Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: A rotary impact tool includes a motor housing, an electric motor supported in the motor housing, and a drive assembly for converting a continuous torque input from the motor to consecutive rotational impacts upon a workpiece. The drive assembly includes an anvil including an anvil lug and a hammer that is both rotationally and axially movable relative to the anvil. The hammer includes a hammer lug for imparting the consecutive rotational impacts upon the anvil lug. The rotary impact tool further comprises a printed circuit board assembly including a sensor that is configured to detect rotation of the anvil. The printed circuit board assembly is spaced from the anvil to define an axial gap therebetween.

Abstract: A muzzle loading blackpowder firearm is disclosed having a barrel with a standard caliber bore therein. The firearm is adapted to fire a projectile having a skirted aft end of a larger initial diameter than the standard caliber bore of the firearm. The barrel has an enlarged bore at its outer end sized to receive the projectile aft end first, and a tapered transition between the enlarged bore and the standard caliber bore so that upon forcing the projectile through the enlarged bore and through the tapered transition, the tapered transition reduces the skirted aft end to the diameter of the standard bore.

Abstract: A muzzle loading blackpowder firearm is disclosed having a barrel with a standard caliber bore therein. The firearm is adapted to fire a projectile having a skirted aft end of a larger initial diameter than the standard caliber bore of the firearm. The barrel has an enlarged bore at its outer end sized to receive the projectile aft end first, and a tapered transition between the enlarged bore and the standard caliber bore so that upon forcing the projectile through the enlarged bore and through the tapered transition, the tapered transition reduces the skirted aft end to the diameter of the standard bore.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data in packet switching networks provides a Collision-Eliminating Multiple Access protocol in which nodes desiring to transmit over the network channel transmit reservation requests during a plurality of contention slots, the number of contention slots being dynamically controlled according to network load. A node designated to next obtain control of the channel receives the identifiers of nodes transmitting reservation requests and, prior to transmitting application data, transmits network control data consisting of the identifiers of nodes from whom successful reservation requests were successfully received. The transmitted identifiers are received and stored by each node in an identical queue, whereby subsequent control of the channel is rotated based on the order of node identifiers appearing in an identical queue on each node.

Abstract: A propulsion system for an aircraft having a fuselage and a wing with two nacelles disposed on opposite sides of the fuselage, each of the nacelles having a turbo fan therein with drive means connected thereto for air flow through the nacelle from a forward air inlet to air exit openings, the air flow within the nacelle divided into twi air streams, one of the air-streams being directed downwardly through a variable area forward chin nozzle provided with a cascade of vanes for directing the outflow in a desired direction with the other air stream exhausted through an aft nozzle of variable area at the aft outlet opening against a slotted flap system mounted aft of the aft nozzle against which the outflow from the aft nozzle is directed so that the two air streams provide pitch, roll and yaw control as well as balanced lift and propulsion utilizing controlled thrust modulation and vectoring for all regimes of flight from vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) or short takeoff and landing (STOL) or a combination o

Abstract: An externally located crashworthy self-sealing fuel tank for use in combination with military aircraft is provided. The tank, having a cross-sectional shape with a substantially flat top and a shallow catenary extending below the flat top, is suspended within a hammock which is connected to the underside of the aircraft. This installation eliminates the normal surrounding structure which would tend to tumble incoming projectiles and increase the severity of tank wounds, minimizes the damaging effect of hydraulic ram upon the aircraft structure and minimizes hazards of explosions or fires by eliminating voids or cavities adjacent to the fuel tank.