Abstract: A frame corner joint includes first and second frame rails having hollow interiors of predetermined contours and ends in mitered abutment. A corner key has legs inserted into the mitered ends of the frame rails. End portions of the legs substantially fill the hollow interiors of the frame rails forming a substantially closed cavity within the frame rails and between the end portions of the corner key legs. Solidified resin foam is disposed within this cavity rigidifying the corner joint, while the remainder of the interiors of the frame rails preferably is substantially free of solidified foam. At least one end portion of at least one leg of the corner key preferably has a flexible wall portion to permit escape of foam from within the cavity in the event of excess foam pressure. The hollow interiors of the frame rails preferably are mirror images of each other, and the legs of the corner key, including the end portions of the legs, preferably are mirror images of each other.

Abstract: A towing apparatus capable of moving aircraft and other workpieces about an airfield or other workspace. The present invention includes a first frame which is rotatable relative to a second frame about a common substantially vertical axis. A wheel assembly is positioned within the first frame and driven by a motor which is also mounted on the first frame. A gripper assembly for engaging the aircraft or other workpiece is attached to the second frame. In this manner, the present invention provides for a towing of aircraft or other workpieces along an axis which is proximate the axis of the wheel assembly. Additionally, it provides for a low center of gravity significantly enhancing the stability and maneuverability of the present invention in a towing attitude or a non-towing attitude.

Abstract: A towing apparatus is disclosed capable of moving aircraft and other workpieces about an airfield or other workspace. The present invention includes a first frame which is rotatable relative to a second frame about a common substantially vertical axis. A wheel assembly is positioned within the first frame and driven by a motor which is also mounted on the first frame. A gripper assembly for engaging the aircraft or other workpiece is attached to the second frame. In this manner, the present invention provides for the towing of aircraft or other workpieces along an axis which is proximate the axis of the wheel assembly. Additionally, it provides for a low center of gravity significantly enhancing the stability and maneuverability of the present invention in a towing attitude or a non-towing attitude.

Abstract: A towing apparatus capable of moving aircraft and other workpieces about an airfield or other workspace. The present invention includes a first frame which is rotatable relative to a second frame about a common substantially vertical axis. A wheel assembly is positioned within the first frame and driven by a motor which is also mounted on the first frame. A gripper assembly for engaging the aircraft or other workpiece is attached to the second frame. In this manner, the present invention provides for the towing of aircraft or other workpieces along an axis which is proximate the axis of the wheel assembly. Additionally, it provides for a low center of gravity significantly enhancing the stability and maneuverability of the present invention in a towing attitude or a non-towing attitude.

Abstract: A towing apparatus is disclosed capable of moving aircraft and other workpieces about an airfield or other workspace. The present invention includes a first frame which is rotatable relative to a second frame about a common substantially vertical axis. A wheel assembly is positioned within the first frame and driven by a motor which is also mounted on the first frame. A gripper assembly for engaging the aircraft or other workpiece is attached to the second frame. In this manner, the present invention provides for the towing of aircraft or other workpieces along an axis which is proximate the axis of the wheel assembly. Additionally, it provides for a low center of gravity significantly enhancing the stability and maneuverability of the present invention in a towing attitude or a non-towing attitude.

Abstract: A composite article comprising of a non-metallic composite core, a fluoroelastomer adhesive layer which has a curing temperature substantially similar to the composite core, and a metallic structure which overlays the fluoroelastomer adhesive layer, wherein the composite article can be formed by co-curing the core and the fluoroelastomer adhesive layer.

Abstract: The present invention related to a method for providing a composite structure and the composite structure formed thereby. The method broadly comprises the steps of: providing a core structure formed from a non-metallic composite material in a substantially uncured state; applying a fluoroelastomer film in a substantially uncured state over surface portions of said core structure; placing a metallic structure over a portion of said core structure, said metallic structure having inner surfaces which contacts said fluoroelastomer film; and molding said composite structure under conditions of heat and pressure for a time sufficient to co-cure said fluoroelastomer film and said non-metallic core structure material and to form a bond between said fluoroelastomer film and said inner surfaces of said metallic structure. The method of the present invention may be used to manufacture original metal/composite structures as well as to refurbish metal/composite structures such as fan exit guide vanes for jet engines.

Abstract: Alternate ones of the charge transfer stages in the CCD output register of a solid-state imager are loaded with charge packets descriptive of the intensities of respective image elements. The intervening charge transfer stages are loaded with charge packets descriptive of a reference level. Subsequently, the CCD output register is operated as a shift register to serially supply charge packets to an electrometer. Successive samples of the electrometer response are differentially combined to obtain an output signal with undesired components suppressed therein.