skin bonded to said backing and said force and displacement generation means which is positioned between the backing and the skin. The force and displacement generation means may include one or more inflatable tubular members and/or electromagnetic apparatus. The structural member may be substituted for the aluminum alloy leading edge structural skin typically employed on modern aircraft.

Abstract: A steering system for a four-wheeled vehicle which can rotate the front steering wheels unequally as the vehicle is turning in order to prevent excessive tire scuffing and which can provide a zero turning radius of the vehicle about its inside rear wheel. The two front steering wheels each has its own vertical pivot post. Standard roller chains are trained around eccentric sprockets mounted on the pivot posts and a drive sprocket which is rotatable by a manually operable steering member. Positive chain tauteners maintain the chains taut as the distance from the eccentric sprockets to the drive sprocket varies during turning.