Abstract: An aircraft having two separate landing flaps on each wing which are actuated together in a landing mode or function, and wherein the outer flap of each wing is also separately actuated in an aileron mode or function separate from the inner flap.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating Boundary Layer Ingestion (BLI) apparatus into an aircraft (1). The longerons (34) in the aft fuselage (18) may be extended to support an aft propulsor (20). The aft propulsor may be a turbofan or turboelectric propulsion system (46). An upper longeron (34a) may support a tail section (14) of an aircraft. The aft fuselage skin (22) is contoured to permit boundary layer airflow to enter an intake fan (24) of the aft propulsor.

Abstract: A stackable pancake satellite that is configured so that a plurality of the satellites can be stacked within a payload fairing of a launch vehicle. Each satellite includes sections that are folded or rotated together prior to launch, and unfolded or rotated away from each other when deployed. A first section is a satellite body having a first side that acts as a thermal radiator and a second side opposite the first side that includes an antenna. A second section includes one or more solar panels attached adjacent to the first side of the satellite body. A third section includes a splash plate reflector attached adjacent to the second side of the satellite body that reflects signals between Earth and the antenna. When deployed, the solar panels are pointed towards the Sun and the splash plate reflector directs the signals between the Earth and the antenna.

Abstract: A feeding trough for poultry farming includes automatic dispensing of feed from a vertically displaceable horizontal dispensing tube, formed by just three pieces. One of the pieces is a plate formed in one piece with a ring which in a lowered position of the bell-like housing opens a crown of apertures and in a raised position of the bell-like housing closes the crown of apertures so as to reduce the amount of feed transferred to the plate. The feed trough is also configured to facilitate periodic rinsing thereof.

Abstract: An extensible pesticide applicator is provided enabling application of both liquid and powdered insecticides to distal, out-of-reach areas. An extensible pole has a distal and a proximal end for manual wielding whereby a pair of nozzles is deployable proximal an out-of-reach habitat. Pressurization of ambient atmosphere into the extensible pole is enabled by a pump member and timed release of the pressurized ambient atmosphere to forcibly eject powdered and alternately liquid pesticide from the distal end is enabled by manual action effected to depress a trigger member. Direct application of pesticide is thereby enabled to distal and out-of-reach habitat without a user coming into proximity with the habitat or the pesticide released.

Abstract: A kite assembly and method of flying a kite from a wind source such as a fan, generally indoors, incorporating multiple tethers to provide generally stable, controlled and sustainable flight. The kite assembly provides for multiple tethers set to appropriate lengths and tethered to appropriate places on the kite and the wind source. Multiple tethers help balance the kite and prevent the kite from flying out of the lifting zone of the airflow created by the wind source, when the wind source is stationary, rotated, oscillating or being moved around a room. The tethers generally diverge from the kite and as a result the kite flying characteristics or direction of flight can be controlled in ways not possible with traditionally tethered kites, which typically have single or converging tethers. Multiple kites may be flown from one fan, or connected to one another to form unique flying combinations.

Abstract: A crocodile-type flight control surface comprising an upper foil flap, a lower foil flap, an actuating mechanism which guarantees the rotational displacement of each foil flap about a joint axis, either in the same direction or in different directions, and a locking mechanism alternatively adopting a locking position in which the upper foil flap and the lower foil flap are fixed with respect to each other and an unlocking position in which the upper foil flap and the lower foil flap are free with respect to the other. A crocodile-type flight control surface of this kind is therefore stiffened by the locking mechanism that joins the two foil flaps.

Abstract: A functional ornamentation manufactured from a stamped metal plate which is twisted by a specified number of degrees to result in a shape that allows for unique reactions to flowing fluids such as air and water. Due to the shape and twist of the device, the device will spin along with the flowing fluid or when pulled through that fluid, such that it retains a straight trajectory. In a preferred embodiment, such as part of a fishing lure, the ornamentation is connected to a ball bearing swivel which allows for near frictionless rotation. The lure when drawn through the water travels in a straight path, rather than an arced path of the prior art. This results in a more natural travel path producing greater flash and rotation for attacking fish.

Abstract: In an aerospace vehicle in which a satellite is detachably adapted to the first stage rocket and the second stage rocket, an electronic device 65 is installed in the satellite 60, wherein the electronic device 65 controls the first stage rocket 10 and the second stage rocket 20 before the satellite is detached from the first stage rocket 10 and the second stage rocket 20. Thereby, it is unnecessary to provide sensors, radio devices and electronic devices for exclusive use with respect to the first stage rocket 10 and the second stage rocket 20 so that a manufacturing cost of the rockets 10 and 20 can be reduced and a total weight of the rockets 10 and 20 can become lighter by omitting these equipments. Thus, an aerospace vehicle system within the rockets 10 and 20 can be simplified and a launch of the aerospace vehicle can be prepared within a short period.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for large scale, high throughput phenotyping of items including plants to derive environment/genetics correlations based on controlled variation of environment. Spatial and temporal resolution is improved by an integrated system that can use space efficiently yet concurrently process a large number of replicates but in varying environments. This is accomplished by using an array of miniature greenhouses, each in communication with one or more generators or regulators of an environmental factor that can be independently supplied and controlled to each miniature greenhouse. The controller also controls acquisition of data from each greenhouse as well as processing of that data into phenomic/genomic correlations.

Abstract: The bearings of aircraft angle of attack (AOA) vanes are susceptible to lightning strike damage, which causes fluting on the inner and outer races of the bearings and causes the bearings to generate friction, noise, and vibrations. To prevent the bearings from experiencing damage due to lightning strikes, the bearings, the shaft, and/or the mounting plate are configured to create an electric isolator to prevent the electric current from the lightning strike from passing through the bearings, thereby preventing the bearings from incurring lightning strike damage.

Abstract: A satellite is disclosed comprising an anti-nadir panel having a first side and a second side. In one or more embodiments, the first side of the anti-nadir panel is mounted to an anti-nadir side of the main body of the satellite. The satellite further comprises at least one battery pack mounted to the second side of the anti-nadir panel, where at least one battery pack comprises at least one battery cell.

Abstract: A carriage for use in a rocket launch system for cooperating with an 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 has traction drives which grip cables from which they derive power and rotate to drive the carriage from the low altitude to the high altitude. The traction drives rotate in the opposite direction as the carriage descends the cable following the launch of a rocket under gravitational force. The kinetic energy of the traction drive is converted to electrical energy which is fed back to the cables during descent of the carriage.

Abstract: A system and method enabled to increase efficiency during a VTOL aircraft's transition. A VTOL aircraft enabled to operate multiple lift fans arranged into separately controllable groups, wherein the VTOL aircraft initially has vertical flight but transitions to horizontal flight. A first group of lift fans may be kept at full throttle, a second group of lift fans may be throttled to balance thrust and/or weight, and a third group of lift fans may be shut off.

Abstract: The unit comprises an engageable-releasable combination of a receptacle-basis on which a closing-carrying lid is superimposed. Once engaged, a circular opening between a top extending from an upper end of outer wall of receptacle-basis support and a bottom, horizontal flat surface of closing-carrying lid is formed. An entrapment cavity in an interior of receptacle-basis support for captured crawling insects is established.

Abstract: An absorbent sheet for pets that is highly effective in concealing pet excrement. The absorbent sheet includes: a liquid-permeable front-surface sheet; a liquid-impermeable back-surface sheet; an absorbent body that is provided between the front-surface sheet and the back-surface sheet, and that absorbs liquid that has permeated through the front-surface sheet; an intermediate sheet that is arranged between the front-surface sheet and the absorbent body; and a color arrangement region that forms a color arrangement pattern together with at least one of the front-surface sheet, the back-surface sheet, and the absorbent body. The front-surface sheet is formed so as to have a lower total light transmittance than the intermediate sheet.

Abstract: Airfoil and hydrofoils systems with structures having a surface texture defined by fractal geometries are described. Raised portions or fractal bumps can be included on the surfaces, forming a surface texture. The surface textures can be defined by two-dimensional fractal shapes, partial two-dimensional fractal shapes, non-contiguous fractal shapes, three-dimensional fractal objects, and partial three-dimensional fractal objects. The surfaces can include indents having fractal geometries. The indents can have varying depths and can be bordered by other indents, or bumps, or smooth portions of the airfoil or hydrofoil structure. The fractal surface textures can reduce vortices inherent from airfoil and hydrofoil structures. The roughness and distribution of the fractal surface textures reduce the vortices, improving laminar flow characteristics and at the same time reducing drag. The systems are passive and do not require applied power.

Abstract: A spacecraft system includes a plurality of spacecraft in a stack. The stack has one or more layers, each layer includes at least two spacecraft, and each spacecraft is releasably coupled to one or more adjacent spacecraft in the stack. The spacecraft system also includes a controller configured to, for each layer, (i) cause the layer to release from the stack, and (ii) after the layer releases from the stack, cause the at least two spacecraft in the layer to release from each other.

Abstract: Offshore airborne wind turbine systems with an aerial vehicle connected via a tether to an adjustably buoyant body. The tether may be coupled to an underwater mooring through which it may move, or it may be coupled to a floating platform through which it may move. The buoyancy of the buoyant body may be adjusted to change the tension in the tether or for other purposes.

Abstract: An aircraft landing gear which includes a noise-inducing region and a cover. The cover comprises a cover portion arranged to enclose the noise-inducing region to inhibit an airflow negotiating the noise-inducing region when the landing gear is in use.