Abstract: A rotatable brake or clutch friction disc formed of a material having characteristic strength weakness in tension and shear modes and provided with an annular metal force transmitting member interposed between the disc and fixed or rotatable portions of the brake or clutch. The annular metal force transmitting member has a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart radially extending key engaging slots or slot engaging keys. The annular metal force transmitting member may be provided with opposite radially extending annular metal shields which slidably engage similar shields on adjacent discs to provide a barrier tending to minimize air flow to and thus oxidation of a heated friction disc.

Abstract: An ejector wing, for an aircraft, having inlet and diffuser doors which move from an open take-off configuration to a closed forward flight configuration and having hypermixing nozzles and root nozzles for supplying primary air into a plurality of channels in the wing structure. Apparatus is provided for controlling the air flow from the root nozzles in the boundary layer in the channels. A plurality of sensing ports are provided in the channels upstream of the root nozzles. The differential pressures at the sensing ports are used to divide the flow to the root nozzles on opposite sides of the channels.

Abstract: A shoe of lightweight, buoyant material adapted to be loosely worn on the foot below water level to cause the walking movements of the wearer to simulate those of an astronaut walking on the moon. The shoe can have a sole and toe design to simulate the footwear of an astronaut or the foot of an animal.

Abstract: An improved magnet system for use in electrodynamic vehicle suspension and guidance systems in which a vehicle moves along a track maintained in the suspended condition through the use of a plurality of magnets attached to the vehicle and arranged one behind the other in the direction of travel, the vehicle magnets cooperating with the means on the roadbed to generate the necessary forces to maintain suspension, in which means are provided to change the polarity of two respective adjacent magnets as a function of vehicle velocity and to control the spacing of said adjacent magnet in order to reduce braking losses particularly at high vehicle velocities.

Abstract: A highly aerodynamically stable kite having a flexible statically indeterminate face which during flight forms a curvilinear airfoil that is maintained in the center and top edges by rigid linear stiffeners removably retained in a novel nosepiece. The nosepiece is a rigid three dimensional structure formed by folding a thin flat pattern. A novel tail member aids kite stability by providing plural aerodynamically rotatable elements spacedly depending beneath the kite upon a common flexible line.

Abstract: A combined air flow deflector and diffuser assembly including a main flow deflector vane, a deflector base plate mountable adjacent the trailing edge of an open bomb bay or other cavity of a bomber aircraft, aerospace or other vehicle, and a plurality of support pylons interconnected between and supporting the deflector vane in space relation to the base plate immediately behind the bomb bay or other cavity-trailing edge in the path of, and diverting the airstream away from the vehicle body to thereby partially stabilize the turbulent flow at the shield area or airstream flow adjacent the cavity entrance and, simultaneously therewith, induce a substantial decrease of the excessive pressure oscillations that would otherwise occur within the cavity from the air stream flow passing the open cavity.

Abstract: Pressure relief louvers for preventing damage to a combat aircraft in the event of an explosion resulting from an accumulation of gun gases in the gun bay. The pressure relief louvers are flush mounted relative to the aircraft outside surface and are hinged along their lower edges longitudinally of the aircraft, in the gun bay door. They are normally held closed by magnetic action, opening only as the result of a high pressure buildup within the gun bay. The normal upward component of in-flight air flow over the gun bay doors closes the louvers after the internal pressure subsides.

Abstract: An aircraft has air pumping devices which retain, concentrate and augment vorticity shed from a surface of the moving aircraft in such a way as to allow the formation of a lift producing and drag reducing free vortex which travels along with the aircraft (standing vortex), together with a means of supplying thrust for the aircraft. Air flowing past a shield which extends upwardly from the forward edge of a horizontal base causes the shedding of vorticity of one sign into a cavity-like region formed by the shield, base and the housings of a pair of thrusters at the lateral edges of the base. Each thruster includes a cylindrical housing open at both ends through which air is pumped by a power driven propeller, the blades of which rotate in a generally vertical plane, to supply forward thrust for the aircraft. Each housing has an opening to the cavity-like region forward (or up-wind) of the propeller so that air also is pumped from the cavity-like region.

Abstract: The riser straps associated with the canopy suspension lines of a parachute are releasably coupled to a body harness by connector devices which include buckle rings through which loop extensions of the riser straps are threaded. A locking pin assembly engaged with each loop extension holds each connector device in a coupling condition. Each locking pin assembly is anchored to a cover protectively enclosing the connector device, by means of which the pin assembly is withdrawn to uncouple the connector device.

Abstract: Solid state spaced-oriented means convert solar radiation into microwave energy which is amplified and beamed to earth as a source of electrical power. A large number of semiconductor devices operating in the current multiplication region are irradiated by single mode coherent light beam generation means which is pumped by solar energy. A neodymium yittrium aluminum iron garnet laser or CW gallium arsenide junction diode laser mode-locked at a predetermined microwave frequency, such as 3,000 MHz provide for generation of a light beam. The generated current is directly proportional to the radiant energy and is coupled from the semiconductor device array to antenna means for transmission to earth stations for conversion into low frequency electrical energy.

Abstract: A device for shielding a heated surface from infrared detection through an exhaust opening adjacent the heated surface which comprises an exhaust gas conducting member adapted to receive heated exhaust gases from the exhaust opening with the member having a configuration which blocks the exhaust opening from line-of-sight view through the outlet to the member. The exhaust gas conducting member includes apparatus to inhibit heat transfer across its interior surface while promoting heat transfer through the wall of the member. Additionally there is provided a diffusion device for breaking up a main stream of heated exhaust gas into a plurality of smaller streams to reduce infrared radiation from the exhaust gas which includes a body adapted to receive heated exhaust gas with insulation apparatus to maintain the exterior surface of the body at a relatively low temperature. A plurality of openings in the body provide discharge of smaller streams of exhaust gas.