Aircraft Carried Patents (Class 239/171)
  • Patent number: 3994437
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for evenly disseminating by broadcast techniques trace quantities of biologically active chemicals such as nutrients, insecticides, fungicides, growth regulators and the like. The biologically active chemical is encapsulated in a microdispenser such as a filamentary conduit of regulated cross-section and length. The filled microdispensers are then metered into a moving carrier fluid stream, preferably air, and the carrier fluid containing the microdispensers is then evenly dispensed throughout the area. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the microdispensers are coated with a second material which may be either another biologically active material or a sticker for attaching the microdispenser to living organisms such as plants or animals. The method and apparatus is also applicable to biologically active chemicals contained in laminated microdispenser structures for dissemination and release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1976
    Assignee: Albany International Corporation
    Inventor: Roger L. Kitterman
  • Patent number: 3990987
    Abstract: A smoke generator is disclosed which is particularly suitable for mounting on the wing tips of an aircraft and for conducting airflow studies. The device includes a network of thermally insulated tubes for carrying a fluid which is used to produce smoke. The fluid, which need not be combustible, is heated above its vaporization temperature by electric current which is passed through the fluid conduit tubes, so that the tubes serve both as fluid conduits and resistance heating elements. Fluid supply and monitoring systems and electrical control systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1976
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: James R. Rogers
  • Patent number: 3987966
    Abstract: Bundles of chaff fibers are fed into a rotating preacceleration chamber having a diverging outlet. The chaff fibers are rotated with the preacceleration chamber and are forced radially outward by centrifugal force. A feed mechanism forces the rotating chaff fibers toward the diverging outlet from which they are propelled outwardly at a high velocity and at an angle almost orthogonal to the rotational axis of the chaff dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1976
    Assignee: Calspan Corporation
    Inventors: Ernest V. Ruda, John E. Blickenstaff, Clayton J. Schneider, Jr.
  • Patent number: 3968933
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for dispensing seed or other particulate matter in the air to apply the particulate matter generally evenly over a target area on the ground. The seeds are entrained in a viscous, elastic carrier fluid, which facilitates the movement thereof through hydraulic equipment and holds the seeds together in the air to preclude segregation or drifting as the particles drop to the target area. The seed and carrier fluid mixture is either premixed and stored in storage chamber in the apparatus or is mixed immediately prior to being dispensed in the air.One embodiment of the apparatus is utilized to broadcast seed over a relatively wide area and comprises a rotating spray head for dispensing the seed and carrier fluid mixture into the air.Another embodiment of the apparatus is used to apply rows of crop seed and comprises a dispensing head for providing a narrow stream of the seed and carrier fluid mixture into the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1976
    Assignee: Amchem Products, Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Waldrum
  • Patent number: 3945572
    Abstract: A spray nozzle for mounting on an aircraft which controls droplet size comprises a bonnet section having a flexible diaphragm for permitting passage of spray material through a channel and outwardly through one of a plurality of selectively positionable orifices of varying cross-section for further passage through a flexible connection to a rotating cage assembly actuated by air flow impinging upon mounted fan blades for dispensing the spray material in relatively constant sized droplets for spreading over a large swath of crop terrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1976
    Inventor: Joseph A. Bockenstette, II
  • Patent number: 3944137
    Abstract: A device adapted for operational mounting upon a ground-level superior, moving, and dirigible platform, which device distributes individualized members of a particulate solid according to a ground pattern selectively controllable with respect to distribution frequency and locational placement of the individualized members.Claimed also is a sequence of operations method for distributing members of a particulate solid according to a ground pattern which ground pattern is selectively controllable with respect to member distribution frequency and locational placement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1976
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Malcolm A. Cutchins, Winfred A. Foster, Jr., Peter A. Orlin, Fred W. Martin, John E. Burkhalter
  • Patent number: 3936018
    Abstract: A spraying apparatus adapted for connection to a helicopter and including a tank for containing the fluid to be sprayed, a spray boom coupled to the tank, and a pump for pumping the fluid from the tank to the spray boom. The tank is releasably coupled to the aircraft. At least one boom support is coupled to the spray boom. The boom support is also releasably connected to the aircraft. The tank and the spray boom are readily releasable from the aircraft and are maintained in a substantially fixed orientation relative to the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1974
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1976
    Assignee: Transland, Inc.
    Inventor: Conrad R. Barlow
  • Patent number: 3933309
    Abstract: A spray boom for aircraft involving an elongate reservoir having the exterior shape of an air foil designed to minimize drag and assist in the lifting of the aircraft. The reservoir is interiorly divided into a plurality of separate compartments, each of which is sealed from one another and each of which is capable of handling a different type of material such as liquids, powders, granules, or even gases, if so desired. These compartments extend the full length of the boom and each of the compartments is provided with its own discharge nozzle whereby the contents of each or any of the compartments can be individually discharged therefrom along the entire length of the boom so that the contents of each compartment can be sprayed across the entire spray pattern of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1976
    Inventor: Robert J. Odegaard