Abstract: A reusable module is affixed atop a reusable orbital vehicle (OV). Various configurations of the reusable module have identical external dimensions in the region of attachment to the OV to permit interchangeability. Different configurations can accommodate a variety of missions of different type and duration. A variety of cargo modules of different configurations allow cargo to be uplifted into orbit. In one embodiment, the cargo module is an unpressurized cargo module in which the cargo is exposed to the environment of space during the unloading process. The cargo module may also be a pressurized cargo module. In an alternative embodiment, the cargo module may include both a pressurized cargo module and unpressurized cargo module.

Abstract: A passenger accommodation unit with deployable bed, including a passenger seat and a passenger bed positioned relative to the seat and adapted for movement between a stowed position wherein the bed is upright and adjacent to the seat, and a deployed position wherein the bed is horizontal for use and overlaps and is supported in part by the seat. The unit includes a credenza positioned adjacent the seat and between the seat and the bed that supports the bed when deployed.

Abstract: The invention provides an actuator for a control surface (7), in particular for a primary flight control of an aircraft, the actuator including a main actuator (3) in a main control line (1) for actuating the control surface (7), the actuator being characterized in that the actuator of the main control line (1) comprises a motor of the vibration motor type, and in that it further comprises, in a compensation, secondary control line (2), a compensation actuator (4) and spring-forming apparatus (5) interposed between the compensation actuator (4) and the control surface (7), the compensation actuator (4) tensioning or compressing the spring-forming apparatus so as to make them suitable for delivering a mean force to the control surface (7) so as to off-load from the main actuator (3) the mean force that it needs to deliver to the flight control (7).

Abstract: In one aspect, a hybrid airship including an outer shell, a plurality of helium filled gas envelopes, and an all-electric propulsion system can have a high-aspect ratio wing shape. In some embodiments, the hybrid airship may be launched using buoyancy lift alone and aerodynamic lift may be provided by the all-electric propulsion system. In one aspect, a photovoltaic array and a high energy density power storage system may be combined to power the propulsion system making the propulsion system regenerative. The high-aspect ratio wing shape provides low drag, and can allow the hybrid airship to fly at an altitude of at least about 100,000 ft. By continuously recharging the power storage system, the hybrid airship in accordance with some embodiments can stay aloft for months or even years. The hybrid airship may function as a military intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance and communications relay platform.

Abstract: Provided is an aerodynamic body having rhomboid wings and internal torsion bars which can be twisted to affect a change in the shape of a wing. Individual or multiple swings can slide relative to the fuselage body to affect a change in sweep angle and aspect ratio. Provided is a method of controlling the aerodynamic properties, in order to affect stability and maneuvering, of an aerodynamic body by warping the wings by twisting one or more torsion bars located internal to one or more wings. Additional control can be exercized by sliding one of more wings relative to the fuselage to change the sweep angle and aspect ratio.

Abstract: A hybrid electrical ice protection system implements three ice protection methods in various combinations. The ice protection methods include the fully-evaporative anti-ice protection method, the wet running anti-ice protection method, and the de-ice method. The particular methods that are implemented vary, depending on the particular aircraft structure for which ice protection is being provided and on the power condition of the aircraft.

Abstract: A platform for storage and transfer of payloads in space includes a plate for supporting a payload, and a transfer mechanism for transferring the payload to and from the plate. A groove extends diametrically between two edges of the plate for receiving a rail provided on the payload. The rail includes a plurality of teeth, and the transfer mechanism includes a gear which interacts with the teeth for moving the rail. Two platforms may be positioned adjacent to each other for transferring a payload. Docking of the two platforms includes engagement of tapered pins and tapered holes on the platforms. In this manner, the grooves of the platforms are aligned. The rail is passed between the grooves of the platforms for transferring the payload between the platforms.

Abstract: A tether system for providing thrust to or power subsystems of an artificial satellite in a low earth orbit. The tether has three main sections, an insulated section connected to the satellite, a conducting section connected to the insulating section for drawing in and releasing electrons from the space plasma and a non-conducting section for providing a tension to the other sections of the tether. An oxygen resistant coating is applied to the bare wire of the conducting section as well as the insulated wires of the insulated section that prevents breakdown during tether operations in the space plasma. The insulated and bare wire sections also surround a high tensile flexible polymer core to prevent any debris from breaking the tether during use.

Abstract: A spacecraft having facilities for carrying astronauts and payloads into the earth satellite orbit and space having a composite fiber body with a Kevlar exterior skin. Said craft having a substantially round shape with a portion covered with solar cells. Said solar cells powering electrical motors and a plurality of rockets using a quantity of hydrogen fuel.

Abstract: An arrangement and a method are proposed for the generation of water on board an aircraft with the use of one or more fuel cells, whereby low-temperature fuel cells are provided as fuel cells. It is proposed that several single-cell or few-cell fuel cells may form a fuel-cell panel or cell array and several cell panels or cell arrays may be arranged close to the inside of the aircraft fuselage and the cathode side of the at least one fuel cell has a chamber pointing to the exterior of the aircraft for the condensation of the water contained in the air and the anode side has a chamber carrying a combustion gas, for example hydrogen. With the proposed solution, a reduction in the storage capacity for drinking water and its quality-assured provision may be enabled and moreover, with the use of fuel cells as a virtual power station, the energy demand on engine generators, auxiliary power unit (APU) or ram air turbine (RAT) may be reduced.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method of limiting the yawing motion on the trajectory of an artillery shell during the firing phase using a sliding driving band and completely folded-in guide fins. The shell is converted as soon as possible outside the mouth of the barrel of the firing piece by fold-out of the guide fins into a fin-stabilized artillery shell. Any form of non-uniform fin fold-out is avoided by virtue of all the guide fins being interconnected to form a system which gives all the fins the same movement pattern and the same fold-out speed in each phase of fin fold-out. This disclosure also includes a shell in which synchronization of fin fold-out includes a rotatable control ring that is arranged around the axis of the shell and is connected to the rotation spindles of all the fins.

Abstract: A method of launching and retrieving a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) (10). The preferred method of launch involves carrying the UAV (10) up to altitude using a parasail (8) similar to that used to carry tourists aloft. The UAV is dropped and picks up enough airspeed in the dive to perform a pull-up into level controlled flight. The preferred method of recovery is for the UAV to fly into and latch onto the parasail tow line (4) or cables hanging off the tow line and then be winched back down to the boat (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to an overhead luggage container (1), particularly for airlines, comprising a reinforcing structure (11) which is connected to the container (1) and which is disposed essentially in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the container (1), and at least one device (5) for suspension on a carrying structure (2) of the plane. In order to create a container (1) which can be subjected to relatively high static strain without running the risk that the container (1) will fall on the passengers sitting below, while at the same time reducing technical complexity in production and reducing the weight of the container, at least one respective rigid connecting element (17) is arranged to the side of the container (1) between the reinforcing structure (11) and the suspension device (5) in a substantially vertical manner with respect to the longitudinal extension of the container (1).

Abstract: In one aspect, a hybrid airship including an outer shell, a plurality of helium filled gas envelopes, and an all-electric propulsion system may have the shape of a delta-wing. In some embodiments, the hybrid airship may be launched using buoyancy lift alone and aerodynamic lift may be provided by the all-electric propulsion system. In one aspect, a photovoltaic array and a high energy density power storage system may be combined to power the propulsion system making the propulsion system regenerative. The delta-wing shape can provide a surface area large enough to accommodate very large circular or elliptical transmission devices. By continuously recharging the power storage system, the hybrid airship in accordance with some embodiments can stay aloft at an operational altitude of at least about 85,000 ft for months or even years. The hybrid airship may function as an airborne military communications relay platform.

Abstract: A system and process for countering the vibrations induced in an aircraft by the windmilling of an engine fan may produce a first electric flight control command for a servocontrol to use in actuating a control surface of the aircraft. The servocontrol is slaved to the first electric flight control command, and the servocontrol's operation is limited to a reduced frequency band. Vibrations induced by the windmilling of the engine fan are monitored, and, when the monitored vibrations exceed a threshold, a second electric flight control command for application to the servocontrol is computed to oppose the induced vibrations. Also, the first and second electric flight control commands are summed to produce an overall control command for the control surface, and the servocontrol is temporarily slaved to the overall control command for operation in a widened frequency band.

Abstract: A retaining clamp for alignment of risers when packing a parachute is disclosed. The retaining clamp comprises a base with three prongs defining bores for receiving and engaging large rings of three-ring release assemblies (three-ring release assemblies are used for cutting off the main parachute canopy in the event of malfunction before deploying the secondary parachute in order to avoid entanglement between the main and secondary parachutes). The large rings are inserted in the bores, turned and engaged with the bores by way of force of friction. An alternative embodiment of the retaining clamp comprises a base with two prongs defining a bore for receiving and engaging large rings of three-ring release assemblies. Both embodiments can be used in combination with a parachute folding mat.

Abstract: A hybrid airgun includes a compressed gas chamber; a barrel; a firing valve between chamber and barrel; a secondary cylinder divided into front and back volumes by a secondary piston, the front volume connected to the chamber; a liquefied gas chamber connected to the back volume; a valve for transferring liquefied gas into the liquefied gas chamber; a cocking mechanism; and a firing mechanism. The cocking mechanism fills the compressed gas chamber with a compressed first gas, and/or transfers a liquefied second gas into the liquefied gas chamber. The firing mechanism opens the firing valve. During flow of the first gas into the barrel, pressure exerted by the second gas in the back volume moves the secondary piston and partially disengages it from the secondary cylinder, thereby enabling the second gas to flow into the compressed gas chamber, through the firing valve, and into the barrel.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a passenger accommodation arrangement for aircraft which provides both a highly efficient use of available aircraft space and a high level of comfort for passengers. In particular, the novel arrangement allows passengers to easily and comfortably switch between sitting and sleeping positions. The arrangement provides for multiple compartments arranged transversely with respect to the longitudinal dimension of the aircraft. Each compartment includes a stair and multiple, individual passenger accommodation units arranged one above another on each side of the stair. Each unit contains structure which allows a passenger to switch between a sitting position, in which the passenger is supported on a seat surface, and a fully reposed position in which the passenger is supported on a substantially flat, horizontal sleeping surface.

Abstract: An aerodynamic including a main body and a control member. The main body is configured to be connected to a wing of an aircraft. The control member is connected to the main body, the control member including a fixed member secured to the main body and a pivotable member configured to increase a drag of the aircraft without substantially changing a lift of the aircraft.

Abstract: This invention relates to a parachute supported aircraft having a frame and a seat for supporting at least a pilot. A parachute is coupled to the frame by a plurality of riser lines for allowing the parachute to inflate and form a wing for lifting the frame. A pair of upwardly extending masts are coupled to the frame. Each mast supports a vertically displaceable sleeve receiving a group of riser lines. Control cables connected to a winch raise and lower the sleeves to allow the pilot to selectively collapse and inflate the wing in a controlled fashion. A wing elevating cord can be used by the pilot to help pull the parachute from a generally vertical, partially inflated, lockout position into a generally horizontal, more inflated, flight position.