Abstract: Hydrogen powered air vehicles that in some embodiments can fly with very long endurance (10 or more days) at altitudes over 60,000 ft carrying payloads of up to 2,000 pounds. Embodiments may include features such as large wingspan relative to fuselage and an all composite or partial composite structure for light weight and strength. The aircraft of the invention use one or more internal combustion engines adapted for hydrogen combustion, each engine driving propellers. The hydrogen fuel is stored on board in containers, located within the fuselage, as a cryogenic liquid, and is vaporized in a heat exchanger before delivery to the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Ground carts to support skid equipped aircraft and to maneuver these craft safely on the ground during taxiing for take off, recovery, servicing, and transport to maintenance or storage. The ground carts provide the capability to minimize risks of damage to aircraft during towing by lifting the aircraft off the ground. Further, an embodiment of the ground cart of the invention includes the ability to rotate the aircraft on a cart platform up to 90° from the direction of forward motion of the cart to facilitate movement in and around the airport apron/hanger and to counter cross winds during take off. In addition, carts may be controlled from the aircraft, for example to provide for steering control until the aircraft is launched, cart braking, platform rotation, and other maneuvers.

Abstract: A system, method and program product for predicting equipment reliability, especially for off-the-shelf equipment. Selected off-the-shelf equipment is distilled into fundamental elements, e.g., assemblies and components in the assemblies. Reliability statistics are gathered for assemblies and components in analogous equipment. Coefficients are generated to map the reliability statistics for the assemblies and components to intended uses and environments for the selected off-the-shelf equipment. Reliability statistics that are traceable and repeatable are generated for the selected off-the-shelf equipment based on the mapped assembly and component reliability statistics.

Abstract: Hydrogen powered air vehicles that in some embodiments can fly with very long endurance (10 or more days) at altitudes over 60,000 ft carrying payloads of up to 2,000 pounds. Embodiments may include features such as large wingspan relative to fuselage and an all composite or partial composite structure for light weight and strength. The aircraft of the invention use one or more internal combustion engines adapted for hydrogen combustion, each engine driving propellers. The hydrogen fuel is stored on board in containers, located within the fuselage, as a cryogenic liquid, and is vaporized in a heat exchanger before delivery to the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A doll pole for suspending stuffed dolls has a pair of stiffening and filler rods made from resilient foam plastic that are coaxially aligned and housed in a hollow tube made from sheet material. The rods are slidable within the tube and have a combined length which is less than the length of the tube so that the tube may be folded at its midsection for ease of transport and storage. Ribbons are spaced along the length of the tube for tying the stuffed dolls to the pole.

Abstract: The CRT is pivotally mounted in an enclosure which includes an integral camera. Photographs of the image on the screen of the CRT can be made by depressing the CRT and exposing the photograph.