Abstract: A pilot rest system for use in a flight deck of an aircraft comprising a sleeping area, which comprises two parts, the first part being the space beneath one or more observer seats and the second part being a seat-free area adjacent to said seats. A curtain is preferably provided to enclose the second part of the sleeping area to ensure privacy and keep the sleep area dark if desired. The rest system can further comprise a mini-lavatory and a mini-galley in the flight deck.

Abstract: A toy for animals, comprising an outer, hollow shell member of elastomeric material. The shell member has at least one hole to provide communication between the hollow interior and the exterior thereof. A hollow, flexible insert is disposed within the shell member and is at least partially in contact therewith. An acoustic cartridge is disposed in a port of a hollow insert.

Abstract: A toy for animals, comprising an outer, hollow shell member of elastomeric material. The shell member has at least one hole to provide communication between the hollow interior and the exterior thereof. A hollow, flexible insert is disposed within the shell member and is at least partially in contact therewith. The hollow insert can have a recessed portion or an integral center core. An acoustic cartridge is disposed in a port of the hollow insert.

Abstract: A vertical tail unit for an aircraft and an aircraft equipped with the vertical tail unit. The vertical tail unit is provided with an engine. The engine extends cantilevered beyond a fin of the vertical tail unit and is secured to the fin by a mount. The mount is at least partly attached to the fin. The mount comprises for example half-hoops arranged on either side of the fin.

Abstract: An emergency vision device, comprises a collapsible tube made of airtight material and having an expanded form and a deflated stowage form; first and second clear members disposed at respective first and second ends of the tube to enable a user to see through the tube and observe a source of information at a distal end of the tube while smoke or other particulate matter is in the environment; and a portable gas cylinder having compressed clear gas and an outlet operably connected to the interior of the tube. The gas cylinder is operable to release the clear gas to fill the interior of the tube to expand the tube to the expanded form.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for measuring and adjusting tension in pliant tension members, including aircraft recovery lines. A tool for indicating tension in a pliant tension member in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, for example, can include a first support member releasably coupled to a flexible line suspended from a support structure. The first support member is positioned generally parallel to the flexible line. The tool can also include a second support member coupled to the first support member and positioned at an acute angle relative to the first support member. The second support member has a center of gravity at a selected distance from the flexible line. The second support member is generally horizontal when the tension in the flexible line is at a desired value.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for joining composite members and other structural members in aircraft wings and other structures. An aircraft wing box structure configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a first composite member having a first surface portion positioned at an angel relative to a second surface portion of a second composite member. The wing box structure of this embodiment further includes at least one metallic joining member having an upstanding leg portion extending from a base portion. The base portion of the joining member is bonded to the first surface portion of the first composite member with a first portion of adhesive, and the upstanding leg portion of the metallic joining member is bonded to the second surface portion of the second composite member with a second portion of adhesive.

Abstract: An ice protection system and method of implementing ice protection for a vehicle includes a plurality of segmented sub-areas each including a leading edge surface subject to the formation of ice thereon. The system further includes a plurality of air ducts, each in fluid communication with at least one of the segmented sub-areas and a source of heated air. A cyclic diverter valve is configured to provide a cyclic flow of heated air via the plurality of air ducts to each of the plurality of segmented sub-areas to protect the leading edge surface from the formation of ice.

Abstract: A system for absorbing energy to attenuate a force caused by an impact includes: an elongated tubular element; a fixed ring having a plurality of wedge-shaped flanges associated with the elongated tubular element; and a mobile element associated with the fixed ring. In response to movement toward the wedge-shaped flanges, the mobile element interacts with the wedge-shaped flanges, which in turn interact with the elongated tubular element so as to trigger collapse of the elongated tubular element.

Abstract: An apparatus for deicing a surface of an aircraft includes a pair of adjacent movable surface elements that lie in a common plane and cover a portion of an aircraft. The pair of surface elements are connected to a reciprocating actuator through a bell crank for reciprocal movement and in opposite directions to one another. The apparatus also includes a tie bar at one end of the surface elements for maintaining the surface elements in a parallel relationship. In a second embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a pair of coaxial, coplanar circular discs and a reciprocating actuator for rotating the discs in opposite directions relative to one another.

Abstract: A portable drink container includes a fluid vessel having an upwardly extending neck with an outlet opening. A removable cap has a central aperture and a cavity that engages the vessel neck. A drinking bowl includes a bottom wall with a central opening defined by an internal edge of the bottom wall. A lower peripheral channel of the cap slidingly receives the bottom wall edge to connect the cap and the drink bowl, whereby the cap extends through the central opening of the bowl. A flexible conduit is positioned within the vessel and extends the cap and the central opening of the drink bowl. The conduit defines a passageway for fluid to travel from the vessel into the drink bowl. An elastomeric plug may be secured within the cap to stabilize the conduit. The pet owner applies a compressive force on the vessel to increase the hydrostatic pressure thereby forcing liquid through the conduit and into the drink bowl.

Abstract: An attachment system for coupling together two airplane sections includes an attachment section securing one of the airplane sections and a mount section affixed to the other section. The attachment section includes a top, a bottom, a first end, and a second end. Coupled to the top are a two clamp sections, whereby at least one of the clamp sections is moveable. Coupled to the bottom is a pair of buttons. The mount section includes a top and a bottom, such that the mount bottom couples to the second airplane section. The mount section further includes a track coupled to the mount top, wherein the track includes an open end having outwardly tapered edges and a closed end. The one of the buttons slides into the track for coupling the attachment section to the mount section.

Abstract: A large heavy lift airship of lenticular shape divided into upper and lower convex shaped halves and configured with horizontal configurations in each half made up of four quadrants of inter-connected buoyant gas cells in which the interconnections consist of inline heat exchangers and blowers that control temperatures and buoyancy, giving a high degree of buoyancy, attitude and trim control. The flat lenticular design and large lifting capacity allows for a very large passenger or cargo deck positioned in the center of the airship, dividing it into its upper and lower convex shaped halves.

Abstract: A device for feeding a liquid to an animal includes a nipple member (6), a reservoir (14) for the liquid (13), a passage (15) having an extension between the reservoir (14) and the nipple member (6), a feeding member (16, 19) arranged to allow a supply of liquid through the passage (15) to the nipple member (6), and a control member (7, 11, 18) arranged to control the activation of the feeding member (16, 19). The control member is arranged to detect the presence of a part of the animal in a predetermined position and to initiate activation of the feeding member (16, 19) when the part of the animal is detected in the predetermined position.

Abstract: A launch system in which an unmanned aerial vehicle is secured to a platform in a watertight tube adapted to be launched from a submerged platform. Once launched, side panels on the tube are jettisoned and a flotation device is deployed to bring the tube to the surface. The flotation device maintains the tube in a vertical position when rising to and at the surface. After surfacing, a top-sealing cap of the tube is opened. A lifting mechanism within the tube raises the vertically oriented platform assembly up within the tube. Guide rails maintain the vertical orientation of the assembly during lifting. At the topmost point of travel, the assembly is raised clear of the tube and is disengaged from the guide rails, allowing the assembly to pivot about its attachment to the lifting mechanism and assume an orientation favorable for launching the UAV.

Abstract: An apparatus for deicing a surface of an aircraft includes a pair of adjacent movable surface elements that lie in a common plane and cover a portion of an aircraft. The pair of surface elements are connected to a reciprocating actuator through a bell crank for reciprocal movement and in opposite directions to one another. The apparatus also includes a tie bar at one end of the surface elements for maintaining the surface elements in a parallel relationship. In a second embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a pair of coaxial, coplanar circular disc and a reciprocating actuator for rotating the disc in opposite directions relative to one another.

Abstract: The present invention provides a practical method for UAVs to take advantage of thermals in a manner similar to piloted aircrafts and soaring birds. In general, the invention is a method for a UAV to autonomously locate a thermal and be guided to the thermal to greatly improve range and endurance of the aircraft.

Abstract: A damper for an airplane landing gear leg comprises a main strut (11) and a rod piston (13) co-operating with the strut (11) to define a main chamber (15) and annular chamber (16) for hydraulic fluid, and presenting internally two adjacent chambers (19, 20) that are isolated from each other by a separator piston (21). The damper (10) further comprises a first secondary strut (26) telescopically Slidable on the above-mentioned rod piston (13), and a second secondary strut (37) telescopically slidable on the other end of the first secondary strut (26). The two second annular chambers (31, 40) as defined in this way are respectively connected to associated control circuits thus enabling the total length of the damper to be shortened or lengthened respectively for the purpose of causing the landing gear to contract or to be extended.