Abstract: A system and methods for airborne launch and recovery of aircraft. In one embodiment the system comprises a flexible tether configured to be towed behind an airborne mother ship. A drag device is secured to a distal end of the flexible tether to generate drag and maintain tension in the flexible tether. A reel associated with the mother ship anchors a proximal portion of the flexible tether and selectively lets out and takes up the flexible tether to adjust a length of the flexible tether. A capture mechanism associated with the aircraft engages the flexible tether to secure the aircraft to the flexible tether. In certain embodiments of the present methods, a flexible tether is deployed from an airborne mother ship. An aircraft translates forward and rearward along the flexible tether. Alternatively, the aircraft translates forward and rearward as the flexible tether taken up and let out from the mother ship. Prior to launch, the weight of the aircraft is transferred from the flexible tether to the wings.

Abstract: An aircraft for transporting a plurality of cargo containers comprising a forward fairing, an empennage and a spine disposed between the forward fairing and the empennage. The spine is made of a lightweight structure such that the aircraft has insufficient rigidity to withstand bending and tortional loads in flight. A cargo assembly comprising a plurality of modular cargo units is structurally and detachably mounted onto the spine to provide the additional structure to the aircraft required for it to fully withstand the bending and tortional loads of the aircraft in flight. Mounts may be provided to detachably engage the cargo assembly to the spine of the aircraft.

Abstract: Provided is a fire protection device for an aircraft or spacecraft. The fire protection device is provided with a fireproof bulkhead and an adjusting device, by means of which the fireproof bulkhead can be adjusted from a ventilating position I into a screening position II. This may prevent a stream of smoke and heat from penetrating into the cabin when there is a fire underneath the fuselage.

Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag system for aircraft, intended to protect crew and passengers. The system comprises: inflatable cushions; a supply of air from individual tanks, communal tanks and the aircraft APU; a connection to the landing gear and the altimeter; a manual switch; an approach and contact sensor enabling automatic activation; electric lines, electrovalves and air ducts. The system also includes a second version which is activated using electrochemical batteries which operate on the basis of sharp deceleration.

Abstract: An aircraft seat assembly configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention offers a light weight and comfortable seat cushioning system that also provides energy-absorption and enhanced passenger maneuverability in extreme conditions such as may be experienced in a hard landing situation. The cushioning system includes a crushable, energy-absorbing layer, a main cushioning layer, a smaller ishial insert layer which may be the same as the main cushioning material and a semi-dynamic pneumatic cell which uses a dual action breather valve to vary its inflation with changes in cabin pressure. The seat cushion may be finished with a covering of cloth or upholstery.

Abstract: A block including at least one glass ply at least partially covering an outer surface of a core made from composite material. A method for reinforcing a block made from a composite material, including a glass ply placed in a mould, such as to cover the base of the mould; the block is positioned in the mould; the edges of the glass ply are folded such that the glass ply is moulded to the outer edge of the block; the mould is closed with a cover; the block housed inside the mould is cured in an oven such as to polymerize the glass ply; and the glass-ply-covered block is recovered.

Abstract: An aircraft door includes an outer skin configured as a panel structure; and a rear body structure configured as an integral cast structure and operatively connected to the panel structure so as to provide rigidity.

Abstract: A missile includes several subvehicles that are initially mechanically coupled to a missile main body, and a separation system for separating the subvehicles form the missile main body. The separation system has a single triggering mechanism to simultaneously provide energy to separate all of the subvehicles. This advantageously provides only a single shock to the system by actuating the system to separate the subvehicles. By limiting the shocks to the single shock of actuating the energy system and the shocks of the mechanical disengagement of the individual subvehicles, the disengagement system has improved performance. The subvehicles may be separated from the main body in radial directions substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the main body. This may provide for smoother disengagement, with less tipping, and may provide for greater, more uniform spacing between the disengaged subvehicles.

Abstract: This aircraft comprises both propulsion units (7, 16, 17) for conventional aircraft flight in the atmosphere and for high-altitude operation as a rocket. It is divided into a payload compartment (8) and a compartment (13) essentially containing rocket propulsion unit ergols. It comprises a long transverse wing (3) with a small back-sweep to favour the lift in the dense layers of the atmosphere and make it possible to climb to high altitudes at a subsonic speed before using the rocket propulsion units. The return is performed by gliding or controlled as for a conventional aircraft.

Abstract: The structure provided multi-Levels of the center fuselage, two front wings, Extended mid-two wings and two rear wings with two vertical winglets. The fuselage has a cross section of half circle shaped fuselage. The first level comprises multi-fuel tanks, water tanks, Helium gas tanks, hydraulic, Pneumatic systems and plurality of the multi-landing gear bays and multi-cargo Compartments. The first level comprises a top cockpit and the plurality of the multi-passenger Cabins. The second level is comprises multi-central posts, multi-guy wires on the top center Beams, mid level, lower level center beams, leak proof sealed floor gates for the Multi-gas envelopes structure, under belly multi-pontoon air bags. The first level further comprises multi-jet power plants with multi-chute flaps. The second level may comprises, carbon fiber honey comb sandwich composite Multi-envelopes and multi-level soft gas envelopes.

Abstract: A low earth orbit system for beaming energy to earth includes a solar reflector that collects and focuses solar light onto a solar panel, transforming it into electricity to drive a diode pumped laser, which then produces a high-power laser beam that is directed to a receiver on the surface of the Earth via a diffractive lens. A steering system of optics and automated hardware controls the beam direction.

Abstract: An acoustic treatment structure related to a leading edge onto which an aerodynamic stream flows, in particular at an air intake of an aircraft nacelle, includes—from the outside to the inside—at least one acoustically resistive substructure (30), at least one alveolar substructure including strips (32) of cells, arranged in a direction that is essentially perpendicular to the direction of flow of the aerodynamic stream, and at least one reflective layer (34). Each strip (32) includes a first part that insulates the strips from one another, called a support, with a U-shaped cross-section in the longitudinal direction, whose open surface that is opposite to the bottom of the U shape is flattened against the acoustically resistive substructure (30), and at least a second part, called partitioning, making it possible to partition the space that is delimited by the support and the acoustically resistive substructure (30) into cells.

Abstract: A rotorcraft having multiple rotors, and wings that provide lift in forward flight, has mechanical coupling between rotors that can be disengaged and optionally reengaged, during flight. The coupling can, which can prevent a failure of one rotor from interfering with rotation of the other rotor(s), can be accomplished using many different types of devices, including for example, dog clutches and friction clutches, and collapsible clutches. Disengagement can range from being completely under control of an operator, to partially under operator control, to completely automatic. Among many other benefits, designing, manufacturing, fitting, retrofitting or in some other manner providing an aircraft with a device that can disengage rotation of one of the rotors from that of another one of the rotors during flight can be used to improving survivability in an emergency situation.

Abstract: A tube support plate with an offset pattern of tube receiving holes formed therein, the pattern being offset from either the X or Y axis of the tube support plate. One half of the offset pattern of tube receiving holes is on one side of the selected axis and the other half is on the other side of the selected axis. The offset pattern of tube receiving holes is the result of an increased pitch between pattern halves at the selected axis.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a collapsible hanger for supporting, among other things, cables from the ceiling of mines. The collapsible hangers of the present invention allow the cables to fall to the floor when tension, pressure, and/or weight is applied to the hangers, either directly or indirectly.

Abstract: A cable clip has a body and a fastener. The body has two supporting arms and a connecting arm. Each supporting arm has two ends. The connecting arm is formed between corresponding ends of the supporting arms. The fastener is mounted pivotally on the connecting arm of the body and has a through hole and multiple side surfaces. Distances from the through hole to the side surfaces of the fastener are different. Then, rotating the fastener adjusts the side surfaces abutting a plug to different plugs in different sizes.

Abstract: A support mechanism for a portable electronic device comprises two legs and a support bracket. The legs are retractably received in the portable electronic device. When the legs are withdrawn from the portable electronic device, the contact shoulder provides linear contact of the portable electronic device on a surface.

Abstract: A holding device for fastening a laser instrument, in particular to a magnetic construction, a pipe, a wall rail or ceiling rail, and/or a wall, is disclosed. The holding device includes a basic frame, a receptacle device connected to the basic frame to accommodate the laser instrument, a first fastening device connected to the basic frame and a second fastening device connected to the basic frame. At least the first or second fastening device is configured to be adjustable in a vertical direction relative to the basic frame.

Abstract: A holding device for fastening a laser instrument, in particular to a magnetic construction, a pipe, a wall rail and/or ceiling rail, and/or a wall, is disclosed. The holding device includes a basic frame, a receptacle device connected to the basic frame to accommodate the laser instrument and a fastening apparatus connected to the basic frame with a first fastening device. The first fastening device is configured to be rotatable around an axis of rotation relative to the basic frame from a first position into a second position.

Abstract: A hanging apparatus is provided that facilitates the attachment of a medical instrument to a support structure. The mechanism includes a generally longitudinal, telescoping assembly that extends outward from the back of the medical instrument and positions a rotatable arm to serve as one face of a clamp, opposing the back of the medical instrument as the second face of the clamp. The mechanism assembly includes a cylindrical shaft that extends outward against the tension force of a spring from a housing component of the assembly. A cam mechanism within the hanging apparatus allows for locking and tightening of the clamp against the support structure after closure of the clamp under the influence of the tensioning spring.

Abstract: A fixing mechanism for fixing a storage device to an electronic device, the fixing mechanism includes: a bracket having a base; a pair of fixing members fixed to two opposing positioning sides of the storage device; a pair of latching members fixedly disposed on the base, and aligned in parallel to each other to hold the storage device and the pair of the fixing members each engaged with the corresponding latching member to fix the storage device; and a resilient limiting member fixedly disposed on the base between the pair of the latching members to resist a top surface and a third side of the storage device. The storage device may be secured by the latching members and the resilient limiting member, or detached from the fixing mechanism depending on the resilient deformation of the resilient limiting member or the restoring elastic force of resilient limiting member.

Abstract: Mounting systems for mounting solar panels to a surface are disclosed and can include panel clamp assemblies and rail clamp assemblies. Panel clamp assemblies can comprise a panel clamp having a base and arms extending from edges of the base, the base having an aperture, a rail clamp having a central portion with an aperture and two flexible tabs extending from the central portion on opposing sides of the aperture and a fastener threaded through the apertures such that that flexible tabs contact a head of the fastener and the arms extend in an opposite direction from the flexible tabs. Rail clamp assemblies can comprise a base member having a bottom and two side walls, the bottom having at least one aperture and each side wall having an elongated aperture, two clamping members and a fastener, wherein the side walls of the base member are positioned such that the opening is of sufficient size to receive the rail.

Abstract: An article for supporting a material that includes a hanger of rigid material, with the hanger including a first planar portion connected to an offset but parallel second planar portion by a planar shoulder disposed perpendicularly to both the first and second planar portions and further including at least one spike disposed upon a front surface of the first planar portion and at least one notch disposed upon a side surface of the second planer portion. A pair of hangers may be used to form a shelf-like support through connecting the pair of hangers with a wire or filament engaged within a notch, a barb, or both.

Abstract: A collapsible support device for a mobile device, incorporating a composite member that can be selectively transitioned between an intermediate state, a tilted state and collapsed state. The composite member includes at least one rigid layer coupled to a malleable layer, and a first plurality of hinge elements that facilitate transition between the above states, the hinge elements including the malleable layer and substantially excluding the rigid layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adjusting device for the longitudinal adjustment of an automotive component, especially a vehicle seat. The adjusting device comprises an upper longitudinal rail with respect to the adjusting device and a lower longitudinal rail with respect to the adjusting device. The adjusting device comprises a locking device in such a manner that when the locking device is activated, a relative adjustment of the longitudinal rails in relation to each other can be blocked and when the locking device is released, the longitudinal rails can be unblocked. The locking device comprises a plurality of detent pins, at least one detent pin being adjusted in the locking position to lock the longitudinal rails and all detent pins being adjusted in a release position to release the longitudinal rails. The detent pins have a detent profile that is designed in such a manner that a first front section of the detent pin has a flare angle and a second section of the detent pin has a transition.

Abstract: A flat panel television mounting device includes a picture-type frame having a notch back surrounding an open central area along with a glass pane sized for reception by the notch back and supported by the frame. A linen is provided and adhered to one side of the glass pane with a central portion of the linen removable from the glass pane leaving a border around the removed central portion for exposing a television screen when the glass pane is disposed thereagainst.

Abstract: A member forming a support for a device includes a connecting portion for connecting with a tyre and a supporting portion for supporting the device. The connecting portion includes a connecting surface for connecting with the tyre, an upper surface, and a peripheral edge. The peripheral edge is delimited by a joining surface between the mutually opposite upper and connecting surfaces, which converge on the joining surface at an angle (?) of between 9 and 15 degrees.

Abstract: A household appliance, particularly a dishwasher or washing machine, having a height-adjusting device for an appliance pedestal. The height-adjusting device may include at least one drive gear engaged with a transmission drive converting the rotary motion of the drive gear into a lift motion of the appliance pedestal. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the drive gear includes a torque-limiting element operable to enable a deflecting motion of the drive gear from an operating position when a limit torque is exceeded, and which releases the engagement between the drive gear and the transmission drive.

Abstract: A method of producing a foundation bed (1) for a granulator mill includes the steps that the foundation bed is cast from a plastic- or concrete based casting material in a mould (13) manufactured from thin sheet metal, the mould being given surfaces (16) for cooperation with a granulator mill housing (2) with high precision. In order to avoid after-treatment of the surfaces (16) of the mould intended for cooperation with the granulator mill housing, these surfaces are clamped during the casting process against a common, configurationally stable clamping member.

Abstract: A reusable drain installer device for drainage systems, in the form of at least one generally “U” shaped form having a length suitable for the length of the drain to be installed, generally vertical sides and a bottom. A flange is positioned on the top of the vertical sides extending out from the sides. Removable spreader members are used to maintain the sides in a vertical orientation and a removable end cap closes the ends of the forms.

Abstract: A reusable, two-sided ice sculpture mold is disclosed that includes two halves made of a semi-rigid material such as plastic that resists deformation during freezing but provides sufficient flexibility to allow the mold to be separated from a finished ice sculpture by a slight flexing of the mold halves. A leak resistant seal is formed between the rims of the two halves by including a sealing gasket between the rims and by holding the rims firmly together using flip-lock fasteners that are located around the rims and are able to apply a substantially uniform sealing force. Preferred embodiments include an open base for filling and/or a gasket groove in the rim of one of the halves. The claimed mold is inexpensive to manufacture and includes only three parts that are easily separated and cleaned between uses.

Abstract: The invention concerns a panel formwork corner system, comprising a) a panel formwork inner corner element (1), with two inner limbs (5, 6) that are connected to each other and arranged at an angle with respect to each other, b) a panel formwork outer corner element (2) with two outer limbs (25, 26) that are rigidly connected to each other and disposed at an angle with respect to each other, c) two rectangular panel formwork elements (3, 4), each being formed with at least one tie hole (13, 14, 15, 16), wherein all tie holes (13, 14, 15, 16) of a panel formwork element (3, 4) are disposed in a common tie hole plane (A), wherein this tie hole plane (A) extends centrally between two parallel lateral outer edges (17, 18, 19, 20) of the rectangular panel formwork element (3, 4) and perpendicularly with respect to the formlining plane (SE), wherein the position of each tie hole (8, 9, 10, 11) of each inner limb (5, 6) with respect to three lateral outer edges (21, 12, 22) of the inner limb (5, 6) corresponds to t

Abstract: A compact instrument enables placement of the instrument such that the image of the laser beam, as retro reflected and diffracted, forms outside the tracking field of view. The target source and beam camera can be located at the focus of a Cassegrain objective. Embodiments include shared objective and twin objective design. With a shared objective design, both the beam projector and profiling camera can see the same focal length. A two objective design can use two different focal lengths.

Abstract: A tracking device for automatically following a moving light source that is detectable in the presence of ambient light. A carrier platform including one or more radiant energy conversion devices and a sensor array is mounted to an upright support column with a universal joint. Three independently-operated, linear actuators are equally angularly spaced about the support column with an upper end connected to the carrier platform with a universal hinge and a lower end connected to a floating base with a spherical hinge. A sensor array carried by the carrier platform includes a primary sensor associated with each actuator. During operation, when a primary sensor is not receiving direct radiant energy, the actuator retracts, and when it is receiving radiant energy directly, the actuator extends. The result is that the platform will directly track the sun across the horizon.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a light source used to simulate the sun in solar cell testing apparatus.

Abstract: A CMOS type semiconductor image sensor module wherein a pixel aperture ratio is improved, chip use efficiency is improved and furthermore, simultaneous shutter operation by all the pixels is made possible, and a method for manufacturing such semiconductor image sensor module are provided. The semiconductor image sensor module is provided by stacking a first semiconductor chip, which has an image sensor wherein a plurality of pixels composed of a photoelectric conversion element and a transistor are arranged, and a second semiconductor chip, which has an A/D converter array. Preferably, the semiconductor image sensor module is provided by stacking a third semiconductor chip having a memory element array. Furthermore, the semiconductor image sensor module is provided by stacking the first semiconductor chip having the image sensor and a fourth semiconductor chip having an analog nonvolatile memory array.

Abstract: A detector assembly is configured for characterizing electromagnetic energy that propagates along a light path. At least a component of the electromagnetic energy carries electromagnetic energy information along the light path. The detector assembly includes a first detector array arranged along the light path and having photosensitive elements aligned to receive at least some of the electromagnetic energy, including the component. The photosensitive elements selectively absorb a first portion of the component and produce a first set of electrical image data, based at least in part on the electomagnetic energy information, in response to the component. At least some of the photosensitive elements are at least partially transparent so that they selectively pass a second portion of the component to continue along the light path.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a photodiode to accumulate an image charge and a storage transistor to store the image charge. A transfer transistor is coupled between the photodiode and an input of the storage transistor to selectively transfer the image charge from the photodiode to the storage transistor. An output transistor is coupled to an output of the storage transistor to selectively transfer the image charge to a readout node and a reset transistor is coupled to the readout node. A controller is configured to apply a negative voltage to a gate of the storage transistor before activating the gate of the storage transistor to store the image charge.

Abstract: A direct attach optical receiver module and a system and method for testing the direct attach optical receiver module are provided. An optical receiver module may include an optical detector and an integrated circuit with an integrated amplifier circuit and at least one integrated capacitor. In one example, the optical detector may be physically attached to the integrated circuit and the output port of the optical detector may be electrically coupled to the input port of the integrated circuit. In another example, a redistribution layer that includes a tuning inductor may be being physically attached between the optical detector and the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A filter for an optical fibre temperature sensor comprising at least one first and one second optical filter for filtering an optical pulse reflected by said optical fibre, characterised in that said at least one first and one second optical filter comprise standard commercial filters complying with ITU specifications, said optical pulse lying within the range from 1570 nm to 1580 nm.

Abstract: The invention concerns an optical device for providing evanescent radiation, in response to incident radiation, in a detection volume for containing a target component in a medium, the detection volume having at least one in-plane dimension (W1) smaller than a diffraction limit. The diffraction limit is defined by the radiation wavelength and the medium. The evanescent radiation is provided by aperture defining structures having a smallest in plane aperture dimension W1 smaller than the diffraction limit. The detection volume is provided between said aperture defining structures. The aperture defining structures in addition define a largest in plane aperture dimension W2; wherein said largest in plane aperture dimension is larger than the diffraction limit.

Abstract: A method of determining degree of aging of an incompletely cured polymer resin material collecting IR spectra on a series of standards with carefully controlled aging time and data collected at appropriate time intervals with the standard LC method for determining cure condition of the material, using said spectra and LC data to make a multivariate calibration model and using said model to predict the cure condition of uncured samples of interest.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a timed, synchronized dynamic alpha or beta particle source for testing the response of continuous air monitors (CAMs) for airborne alpha or beta emitters is provided. The method includes providing a radioactive source; placing the radioactive source inside the detection volume of a CAM; and introducing an alpha or beta-emitting isotope while the CAM is in a normal functioning mode.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide a method and apparatus of generating a calibration matrix for a spectral detector instrument. A calibration plate contains one or more dye mixtures in each well of the calibration plate at known absolute concentration. From the calibration plate, aspects of the present invention are used to prepare a concentration matrix based on the dyes used in the assay and the different dye mixtures used in the calibration plate. An excitation source exposes the calibration plate causing the spectral species in each of the wells to fluoresce. The emission spectra for the different dye mixtures of dyes as gathered by the spectral detector instrument at different points in the range of spectra is used to generate a spectral matrix. Bilinear calibration is performed on the concentration matrix and the spectral matrix as to determine a calibration matrix relating spectra directly to absolute concentrations.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing an operation in a borehole penetrating the earth, the apparatus having: a carrier configured for conveyance through the borehole; and a neutron source disposed at the carrier and configured to produce a nuclear fusion reaction that emits a neutron to perform the operation.

Abstract: A novel system and methods for accelerating analytes including, without limitation, molecular ions, biomolecules, polymers, nano- and microparticles, is provided. The invention can be useful for increasing detection sensitivity in applications such as mass spectrometry, performing collision-induced dissociation molecular structure analysis, and probing surfaces and samples using accelerated analyte.

Abstract: A multi-resolution mass spectrometer system and intra-scanning method is introduced to enhance the measured peak resolution at different regions of a given mass spectrum while not significantly increasing the total duration of the scan. Such an arrangement enables extra resolution where necessary, such as, for example, when incorporating a slower scan rate only over a predetermined narrow low mass marker region of a given mass spectrum. Once past the marker region, the scan rate can be increased to provide the appropriate resolution for peptide identification.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a sample comprising the steps of: generating ions from the sample within an ionization chamber at substantially atmospheric pressure; entraining the ions in a background gas; transferring the background gas and entrained ions to an evacuated chamber of a mass spectrometer system using an ion transfer tube having an inlet end and an outlet end, wherein a portion of the ion transfer tube adjacent to the outlet end comprises an inner diameter that is greater than an inner diameter of an adjoining portion of the ion transfer tube; and analyzing the ions using a mass analyzer of the mass spectrometer system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the concentration of a first molecule having a chemical structure, which contains a first peptide sequence comprising: (a) obtaining a sample containing the first molecule, (b) providing a reference sample which contains a second molecule having a certain concentration and chemical structure, which contains a second peptide sequence, wherein the chemical structure of the second molecule only differs from the structure of the first molecule in one or more permutations in the first peptide sequence, (c) combining the reference sample and the sample containing the first molecule, (d) identifying at least one fragment peak in a mass spectrum (MS) of the first molecule and the second molecule, wherein the mass difference of the fragment peaks is only caused by the permutation of the at least two different amino acids, and (e) determining the concentration of the first molecule relative to the certain concentration of the second molecule by comparing of the

Abstract: A mass spectrometer data dependent method and apparatus is introduced to alter scanning parameters based upon data acquired during that scan. Such a method an apparatus may include the identification of ion species of interest meeting user specified criteria so that a determination can be made as to whether or not the present scan is to be continued, terminated, or alternatively paused while such a decision is being made. Such a method of operation saves overall cycle time and allows examination of, for example, marker ion ratios for additional peptides that might otherwise be missed.