Abstract: The present invention provides a portable collapsible ladder that is easily secured onto a vehicle or structure mounted on a vehicle, such as a roof-top rack, to provide ease of access to the upper portion of the vehicle. The ladder of the present invention includes a flexible body portion that is easily folded.Upper strap assemblies extend from opposing sides of the upper portion of the flexible body portion. Angularly shaped hook members are secured to each of the strap assemblies. A lower strap assembly extends from the lower portion of the flexible body portion. An elastic strap joins the lower strap assembly to a lower hook member.In use, the flexible body portion is unfolded so the upper strap assemblies are extended. The upper hook members are secured on the vehicle or structure on the vehicle. The lower hook member is then secured over the seam of the lower vehicle body. Protective bumpers on the outer side of the flexible body portion protect the vehicle from damage from the ladder.

Abstract: A true mass fuel gaging system for aircraft utilizing multiplexing of tank unit measurements in or adjacent a fuel tank for improved accuracy and fault isolation. The system provides dual equipment channels for redundancy throughout all data processing portions of the system and also uses extensive built-in testing (BIT) routines so that upon detection of a fault an alternative channel can be switched into use. Detected fault locations are displayed in the cockpit with the fuel quantity displays. The system also provides displays of center of gravity measurements derived from fuel mass and location.

Abstract: A true mass fuel gaging system for aircraft utilizing multiplexing of tank unit measurements in or adjacent a fuel tank for improved accuracy and fault isolation. The system provides dual equipment channels for redundancy throughout all data processing portions of the system and also uses extensive built-in testing (BIT) routines so that upon detection of a fault an alternative channel can be switched into use. Detected fault locations are displayed in the cockpit with the fuel quantity displays. The system also provides displays of center of gravity measurements derived from fuel mass and location.

Abstract: A standardized, modular, fuel quantity gaging system suitable for use with aircraft having a plurality of fuel tanks. The system utilizes a standard electronic module, preferably located on the front spar of the center wing box, to house a redundant, centralized, microprocessor-based electronic assembly. This assembly processes the tank-generated fuel quantity signals and produces a digital data stream which is distributed to display units in the cockpit and at the refueling control panel. The digital signals are transmitted over two 2-wire data busses from the standard electronic module to the cockpit and to the refueling panel. One of these buses is active, the other being held in standby, for use as needed. The two busses are part of separate data processing channels extending between the fuel quantity signal multiplexers in the standard electronic module and the indicators in the cockpit and at the refueling panel.

Abstract: A method for electrically cracking crude oil comprised of the steps of injecting a mixture of petroleum crude and an energy transfer medium into a cracking chamber in a continuous flow, supplying a high frequency electrical discharge into the energy transfer medium which, in turn, consecutively transmits the energy to the petroleum crude for cracking, and extracting and storing the component hydrocarbon fractions while separating out the energy transfer medium.