Abstract: A sheet of flexible material has a pair of spaced opposite faces, first and second spaced opposite side edges and third and fourth spaced opposite side edges. The side edges border the opposite faces. A slit is formed through the sheet in proximity with the first edge for removably supporting the sheet on a supporting object. Fastening devices on one of the faces of the sheet adjacent the first edge and each of the third and fourth edges and on the other of the faces of the sheet adjacent the second edge and each of the third and fourth edges function to fasten the sheet to itself with an article rolled up therein and with the second edge in proximity with the first edge. The sheet thus supports and carries the article so that the article is removably supported and carried by the supporting object via the sheet.

Abstract: A transient air and surface contact vehicle for transporting a person has a fuselage structure for carrying a person. A vehicle support extends from the structure and abuts a surface and thereby supports the vehicle at a predetermined distance above the surface. A buoyancy control device mounted on the structure and on the vehicle support provides for the buoyancy required to keep the vehicle afloat while stationary and at low speeds. At high speed the dynamic pressures generated at the bottom of the struts provide the supporting forces. A power source is mounted on the structure for moving the vehicle along the surface at the predetermined distance above the surface. A position control mounted on the structure produces a positive pitching moment to cause the vehicle to become airborne, a negative pitching moment to maintain the vehicle in surface-following contact with the surface and both moments to control the altitude of the vehicle when it is airborne.

Abstract: An automatic tire inflation-pressure regulating system for wheeled vehicles with pneumatic tires. The system has a system control assembly in the vehicle operator's compartment, control signal transmitter assemblies on the vehicle body in close proximity with each vehicle road wheel, and a tire pressure-regulating wheel assembly on each wheel. The transmitter assemblies convert electrical command signals initiated by the control assembly to RF signals that are received by an electronic module in each wheel assembly. Means in each wheel assembly selectively deflate or inflate their respective tires in response to the RF control signals. Gas under pressure for inflating the tires is provided either by a plurality of gas generators or by a pressurized gas-generating liquid.

Abstract: A terrain-following transient surface contact vehicle for transporting a load from a surface starting point to a surface end point has a structure for carrying the load from the starting point to the end point. A vehicle support extends from the structure and abuts the surface and thereby supports the vehicle at a predetermined distance above the surface. An acquisition sensor mounted on the structure initiates surface operations. A sensor is mounted on the structure and cooperates with the acquisition sensor to sense and track a target at the end point upon initiation of surface operations. A power source is mounted on the structure and cooperates with the sensor to energize upon tracking of the target and to move the vehicle along the surface to impact with the target at the end point. A position control mounted on the vehicle produces a negative pitching moment to maintain the structure in terrain-following contact with the surface.

Abstract: A transient surface contact vehicle for transporting a load from a surface starting point to a surface end point has a structure for carrying the load from the starting point to the end point. A vehicle support extends from the structure. A buoyancy control device mounted in the structure is coupled to the vehicle support for selectively making the support buoyant and non-buoyant whereby when the support is buoyant it abuts the surface of a body of water thereby supporting the vehicle at a predetermined distance above the surface of the body of water. An acquisition sensor mounted on the structure initiates water surface operations. A sensor is mounted on the structure and cooperates with the acquisition sensor to energize upon tracking of the target and to move the vehicle along the water surface to impact with the target at the end point. A position control mounted on the vehicle produces a negative pitching moment to maintain the structure in surface-following contact with the body of water.

Abstract: A passive means for controlling the power augmentation of a diffuser augmented wind turbine is disclosed. Spoiler tabs for the boundary layer control slots of a diffuser augmented wind turbine include a lifting surface responsive to the fluid flow velocity through the slot and operate to block the slot when fluid flow velocity through the slot exceeds a predetermined level.