Abstract: A proprotor assembly for a tiltrotor aircraft having a forward flight mode. The proprotor assembly includes a spinner subjected to freestream airflow during forward flight. The spinner is elongated to form a tapered leading portion and a substantially cylindrical aft portion. The spinner forms a plurality of rotor blade cutouts exposing an inner chamber. The proprotor assembly includes a plurality of proprotor blade assemblies protruding radially from the spinner through the rotor blade cutouts. The rotor blade cutouts are formed at the substantially cylindrical aft portion of the spinner to reduce the freestream airflow into the inner chamber via the rotor blade cutouts during forward flight, thereby reducing drag experienced by the tiltrotor aircraft.

Abstract: A proprotor assembly for a tiltrotor aircraft having a forward flight mode. The proprotor assembly includes a spinner subjected to freestream airflow during forward flight. The spinner is elongated to form a tapered leading portion and a substantially cylindrical aft portion. The spinner forms a plurality of rotor blade cutouts exposing an inner chamber. The proprotor assembly includes a plurality of proprotor blade assemblies protruding radially from the spinner through the rotor blade cutouts. The rotor blade cutouts are formed at the substantially cylindrical aft portion of the spinner to reduce the freestream airflow into the inner chamber via the rotor blade cutouts during forward flight, thereby reducing drag experienced by the tiltrotor aircraft.

Abstract: In the firing mechanism of a pneumatic gun that incorporates a bolt translatable from a bolt-open position to a bolt-closed position in response to compressed gas released during a firing operation, a latchable gas passageway restrictor is provided. The gas passageway restrictor is fixed in a latched position during the first portion of bolt movement from the bolt-open position to the bolt-closed position, and changes to an unlatched state during the last portion of bolt movement. While in the latched position the gas passageway restrictor reduces bolt thrust to a value preselected to not damage a jammed projectile that has not fully loaded into the gun. While in the unlatched state the gas passageway restrictor no longer reduces bolt thrust, thus ensuring that a fully loaded projectile is completely chambered. In addition, the gas passageway restrictor does not interfere with the flow of compressed gas provided to propel the projectile from the gun.

Abstract: A pneumatic gun with separate hammer and recock piston function. Separate structures are provided for an impacter and for a recock piston. The recock piston engages the impacter during recocking. The impacter is latched in a cocked position, while the recock piston and bolt are returned to a closed bolt position after recocking the impacter, in readiness for firing. The gun fires from a closed bolt. Upon release by the impacter sear, the impacter moves to open a normally closed valve, directly or indirectly, to discharge compressed gas for firing a projectile and for recocking the gun. Various impacter shapes, recock piston shapes, and valve structures and operation are feasible while achieving the advantages of firing from a closed bolt in a semi-automatic gun.

Abstract: A pneumatic gun with separate hammer and recock piston function. Separate structures are provided for an impacter and for a recock piston. In one embodiment, the recock piston directly engages the impacter during recocking. The impacter is latched in a cocked position, while the recock piston and bolt are returned to a closed bolt position after recocking the impacter, in readiness for firing. The gun fires from a closed bolt. Upon release of the impacter sear, the impacter opens a normally closed valve, directly or indirectly, to discharge compressed gas for firing a projectile and for recocking the gun. Various impacter shapes, recock piston shapes, and valve structures and operation are feasible while achieving the advantages of firing from a closed bolt in a semi-automatic gun.