Abstract: Kites having an inflatable lifting-body shape with side wings or keels and a horizontal stabilizer or tail to control the angle of attack of the lifting body can be constructed efficiently and economically through a process that builds a laminate of flat sheets, then cuts and joins the sheets to produce an inflatable envelope. Other pieces are affixed to the envelope to produce a finished kite.

Abstract: Kites having an inflatable lifting-body shape with side wings or keels and a horizontal stabilizer or tail to control the angle of attack of the lifting body can be constructed efficiently and economically through a process that builds a laminate of flat sheets, then cuts and joins the sheets to produce an inflatable envelope. Other pieces are affixed to the envelope to produce a finished kite.

Abstract: An exhaust nozzle assembly provides fluidic thrust vectoring of the primary stream to enhance aircraft maneuverability. The exhaust nozzle assembly includes a cooling air passage that supplies cooling air to a plurality of cooling holes that generate an insulating layer of air. A vector slot injects cooling airflow into the exhaust passage normal to the primary stream. A cover plate partially blocks the vector slot to direct cooling airflow into the exhaust passage that in turn directs portions of the primary stream.

Abstract: A flap-type, two-dimensional nozzle for use with thrust creating vehicles which operate at both subsonic and supersonic speeds includes a rectangular exhaust with a cooperating primary flap and rotatable flap at the top and bottom thereof, the top and bottom flap systems have the primary flaps controlled collectively while the rotatable flaps rearwardly thereof can be controlled collectively or individually to achieve their desired objective. The primary flaps of the flap systems move between a position of minimum throat area and maximum throat area while the rotatable flaps move between a plurality of symmetrical positions which provide for forward thrust and reverse thrust and a plurality of differential positions which provide for thrust vectoring and modulated thrust.

Abstract: A variable area jet nozzle construction capable of blocking flow in favor another nozzle in a vertical or short take-off aircraft utilizes a balanced two-dimensional flap that is pivotable about rollers and movable, along curved tracks cooperable with the rollers, to assume a plurality of nozzle area varying or blocking positions under the influence of linear hydraulic actuators.