Abstract: A directional antenna formed by associating a stationary generally omni-directional antenna element with an RF reflector formed from, for example, a folded, parabolic or elliptical RF reflecting surface. Rotating the RF reflector about the stationary antenna element creates a directional characteristic in the resulting antenna over, for example, a 360 degree range of azimuth. Rotation of the RF reflector may be remotely driven by a motor coupled, for example, to a gear connected to the RF reflector. The direct connection of the antenna element and the enclosed lightweight rotating assembly provide a reliable, easy to install and cost effective antenna.

Abstract: A dynamically variable beamwidth and/or variable azimuth scanning antenna includes a plurality of active radiating columns and a plurality of continuously adjustable mechanical phase shifters. The columns define a beam having a beamwidth and an azimuth scan angle. Each phase shifter has an independent remotely controlled drive and is directly electrically connected to a respective radiating column. The phase shifters are independently operated to vary the beamwidth and/or azimuth scan angle of the beam defined by the plurality of active radiating columns.

Abstract: A combined directional beam and omnidirectional antenna comprises a unitary structure having a plurality of antennas being configured and oriented to achieve both directional beam coverage and omnidirectional beam coverage.

Abstract: An antenna system includes a plurality of cascading power dividers that work in conjunction with a plurality of mechanical phase shifters to vary a beamwidth and/or an azimuth scan angle of a beam that radiates from active columns. Each phase shifter has an independent remotely controlled drive and is directly electrically connected to a respective radiating column. The radiating columns include cross dipole antenna elements.

Abstract: An antenna system includes a plurality of cascading power dividers that work in conjunction with a plurality of mechanical phase shifters to vary a beamwidth and/or an azimuth scan angle of a beam that radiates from active columns. Each phase shifter has an independent remotely controlled drive and is directly electrically connected to a respective radiating column. The radiating columns include cross dipole antenna elements.

Abstract: A dynamically variable beamwidth and/or variable azimuth scanning antenna includes a plurality of active radiating columns and a plurality of continuously adjustable mechanical phase shifters. The columns define a beam having a beamwidth and an azimuth scan angle. Each phase shifter has an independent remotely controlled drive and is directly electrically connected to a respective radiating column. The phase shifters are independently operated to vary the beamwidth and/or azimuth scan angle of the beam defined by the plurality of active radiating columns.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for supply line management. An inventory projection is first generated based on supply line information. Net delta recommendations are then generated utilizing the supply line information and the inventory projection to refine the invetory projection.

Abstract: An integrated feed system for an antenna includes a circuit board, a feed network formed on the circuit board, and a plurality of feed elements electrically coupled with the feed network and projecting outwardly therefrom. The circuit board has one or more projecting edge parts for mounting the feed elements. An antenna having one or more reflector elements utilizes the integrated antenna feed system. A corresponding method for the feed system and the antenna is also provided.

Abstract: A combined directional beam and omnidirectional antenna comprises a unitary structure having a plurality of antennas being configured and oriented to achieve both directional beam coverage and omnidirectional beam coverage.

Abstract: An integrated feed system for an antenna includes a circuit board, a feed network formed on the circuit board, and a plurality of feed elements electrically coupled with the feed network and projecting outwardly therefrom. The circuit board has one or more projecting edge parts for mounting the feed elements. An antenna having one or more reflector elements utilizes the integrated antenna feed system. A corresponding method for the feed system and the antenna is also provided.

Abstract: A system for steering an antenna includes a first component that includes a first lens and is operable to perform a first focusing of a plurality of signals to form a plurality of focused signals. The system also includes a second component that includes a second lens and is operable to form a first focused beam by performing a second focusing of the plurality of focused signals. The second component further includes a first splitter and is further operable to split the first focused beam into a first set of intermediate beams. The system further includes a third component that includes a second splitter and is operable to split a particular one of the first set of intermediate beams into a second set of intermediate beams. The third component further includes a first combiner and is further operable to combine a particular one of the second set of intermediate beams with at least one other intermediate beam split from a second focused beam to generate a composite beam.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel parachute comprising an auxiliary canopy which is slidably mounted to restrictor lines to enable automatic sliding through variable positions during deployment of the parachute for controlling the speed and geometry of main canopy inflation.

Abstract: This invention relates to annular canopy parachutes having a central cap canopy, in critically spaced arrangement at the central main vent, which assists in providing rapid controlled inflation and decreasing oscillation upon inflation as to allow incorporation of high drag coefficient, generally air impermeable canopy fabric.

Abstract: This invention relates to a portable air support device having a plurality of air inflatable cells, arranged within a conveniently dissembled air support bag. The portable device comprises a novel air distribution manifold, control console and air distribution valve assembly to inflate a novel air flow quilt which provides an upward flow of air to a patient reclining thereon, to provide comfort and promote patient healing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for airplane deployment over water of survival kit apparatus is provided. A pair of deflated, inflatable rafts are contained in a rigid container shell having a removable tail cone. A stabilizer drogue may be used to longitudinally stabilize the container prior to tail cone release and assist with the tail cone removal after release. The tail cone is mechanically released and removed from the container shell at a predetermined time after deployment from an aircraft, thereby pemitting the container shell contents to be removed. The life rafts are contained in the container shell so that one life raft having associated with it an aerodynamic brake is released after the tail cone has been removed, with the container and second life raft continuing their trajectory downwards. The rope joining the two life rafts is continuously payed out as the first left raft falls to the water and the container with the second life raft therein continues its trajectory.

Abstract: An inflatable landing bag having a valve for release of the inflating fluid from the landing bag as the pressure of the inflating fluid of the landing bag rises above a given level, such valve including a sleeve comprised at least in part of a woven stretch fabric having interstitially variable inflating fluid porosity such as to control release of inflating fluid from the landing bag.

Abstract: A parachute canopy formed of circumferential rings of stretch fabric which stretch in a circumferential direction only. The canopy is formed by a plurality of trapezoidal fabric panels. Subsets of these panels form a plurality of rings which extend from the crown to the skirt. The radially inboard rings are formed from the stretch fabric and are joined along their adjacent circumferential seams with a double row of zig-zag stitching. The radially outboard rings are of a non-stretch fabric such as nylon.

Abstract: The parachute opening assist and control arrangement is a small auxiliary canopy in combination with a series of transverse reefing lines. The auxiliary canopy is folded within the main canopy and is connected to the reefing lines. Each reefing line is connected between two opposed main support lines. When the parachute is fully open, the reefing lines are a series of transverse lines which cross each other at a central point. The ends of the reefing lines are connected to the main support lines at a point close to the skirt of the main canopy. The auxiliary canopy extends above the reefing lines. A positioning line is connected between the crown of the main canopy and the center point of the reefing lines. The positioning line may be foreshortened to increase the reefing effect during canopy opening. The auxiliary canopy and reefing lines together increase the speed of initial opening and control the opening to reduce the maximum shock during opening.

Abstract: A system is shown for the positive, metered lubrication of the shaft and rotor surfaces in a mechanical vacuum pump. The pump has an end plate which receives the shaft in a cylindrical opening and a lubricant conduit is provided in the end plate communicating with that opening. At a location of the opening's cylindrical surface circumferentially spaced from the lubricant conduit, a recess is provided in that cylindrical surface, the recess extending to the end of that surface adjacent the conventional pump rotor secured to the shaft for rotation therewith. One or more recesses are provided in the shaft itself and each is axially alinged with both the lubricant conduit and a portion of the recess in the cylindrical surface. Thus, upon rotation of the shaft, the recess in the shaft itself receives lubricant from the lubricant conduit and deposits the lubricant in the first-mentioned recess.