Abstract: In an embodiment, an ejection mechanism includes an inflatable device with an inflatable object (e.g., a silicone impregnated or other airbag, etc.) that is folded back inwardly on itself into an interior space of the inflatable object (e.g., forming a convolution, etc.) to envelop an item for ejection from a tube. In order to eject the item, gas enters the inflatable device to facilitate expansion of the inflatable object. The tube structure withstands the pressure loading as does the convolution of the inflatable object. Due to the tube limiting the expansion, the inflatable object rolls against the tube inner surface as it expands to move and/or eject the item from the tube. The inflatable device may further include an inflatable object (e.g., one or more airbags, etc.) in a telescopic arrangement with inflatable telescopic or nested stages (or convolutions) to eject or release the item.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an ejection mechanism includes an inflatable device with an inflatable object (e.g., a silicone impregnated or other airbag, etc.) that is folded back inwardly on itself into an interior space of the inflatable object (e.g., forming a convolution, etc.) to envelop an item for ejection from a tube. In order to eject the item, gas enters the inflatable device to facilitate expansion of the inflatable object. The tube structure withstands the pressure loading as does the convolution of the inflatable object. Due to the tube limiting the expansion, the inflatable object rolls against the tube inner surface as it expands to move and/or eject the item from the tube. The inflatable device may further include an inflatable object (e.g., one or more airbags, etc.) in a telescopic arrangement with inflatable telescopic or nested stages (or convolutions) to eject or release the item.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sonobuoy that houses at least one unmanned vehicle that may be launched from the sonobuoy. The sonobuoy may include a canister, a parachute, an unmanned vehicle, and a launch mechanism. The parachute may be disposed within an interior cavity of the canister proximate to a first end of the canister. The unmanned vehicle may be disposed within the interior cavity of the canister proximate to a second end of the canister. The launch mechanism may be disposed within the interior cavity of the canister and operatively coupled to the unmanned vehicle. The launch mechanism may be configured to launch the unmanned vehicle from the canister. The sonobuoy may further include a launch deployment mechanism that may be configured to orient the canister with respect to a surface after the sonobuoy impacts the surface in order to facilitate the launch of the unmanned vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sonobuoy that houses at least one unmanned vehicle that may be launched from the sonobuoy. The sonobuoy may include a canister, a parachute, an unmanned vehicle, and a launch mechanism. The parachute may be disposed within an interior cavity of the canister proximate to a first end of the canister. The unmanned vehicle may be disposed within the interior cavity of the canister proximate to a second end of the canister. The launch mechanism may be disposed within the interior cavity of the canister and operatively coupled to the unmanned vehicle. The launch mechanism may be configured to launch the unmanned vehicle from the canister. The sonobuoy may further include a launch deployment mechanism that may be configured to orient the canister with respect to a surface after the sonobuoy impacts the surface in order to facilitate the launch of the unmanned vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a new and improved compactor or packer. The compactor, which may be used to compact refuse, includes a container, a track disposed within the container, and a ball screw rotatably disposed within the track. The compactor further includes a ball nut operatively coupled around the ball screw, where rotation of the ball screw causes the ball nut to move along or traverse the ball screw. A packer blade is coupled to the ball nut via a floating interface. Movement of the ball nut long the ball screw due to rotation of the ball screw forces the packer blade to move within the container. The floating interface allows the packer blade to float within the container with respect to the ball nut to reduce the likelihood of binding of the ball nut on the ball screw as the packer blade traverses within the container.

Abstract: A variable booster device of a pneumatic regenerative system of a motorized vehicle is in fluid communication with a pneumatic device of the system. The variable booster device includes a main body and a plate slidingly coupled to the main body. The main body includes an inlet, an outlet, and an interior cavity. The plate is reconfigurable between a first configuration, where the outlet is a first size, and a second configuration, where the outlet is a second size. The variable booster device pressurizes the air a first amount when the plate is in the first configuration and pressurizes the air a second amount when the plate is in the second configuration, where the second amount is greater than the first amount. Disposed within the interior cavity is a first helical screw rotor and a second helical screw rotor. The two helical screw rotors are intermeshed with one another.

Abstract: A two-way flow rotary valve for a reversible compressor is disclosed. The two-way flow rotary valve comprises a tubular member with a first end and a second end. Two or more low friction face seals are disposed around the tubular member between the first end and the second end and a central section is disposed between the two or more low friction face seals. The two or more low friction face seals allow the central section to rotate within a substantially cylindrical receiver of a cylinder head. A gas port extends through the tubular member and is configured to allow the rotary valve to selectively exchange gas with a cylinder (when used as a compressor and when used as an air motor).

Abstract: A variable booster device of a pneumatic regenerative system of a motorized vehicle is in fluid communication with a pneumatic device of the system. The variable booster device includes a main body and a plate slidingly coupled to the main body. The main body includes an inlet, an outlet, and an interior cavity. The plate is reconfigurable between a first configuration, where the outlet is a first size, and a second configuration, where the outlet is a second size. The variable booster device pressurizes the air a first amount when the plate is in the first configuration and pressurizes the air a second amount when the plate is in the second configuration, where the second amount is greater than the first amount. Disposed within the interior cavity is a first helical screw rotor and a second helical screw rotor. The two helical screw rotors are intermeshed with one another.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a new and improved compactor or packer. The compactor, which may be used to compact refuse, includes a container, a track disposed within the container, and a ball screw rotatably disposed within the track. The compactor further includes a ball nut operatively coupled around the ball screw, where rotation of the ball screw causes the ball nut to move along or traverse the ball screw. A packer blade is coupled to the ball nut via a floating interface. Movement of the ball nut long the ball screw due to rotation of the ball screw forces the packer blade to move within the container. The floating interface allows the packer blade to float within the container with respect to the ball nut to reduce the likelihood of binding of the ball nut on the ball screw as the packer blade traverses within the container.

Abstract: A wing pivot mechanism that is configured to pivot two wings about a single pivot axis of a vehicle, such as an aircraft. The wing pivot mechanism includes a hub, a set of gears positioned at least partially within an interior region of the hub, and two wings that are rotatably connected to the hub. Each wings includes a gear surface extending therefrom. Each gear of the hub assembly engages a gear of a respective wing such that rotation of the gears of the hub assembly causes rotation of the gears of the wings and pivoting of the wings about the single pivot axis in opposite rotational directions between a stowed position and a deployed position. A releasable locking mechanism is provided for locking the wings in a fixed rotational position in both the deployed position and the stowed position.

Abstract: A wing pivot mechanism that is configured to pivot two wings about a single pivot axis of a vehicle, such as an aircraft. The wing pivot mechanism includes a hub, a set of gears positioned at least partially within an interior region of the hub, and two wings that are rotatably connected to the hub. Each wings includes a gear surface extending therefrom. Each gear of the hub assembly engages a gear of a respective wing such that rotation of the gears of the hub assembly causes rotation of the gears of the wings and pivoting of the wings about the single pivot axis in opposite rotational directions between a stowed position and a deployed position. A releasable locking mechanism is provided for locking the wings in a fixed rotational position in both the deployed position and the stowed position.