Abstract: Liquid hydrogen stored aboard a space vehicle, and constituting a fuel for use in the vehicle's main rocket motor, is introduced, in a gaseous state, into an inflatable aerodynamic braking member, for moving it from a collapsed stored position outwardly into an inflated operational position. Such member provides a large area braking surface which extends generally laterally outwardly from the space vehicle. During reentry the space vehicle is oriented to reenter nozzle end first. Fuel is consumed within the rocket motor to produce gases which are discharged out through the rocket nozzle to provide a cooling layer of gases forwardly of the large area braking surface. A space vehicle equipped with such an aerodynamic braking system is operated to reenter into the atmosphere. The drag produced by the braking member slows the space vehicle down and then the space vehicle is set into a low earth orbit.

Abstract: A space vehicle 10 is steered from outer space toward the earth's atmosphere main rocket nozzle end first. An inflatable braking member 28 is deployed around the vehicle 10 by introducing gas into it. The main rocket motor 16 is ignited to produce a substantially throttled stream of gases. This stream provides a cooling layer forwardly of the braking member 28 to protect the member 28 from heating by friction with the atmosphere. The reduction of the velocity of the vehicle 10 is controlled by directly varying the drag of the vehicle 10 to compensate for variations in the density of the atmosphere. The drag is varied by varying the thrust of the motor 16 and/or varying the shape of the member 28. A backup method is to deflate the member 28 in the atmosphere. The member 28 may be jettisoned after the vehicle 10 leaves the atmosphere to enter a low earth orbit.

Abstract: An explosion suppression system disposed externally of a structure that encloses a protected zone. The system includes a source of pressurized explosion suppressant, a pressure detector, a release mechanism for releasing the suppressant through a discharge port opening into the protected zone in response to detection of a pressure wave by the detector, and tubulation providing fluid communication between the detector and the protected zone. An inclined portion of the tubulation terminates with an intake port and comprises both vertical and horizontal components of substantial magnitude.

Abstract: Variable camber actuator assemblies 50 broaden the range of speeds at which lift to drag performance is maximized for slotted flap wings. Lift is improved over a broader range of cruising speeds by varying wing camber with rotational flap movements that do not introduce wing slots and induced drag. Forward flaps 40 are secured to forward flange links 26 which extend from, and are a part of, forward flap linkage assemblies 20. The forward flaps 40 rotate about flap pivots 39 with their rotational displacement controlled by variable camber actuator assemblies 50 located between the forward flaps and the forward flange links. Rear flaps 45 are held relative to the forward flaps 40 by rear flap linkage assemblies 70 which may act independently from the forward flap linkage assemblies and the variable camber actuator assemblies. Wing camber is varied by rotating the flaps with the variable camber actuator assemblies while the flaps are in a deployed or tucked position.

Abstract: A lipstick case having an outer sheet metal cam sleeve with a generally helically extending cam slot with an intermediate circumferentially extending pocket for retention of the lipstick pomade in an intermediate display position.

Abstract: A nuclear fuel assembly having an improved fuel rod of the type having a column of hollow pellets. A plurality of spacer plugs are interposed between proximate pellets at selected elevations along the fuel rod in order to trap pellet debris that would otherwise fall through the passage in the center of the column and accumulate at the bottom of the fuel rod. Thus, an undesirable power peak at the bottom of the fuel rod is avoided. In the preferred embodiment, the plugs are located at the same elevations as the fuel assembly grids, where the local flux is lowest and the effect of the plugs on the power distribution is minimized. The plugs could be made from any material, but graphite or a low enrichment UO.sub.2 pellet are preferred.

Abstract: The disclosure embraces a method of processing thin-walled tubular metal members for providing louvered openings therein, the tubes being of a character utilized as gas passage and sound attenuating means in muffler constructions for use with internal combustion engines, the method embracing shearing or lancing openings in the tube wall by employing shearing forces directed radially inwardly of a tubular member for forming the openings and deflecting inwardly the adjacent sheared or lanced portions providing inwardly deflected louvers for the openings, the method preferably including the method step of deflecting portions of the wall of the tube adjacent the openings outwardly in forming louvered openings.

Abstract: A board game portrays the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of an intern and is played on a board simulating a large teaching hospital. There are a plurality of major specialty departments and each player represents the intern from one department. At the start of the game each intern has plural patients in the Emergency Room awaiting admission to the specialty ward. The object of the game is for the intern to admit all of his patients by landing on appropriate patient spaces while traversing a path on the board and then diagnose and dispose of the patient by the use of diagnostic and treatment cards accumulated during the game. Disposition may involve treating the patient within the intern's own department, or transferring the patient to another intern's service where the illness could better be treated.

Abstract: A nuclear fuel pin has positioned within it material which will decompose to release an oxidizing agent which will react with the cladding of the pin and form a protective oxide film on the internal surface of the cladding.