Abstract: A ballistic protection material (10) having a composite layer (16) that comprises a mesh (54) embedded in a mass of compacted particulate material (56) that is bound together by a binder material (66). The mesh (54) may be a metal mesh, the particulate material (56) may comprise ceramic particles (64) and the binder material (66) may be an epoxy resin matrix. The ballistic protection material (10) may comprise additional layers, for example, a first layer (12) comprising a first class of steel and a second layer (14) comprising a second class of steel that is different to the first class of steel. The second layer (14) can be positioned intermediate the first layer (12) and the composite layer (16).

Abstract: A ballistic protection material (10) having a composite layer (16) that comprises a mesh (54) embedded in a mass of compacted particulate material (56) that is bound together by a binder material (66). The mesh (54) may be a metal mesh, the particulate material (56) may comprise ceramic particles (64) and the binder material (66) may be an epoxy resin matrix. The ballistic protection material (10) may comprise additional layers, for example, a first layer (12) comprising a first class of steel and a second layer (14) comprising a second class of steel that is different to the first class of steel. The second layer (14) can be positioned intermediate the first layer (12) and the composite layer (16).

Abstract: A compact three-bar linkage steering probe assembly, particularly useful with ultra-narrow row cotton harvester units, includes two vertical rocker arms pivotally connected to a harvester row unit at mid-point locations and upper ends connected by a cross link to generally constrain the arms for rocking in unison. Crop guides connected to the lower ends of the rocker arms follow the bases of the plant stalks as the row of plants enter the unit. The vertical arms are maintained within spacer tubes which prevent interference with adjacent rows of plants and which assure the arms are not disturbed by the adjacent rows. A sensor responsive to rotation of the rocker arms is located at the central pivotal connection. Arm leaf springs or a spring biased adjustable upper cross link provides probe flexibility for accommodating different plant stalk sizes.

Abstract: An illuminated sign assembly structured to be portable and thereby usable in a variety of applications such as emergency signalling for distressed vehicles. The sign assembly is formed from a flexible material base capable of being folded upon itself and thereby selectively disposed between an open and closed position. Indicia segments, preferably representing alpha-numerical representations are secured to a display face and accented and distinguished from the remainder of the base through a plurality of illuminating light bulbs arranged in spaced apart arrays which correspond to the configuration of the indicia segments. Electrical circuitry is provided for interconnection of the illuminating light bulbs to one another and to a satisfactory electrical power source such as, but not limited to, the electric battery in a conventional automobile.

Abstract: A design technique, method and apparatus for controlling the bypass gas stream pressure and varying the bypass ratio of a mixed flow gas turbine engine in order to achieve improved performance. The disclosed preferred embodiments each include a unique mixing device for combining the core and bypass gas streams which includes means for varying the area at which the bypass stream is injected into the core stream. The variable area mixing device permits the static pressures of the core and bypass streams to be balanced prior to mixing at widely varying bypass stream dynamic pressure levels.

Abstract: A design technique, method, and apparatus for varying the bypass ratio and modulating the flow of a gas turbine engine of the bypass type in order to achieve improved mixed mission performance. The disclosed preferred embodiments each include a gas flow control system for management of core and bypass stream pressure comprising diverter valve means downstream of the core engine to selectively mix or separate the core and bypass exhaust streams. The flow control system may also include variable geometry means for maintaining the engine inlet airflow at a matched design level at all flight velocities. Each preferred embodiment thus may be converted from a high specific thrust mixed flow cycle at supersonic velocities to a lower specific thrust separated flow turbofan system at subsonic velocities with a high degree of flow variability in each mode of operation, wherein the engine inlet airflow may be maintained at a matched design level at all engine velocities.