Abstract: An aircraft flight control stick is mounted on a gimbal which provides left, right, forward and aft pivotal motion of the stick. A pivot member that is mechanically linked to the aircraft flight controls is attached to the gimbal through a uni-ball bearing which allows the pivot member to pivot independently of the control stick. A bell-shaped housing is slidably mounted on the control stick. The housing is spring-biased downward toward the pivot member so that a stud protruding upward from the pivot member plugs into a socket in the housing. A lever assembly mounted on the control stick and attached to the housing can be actuated to slide the housing away from the pivot member, thereby unplugging the stud from the socket to disengage the control stick from the aircraft flight controls. The downward facing housing circumscribes all possible motion of the stud while the control stick is disengaged. Release of the lever assembly allows a spring to urge the housing downward toward the stud.

Abstract: An autorotating parachute is formed of spaced apart flexible flat panels with the peripheral edge of the panels being formed as a succession of arcuate edges and wherein the central portion of the canopy is substantially free of panel material.

Abstract: Flap carriers fold spanwise (about chordwise axes) into the wing but are moved down together through pivotal linkage; the flaps are protracted and retracted through pivoting of the carriers relative to each other on spanwise axes. On retraction, the entire assembly fits into the wing so that the flow determining contour thereof remains undisturbed.

Abstract: A hovering or VTOL aircraft with a propulsion unit using a fan in a shroud whose upper end is toroidally shaped and rotationally symmetrical with a convex curvature with a radius of curvature between 0.2 r.sub.f and 1 r.sub.f from a location 1.4 r.sub.f upstream of the blade plane to a location 0.2 r.sub.f downstream thereof. The blade, whose tip radius is r.sub.f has a twist at least from a range of .+-.0.25 r.sub.f around a mean radius between hub and tip to the tip such that the airflow velocity through the meridian increases outwardly from the hub of the fan toward the periphery of the fan.

Abstract: A signal balloon (2, 2') has an inflated configuration that is horizontally elongated with opposite tapered ends (4, 6, 4', 6'). The balloon (2, 2') is shaped and dimensioned to cause it to ascend in response to an increase in wind speed. The sidewalls of the balloon (2, 2') have light transmitting portions (10, 10') and reflective portions (12, 12'). A light (40, 40') is positioned inside the balloon (2, 2'). The light may be an electric lamp (40) connected to a power source (64) on the ground via an electrically conductive tether (34). The light (40') may also be the upper end of a fiber optic conductor tether (34') which has a lower end connected to a light source (92') on the ground. The balloon (2') is provided with pivotable lower and upper lift members (22', 24') which are connected to the tether (34') and pivot in response to changes in orientation of the tether (34') to increase the lift of the balloon (2') when the tether (34') inclines away from a vertical position.

Abstract: An attitude control system for satellites includes a sensor (10) for generating output signals in response to variations in the attitude of the satellite. These signals are applied to a Kalman filter (12) which models the dynamic state of the satellite and instructs an attitude controller (13) to generate control signals for controlling the actuators. The system is responsive to the actual physical performance of the actuators to provide feed back to the modelling circuit.

Abstract: A casing surrounding a fluid stream over which an unbounded fluid flows in a downstream direction has a plurality of alternating, adjoining troughs and ridges in its external surface, extending in the downstream direction to a thin trailing edge of the casing, which will thereby have a wave-like shape.

Abstract: The present invention includes a dragon style kite having a pinwheel removably mounted on a center strut. A channel member receives a framing strut and includes a recess. The recess receives a first end of the center strut. A bracket has an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The pinwheel is assembled and rotatably mounted on a spindle. The spindle is slidably inserted into the upper chamber of the bracket. The center strut is slidably inserted into the lower chamber of the bracket and secured. A snap-on-grommet is provided for assembling and aligning tabs of a pinwheel on the spindle. The snap-on-grommet is retained on the spindle by barbs. During flight, the pinwheel freely rotates on the spindle and does not engage the body of sheet material.

Abstract: The control surface drive has three shafts. The shafts are rotatably coupled by four universal joints. Mechanisms are provided to guide the shafts as outboard wing sections are moved between folded and unfolded positions. Rotary coupling between the inboard and outboard control surface drives is maintained during folding motion of the outboard wing sections.

Abstract: A preheat apparatus for a helicopter wherein certain critical helicopter components are preheated preparatory to takeoff of the aircraft. The critical components include the main rotor gear case, the intermediate gear case, the tail rotor gear case, the oil tank and cooling assembly and the engine gear cases. In certain aircraft, these also include the fuel control unit and the drive reduction gear case. Heat pads are installed with respect to the critical components in strategic locations and are sized and shaped to fit the component. The heat pads are connected by wiring harness that is connected to an external source of electrical power.

Abstract: A method for cleanly unloading dry bulk material carried by ships in below-deck holds is disclosed. The method includes the steps of disposing a portable open-topped, intermediate collection station in at least one empty hold of a ship. Loads of material in at least one filled hold are moved in at least one receptacle to the open-topped, intermediate collection station in the at least one empty hold. Airborne dust is continuously collected from over the intermediate collection station to prevent local formation of a dust cloud. The material is transferred from the intermediate collection station through closed conduit structure to an on-shore collection station. Exposure of the drying material to conditions likely to cause dust clouds and likely to result in wetting of the material is minimized. Apparatus for use in cleanly unloading dry bulk material from the holds of a ship includes an open-topped hopper adapted to be lifted into and out of an operative position in the at least one empty hold.

Abstract: A successive component delivery chute comprises a slanted slide with a stepped section and a pair of stoppers provided along said section which are adapted to come into and out of the way of components to be delivered in a predetermined sequence to deliver a series of components one after another. A smooth delivery is effect with this arrangement.

Abstract: An integral cooling system for high temperature missile structures which is essentially a passive cooling system integrated into the missile structure. An evaporative material carried in the missile structure is ejected by vapor pressure through openings in the missile's outer skin and cools the missile as it flows along the outer surface thereof.

Abstract: A hand operated control for a rough riding vehicle is disclosed and includes a truncated sphere having a soft hand grip movably mounted thereon. A position sensing mechanism is partially encompassed within said truncated sphere and is connected to the soft hand grip and a computer for sending control signals to the vehicle. The soft hand grip is held from movement by firmly gripping the hand grip to the truncated sphere, and is controllably moved relative to the truncated sphere about a center within the grip of the hand to transmit control signals to the vehicle such as direction of movement signals when the grip on the hand grip is relaxed.

Abstract: An airline passenger seat with flame-retarding properties with seat and back-rest upholstery consisting of polyurethane foam which is provided with a flame-retarding surface and is covered by a covering material with flame-retarding properties. A polyurethane foam film is arranged between the seat and back-rest upholstery and the covering material, at least on the surface not covered by the seat frame parts, and the surface of the film is connected to the upholstery.

Abstract: The multiple rows of containers are brought into an alignment zone, arranged in nested relationship, merged into an equilateral triangular configuration with mutually touching side edges in a nesting section within the alignment zone and accelerated into a high pressure buffer section of the alignment zone where they are separated from each other and converged into single file. The buffer section eliminates the possibility of transmission of upstream forces through the single file apparatus due to engagement of the single file containers by downstream equipment. In one embodiment, the imperforate sidewalls in the buffer section slope downwardly away from an imperforate top cover to provide gradual relief of air pressure within the buffer section. In another embodiment, the imperforate sidewalls have an upper edge which is contiguous with a top cover which is in the form of a plenum having rows of jet openings positioned above the jet openings in the air table.

Abstract: A foldable missile wing is deployed by means of an overcenter linkage powered by a torsion spring assembly capable of exerting a generally linear bias on the linkage over its full range of motion. A separate lock linkage maintains the foldable wing in a deployed position until release actuation of the lock linkage occurs thereby enabling wing deployment.

Abstract: An IR filter assembly for use with a lighted instrument panel mounted to a control panel includes a support frame surrounding the lighted instrument panel but through which the lighted instrument panel is visible, and IR filter panel mounting bracket to which a IR filter panel is mounted and a stowing bracket. The filter bracket is mounted to the support frame and is displaceable along the support frame and into the stowing bracket for stowing the IR filter panel when not in use. For operation, the IR filter panel is withdrawn from the stowing bracket and locked to the support frame such that the IR filter panel covers the lighted instrument panel.

Abstract: The invention is an aircraft stores extension and retraction system 10 for raising and lowering stores mounted to a stores support assembly 69 along a substantially vertical path 94' of a specified length. The system 10 comprises first and second translating links 40A and 40B, each having first 42A, 42B, second 44A, 44B, and third 46A, 46B pivot supports, forming the corners of a right triangle. The second pivot supports 44A, 44B, are pivotally attached to stores support assembly 69. At least one connecting link 50 is pivotally attached at its first and second ends to the third pivot supports 46A, 46B of the first and second translating links 40A, 40B, respectively. First and second positioning links 30A, 30B are provided, each having first ends 32A, 32B and second ends 35A, 35B.

Abstract: X-wing aircraft employ a rigid rotor-wing utilizing symmetrical circulation irfoils. The rotor is driven mechanically, and lift is achieved by modulation of air circulation about the base airfoils. This is accomplished by blowing compressed air through trailing edge openings in the rotor blades, and controlling the amount of air being ejected through those openings. By cyclically modulating the amount of ejected airflow, cyclic lift control is obtained. Likewise, by collectively controlling the ejected airflow collective lift control is obtained. One reason for the lack of popularity of circulation control rotor systems is concern over a loss or air pressure resulting from a damaged rotor blade. The damage to a rotor blade, such as ballistic damage, can cause the entire plenum pressure to be vented through that damaged blade. The result is a loss of pneumatic control, not only of that blade, but control of all rotor blades.