Abstract: A method includes providing a structure having a surface, treating a portion of the surface to modify a wettability of the portion of the structure, and forming at least one liquid flow path on the surface through said treating.

Abstract: A spacecraft system may include a storage portion (e.g., a first portion and a second portion) and a solar array apparatus that may be configurable in at least a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration. The solar array apparatus may include at least one solar array to collect incident radiation when the solar array apparatus is in the deployed configuration. In one or more embodiments, the at least one solar array may extend away from the storage portion. In one or more embodiments, the at least one solar array may extend between the first portion and the second portion. The solar array apparatus may also include an extendable boom operable to extend the at least one solar array apparatus from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration.

Abstract: An electrical energy generator system for an aircraft, the system including a streamlined fairing containing at least one turbine housed in the front portion of the fairing, and an electrical energy generator connected to said turbine. The front portion of the fairing is fitted with air admission means that are movable between an open position in which the turbine is exposed to the stream of air outside the fairing and a closed position in which the turbine is masked inside the fairing. The system may serve to reduce the aerodynamic drag caused by turbulence present at a wing tip for a conventional wing having sharp edges during stages of takeoff, climbing, and cruising; and during stages of descent it makes it possible to recover the kinetic and potential energy that has been accumulated by the aircraft during its stages of climbing and cruising.

Abstract: An aerial platform receives power in the form of light, for example laser light, transmitted via an optical fiber from a remote optical power source. The platform comprises a receiver which converts at least a portion of the light to a different form of power, for example electric power. The platform also comprises a propulsion element which consumes the different form of power to generate propulsive thrust. Supplying power to the aerial platform from a remote source enables the platform to remain aloft longer than a battery or fuel tank carried by the platform would allow. Transmitting the power in the form of light is preferable in many cases to transmitting electric power, because electrical conductors are generally heavier than optical fibers, and are hazardous in the presence of lightning or a high-voltage power line.

Abstract: A satellite system includes a so-called carrier satellite and a so-called piggyback satellite, each one having an Earth face. The piggyback satellite is attached to the carrier satellite by fastening elements that can be released on command. The piggyback satellite includes propulsion elements suitable for maintaining same in orbit, and the carrier satellite includes propulsion elements for performing a change of orbit of the satellite system including the carrier satellite and the piggyback satellite. The piggyback satellite is attached to the Earth face of the carrier satellite in such a way that the Earth face of the piggyback satellite is essentially perpendicular to the Earth face of the carrier satellite.

Abstract: A dental care product for a pet, such as a dog, includes at least one chew strand having a fragrance and at least one flossing strand. The flossing strand is formed from rawhide and has a thickness less than a thickness of the chew strand. The chew strand and the flossing strand are interwoven with each other along a length of the dental care product to define an interwoven portion of the dental care product. The flossing strand is wrapped around and binds free ends of the chew strand in a wrapped portion of the dental care product. The free ends extend outwardly from the wrapped portion of the dental care product on a side of the wrapped portion opposite the interwoven portion of the dental care product. Advantageously, the dental care product permits the strands to abrade with the pet's teeth in various ways to deliver cleaning benefits.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for controlling electric power in a plug-in vehicle, such as a pure electric vehicle or hybrid electric vehicle. The electric power is controlled from an external power source to one or more predetermined components in the plug-in vehicle. The power source is external to the vehicle and has a maximum power level. Electric power at a charging level from the external power source is received. Based on the charging level and the maximum power level, an available power level is determined. Based on the available power level, the electric power is controlled from the external power source to the predetermined components in the plug-in vehicle.

Abstract: A span-loaded, highly flexible flying wing, having horizontal control surfaces mounted aft of the wing on extended beams to form local pitch-control devices. Each of five spanwise wing segments of the wing has one or more motors and photovoltaic arrays, and produces its own lift independent of the other wing segments, to minimize inter-segment loads. Wing dihedral is controlled by separately controlling the local pitch-control devices consisting of a control surface on a boom, such that inboard and outboard wing segment pitch changes relative to each other, and thus relative inboard and outboard lift is varied.

Abstract: A pet training apparatus and waste receptacle that allows a pet to simulate urinating outdoors in an indoors environment. A base frame supports a grated cover on which a permeable sheet is positioned. As a pet urinates, the urine is passes through the permeable sheet and through a plurality of openings in the grated cover. The urine is then collected in a receptacle positioned below the base frame. The permeable sheet includes a plurality of synthetic fibers in order to give the appearance of natural grass. An enclosure can be attached to the base frame, such that the together the enclosure and base frame form a pet crate in which the pet can urinate. A bed can also be placed on the permeable sheet in order to differentiate a sanitary area for the pet to rest. A splash guard prevents urine from leaving the confines of the grated cover.

Abstract: A rocket launch system includes a tubular rocket launcher carriage with electromotive cableway traction drives conveyed beneath a two axis pivot anchored to the earth, elevated into a co-axial transfer tube leading to three primary tether cables whose weight is offset by balloons. The carriage is conveyed to a docking station supported into the stratosphere by a pair of secondary cables suspended under an attachment frame for tensioning balloons. The carriage is engaged by a carriage end gripper guided by two sets of secondary cables and two sets of tertiary cables and lifted by a lower hoist guided by the secondary cables to a lift ring assembly. This lower hoist is supported by an upper hoist suspended from the tensioning balloons attachment frame. The carriage, which engages a lift ring guided by two secondary cables, is elevated further, rotated in azimuth and elevation, and rocket ejection occurs from a launch tube during freefall of the carriage, with engine ignition occurring at a safe distance.

Abstract: An interior component carrier system for use in assembly of aircraft interior components in an aircraft includes a retaining system with at least one retaining element. A first connection device for connecting the retaining element to a first aircraft interior component and a second connection device are provided on the retaining element. On the retaining element a structural retainer is provided for fastening the retaining element to an aircraft structure. The interior component carrier system includes a hinge connectable to a second and a third aircraft interior component such that the third aircraft interior component is pivotable about a longitudinal axis of the hinge relative to the second aircraft interior component. The second connection device mounted on the retaining element is configured to be connected to the hinge and/or to a region of the second or third aircraft interior component, that is adjacent to the hinge.

Abstract: An aircraft including a wing, the end of the wing having a wing tip device, wherein the wing tip device includes a moveable region that is rotatable, about an axis of rotation extending out of the plane of the wing tip device, between: (i) a high-altitude cruise configuration in which the moveable region extends downwardly below the wing; and (ii) a ground-operating configuration in which the moveable region extends rearwardly behind the wing such that the ground clearance of the wing tip device is increased.

Abstract: Sink stations for galleys of aircraft and other vehicles, methods of operating such sink stations, and aircraft equipped with galleys having such sink stations. A sink station includes a sink cover, which may fully or partially cover a sink and extend the countertop space over the sink cavity. When covering the sink, the sink cover may support a set weight corresponding to objects typically used in galleys, such as pots, cups, and the like. The sink cover allows for liquid to pass into the sink cavity even when the sink cover is used to cover the sink thereby reduce spill clean-ups. The sink cover is movable and may partially or completely expose the sink cavity or keep it completely covered. For example, the sink cover may be folded and/or rolled away and stored at the sink station for periodic use.

Abstract: An aircraft landing gear including an axle and a wheel (5) that includes a rim (6) mounted to turn on the axle about a first rotation axis (X1), the landing gear further comprising an actuator (12) for driving the wheel (5) in rotation. The rim (6) includes obstacles (33) that project from a lateral face (F) of the rim and the driving actuator includes a lead screw (32) mounted to turn about a second rotation axis (X2) perpendicular to the first rotation axis (X1) and adapted to cooperate with the obstacles of the rim to drive the wheel in rotation.

Abstract: An aerial balloon system comprising a payload platform suspended from an inflated balloon by means of a balloon cable, and an anchoring cable attaching the platform to an anchor point beneath it. The balloon cable and anchoring cable are attached to the payload platform by means of a connecting element pivotally attached to the platform. The platform may include a servo controlled pitch stabilizing system using the input from a pitch sensor mounted on the platform to control an angular actuator to change the angle which the platform makes with the pivoted connection element. Additionally, the platform may include a servo controlled orientation stabilizing system using the input from an orientation sensor mounted thereon to control the departure of the orientation of the platform from a predetermined orientation. This may be readily accomplished using a variable pitch rotor, the pitch being controlled by the orientation sensor signal.

Abstract: A drive link includes a first bearing housing, a second bearing housing, and a central portion coupled between the first bearing housing and the second bearing housing. The central portion includes a central radial bearing configured such that the central portion twists in response to cocking of the first bearing housing relative to the second bearing housing.

Abstract: An aircraft and system for minimizing the influence of unsteady flow states, wherein the wing has a respective main wing and at least one control flap adjustably arranged relative thereto, an adjusting drive for activating the at least one control flap, and a sensor arrangement for acquiring the setting position of the control flap. The system exhibits at least one arrangement of flow-influencing devices for influencing the fluid flow over the surface segment, a detection device for detecting unsteady flow states acting on the aircraft, and an actuating function connected with the flow-influencing devices to influence the flow in the different segments of a wing, designed so that the latter, based on the unsteady flow states detected by the detection device and setting position of the control flap acquired by the sensor arrangement, actuates the flow-influencing devices so as to minimize the influence of unsteady flow states on the aircraft.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a desired amount of mechanical abrasion to plants is provided. The apparatus includes a base, a brush and an elevation device for maintaining the base at desirable height. The base has a first longitudinal axis and a plurality of grooves, the grooves being oriented approximately perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis. The brush has a second longitudinal axis and a plurality of bristles and/or blades extending outwardly from the second longitudinal axis. The brush is attached to the apparatus such that the second longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis and the brush is rotatable about the second longitudinal axis. The brush is spaced from the base such that the plurality of bristles engage the plurality of grooves. The base is adjustable enabling the operator to move the base closer or further from the rotating brush/blades.

Abstract: A milking robot comprises a robotic arm, a camera coupled to the robotic arm, a camera-facing nozzle coupled to the robotic arm, and a controller. The robotic arm extends in a longitudinal direction between the hind legs and from the rear of a dairy livestock located in a milking stall. The camera-facing nozzle sprays a protective layer of the camera with a cleanser. The controller communicates a signal instructing the camera-facing nozzle to spray the camera with cleanser.

Abstract: An air vehicle, an actuator assembly and a method of manufacture are provided in order to incorporate the actuator assembly within the outer mold line of the air vehicle. In regards to an air vehicle, the air vehicle includes a primary structure and a movable structure configured to be controllably moved relative to the primary structure. The air vehicle also includes an actuator assembly configured to cause the movable structure to be positioned relative to the primary structure. The actuator assembly includes an actuator housing and an actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism is at least partially disposed within the actuator housing and is configured to provide for relative movement between the primary structure and the movable structure. At least a portion of the actuator assembly is built into at least one of the primary structure and the movable structure so as to be within an outer mold line of the air vehicle.