Abstract: A coated hydrogen storage pellet; wherein the pellet comprises a hydrogen-storage material; the coating comprises a hydrogen-permeable polymer and the coating has a mean thickness of less than 50 ?m.

Abstract: A spacecraft and spacesuit having a radiation shield are disclosed. The shield comprises a hydrogen-containing material encapsulated or bound in a polymer. The hydrogen-containing material has a higher hydrogen content than polyethylene. The hydrogen-containing material may be: encapsulated in a polymer container, sandwiched between layers of polymer, mixed with a polymer as binder, or held in the pores of a polymer foam. The hydrogen may be a hydride or borohydride such as beryllium borohydride, ammonium octahydrotriborate, lithium borohydride tetramethyl ammonium borohydride and beryllium hydride. Methods of manufacturing the shield are also disclosed.

Abstract: A spacecraft and spacesuit having a radiation shield are disclosed. The shield comprises a hydrogen-containing material encapsulated or bound in a polymer. The hydrogen-containing material has a higher hydrogen content than polyethylene. The hydrogen-containing material may be: encapsulated in a polymer container, sandwiched between layers of polymer, mixed with a polymer as binder, or held in the pores of a polymer foam. The hydrogen may be a hydride or borohydride such as beryllium borohydride, ammonium octahydrotriborate, lithium borohydride tetramethyl ammonium borohydride and beryllium hydride. Methods of manufacturing the shield are also disclosed.

Abstract: A coated hydrogen storage pellet; wherein the pellet comprises a hydrogen-storage material; the coating comprises a hydrogen-permeable polymer and the coating has a mean thickness of less than 50 ?m.

Abstract: A spacecraft or spacesuit that provides shielding to reduce exposure to ionizing radiation such as high energy electrons and protons. Further, methods are provided for reducing exposure through spacesuits and manufacturing spacecraft and spacesuit shields.

Abstract: A single-piece manifold comprising a body having an inlet in communication with a water supply and an outlet that communicates with a sprinkler system having a main conduit adapted for fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet is disclosed. The body includes a main valve that provides a means of manually shutting off communication with the water supply and first and second check valves positioned across the main conduit for preventing fluid flow therethrough until the sprinkler system is activated. The single-piece manifold has a reduced pressure arrangement comprising a valve member that vents water that may build up between the first and second check valves in order to prevent the back flow of contaminated water from the sprinkler system to the water supply.

Abstract: A universal valve switch for signaling the operative state of a valve assembly is disclosed that is attached to the body of the valve assembly using a bracketing arrangement. The valve switch comprises a housing defining a chamber and an aperture formed through the housing that communicates with the chamber. The valve switch may include a contact arrangement having a spring-loaded plunger that is extendable through the aperture with the plunger being operatively associated with the contact arrangement for selectively transmitting a signal to a remote panel whenever the lever is rotated out of contact with the plunger. In other embodiments, the contact arrangement may be replaced with various types of sensor assembly.