Abstract: The invention is directed to deployable reflectarray antenna structure. In one embodiment, the deployable reflectarray antenna structure includes a pair of flexible electrical elements, a feed antenna, and a deployment mechanism that employs a plurality of tapes to respectively transition the pair of flexible electrical elements from an undeployed state in which the elements are folded towards a deployed state in which the deployment mechanism and electrical elements cooperate to form a reflectarray and a subreflector of a reflectarray antenna structure. Further, the deployment mechanism also operates to position the reflectarray and subreflector relative to one another and to the feed antenna so as to realize a reflectarray antenna structure.

Abstract: A solar power system for use with a space vehicle for achieving extended mission duration is disclosed. The solar power system includes sets of foldable solar panel casings which are unfolded and extended to the starboard and port sides (.+-.Y axis) of the space vehicle. During stowage the laterally offset sets of casings are placed in an overlapping arrangement to reduce the lateral space occupied within the payload bay of the host space vehicle. The casings are further extended away from the space vehicle by extending an extendable boom along the .+-.Y axis. The extendable boom preferably includes a first and second boom section rotatably attached at their inboard end of the support structure. The solar panels contained within the casings are extended in a .+-.Z axis and a hinge is provided between the ends of the boom sections ad the casings such that the deployed panels can rotate about the .+-.Z axis. A pitch drive motor rotates the boom sections about the .+-.Y axis.

Abstract: A bearing system providing redundancy of bearing function. An inner race and an outer race are concentric and axially spaced apart from one another. A bearing set includes a pin of individually rotatable bearing wheels. The wheels are mounted by an intermediate retainer. A selector is provided to restrain either of the races from rotation relative to its respective wheel, thereby providing for selection of which race is to be active in providing relative rotation of the races.

Abstract: An adjustment system for a suspension system having the property of providing a zero spring rate response to limited vertical excursions from a reference level, the suspension system including a load suspension spring supported from a load spring anchor. The adjustment system includes a rigid reference element below the suspension spring, bi-directional drive means between the load spring and the load spring anchor, and a probe insertable into an aperture in the reference element. Circuit means are responsive to the location of the probe relative to the reference element, to adjust the elevation of the load spring relative to the reference level and thereby to tend to restore the reference element to the reference level.

Abstract: A box construction includes hingeably connected top and bottom box sections which are preferably of identical configuration and each integrally molded from a plastic material. Each of the top and bottom box sections includes a sidewall portion having a pair of aligned hinge bars thereon and the hinge bars of the top and bottom box sections are received in aligned, pivotable, interfitting engagement to hingeably connect the top and bottom box sections together.

Abstract: A method of applying an anatomical occlusal surface configuration to a formable tooth-like member includes the step of pressing a stamp having a complimentary anatomical surface configuration onto the occlusal surface of the tooth-like member. The method can be effectively utilized in fabricating dental crowns, and it virtually assures consistent occlusal surface quality while minimizing labor costs. The stamp includes a stamping portion having the complimentary anatomical surface thereon and a handle portion for manipulating the stamping portion to form an occlusal surface on a tooth-like member.

Abstract: An eye construction includes substantially circlar, concentric pupil and iris portions, a white portion which encircles said iris portion and a transparent cover portion on the white portion. The white portion includes a white portion surface which extends forwardly and diverges outwardly from the perimeter of the iris portion. The opposite side portions of the white portion surface diverge at greater angles than the opposite top and bottom portions of the white portion surface and, as a result, the eye is operative for creating an illusion that the pupil of the eye is following the movement of an observer when the eye is moved relative to the observer.

Abstract: A base structure for a dental prosthesis comprises first and second anchor elements which are permanently securable to the teeth on opposite sides of a space or gap in the tooth structure of a patient and a base element which is securable to the anchor elements in the gap but which comprises slidably interfitted first and second base element portions so that it is expandable to fit the width of the gap. The method of securing and forming a dental prosthesis in the gap with the base structure comprises the steps of securing the anchor elements on the teeth on opposite sides of the gap, assembling the base element with the anchor elements in the gap, securing the first and second base element portions together, forming an outer shell on the base element and securing the base element with the outer shell thereon to the anchor elements.

Abstract: A permanent dental prosthesis and a method of installing the prosthesis in the mouth of a patient to replace a missing tooth. The prosthesis comprises a body portion, first and second lugs which project outwardly from opposite side edges of the body portion and which are inwardly slidable with respect to each other, a spring element for biasing the lugs apart and a cap receivable on the body portion for defining an outer tooth-like configuration for the prosthesis. In accordance with the method, the prosthesis is installed between a pair of spaced teeth by first forming elongated notches in the inwardly facing edges of the teeth and then assembling and cementing the prosthesis between the teeth so that the lugs are received and cemented in the notches. The spring element is preferably then removed, and a cap is formed over the body portion to provide an outer configuration for the prosthesis which simulates a natural tooth.

Abstract: An agile payload orientation system for a space satellite comprises a three-axis gimbal (30) for coupling an appended body (20) containing the payload (24, 25, 26, 27) to a main body (10) of the satellite. The appended body (20) also contains moment control gyroscopes (29), which are responsive to external command for changing the orientation of the appended body (20) relative to an inertial reference. The gimbal (30) comprises three separate torquer-resolver units (31, 32, 33), which are connected to each other in series so that their axes are mutually orthogonal to each other and coincide at a single point (34) located at the center of mass of the appended body (20). Since the center of mass of the appended body (20) does not move when the appended body (20) is rotated about the axis of any of the torquer-resolver units (31, 32, 33), a change in orientation of the appended body (20) can be made without disturbing the orientation of the main body (10).

Abstract: A base structure for a dental prosthesis comprises first and second anchor elements which are permanently securable to the teeth on opposite sides of a space or gap in the tooth structure of a patient and a base element which is securable to the anchor elements in the gap but which comprises slidably interfitted first and second base element portions so that it is expendable to fit the width of the gap. The method of securing and forming a dental prosthesis in the gap with the base structure comprises the steps of securing the anchor elements on the teeth on opposite sides of the gap, assembling the base element with the anchor elements in the gap, securing the first and second base element portions together, forming an outer shell on the base element and securing the base element with the outer shell thereon to the anchor elements.