Abstract: Lightweight armor includes an inner liner with releasable fasteners on its outside surface for attachment to an aircraft interior releasable fastener layer and with an inside surface including releasable fasteners. A plurality of tiles of pressed polymer fibers in a resin matrix are secured to the inner liner inside surface with releasable fasteners. A cover is secured to the tiles with releasable fasteners.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automated mandrel clamping and indexing mechanism for a multi-piece AFP mandrel wherein a clamping mechanism is used in order to secure mandrel segments together as well as to join mandrel segments to end rings. The clamping mechanism is preferably integrated with an indexing mechanism according to embodiments of the present invention such that mandrel segments will preferably remain securely connected and aligned until air is applied to the clamping and indexing mechanism in order to unclamp the secured mandrel segments and remove the part being manufactured. The clamping and indexing mechanism preferably withstands the autoclave heat and pressure that is typically experienced during the curing part of the manufacturing process.

Abstract: A method for assembling an aircraft includes determining a three-dimensional representation of a first aircraft structure and a second aircraft structure using an optical positioning device. A predicted mate of the first aircraft structure and the second aircraft structure is generated from the three-dimensional representation of the first and second aircraft structures using a processor. The method further includes adjusting the predicted mate of the first and second aircraft structures to enhance performance characteristics of the aircraft using the processor.

Abstract: Boring apparatus for forming a generally horizontal underground passage in soil for a utility conduit or the like that includes a tool head with a base portion and a nose portion mounted on the base portion. The base portion is rotatable relative to the nose portion between a first position in which nose portion surfaces are symmetrical with respect to the tool axis so that the tool will move along a straight path and a second position in which nose portion surfaces are in asymmetrical position with respect to the tool axis so that said tool will move along a curved path. By application of torque to the base portion, the base portion is shifted relative to the nose portion to shift the tool head from between an asymmetrical configuration and symmetrical configuration. Torque generating surface structure interacts with the soil and generates clockwise torque in one tool head position and counter clockwise torque in the other tool head position.

Abstract: Boring apparatus for forming a generally horizontal underground passage for a utility conduit or the like that includes a tool head with elongated body structure and a cutting face of ellipto-conical form at one end of the elongated body structure. The cutting face has a major axis and a minor axis and cutting bit structure is fixed to and projects forwardly from the cutting face and extends substantially the full width of the cutting face generally along the major axis. The tool head also includes coupling structure for attaching the tool head to a drill string such that the cutting tool face is offset from the drill string axis. Structure in the cutting face defines a cutting fluid orifice adjacent the cutting bit structure for directing a high velocity jet of cutting fluid forwardly of the cutting tool face.

Abstract: Tool for slitting and laterally expanding underground steel gas mains and inserting replacement plastic piping into the spread apart pipeline has a forward end cylindrical portion mounting a single, rearwardly angled blade to make only one line of cut, and a conical pipe spreader portion at its rearward end. The conical spreader portion is eccentrically disposed with respect to the forward end cylindrical portion. A single roller type pipe slitter aligned with the fixed blade may be mounted on a removable extension of the forward end cylindrical portion, to initially groove and weaken the pipe along the intended line of cut. A pneumatically operated impact ram is attached to the rearward end of the tool, as is the leading end of the replacement piping. A wire cable pulls the tool through the underground pipe, thereby grooving, slitting and laterally expanding the pipe.

Abstract: Tool for slitting and laterally expanding underground steel gas mains and inserting replacement plastic piping into the spread apart pipeline has a forward end cylindrical portion mounting a single, rearwardly angled blade to make only one line of cut, and a conical pipe spreader portion at its rearward end. The conical spreader portion is eccentrically disposed with respect to the forward end cylindrical portion. A single roller type pipe slitter aligned with the fixed blade may be mounted on a removable extension of the forward end cylindrical portion, to initially groove and weaken the pipe along the intended line of cut. A pneumatically operated impact ram is attached to the rearward end of the tool, as is the leading end of the replacement piping, A wire cable pulls the tool through the underground pipe, thereby grooving, slitting and laterally expanding the pipe.