Abstract: A liquid coolant heat exchange system for use in semimonocoque aircraft includes an arcuate planar heat sink fixed along a radius of curvature R.sub.1 by forming members, a flexible arcuate planar spreader plate having a radius R.sub.2, such that R.sub.1 >R.sub.2, a heat exchange tube for transferring heat from the liquid coolant to the heat sink and means for attaching the spreader plate to the forming members to hold the spreader plate in contact with the heat sink.

Abstract: A refueling system mounted to an aircraft fuselage for transferring fuel from a tanker aircraft to a receiver aircraft. The refueling system including a pylon extending from the fuselage at a position aft of the main wing and having a refueling pod mounted thereto at an outboard location. A refueling hose is disposed within and extendable from the refueling pod and functions to transfer fuel from the refueling pod to the receiver aircraft. A means for transferring fuel from a fuel source, located within the aircraft, to the refueling hose is also provided. The pylon and refueling pod are configured so as to channel the refueling hose in a preferred direction to maximize safety during refueling. The channeling of the refueling hose is accomplished by mounting the refueling pod at an angle to the pylon, mounting the refueling pod at an angle to a horizontal plane, mounting the pylon at angle to the fuselage, or a combination of these mounting arrangements.

Abstract: An aircraft modal suppression system which recognizes that the frequency and phase of the body bending mode varies when the weight of the aircraft differs from the design gross weight. An active damper notch filter which is tabulated as a function of aircraft gross weight is utilized, thereby enabling not only the frequency, but also the width and depth of the notch filter to vary according to the gross weight of the aircraft.

Abstract: A pliant, controllable contour control surface comprising a first flexible facesheet formed to a first initial contour of the control surface, and a second flexible facesheet formed to a second initial contour of the control surface. The first and second facesheets each have a set of prestrained shape memory alloy tendons embedded therein, extending from a leading edge to a trailing edge of the control surface. Each set of the shape memory alloy tendons is separately connected to a controlled source of electrical current such that tendons of the first and second flexible facesheets can be selectively heated in an antagonistic, slack-free relationship, to bring about a desired modification of the configuration of the control surface. A computer based control system is utilized for maintaining a constant temperature of the antagonists to establish conditions conducive to the stress induced transformation from austenite to martensite, accomplished by causing constant current to flow through the antagonists.

Abstract: A de-icing system is provided including a de-icer attached to an aircraft structural member subjected to an impinging airstream during flight, the airstream passing over the structural member in a fore to aft direction. The deicer has a primary heater element disposed beneath a primary shedding zone upon which ice accumulates during flight, the primary heater element being configured to heat the primary shedding zone upon application of an electrical potential across the primary heater element, and a secondary heater element disposed beneath a secondary shedding zone upon which ice accumulates during flight, the secondary heater element being configured to heat the secondary shedding zone upon application of an electrical potential across the secondary heater element, the secondary heater element being disposed immediately aft of the primary heater element.

Abstract: A split rudder control system for an aircraft which reduces the net opening hinge moments opposing return of the split rudders to the fully closed position from small deflection angles. The split rudder control system provides a smoothly faired aerodynamic protuberance on the upper surfaces of the split rudder control members adjacent to the trailing edge of the wing when the control members are in the closed position and at small deflection angles relative to the closed position. The aerodynamic protuberance smoothly deflects the airstream flow over the upper surface of the wing as it approaches the trailing edge, increasing the local velocity of the airstream at a point forward of the trailing edge. The aerodynamic feature is contoured such that a maximum local airstream velocity occurs generally at the interfacing edges of the control members.

Abstract: An airplane galley is moved through an airplane door and into final position on an airplane over honeycomb floor panels without damaging the panels or straining the workers by the use of a jacking dolly that is inserted into a meal cart slot under the galley. The dolly has a vertically extendable framework attached between an upper structure and a lower structure on casters. The upper structure is dimensioned to fit into at least one of the meal cart slots in the galley and can be jacked up to lift the galley off the floor. The casters supporting the lower structure of the dolly each include a low pressure pneumatic wheel that partially flattens and distribute the weight of the galley over a wide wheel footprint. The footprint of the partially flattened wheels has an area wide enough area to prevent damage to the honeycomb floor panels.

Abstract: An aircraft of disc-shaped configuration provides the capability of vertical take-off and landing; straight horizontal flight; and three-dimensional maneuverability in the air by means of a plurality of counter-rotating lifting rotors assembled of fixed pitch or of self-adjusting pitch aerofoil blade elements; and, submersibility of the aircraft in water is achieved by means of a marine propulsion module using two counter-rotating hydrofoil rotors for up or down thrust, and a tunneled conventional marine propeller for horizontal travel. The marine propulsion module is detachable for emergency and for use with the main frame aircraft of a variety of other detachable modules for different tasks and missions. Exceptionally adaptable for any existing power plant, including nuclear, it is best suited for the environment-friendly types, like integrated steam motor on hydrogen and oxygen burning.

Abstract: A recline safety lock assembly to be secured to an aircraft passenger seat of the type including a reclining seat back portion, a seat foundation and at least one recline cylinder structured to permit reclining of the seat back portion. The recline safety lock assembly includes at least one lock plate having an upper mount portion to be secured to a side rail of the seat back portion, and an engagement end having a downwardly depending lip formed therein. Additionally, the assembly includes at least one lock pin having a main shaft with a transverse notch formed therein. The lock pin is rotatably and axially mounted adjacent the engagement end of the lock plate and is rotatable between a disengaged orientation and an engaged orientation. In the engaged orientation the transverse notch is in a generally upwardly angled orientation such that the lock pin engages the downwardly depending lip of the lock plate and rear reclining of the seat back portion relative to the seat foundation portion is prevented.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of stabilizing unstable shock waves on the surface of a body induce shock waves to form prematurely at a particular location on a surface of the body and fix that location such that shock waves will form consistently and persistently at that location on the surface of the body. Boundary layer flow separates from the surface of the body at that location and can be prevented from reattaching to the surface. Shock wave oscillations due to interactions with the separated boundary layer flow are prevented, thereby minimizing vibrations induced in the body. The apparatus has a flow accelerating surface and a discontinuity in the accelerating surface. The accelerating surface causes local fluid flow over the surface of the body to accelerate and prematurely and consistently form a shock wave at the point where the discontinuity is located.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protective cover for an airplane nose-wheel fairing. The protective cover prevents a nose-wheel fairing from becoming cracked or scratched as an airplane tow bar is attached or removed from the nose-wheel strut.

Abstract: Several innovative systems for an aircraft, and aircraft incorporating them, are disclosed. Features include inboard-mounted engine(s) with a belt drive system for turning wing-situated propellers; compound landing gear integrating ski, pontoon and wheel subcomponents; pivotal mounting armatures for landing gear and/or propellers which provide a plurality of possible landing gear and/or propeller configurations; and a compound wing structure featuring extendable wing panels that permit the wing span of the aircraft to be nearly doubled while in flight. Aircraft incorporating such features will enjoy several safety advantages over conventional multi-engine aircraft and will be capable of modifications during flight which permit landings on any of snow, hard surfaces (runways) and water.

Abstract: An aerodynamic lifting and control surface comprising an external box structure that encloses an internal grid whose members are parallel to the box structure. The external box structure comprises four panels connected at their comers by spring hinges. When the hinges are unconstrained, the external box structure is compressed into a flat, thin parallelogram shape. The internal grid comprises a plurality of plates connected to each other and to the external box structure by flexible hinges. Control apparatus for use with an aerodynamic vehicle is also disclosed. The control apparatus comprises at least one aerodynamic lifting and control surface that is coupled to an actuator disposed within the vehicle and connected to the aerodynamic lifting and control surface for rotating it.

Abstract: A series of spacecraft designs (10, 42 and 52) for a Satellite Communication System is disclosed. One of the preferred embodiments of the invention called "Gearsat.TM." (10) comprises a hollow torus which inflates when it reaches orbit. When viewed from the side along its circumference, Gearsat (10) looks like two flattened pyramids sharing a common base. Phased array antenna panels (14) are deployed across the top of the pyramid along an exterior cylindrical surface (12), while twin arrays of solar cells (16) cover the slanted surfaces. The satellite (10) rotates about its center, and individual antenna panels (14) are spatially synchronized to transmit and receive signals from particular regions on the ground. An alternative embodiment, called "Batsat.TM." (42, 52), includes a central cylindrical body (B) and a plurality of substantially circular linked antenna and solar/thermal panels (A1-A9 and S1 and S2) which carry individual antennas (X) and solar/thermal surfaces (Y).

Abstract: An improved satellite cellular telephone and data communication system facilitates dual satellite coverage over at least eighty-five percent of the earth. This improved system permits communication with hand held and mobile mounted cellular telephones (120). The system permits two-way communications anywhere on or above the earth up to a particular height above the earth of several hundred nautical miles. The system employs a number of low-earth orbiting satellites (12) moving about the earth in orbit. The satellites (12) are inclined at an angle between 30 and 90 degrees. Links (102) are provided from the satellites directly to the users (120) and via the public switched telephone network (20) to other users. The satellites (12) are interconnected via links in a ring structure surrounding the earth. Switching is performed by each of the satellites (12).

Abstract: A three axis stabilized geostationary satellite comprises a structure having walls that face North and South when the satellite is on station and carrying at a storage battery of large capacity. The storage battery is constituted by cells mounted on a chassis having a base plate oriented North-South and mechanically secured to sides that face North and South when the satellite is on station. The sides carry thermal radiators that are thermally connected to each other and to the cells. Typically sides are in alignment with North and South faces of the structure and extend away from the Earth.

Abstract: Methods for using tip generated vortices to improve performance of foils. These methods include generating a substantially streamwise beneficial vortex (74) near the outboard end (60) of a foil (82). This beneficial vortex (74) spins in the opposite direction of an induced drag vortex (62), and is used to create an upwash field (76) which neutralizes induced drag by deflecting the flow behind the trailing edge (56) at an upward angle. Upwash field (76) causes the lift vector (118) on the foil (82) to tilt forward, thereby creating a forward directed force of induced thrust upon the foil (82). Beneficial vortex (74) is also used to contain and compress the high pressure field existing along the attacking surface of the foil (82), and displace the induced drag vortex (62) inboard from the tip of the foil (82). Numerous performance parameters are improved dramatically by using beneficial vortex (74), as well as by using a double vortex pattern (124).

Abstract: An actuation system for controlling the steerable nozzle of a missile or like vehicle is combined with an aerofin control system, both of which are driven in unison by associated drive motors and gear assemblies, one set for each aerofin. The nozzle steering system comprises two essentially identical yoke plates mounted along a plane generally transverse to the missile axis and oriented orthogonally relative to each other about the missile axis for pivoting the nozzle through mutually orthogonal axes, thereby achieving omni-directional steering. The yoke plates are coupled at opposite ends to pinion gears which are driven by the same gear assemblies which drive the associated aerofins. The arrangement permits common directional control of the steerable nozzle and the aerofins while maintaining the nozzle in a neutral direction when the aerofins are rotated to a missile roll control mode.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting and signaling a skewing or misalignment of adjacent aircraft leading edge slats is disclosed. A cable is attached to an actuator having a compression spring system and located in an outboard slat. The cable passes through cable guides in several adjacent slats before being attached to an inboard slat. The compression spring system utilizes a dual concentric pair of compression springs for maintaining a tight cable. When a misaligned condition is detected by a proximity switch, the increased cable load will cause the actuator to lock itself in a position out of the range of the proximity sensor.

Abstract: A submarine launched unmanned aerial vehicle comprises an elongated genery cylindrically-shaped body. Tail fins are stored in the body and are self-deployable to extend outwardly from the body. A booster motor is fixed to an aft end of the body and is self-releasable from the body. A propeller is disposed at the aft end of the body and is self-deployable to an exposed position at the aft end of the body after release of the booster motor. A propulsion motor is mounted in the body and is operative to drive the propeller. Rotors are stored in the body and are self-deployable to an exposed position wherein the rotors provide lift to the vehicle.