Abstract: A positioning boom disposed between a space-based observatory platform and its instrument payload provides thermal and dynamic isolation as well as fine pointing and momentum control. The inventive system isolates a sensitive payload from a warm, dynamically noisy spacecraft, which includes a sunshield. Isolation is required in terms of dynamics and heat flow, both in terms of the absolute level and its variance (thermal isolation). The present invention provides intrinsic control over momentum buildup (which is due to the separation of the center of pressure from the center of mass). The space-based platform also provides a view (field of regard) to at least half the sky (in the anti-sun direction).

Abstract: An animal treat dispensing assembly includes a base and a housing attached to and extending upwardly from the top side of the base. The housing has a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. The housing has an open upper end defining a fill opening. The front wall has as dispensing opening therein. A pivot rod is positioned in the housing. A pivot member is pivotally coupled to the pivot rod. The pivot member has a top side that is planar. The top side abuts an upper edge of the dispensing opening when the top side is horizontally orientated. A panel is attached to the pivot member and extends outwardly of the dispensing opening. A plurality of animal treats is positioned in the housing, and the panel is moved downwardly so that one of the treats is dispensed outwardly through the dispensing opening.

Abstract: An pet food dispensing device includes a dispenser, an outer case, a pet food container, a slant guide, a driving device, and dispensing spouts. The dispenser includes a shaft, a dispensing disc, and a stirrer. The dispensing disc includes a top and bottom layers, which are positioned adjacently. The top layer of the dispensing disc includes one or more bumps on the top surface. The stirrer of the pet food dispenser includes a first flap extended from the first edge of the bottom layer of the dispensing disc, and the first flap is bent downwardly below the horizontal plane. In another embodiment, the stirrer includes an inner case and an elastic string member adjacently below the dispensing disc. The angle of the arc recess defined by the top and bottom layers varies from zero to one hundred eighty degrees. An outer case houses all parts.

Abstract: A housing (10) for a pet accessory, and an associated collar mounting system for mounting the housing (10) on a pet collar (12). The housing (10) includes a casing (14) for housing at least certain components of the pet accessory. Further, the housing (10) defines at least first and second selectively spaced channels (22, 24) for receiving the pet collar (12) and releasably securing the housing (10) on the pet collar (12). The housing (10) also includes at least one protrusion (26) disposed between the selectively spaced channels (22, 24) and which extends outwardly from the casing (14) for engagement with the pet collar (12) to inhibit movement of the housing (10) along the length of the collar (12).

Abstract: A major appliance or cabinet unit integrates an automatically refillable water bowl including a liquid level sensor and an electrical or mechanical valve in fluid communication with a source or water. In the preferred embodiment the appliance is a refrigerator freezer with plumbing to an ice maker or other accessory to which the bowl can interconnect, though the invention is equally applicable to other appliances such as non-combined refrigerators and freezers, stoves, ranges, dishwashers, trash compactors, and cabinet units. Various optional accessories are disclosed, including a fan for drying water spilled from the bowl. The fan may be used for another purpose in the appliance, as in a condensing unit, or may be provided separately. A sensor may be included to disable the fan in the presence of a pet. The appliance preferably includes a cavity into which the bowl is situated, along with an optional light for illuminating the cavity.

Abstract: This invention relates to an integrated automatic device for training and feeding a pet, which also functions as a play mate while the owner is absent or otherwise engaged. A toy holder, when actuated by an ejector, throws a toy placed therein to a predetermined distance. This toy holder is actuated by a spring connected to a spring tensioner and a rotating shaft activated by a motor programmed by microprocessors. Voice command issuer and proximity switches are provided to regulate the functioning of the device. The device is connectable to a pet feeder including a feeder capable of supplying feed for a predetermined period. The entire system is controllable by a remote control.

Abstract: A rotor system (12) for a helicopter (10) includes a rotating shaft (82). A gimbaled hub assembly (56) is coupled to the rotating shaft (82). Rotating blades (24) and non-rotating blades (33) are coupled to the gimbaled hub assembly (56). The non-rotating blades (33) provide lift for the helicopter (10) in forward flight unloading the rotating blades. The rotating and non-rotating blades (24, 33) provide equal and opposite rolling moments for lift offset operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for a self-cleaning litter box having a control system for a mechanical self-cleaning mechanism. The litter box has a turret carrying a rake. Limit switches indicate the location of the rake and the turret. The box includes an animal sensor that detects the presence of an animal in the box. A specified time after the animal leaves the box, the turret sweeps the rake through the litter, picks up the collected waste, and carries it to a waste bin, where the waste is dumped. The litter box is controlled by a processor executing a software program that monitors the instruments and sensors and controls the turret and rake motors.

Abstract: An improved cruciform-type parachute is provided for aerial delivery of cargo, with a center panel shaped as a square or other regular polygon, and first lens-shaped panels conjoined to each edge of the center panel. The first lens-shaped panels are formed of two circular section sub-panels conjoined along their respective arc segments. Side panels, shaped as rectangles or other quadrilaterals, have one edge conjoined with each first lens-shaped panel at the other edge opposite from the center panel. The adjacent side edges of each pair of adjacent side panels are conjoined to either convex edge of a second lens-shaped panel. The second lens-shaped panels are defined by three edges; two of which are defined by symmetrically opposed convex arcs joined at one end, and the third edge defined by a straight line intersecting the other ends of the arcs. One end of each of a plurality of upper rigging members are disposed along an edge opposite from the first lens-shaped panel on each side panel.

Abstract: The circular animal toilet enclosure of this invention has a bottom section removably coupled to a rotatable flywheel floorboard, a cover cylinder removably coupled to the bottom section, a top section removably coupled to the cover cylinder, and a controller for the enclosure. The rotatable flywheel floorboard has pivoting serrated portions for grinding excreta while the floorboard is rotating. The cover cylinder has fixed serrated portions aligned with the pivoting serrated portions for grinding excreta while said floorboard is rotating. The cover cylinder also has at least one door, and at least one shower head in fluid communication with a water supply, an upper ring, waste collection tube, and a second drive motor. The upper ring is in fluid communication with both the rotatable flywheel floorboard and the waste collection tube. The waste collection tube is in fluid communication with a sewer. The second drive motor is removably coupled to the rotatable flywheel floorboard.

Abstract: A brush for grooming, brushing, cleaning, fluffing, and combing the tail, limb, or paw of an animal. The grooming brush has a pair of opposing semi-circular brushes on a scissors-like hand operated device. The semicircular brushes are placed around the base of the tail, limb, or paw of an animal and closed together with the scissors-like device to form a circular brush around the tail, limb, or paw. The brush is then moved to the extremity of the tail, limb, or paw to fluff, brush, clean, groom, and comb the hair.

Abstract: A vehicle adapted for airborne flight and waterborne sailing has a fuselage (20) with left and right wings (52, 54) that pivot independently about a respective longitudinal axis from a generally horizontal orientation for flight to a generally vertical orientation to provide wind-driven propulsion for sailing. Further, the wings (52, 54) pivot about a respective second axis (66) that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to trim the wings (52, 54) for sailing with a given relative wind direction. The wings (52, 54) are mounted by a respective first pivotal joint (56, 58) to the distal ends of respective stub wing/decks (48, 50). The stub wing/decks form a fixed central wing section (46). Water hulls (28) are mounted below the distal ends of the stub wing/decks (48, 50) on vertical pylons (30) to provide stable flotation. Vertical and horizontal stabilizers (40, 60) are mounted on the back ends of the water hulls (28).

Abstract: An interior layout of an aircraft cabin including a set of aircraft seats arranged in the aircraft cabin. Each set includes two rows of seats arranged transversely in relation to the longitudinal axis of the cabin in which they are located and a single longitudinal aisle allows access to the transverse rows. The two transverse rows are arranged opposite one another and a transverse aisle separates the two rows of seats. In each row of seats, at least one seat is located on one side of the longitudinal aisle and at least two seats are located on the other side of the longitudinal aisle.

Abstract: Method of and system for on-board substantially autonomous control for transferring a spacecraft from an initial orbit to a final geosynchronous orbit, by a trajectory that minimizes remaining transfer time and orbit transfer fuel. The spacecraft determines its orbit using a GPS-based system to determine the spacecraft orbital elements. Based on the measured orbit error, corrected co-state parameters are calculated and used to generate an updated thrust trajectory. The corrections are calculated using an innovative numerical procedure, carried out repetitively at a fixed interval until the target geosynchronous orbit is achieved.

Abstract: A rotatable leading edge for the fuselage and wings of an aircraft is disclosed. The leading edge may be rotated from an undeflected or retracted position adjacent to the fuselage and wings to a deflected or extended position. In the extended position, the leading edge increases lift of the aircraft at low speeds. In the retracted position, gaps associated with the leading edge are avoided.

Abstract: Trailing edge devices configured to carry out multiple functions, and associated methods of use and manufacture are disclosed. An external fluid flow body (e.g., an airfoil) configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes a first portion and a second portion, at least a part of the second portion being positioned aft of the first portion, with the second portion being movable relative to the first portion between a neutral position, a plurality of upward positions, and a plurality of downward positions. A guide structure can be coupled between the first and second portions, and an actuator can be operatively coupled between the first and second portions to move the second portion relative to the first portion. In one embodiment, a flexible surface can track the motion of the second portion and can expose a gap at some positions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multifunctional health protection device for udders of cows. The device comprises a brassiere, which is provided at its lower portion with circular openings (5) corresponding to four teats of a cow. The four circular opening (5) are equipped with teat cups (8). There is a hole at the fore end of each teat cup (8). The brassiere is formed by the inner and outer hoods (1, 2). An electrical heater (4) is mounted between the inner and outer hoods (1,2). Permanent magnets, which are winded with coils, are arranged around the outer wall of the inner hood and the circular openings. An electrical vibrator (6) may be provided at the centers of the four circular openings between the inner and outer hoods. A plurality of conductive rubber electrode (7) is mounted on the inner wall of the inner hood. A removable cup (9) for containing sterilizing agent is installed in the brassiere (8). A ring seal (11) with a central hole is provided at the upper part of the removable cup.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and a method for reducing plasma induced communication disruption utilizing electrophilic injectant and sharp reentry vehicle nose shaping. Injecting electrophilic gas into plasma accomplishes reduction of plasma induced communication disruption by removing free electrons in the plasma which causes the communication disruption. For reentry vehicles, a multi-section sharp nose also reduces plasma effect during reentry. By combining electrophilic gas injection and a multi-section sharp nose shaping, the present invention reduces and further eliminates plasma induced communication blackout, such as GPS communication blackout, for a reentry vehicle during reentry. As a result, the present invention improves targeting accuracy for a GPS-guided reentry vehicle by reducing plasma induced GPS blackout during the critical reentry phase.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting a specific target odour comprises: a detector unit adapted to have removably associated therewith a holding unit for housing at least one insect in a predetermined position; means for exposing an insect in a holding unit associated with the detector unit to a sample of gas to be tested; and means for enabling monitoring of a response of the insect to the sample thereby to detect a response indicative of the target odour. In use of the apparatus, a holding unit housing at lest one insect that responds in a detectable manner to the target odour is associated with the detector unit. A sample of gas to be tested is supplied to the apparatus, for exposure to the insect or insects in the holding unit. The insect is monitored for a response indicative of the target odour, thus enabling determination as to whether or not the target odour is present in the sample.

Abstract: Device assisting with interception by an aircraft of a flight path segment located in a horizontal plane and a system of assistance with interception and follow-up of such a segment. The device includes means of determining a ground speed vector and means of displaying to present, on a screen, a means of indication (10) of the ground speed corresponding to a first rectilinear section (11) in the horizontal plane, connected to a symbol (7) whose angular orientation corresponds to the direction of said ground speed vector and whose length is variable, a means of interception approach indication (12) corresponding to a second rectilinear section (13) in the horizontal plane of variable width and provided for as an extension of first rectilinear section (11) and a means of indication (14) of the interception turn corresponding to at least one circular arc (15) in the horizontal plane, provided to extend second rectilinear section (13).