Abstract: A spacecraft includes a first engine configured to provide primary launch abort thrust and a second engine disposed radially from a center of gravity, the second engine configured to provide a secondary launch abort thrust, a primary orbital maneuvering thrust, and a primary control thrust.

Abstract: A combined retractable leash and ball thrower device for allowing a user to walk a pet and throw a ball using a single device. The device includes a housing featuring a handle, and a leash retracting mechanism enclosed in the housing. An activation element or button is used to operate the leash retracting mechanism, with a portion of the activation element being exterior of the housing. A shaft extends from the handle of the housing, with a ball receiving element located at a distal free end of the shaft. The shaft is integrally formed with the handle or the shaft may be a separate unit removably attached to the handle. The ball receiving element is integrally formed with the shaft or the ball receiving element may be a separate unit removably attached to the shaft.

Abstract: A pet grooming tool includes a plurality of tine members and dematting members juxtaposed with one another along a shaft axis of a mounting shaft to be secured to a handle assembly. Each tine member has front and rear edge surface extending to join with each other to form a tine tip. Each dematting member has a dematting blade region extending to terminate at an inclined distal edge surface, and having a blade cutout portion which extends from the inclined distal edge surface to form a dematting blade tip that is disposed rearward from the tine tip for preventing injury to a user or a pet. The pet grooming tool will rake or comb a pet by means of the tine members while cutting tangles and mats of the undercoat of the pet by means of the dematting members.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide for an aircraft empennage that utilizes two torque tube members to create opposing sides of the empennage. The torque tube members are connected using a bridging member that is attached at opposing ends to the top portions of the torque tube members. The torque tube members and bridging member provide structural support for access cut-outs within the aircraft skin between the torque tube members for access to a payload space within. The torque tube members may include any number of walls, any of which may provide a pressure barrier to the payload space.

Abstract: A window-mounted pet viewing system. The system includes at least one base panel having a base and a front portion. The one or more base panels are detachably mounted on a windowsill. When the one or more base panels are mounted, a pet can remain on the windowsill when a curtain mounted on the window area is let down.

Abstract: A leash assembly includes a belt and at least one connector piece coupled to the belt. The belt can be worn by a subject around the torso, shoulders, neck or wrist. Each connector piece is configured to move along at least a portion of the belt. In some embodiments, the connector piece is a link configured to be receive the belt and to move along the belt. Alternatively, the belt has one or more tracks, in which the connector piece is configured to travel on thereby allowing the connector to travel along the belt. Each connector piece is coupled with a leash. In some embodiments, the leash has a retractable end. The leash assembly can include adornments and/or a carrier coupled to the belt.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine is supported on an aircraft fuselage by a pylon which carries a mounting ring. The mounting ring is releasably coupled to an engine ring on the casing of the engine, centered on the engine axis. A further member extends from the pylon and is secured to a location on the engine which is axially spaced from the mounting ring. The arrangement enables the engine to be on the pylon in different orientations, to suit different mounting configurations on the aircraft.

Abstract: An article of manufacture, an optimal adjustable parachute cargo harness device for use with a parachute system is disclosed. A double adjustable upper attachment point used to attach cargo to personal parachute systems is also disclosed.

Abstract: Kick bar assemblies mounted to an opposite side walls of a squeeze chute structure each include an upright shaft that is rotatably mounted to the squeeze chute wall. Each kick bar assembly connects at one end to an actuator for rotating the shaft and at the other end to a kick bar which may be pivoted by the actuator between a first retracted position, a second normal extended position in which the kick bar is generally normal to the wall of the squeeze chute and a third forward position in which the kick bar is rotated forward of the normal position and defines an acute angle with the squeeze chute wall. The actuators controlling the motion of the kick bars are capable of being simultaneously remotely controlled to act in unison.

Abstract: A fish hook with multiple convex facets is provided. Each facet may have a length that is some multiple of the diameter of the hook body. In addition, each convex facet has a radius of curvature that is some multiple of the diameter of the wire. Each facet may alternatively be formed from first and second convex surfaces, having first and second curvatures.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a column reactor for producing nitrate nitrogen as an inorganic nutrient from an organic material including: filling a container with a carrier comprising rockwool, vermiculite, pearlite, zeolite, sand, glass, ceramic, urethane, nylon, melamine resin, cedar chips, bog moss, filter paper or agar; adding thereto microorganisms capable of conducting a multiple parallel mineralization by mineralization of an organic material to produce nitrate nitrogen; subsequently adding 0.01 to 20 g in terms of dry weight of an organic material with respect to 1 L of the carrier, the organic material comprising fish-based soluble fertilizer, fish flour, oil cake, raw garbage, corn steep liquor, rice bran, soybean flour, plant residue, milk, powdered milk or livestock manure; and leaving the resultant material at rest until nitrate nitrogen starts to be produced in an effluent during a washing of the carrier by addition of water to discharge the effluent from the carrier.

Abstract: A method for the mass production of fish belonging to the order of Cypriniforms, notably to the family of Cobitidae, from spawners which are raised in closed circuit.

Abstract: An engine that operates and produces the entire required vehicle thrust below Mach 4 is useful for a Hypersonic combined cycle vehicle by saving vehicle and engine development costs. One such engine is a combined cycle engine having both a booster and a dual mode ramjet (DMRJ). The booster and the DMRJ are integrated to provide effective thrust from Mach 0 to in excess of Mach 4. As the booster accelerates the vehicle from Mach 0 to in excess of Mach 4, from Mach 0 to about Mach 2 incoming air delivered to the DMRJ is accelerated by primary ejector thrusters that may receive oxidizer from either on-board oxidizer tanks or from turbine compressor discharge air. As the TBCC further accelerates the vehicle from about Mach 0 to in excess of Mach 4 exhaust from the turbine and exhaust from the DMRJ are combined in a common nozzle disposed downstream of a combustor portion of said DMRJ functioning as an aerodynamic choke.

Abstract: A dog bone carrier adapted for receiving and holding various sizes of hollow dog bones, that allows for chewing satisfaction for the animal, while protecting household surfaces for the owner. The carrier includes an elongated shaft having opposite ends attached to first and second end piece balls. The shaft has a length greater than the length of the dog bone for providing a chewing space. A chewing space allows the dog to engage the side of one end of the bone with his or her mouth and also allows space for additional chews. The diameter of the shaft is less than an interior diameter of the hollow bone to allow the dog bone to slide back and forth on the shaft. This difference in diameters forms a treat space. The diameter of the first and second balls is greater than an exterior diameter or width of the dog bone.

Abstract: An automated animal feeder may store at least two different varieties of animal feed and automatically dispense a desired amount of feed at specified times of the day. Feed, stored in storage bins, gravitates to a conveying mechanism which transfers the feed to the feeding station. The conveying mechanism, which comprises almost all of the moving parts of the apparatus, is an integrated unit which is easily removed from the housing of the apparatus for maintenance. The volume of feed may be regulated by adjustable panels which control the volume of feed which is transported to the feeding station.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for the mounting of components in a body of a vehicle comprises at least one base element, at least one holding rail and connecting elements. The base element is designed to be arranged on the body of the vehicle. The holding rail is designed for mounting the components, and the base element and the holding rail are connected by the connecting elements so as to be spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: A polymeric frame enclosing a rectangular aperture sized to receive in conforming fit a rectangular foundation panel on which a bee honeycomb is formed. The frame is formed by injection molding as an integral unitary piece with the interior volumes thereof foamed in the course of the molding process so that the exterior surfaces thereof remain smooth and impervious, allowing for easy cleaning and re-use. A plurality of alternatively sloped wedge projections are formed in spaced rows on each interior surface of the foundation panel receiving aperture between which the edges of the panel are captured by flexure relief.

Abstract: A litter box for a domestic animal includes a box-like body equipped with an upper support wall that has a through opening, a container of a granular litter material susceptible to absorb the animal excrements, and a first tubular duct arranged below the upper wall, which is substantially extended between the upper wall and the bottom of the body, for conveying the animal excrements towards a discharge zone in the lower part of the body. The receptacle surrounds a second tubular duct inside the first tubular duct, whose upper end faces the opening and whose lower end faces the bottom of the body, and which defines an internal edge of the receptacle for the purpose of retaining a quantity of the granular material therein.

Abstract: A trailing edge flap mechanism incorporates a support beam, a flap carrier beam supporting an aerodynamic flap, a first link interconnecting a first and second rotation points and a second link interconnecting third and fourth rotation points. The support beam has a ground connection on a first fixed axis of rotation. A connecting link has a ground connection on a second fixed axis of rotation and is connected to the first link intermediate the first and second rotation points. An actuator is connected with a drive link pivotally engaged to the first link for initial forward and aft movement of a nose profile of the Fowler flap substantially parallel to the wing lower surface with extending aft movement providing a rapidly changing angle of the flap with respect to the wing upper surface.

Abstract: A power-saving flowerpots capable of serial connecting with other flowerpot includes a planting tank having a horizontal plane and an inclined plane at an upper side thereof for planting; a water tank connected to a lower side of the planting tank; the connection of the planting tank and the water tank being formed as an L shape; an interior of the water tank being formed with a water draining channel; an upper side of the water draining channel being formed with a communication hole so that when the water level in the water tank is over a lower edge of the communication hole; water will flow into the communication hole from the water tank. A plurality of flowerpot can be installed as a first row by a retaining rod to pass through all hooks of the flowerpots; and the water tubes of the flowerpot are connected one by one.