Abstract: A ladder rack system may have a slide with a support flange and a spanning flange. The system may also have a ladder support member adapted to selectively receive a portion of the support flange therein. The system may also have a pivot bracket pivotally connected to the ladder support member. The pivot bracket may be adapted to selectively move the ladder support member.

Abstract: Provided are flight control mechanisms, such as omnidirectional thrust mechanisms (OTMs), and methods of using such mechanisms. These mechanisms may be positioned in wings, tails, or other components of aircraft. A mechanism may comprise a center member and top and bottom panels. The center member may comprise two curved segments joint at a center edge. The top and bottom panels may be independently pivotable relative to the center member. At high speeds, the top panel and/or the bottom panel may be pivoted outward to change the lift, drag, roll, and/or other flight conditions. The mechanism may also include a gas nozzle to direct compressed gas to the center member. The center member and/or the top and bottom panels redirect this gas resulting in forces in one of four directions, which are used for controlling the aircraft at low speeds, down to hover.

Abstract: Provided are flight control mechanisms, such as omnidirectional thrust mechanisms (OTMs), and methods of using such mechanisms. These mechanisms may be positioned in wings, tails, or other components of aircraft. A mechanism may comprise a center member and top and bottom panels. The center member may comprise two curved segments joint at a center edge. The top and bottom panels may be independently pivotable relative to the center member. At high speeds, the top panel and/or the bottom panel may be pivoted outward to change the lift, drag, roll, and/or other flight conditions. The mechanism may also include a gas nozzle to direct compressed gas to the center member. The center member and/or the top and bottom panels redirect this gas resulting in forces in one of four directions, which are used for controlling the aircraft at low speeds, down to hover.

Abstract: Provided are flight control mechanisms, such as omnidirectional thrust mechanisms (OTMs), and methods of using such mechanisms. These mechanisms may be positioned in wings, tails, or other components of aircraft. A mechanism may comprise a center member and top and bottom panels. The center member may comprise two curved segments joint at a center edge. The top and bottom panels may be independently pivotable relative to the center member. At high speeds, the top panel and/or the bottom panel may be pivoted outward to change the lift, drag, roll, and/or other flight conditions. The mechanism may also include a gas nozzle to direct compressed gas to the center member. The center member and/or the top and bottom panels redirect this gas resulting in forces in one of four directions, which are used for controlling the aircraft at low speeds, down to hover.

Abstract: Provided are flight control mechanisms, such as omnidirectional thrust mechanisms (OTMs), and methods of using such mechanisms. These mechanisms may be positioned in wings, tails, or other components of aircraft. A mechanism may comprise a center member and top and bottom panels. The center member may comprise two curved segments joint at a center edge. The top and bottom panels may be independently pivotable relative to the center member. At high speeds, the top panel and/or the bottom panel may be pivoted outward to change the lift, drag, roll, and/or other flight conditions. The mechanism may also include a gas nozzle to direct compressed gas to the center member. The center member and/or the top and bottom panels redirect this gas resulting in forces in one of four directions, which are used for controlling the aircraft at low speeds, down to hover.

Abstract: A multi-segment flap fence is incorporated into the wing such that a lower fence structure is attached to the underside of the fixed wing, an upper fence structure is attached to the main flap (e.g., at the outboard end). The two flap segments are configured to slideably articulate with respect to each other when the flap is extended to form a composite flap fence having an area that is substantially equal to the sum of the surface areas of the upper and lower flap fence structures. In one embodiment, the area of the upper fence is less than that of the lower fence.

Abstract: A vehicle including a body having an exterior surface and a protrusion extending outward from the surface. The vehicle further includes a fairing mounted on the surface directly adjacent and behind the protrusion. The fairing has a forward end, an aft end opposite the forward end, and opposing sides extending between the forward end and the aft end. The opposing sides become progressively closer together from the forward end to the aft end so that the bracket has a tapered shape.

Abstract: A multi-segment flap fence is incorporated into the wing such that a lower fence structure is attached to the underside of the fixed wing, an upper fence structure is attached to the main flap (e.g., at the outboard end). The two flap segments are configured to slideably articulate with respect to each other when the flap is extended to form a composite flap fence having an area that is substantially equal to the sum of the surface areas of the upper and lower flap fence structures. In one embodiment, the area of the upper fence is less than that of the lower fence.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for filling containers with a gas or gas mixture under pressure are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a fixed volume vessel for containing the gas at a pressure P.sub.1, a line extending from the fixed volume vessel to a buffer volume vessel which has a capacity greater than the volume of the container to be filled, a pressure controller for controlling the pressure of the gas in the line so that the gas reaches the buffer volume vessel at a pressure P.sub.2 which is less than P.sub.1, a further line extending from the buffer volume vessel to at least one filling nozzle, and a valve located in the further line for controlling the flow of gas from the buffer volume vessel to the gas capsule to be filled.